Chip in just a little to help buy CC a new video camera

[torchygirl]

Chuan C. Chang has volunteered to attempt to video the thumb over technique for us.  But he does not have a working camera, and a camera with manual audio, which he would need, is quite pricey.  For all the work he has put in for us for, basically, free, I think we should chip in and help him buy one.  Anyone else agree?  If everybody helped by CC's book put in $10 or even $5, that could go a long way.  And if you have the ability to put in more and want to (I have been the recipient of much generosity in my life, and feel compelled to give back at this point) that's great too!

Here is CC's address:  C. C. Chang, 16212 Turnbury Oak Dr, Odessa, FL 33556

Perhaps even better is to go to paypal.com and email the funds to cc88m@aol.com.

Here is CC's website:https://members.aol.com/chang8828/contents.htm

Even if you haven't directly benefitted from CC's book, if you have benefitted from this site you have in all likelihood benefitted from the book!

Karen

[xvimbi]

A USB or Firewire camera should be absolutely sufficient for this purpose. Some, like Apple's iSight, have a built-in microphone that can be adjusted, but one can of course also connect a separate, higher-quality microphone. These cameras go for around $100.

On a different note, I don't think CC's problem is that he can't literally "afford" a camera. It sounds more like he hasn't gotten around to buy one, and it's not a top priority for him, but I might be wrong.

On the other hand again, a financial contribution to keep his book up-to-date, for example by adding video footage, is by no means unreasonable. He can then do with the money whatever he wants to. Also, I think the book would benefit greatly from adding diagrams (lots of them), even animated ones. We could all work together and provide diagrams and other additions, even new paragraphs or chapters. Of course, all this requires CC's approval. He must have the ultimate control over all this. He may not want too much involvement by others, and his priorities might be completely different.

CC, tell us. 

[kilini]

Diagrams can be even better, as they don't require lots of money to make, even animated ones.

EDIT: And they can be just as clear and explanatory.

[torchygirl]

Diagrams can be even better, as they don't require lots of money to make, even animated ones.

EDIT: And they can be just as clear and explanatory.

Are you volunteering your drawing skills Kilini  ?  Drawing a hand/arm in a particular position, or a series simulating a movement, can be pretty darn difficult. 

Karen

PS  I sent CC some $$ just because I want to do my share "for the cause," and my drawing skills aren't good enough to publish!

[CC]

Thx! folks.  You are right that I can easily afford a camera; my main limitation has been time -- note that the last post I entered yesterday was 2 AM (actually this morning).  That's how busy I am.  Besides, I have not yet found a convenient camera with controllable ACG.  But I am not rich by any means, and cannot even pay my translators who offer their time completely free -- the nicest bunch of people I have ever met.

Any contribution will help to keep the printed version that I sell more up-to-date.  What I do is print several hundred, and as soon as I break even, I print the next updated version. Thus I charge more than they cost me per book, but I print the next version as soon as I break even. I give away the left overs to whoever deserves them.

In addition to my numerous interests (golf, fishing, travelling, horticulture [this is where I learned a lot of what is in my piano book, believe it or not], woodworking, etc.), I am still actively researching piano learning methods.  I have a backlog of new, important results to add to my book, including hand stretching techniques, fastest chromatic scale, health/injury updates, improving my section on HT practice by using Mozarts Alla Turca, etc., etc.; also, research on improvisation, chord progression, music theory (what is music???), fake books, etc.

As for others contributing to my book, my book is mentioned in the Wiki site, but maybe I should bite the bullet and put it all there and have two versions of my book; the Wiki book, and my private one.  Any suggestions along that line?  I would certainly want to experiment with opening the book to anyone who wants to contribute -- I am certain that it will grow faster than my private version. OTOH, I want my private version so that I can control it more closely.

[torchygirl]

I like the idea of all of PF chipping in a bit and showing our gratefulness to CC (as one of several who have gone way above and beyond the call of duty to further our abilities!).  I hope others will find a few bucks too!

Karen

[Steve T]

I agree, we should all chip in. Chang's book has totally accelerated my rate of progress, technique and numerous other skills. I now have a method for tackling a piece instead of the haphazrd methods I used before. I'm learning pieces 10 times faster and memorizing quicker.
Support Chang, he has done piano students a huge service. 

[torchygirl]

Yea Steve!!

CC- I think you should retain control of your book.  We use this forum to post other "articles" to.  Your book is large enough that additions might make it get out of hand. 

OTOH, if you wanted your site to become a permanent repository for articles from some of the very knowledgable around here (Bernhard, Xvimbi, etc.) that might be nice so those poor guys don't have to search around for their references all the time!  I don't know what they think about this.

Karen

(Btw, I know I didn't try to collect to buy Bernhard, Xvimbi, etc. video cameras but you guys certainly deserve something too!  It would be so nice if we could have a PF reunion and buy dinner and drinks for each other! )

[xvimbi]

(Btw, I know I didn't try to collect to buy Bernhard, Xvimbi, etc. video cameras but you guys certainly deserve something too!  It would be so nice if we could have a PF reunion and buy dinner and drinks for each other! )

I have learned so much more on this forum than I have contributed. I am still way on the paying side

What concerns contributions to CC's book, I know from other such projects that it is often not money that is needed, but time. That's why I think, if we want to contribute, we should do so in form of actions, not so much monetary donations. That could e.g. be typesetting, proofreading, translating, making drawings and videos, etc.

[torchygirl]

I have learned so much more on this forum than I have contributed. I am still way on the paying side

Ahhh, humility   

What concerns contributions to CC's book, I know from other such projects that it is often not money that is needed, but time. That's why I think, if we want to contribute, we should do so in form of actions, not so much monetary donations. That could e.g. be typesetting, proofreading, translating, making drawings and videos, etc.

I agree that those would also be useful things.  And I guess I would vote that we all try to do something (as many are).  I guess the other things seem harder to do than sending in a few bucks.  But, certainly if people have the talent and time they should go for it!  But I also think that CC is doing the bulk of the work re book, and if those of us who are benefitting from this work can help him pay for his expenses, that's worthwhile too.

Karen

[Steve T]

I think the book is so good that CC should either self publish it properly or find a publisher and get it liste on Amazon. I think it would sell for a good price.
The test marketing should be over by now. The book's clearly a success. I'd love to see it in the bookstores.
Go for it CC.

[CC]

I may eventually publish it, but by then, books may be passee.  The book is by no means close to finished, and most of the write-up is not up to my standards, as I usually re-write about 8 times before I am satisfied (most of the book has been re-written only 3-4 times) -- I have published over 100 articles in respected journals and some of them, if I might say so myself, are classics because reviewers made suggestions and I was given the luxury of plenty of time to perfect them.  My piano book was written hodge podge, and of course in a rush all the time, so the writeup is very uneven. Re-writings involve not only sentences and grammar, but fresh ideas, and elimination of errors.