Musical lightbulb moments log

[dave brum]

I'm having so many of these lately I think I have to start a new thread to keep track of them all.

Not really number 1 but it is here. In any minor scale, the third degree is always its relative major scale, e.g C minor's third is Eb, its relative major, Gmin=Bb, Bmin=D etc. Like the circle of 5ths C-G, G-D etc.

I made the discovery practising Gypsy Dance in Cmin by Haydn, which modulates to its major for a while.

[dave brum]

I've just discovered I have a wrist so I'll use it! Not fair on fingers that they should do all the work!

[Gill the Piano]

And arms. When playing staccato think of bouncing a tennis ball - you use the whole arm but gently.

[dave brum]

And tickling, not tinkling the ivories.

[dave brum]

Here's a good one. I've realised that I CAN learn to be a very good sight reader but the problem is not that I'm too old, or too thick or even have the wrong attitude. It's because I don't have the confidence. I really am too scared.

[Feg]

Here's a good one. I've realised that I CAN learn to be a very good sight reader but the problem is not that I'm too old, or too thick or even have the wrong attitude. It's because I don't have the confidence. I really am too scared.

Believe it or not, that reason is the only one that you CAN do something about! However, you will need the help and support of a trained professional (not in the piano teaching sense) but in the talking therapy/trained counsellor sense. it can be overcome with help.

[dave brum]

I think I can do much more about things that are wrong with me but I just don't have the confidence or I'm scared of change or taking risks etc. I had thought about going to a private counsellor as I really do not think anything I've had offered to me by the NHS (and I've had loads of things) actually gets to the heart of the problem. But again I don't know where to begin. I had to stop working at the bookshop because I just didn't have the confidence to even face other people.

Also I don't get that much money and as I hinted elsewhere I may have to take another cut soon due to a move from contributions to income based benefits.

Some people in church tried to help me out but then Fanny Fosdyke and I fell out and I stopped going.

I really hate whingeing to mental health services because all they do is passively say 'yes David I know how you feel you poor old sod, do you feel suicidal, here's some more medication...'. They never tell you how to empower yourself or actively engage with your problem to help you to kill it.

[Feg]

I'll PM you later.

[Gill the Piano]

Don't keep saying it because you're reinforcing that idea in your brain. Keep telling yourself you can't do it and sure enough... I know it's a big thing to ask, but try to remain positive. Thunk of all the things you CAN do, not the one thing you (think you) can't.

[dave brum]

But what can I do apart from annoy everybody, including my wife, and whinge all the time?? (I've just received something else from the Benefits Agency to whinge about).

How do I convince myself that I am not a waste of space? What can I say that I am proud of myself for?? I really do not know as there are so many things wrong with me and they can only become more and more entrenched if they're not dealt with.

[Gill the Piano]

You've passed piano exams.You are intelligent. You persist with your practice doggedly. You speak Welsh fluently. And as one quote I love says 'I am an Englishwoman. I was born in wedlock. I am on dry land.' Said by Lady Something-or-other when things looked bad (when the caviar had dropped off the spoon or something...)

[dave brum]

I do practice and practice earnestly because I believe practice makes perfect, however I'm not sure whether I'm actually any GOOD or not??

[dave brum]

I can STILL play those hymn tunes I played over a month ago, so why does it seem so bloody unimportant?

[dave brum]

What I've blamed in the past on SRing is probably more to do with unexercised fingers and/or fingers that move too slow. Most of the problems I have are with runs of fast SQs, however hymns, carols and slow to moderate pieces in Book 1 I do not have a problem with, in fact I can sight read them BETTER the more frequently I revisit them. I always notice this on a Sunday when I change my 6 repertoire pieces.

So I've incorporated exercises with the SQ runs in the relevant hand only into my practice schedule. The piece Gizzy refers to as 'pee-po pee-po belly belly bum bum' (her words not mine) is one of 'those' pieces.

DB (who can sight read!)

[Gill the Piano]

HURRAH!

[dave brum]

The first three spaces upwards on the bass clef spell ACE but the three ledger lines below it also spell likewise.

As do the three ledger lines above the treble steve. The three lines above the treble can be linked by a vertical line to make an upper case E, which is what the top note is! These silly little things a saft old sausage like me notices!

[Gill the Piano]

But so useful for remembering things! I'd never spotted all that...