Idle chit-chatterers' corner

louttrim · Post by **louttrim** » 08 Jan 2009, 17:10

hi Moonlight!

my new one is a Steck upright. Probably from the 30s I'd have thought. It's not as pretty as my original one, but looks aren't everything!

My first lesson of the year is tomorrow morning.. so we'll see if my teacher notices any improvement. Dave's right, your teacher could be setting you work to do inbetween lessons. Do you go to her house? Maybe having shorter lessons more frequently would be better? Depends on cost of course

Lx

louttrim · Post by **louttrim** » 08 Jan 2009, 18:22

yey Dave - Rondino is a nice little piece, I'm still trying to get a handle on the legato, and the dynamics aren't as fluid as they should be. I like that book a lot, though, it's got some beautiful music in there. I've still got your pressie here.. might drop it off tomorrow if you're in?

Lx

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 09 Jan 2009, 15:43

dave brum wrote:Sorry about that Anna could your teacher not give you homework directly from the g1 syllabus or some sample sight reading tests to get your teeth in to in the two week gap you go to lessons? Sounds to me all she is interested in is lining her pockets!

I do have homework, its to get the timing etc for Kummer correct, and to pratice it hands separately as I'm so used to playing it with the wrong timing with both hands I need to relearn how to play it, as its been memorised as 'muscle memory' if you know what I mean.

I'm virtually ok with the Vivalid piece just got to keep in strict time, and make sure theres a big diffrence between F and P.

We haven't even started with the T Rex tune, my teacher is very thorough, she wants me to do it all correctly and of corse thats what I want, I don't want a soft teacher. I really don't think she bothered about geting more money out of me as she said I should ask the other piano teacher that teaches here to give me lessons every week, as my teacher has to travel into here and only does it once a week on weekdays.

I do have the Improve your sight reading! book I think I will go through it without my teacher as I don't have enough time in the half hour lesson

.

I wonder how many other student pianists are out there, like me and you Dave, that would make great pupils if only they could afford it!

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 09 Jan 2009, 15:53

louttrim wrote:hi Moonlight!

my new one is a Steck upright. Probably from the 30s I'd have thought. It's not as pretty as my original one, but looks aren't everything!
My first lesson of the year is tomorrow morning.. so we'll see if my teacher notices any improvement. Dave's right, your teacher could be setting you work to do inbetween lessons. Do you go to her house? Maybe having shorter lessons more frequently would be better? Depends on cost of course

Lx

Hi Linzy,

Thanks for the make of it, I will try to see if its in my book about piano history and makes! and good luck with your lesson

.

Like I said my teacher does set me homework, but as the lessons are so short, 30 mins and every other week we really only have time to work on one piece at a time, never mind the more technical aspects like scales! but I try to work through that stuff on my own anyway.

markymark · Post by **markymark** » 16 Jan 2009, 23:23

Dave, you're not wise!

It must be in fashion 'cos Barrie has gone for it too!

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 20 Jan 2009, 14:42

dave brum wrote:could anyone tell me what a 'microscale' is? Is it part of a scale or something?

Isn’t it another name for a tetrachord? Thats what I would think it is...but can't find an explanation for it in any of my music books!

Hi Dave how are u ?

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 21 Jan 2009, 16:59

dave brum wrote:Anna I was wondering whilst practising it, how do you cope with the all over the place dynamics in 'Kummer'? I can't fathom them out one bit!!!Have you by any chance mentioned it to your piano teacher???

Its fairly self explanatory I think. But I will try to help we are talking about Kummer only? In the first bar start of really soft, I like to try to play it at pp so I can get time to do the crescendo, the last note of bar 1 an 'A' is a lot louder then at the start of the bar the next note 'E' is the loudest of that phrase. The bar 2 and 3 gets louder still. Bar 4 will be as loud as the start of bar 2 because of the diminuendo. Looking at the piece now the notes with the tenuto lines above need more emphasis so will be a little louder then the other notes before them. I could keep going on like this but Im sure you get what I mean, just experiment with the crescendos and diminuendos but don't get too loud.

I don't think the whole piece should get any louder then mp in my opinion, but thats my way of playing it. My teacher also tells me to lift the wrist after the slurs. This seperates the sound of the notes in the phrase from the next group of notes or note. Its difficult to explain this in words but the sound really is diffrent when you do it, its like its 'catching its breath' so to speak.

I have a new teacher by the way Dave

so far so good! didn't you get my last email?

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 21 Jan 2009, 19:07

dave brum wrote: So its a slight crescendo up to let's say mf by the time we get to the E, then another crescendo up to an ff see now

I wouldn't go as loud a ff ! in Kummer. Theres nothing 'slight' about mf either I think. Play the whole pices quitely varing the loudness.

dave brum wrote:BTW I did get your email but I did mean your old teacher, sorry! Do you have a lesson this week??

I had it already this week. I really like my new teacher I think we just clicked. And I even heard her play! I never heard my other teacher play anything other then whatever bar I was having problems with. We went through all 3 pieces, a bit of scales & arrps all in 30 mins!

That is good news Dave about your money for your lessons, hope you get a reply soon from the teacher.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 24 Jan 2009, 19:30

Linzy, the Steck was often a pianola; they were built like brick wotsits, because they had to withstand a battering from the pianola mechanism. Is yours an ex-pianola?

louttrim · Post by **louttrim** » 26 Jan 2009, 09:31

Linzy, the Steck was often a pianola; they were built like brick wotsits, because they had to withstand a battering from the pianola mechanism. Is yours an ex-pianola?

Hi Gill

yes, I think so - but I haven't had the lid off yet to have a proper look. It's got a very different sound my old piano, but I like it a lot. Am probably a complete philistine!!!

L

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 30 Jan 2009, 17:11

You can tell if it used to be a pianola because there'll be 4-5 inches of redundant space between the front of the piano (behind where your music sits) and the action of the piano.

louttrim · Post by **louttrim** » 31 Jan 2009, 16:28

Hi Gill

yes, you're right - it is/was a pianola

Luckily it got into the house OK! All I know about it's history is that it used to be in a pub, as a regular piano, before my piano teacher bought it, and now it's here. Interesting to think about all the people that would have either listened to it playing itself, or played it themselves!

Lx

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 31 Jan 2009, 17:49

If you (or your tuner) can find a serial number, Bill over on the Piano History thread will be able (probably!) to date it for you. Then you can have a birthday party for it...

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 02 Feb 2009, 20:28

Groooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnn.....

markymark · Post by **markymark** » 03 Feb 2009, 00:44

Grenache wrote:That's an interesting fingering, Joseph, when I was taught many years ago (and I haven't had lessons for a while), it was to use 1 on the white notes, 3 on the black notes and 2 for C and F (for the right hand).

I'll have a go at your suggestion later when I can get off this computer.

I have to say, I was taught the same way and in that respect am a traditionalist!

These concert pianists and their innovative experimentist mentality, phaw!

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 03 Feb 2009, 21:24

markymark wrote:
Grenache wrote:That's an interesting fingering, Joseph, when I was taught many years ago (and I haven't had lessons for a while), it was to use 1 on the white notes, 3 on the black notes and 2 for C and F (for the right hand).

I'll have a go at your suggestion later when I can get off this computer.
I have to say, I was taught the same way and in that respect am a traditionalist!

Thats Interesting actually. I was having a bit of trouble in my piano lesson today relearning the conventional way of doing chromatic scale fingering, the way Marky and Grenache are talking about. I have been using Joseph’s way of doing them, which I think is easier as the fingers full in succession and the hand keeps it natural postion. But my teacher was saying 'no don't do it like that' so I need to relearn to play that piece the way she wants to keep her happy

.

markymark wrote:These concert pianists and their innovative experimentist mentality, phaw!

Nothing wrong with anything experimental or innovative if it makes playing the piano easier. If it wasn't for those kind of ideas we would still be playing with fingers 1-4 only now wouldn't we!

and of course you can't use the thumb on the black keys either - if you are a traditionalist

.

markymark · Post by **markymark** » 13 Feb 2009, 00:00

Moonlight wrote:Nothing wrong with anything experimental or innovative if it makes playing the piano easier. If it wasn't for those kind of ideas we would still be playing with fingers 1-4 only now wouldn't we!

To an extent, but then again, an examiner is not going to be looking over Joseph's shoulder to assess fingering. The fingering I mentioned is the standard issue fingering for chromatics for both ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall.

Not sure what you mean about playing with fingers 1-4...

BTW, you should have a question mark at the end of that last sentence... if you're a traditionalist

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 13 Feb 2009, 17:42

markymark wrote:Not sure what you mean about playing with fingers 1-4...

Sorry, I meant fingers 2-5. Isn’t that the really old way they used to play keyboard instruments or was it just the harpsichord ? as using the thumb was frowned upon. I read it somewhere.

markymark wrote:

BTW, you should have a question mark at the end of that last sentence... if you're a traditionalist

Yeah, thats what I wanted to write: 'if you're a traditionalist'

Marius · Post by **Marius** » 18 Feb 2009, 17:29

Dave!!

Long time no see!

How`s it going with you and your piano playing?

Im gonna send you a boogie song, of the boogie master: axel swingenberger

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 10 Aug 2010, 16:44

I'm still alive. Apparently...

Post by **Feg** » 10 Aug 2010, 18:29

I'm still here too, Dave

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 11 Aug 2010, 15:25

...thought I would post something just for old times sake...

Post by **Feg** » 17 Aug 2010, 20:59

No, not petered out - just trying to fit everything in to far too few hours in the week

If you REALLY want MY news, then here goes.............my son has a 2nd year entry place at university to study BSc Interactive Entertainment and Games Development and has got last minute paid employment doing software testing. He is finding the adjustment from sitting in front of his computer to sitting in front of someone else's computer very tiring but is enjoying the thought of the extra funds in his bank account.

My daughter is catching up on school work ready to start back on Thursday.

I, on the other hand, am doing the last minute washing/ironing/my famous headless chicken impression that I usually do this close to the start of the new school term.

I'll have to contact my private recorder pupil and sort out when he will start lessons again, although my group classes at the local primary will not start until the end of September.

As well as all of the above, I tune pianos

Post by **Feg** » 17 Aug 2010, 21:26

Scottish school terms are different from England. School breaks up at the end of June and goes back mid-August.

Both children got good exam results so Caroline is sitting her Highers this year and Chris is starting Uni! Sometimes I wonder where the years have gone. Caroline who is the youngest will be 17 in December and starting either driving lessons or motorbike training or both! Her brother has passed both licences and has his own motorbike.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 08 Sep 2010, 17:32

I actually knew who nine of the people were on SCD...given that I'm generally a couple of centuries behind the times, I realise that's not necessarily A good thing. Just as well it bores me rigid and I shan't be watching it then!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 09 Sep 2010, 17:52

I have a piano-shaped music box which plays an hysterically out-of-tune version of Blue Tango....takes several listens before you can understand what it is!
I like Alec Templeton - Bach Goes To Town. And what about Billy Mayerl???

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 10 Sep 2010, 19:33

We have a Victorian dentist's chair in the music room, and a drill to match. Anyone want a go....?

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 11 Sep 2010, 16:15

Yep, the drill works with a treadle. We haven't got any bits for the drill though.
Highly polished??? Not in MY house!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 13 Sep 2010, 18:07

Come and have a look then!!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 14 Sep 2010, 16:55

If I had a camera, and/or the tecnolololological wossname, I would. But I haven't!

pianoguy123 · Post by **pianoguy123** » 15 Sep 2010, 08:35

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5uWzyUT1M

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 17 Sep 2010, 17:47

Because you think you can't do it, but try it and you'll be pleasantly surprised....I speak as one who thought she couldn't carve in 3 dimensions and grudgingly did so this summer.
Only to find that I actually enjoyed it; it was only the THOUGHT of it that scared me - the practicality of it was far less scary than the idea!
BTW, I'm not on about urination, I'm on about sightreading; Dave types faster than me and interposed the above between the sightreading post and the answer...

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 18 Sep 2010, 17:18

Mmm, well it's totally untrue that the piano exams are a piece of p....anyway, our local radio said re the 'third world' remark of the Pope's sidekick 'What, like a country that doesn't believe contraception or homosexuality should be allowed?'

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 20 Sep 2010, 18:09

dave brum wrote:I still don't get why there are dynamic markings in a Baroque piece (Grade 3 11-12, Prelude in C - Bach)

As they are editorial/advisory you are free to ignore 'em; they can't touch you for it!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 21 Sep 2010, 16:30

It doesn't mean that there should be NO dynamics in there, just that there is no right and wrong. JSB wrote them for the harpsichord which was fairly expressionless in that you needed to depress pedals or stops to acieve any difference in tone. But to use no dynamics whatsoever would sound a bit lifeless. Take your teacher's advice; she knows (you) best!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 22 Sep 2010, 18:02

At least you're aware of the problem and can fix it!
We drove a music teacher to the brink of madness at school by chorusing 'BLESHOO!' every time she said Khachachurian...happy daze!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 23 Sep 2010, 18:42

We never done no Umperdink...

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 24 Sep 2010, 18:17

Geoffrey Burgon died recently...Brideshead Revisited amongst other things. /I remember him coming to the High Wycombe Schools thingy in about 1970 when I was 9 to conduct a massed choir. And I decided I lurved him....he made Britten bearable!

Post by **Feg** » 30 Sep 2010, 17:45

Don't know if this is the place to post this but..............

on Saturday 9th October, one of my recorder pupils is playing in a concert as part of the local Music Festival...eeek!

He'll be fine, but I'm providing the accompaniment and will be not-so-fine! Methinks I'd better clear the junk off my piano and do some p******e

Fiona

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 30 Sep 2010, 18:26

Don't tell anyone I said this, but last-minute practice fuelled by terror and adrenalin works better for me than carefully regimented hours of practice! You'll be fine...

Post by **Feg** » 01 Oct 2010, 10:40

Gill the Piano wrote:Don't tell anyone I said this, but last-minute practice fuelled by terror and adrenalin works better for me than carefully regimented hours of practice! You'll be fine...

It's alright - I know this method of practice well. It's how I got to Grade 8 violin & piano etc as a teenager. Practice like mad the night before and wing-it at lessons

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 14 Oct 2010, 17:47

Only in america...

I have a cat who loves everybody...we had a little girl knock at the door and ask if our ginger cat could come out to play.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 31 Oct 2010, 15:59

Satrurday nights are full of turgid puerile rubbish and the TV programmers are treating us like morons; if it isn't idiots cavorting about trying to dance, it's idiots cavorting about trying to sing, both unsuccessfully. So I put the radio on...and they were talking about £*(%!^$ XFactor...

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 02 Nov 2010, 15:55

I get annoyed by Classic FM when I think, 'Ooo good, I like the next movement....' but the next movement never comes as they only play the 'lollipops'.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 21 Nov 2010, 14:55

Glad you liked it - bit of a responsibility recommending stuff! There are two other MP/Carnival Band Christmas albums, I think, but the one you've got is my favourite; it never feels like Christmas till I've decorated the tree jigging round to Maddy with a pint of Rebellion!

Blodwen · Post by **Blodwen** » 21 Nov 2010, 21:59

aww youre so cute Dave Brum he he!! Well we'll see what 2011 brings!
Im looking forward to the new year, got a few holidays planned, hopefully will get through another piano exam, my other half is going to be moving in and Ill be turning 30, although cant say Im looking forward to that!!

Blodwen · Post by **Blodwen** » 28 Nov 2010, 23:15

I think its great that you siarad Cymraeg Dave Brum! So many people think its a dead/dying language but its definately not! My niece is 4 and she's just started in a Welsh speaking primary and there are a 100 or so children going into her year! When I was in the same primary there were 25 in my year! In Swansea in the last few years they've had to open a second Welsh Comprehensive school as there was such a high demand for the one!

Blodwen · Post by **Blodwen** » 29 Nov 2010, 14:48

Gwyr is the school I went to Dave! It seems like a long time ago now though lol!! Yes Ty Tawe is still there, haven't been in the myself for years though!
The Quadrant is also still there! It's probably the smallest city centre shopping centre in Britain lol!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 30 Nov 2010, 18:08

Hope you're OK after your A&E visit, Dave...

Blodwen · Post by **Blodwen** » 30 Nov 2010, 23:24

awww Dave, sorry to hear youve been in hospital! I hope youre ok! You take care of yourself and make sure Mrs Brum is looking after you! xxx