UK Piano Page Piano Forum

There has been some new hustle and bustle on the forum lately.

Use this thread to introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself.

Hello folks thought wed just say hello from norfolk, just got given a angelous player, the piano is a Sir, herbert,Marshal, sons and rose, now (its was offered as a freebee with 100 roles of 80 note music with the 80 note player, now hears the bad bit, yup you gused it, the previous owner decided to start disasebling it took all the keys out key frame (note bed is in tact as are the hammers frame etc, also the player part has been removed but every thing is there bar a few small screws, Ive only had this since sunday and have got the piano together and woking some of the hammers stick but less and less each day so Im assuming its getting any damp out, have hovered and cleaned (with a dry cloth in ternal and compressed air tined stuff) now for some reason best nown to them selves the soft peddle mecanisums have been dismantled which Im strugling with to get together its been appart since 1993 but dosnt seem to of suffered appart from dust, even though it has not been tuned in all that while it still sounds wonderful looking foward to getting it tuned so I can learn to play (Im a late starter at 43 )but now have time on my hands sush dont tell the wife.

markymark wrote:Use this thread to introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself.

O.k. then....

Following on from my 'Hello World' thread, I'm Steve, short, ginger(ish), glasses and probably too overweight.

I'm a IT person who can still remember MS-Dos (and preferred it to be honest) and when Windows was supplied on 4 floppy disks. Also I have an interest in photography - specialising in anything except weddings.

Music wise, not much has happened. I do own a guitar, but nothing too good has ever come out of it (except when my friend comes round).

So what made me do it? Blame Apple. Apple produce an application called Garageband, which you can use for creating you own music. The latest version has basic lesson modules for both Guitar and Piano. I initially bought it for the Guitar, I liked the way it was presented and thought well for £50 I can get a midi keyboard. I hadn't really ever thought about buying a keyboard. But I always liked the sound (as with many other musical instruments), but it always seemed too daunting for me. Only keyboard experience was hitting a random key if I ever was passing a keyboard.

So far probably only made a small scratch on the surface of piano playing, but I like it. So have bought a bigger beast (not too big, as I don't have the room) and will seek lessons soon. Got a few names and numbers, conveniently one is round the corner.

I'm Dennis and I'm 20 years old. I'm only an amateur/beginner, doing things on my own tempo, and autodidact.

I am Bob Duncan . Owner of http://onlinepianolessonslive.com
Online piano lessons live provides private or group piano lessons in real time with live teachers through video conferencing. Nothing to download or install.
I have just put this site up and already have 6 teachers ready to go.
I have been a piano Tuner/Technician since 1964 .. Loooong time.
During that time I have learned a lot about piano teachers and how they teach.
One of the reasons I started this web site is mainly to provide an endless supply of students for the teachers that I know
who are extremely qualified.
One of the unintended features of this site is that it is creating a little interest with teachers asking about signing up with me.
I never meant for it to catch on as fast as it has, but something is going on, because all you hav to do is type in

piano lessons live

and I am on the first page.... go figure.
I have had a piano tuning page http://pintwister.com for about 5 years, and it is no where to be found.
I think I have a winner here.

Hello, I thought it was about time I introduced myself, as I have started posting on this site quite a lot now.

My name is Marisa and I stared playing the piano at 36 (9 months ago). I have had no experience of any musical instrument or reading music so have started at the very beginning.

After my eldest daughter asked to play we rented out a piano and now the whole family is learning, hence our poor neighbours must suffer constantly with the din!

My kids are 5 and 8 so its a good age for them to learn I think, mind you they have all the time in the world to get good!

I absolutely love playing and am a little addicted I think. I am very excited as we have bought a 11 year old Yamaha U1 with a factory fitted silent system which we should get some time next week. This means I can practise night and day!!!!!!!

markymark wrote:There has been some new hustle and bustle on the forum lately.

Use this thread to introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself.

Hi My name is Alan I am 53ish and have been having piano lessons for 19 mnths, I've had previous music experience playing the guitar and clarinet and keyboard skills at college (Btec music technology) I have definately settled on piano and have a very good teacher.

I'm late starter, I got myself a digital piano about 4 years ago and although it isn't going great I am making some progress. Now I'm dying 2 get a grade 1 or easy 2 piano piece 1837-1901 (Victorian) composed by an English hand to show off at my evening class Victorian Christmas evening. I can just about play the two pieces in last years ABRSM 1 (Enckhausen and Fuchs) which are mid/late 19th century pieces albeit continental and not very seasonal....though I'm guessing Victorians may have played them. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear. I'm self taught in the main with help from friends and occasional access to a piano club. I'm also learning classical guitar and electric bass...nothing beyond grade 1 as yet. This year's ABRSM1 I have about 5 pieces close to ok and would consider doing a grade exam if I felt I'd made them distinct.

A lot of Christmas carols are Victorian; why not look up their dates and then find an arrangement that you can play? THere are some excellent carol books on the market now for all sorts of different grades. Go to your friendly local music shop and have a browse and ask advice.

Hi friends,

I am new to the Forum so thought I should say hello!This forums looks like its full of good info, I'll be visiting here often.Nice place to study and related topic discussion.Hope to find some new friends on here to chat on some important and informative topics.

Hi, I am new to this forum and having had a look through there is some good stuff on here! I am teaching myself piano, so its quite slow going, got two kids so time to practice is limited, but i am improving! Anyone got any tips suggestions, fantastic!

Hi all, I have just joined this forum after spending a good while reading through many of the posts.

I am Keith - 44 and based down near the South Coast of England Hampshire/West Sussex border. You may guess from my username that I have some history with strings having played guitar for some 35 years and also fiddle for around 10 years. I have dabbled with various other instruments over the years but have always had a fascination for piano and promised myself that one day I will learn to play properly.

Well I feel that the time has come to begin. I have a Roland RD700-sx which I have mucked about with for a few years mainly playing by ear and using chord voicings in the left hand and octave-chord patterns whilst playing the melody line with the right hand. (sort of transferring guitar to keys . .)

My ultimate aim is to be able to pick up sheet and play - but also to be able to continue the 'fun' side of playing as I am a great fan of Jazz and Rag styles too (not to overlook good old Mrs Mills who I pretty much listened to throughout my young years as my Gran was a bit of a Mrs Mills clone -both in looks and piano style).

Anyway - the journey begins here, my first hurdle is reading bass clef! Treble clef is no issue at all but this Left Hand reading stuff is all a bit weird to get used to

Hi folks,
I joined this forum a while back when I was about starting on the piano, but never got round to posting much. Anyway I'm 43 now - yikes! and just done my grade 1, well we all have to start somewhere huh? I actually started learning to play the piano shortly after a humungous motorbike crash ending up totalling my bike and completely wrecking my shoulder about a year ago. After I was wheeled out of the operating theatre my surgeon actually recommended doing something that involved both arms and wasnt too stressful like playing the piano as a way of rehabilitation. I'm not sure if it worked very well but its a lot of fun and pretty challenging. Added to that since my spectacular crash Mrs Jellyroll has banned all kinds of motorbikes, I think my new hobby has less chance of serious injury. Unless I fall off the piano stool drunk I suppose. I'm going to resume my lessons in the new year and I hope to get on a bit towards the next grade. Unfortunately I don't have the room for a proper piano so I have one of those funny electical devices, just need to build that conservatory and get the steinway grand installed......
Jellyroll.

Hey there!

Figured, I would introduce, perhaps this could be a permanent place for people to introduce, since I couldn't find one!

Anyway!

I am a musician, currently living in the South of England since moving back from the South of France. I have a wide variety of interests including music, Snowboarding and Surfing.

Tom

Hi my name is Adelaide and I am 28! I was bought a Yamaha portable grand keyboard for christmas 2009, I have had 4 official lessons and have been teaching myself. I honestly thought that I was too old to learn, but I am persisting and learning and I am slowly becoming more and more obsessed!

My mother is a grade 7 piano player and 2 of my brothers are music teachers, but I never learnt to play, which is something I regret massively.

My aim is to pass my grade one exam by the end of the year.

Thanks for the support Dave,

I am going to work as hard as I can! Will definately get the certificate framed! I bet you glad you play now!!! the piano forum is great too. Im just going to read through the forums as they give me encouragement!

I went to watch Polls apart at the Royal College of Music in London last weekend and watched for an hour some of their students playing Chopin and speizlman it was phenomenol! and a true inspiration!

Adelaide

Hi Dave! Just read your reply as I dont really go on the internet alot these days! I thought it was spooky that you have deleted facebook to concentrate on the piano, as I have done exactly the same! I found I was wasting hours looking through peoples photos! Facebook is such a waste of energy!

I will endeavour to find more concerts in my area, I felt so excited when I saw the piano playing at the Royal College of music. I am also considering joining a choir as I love singing and used to be in teh school choir, I remember feeling such an amazing rush singing in harmony in a group!

It is good that your wife plays too, my boyfriend plays the guitar and I sing along. Now everytime I visit him I turn up with my Yamaha portable grand and take over with my dodgey playing!

What voluntary work do you do? I used to do voluntary work at a club called gateway for adults with learning difficulties.

Anyway I am gonna scan the forums now take care Dave Brum!

Hello all from Brisbane, Australia,

My name is Chris, and a classically trained pianist. Looking forward to talking all things piano

Hello!
I am Anton. I am 19 and have been dabbling with the Piano and Violin (Counter-tenor for a while also) for quite a while now! Not sure how to grade myself, as I don't take Piano exams but I'd say around Grade 8 standard, and I've actually braved exams on the Violin, Distinction Grade 6 in 2007. Never got around to Piano exams. Bought the books for a few years, but chickened out and now prefer to just practise rep, particularly Debussy, Mozart and the daddy, Bach. I have been accompanist for all sorts, and currently drawing to an end of my time accompanying Neath Male Voice Choir as I prepare to move to Leeds in September to attend Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Hello I am Andrew, I am not a pianist but an Oboist who works with professional Accompanists (and I might add admires the way they read two clefs at the same time, which frankly is just showing off IMO)..

I love to hear the Piano wish I could do it justice, but I know my limits so I'll stick to woodwind. Always interested in Pianos and would like to learn more about them but mainly for me the listening is the pleasure..There is nothing like a Piano played well..

Hi Everyone.

My name is Vicky and I am currently working at Benslow Music Trust in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Benslow was founded in 1929 and is a small non profit music charity offering over 150 residential and non residential music courses throughtout the year (even over Christmas). My aim is to tell you all about the piano courses we will be running.

Next Month we are holding two piano courses:

Two's Company - Pinao Duets and Duos
11 - 14 October, tutored by Anne Applin and Geoffrey Prately
Perhaps you’ve only ever played the piano on your own, or perhaps you already play duets on one or two pianos. Either way, Anne Applin and Geoffrey Pratley will offer their expertise and guide you in masterclasses and individual lessons. This is a very popular course and because of its nature places are strictly limited, so make sure that you book in good time. We ask that you are of at least Grade 5 standard, and we’ll let you know what our set works are in good time. But you are also very welcome to bring along your own choice of pieces. Anne and Geoffrey will give an informal concert during the course, and course participants can, if they wish, play in their own recital. Resident £220 / Non Resident £185

Keeping it Fresh - A Course for Advanced Pianists
25 - 28 October, tutored by Heli Ignatius-Fleet
By request of the participants themselves, Heli Ignatius-Fleet’s course is extended by a day. Fresh ideas, inspiration and enjoyment form the key elements of this course. Physical freedom and a clear feeling for imagery are encouraged in order to make the most of your potential. We’ll tackle interpretative and technical challenges and think about performance strategies, using set works from Grade 7 standard upwards as well as your own choice of pieces.
Resident £220 / Non Resident £185

I hope some of you will find the two courses of interest and apply to join us, Benslow is renowned for its generous hospitality and we have been awarded 5 stars in the kitchen from the local council so you can be assured of a warm welcome and excellent food.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me on 01462 459446 or vicky@benslow.org web: http://www.benslow.org

I was looking for an "introductions" forum or maybe an "off topic" forum but couldn't find one so I'll stick it in here.
I'm suddenly feeling like getting addicted to this forum again so I thought it only polite to stick my ugly mug over there on the right.

HELLO!!

Hello everyone, my names Lee, i live on the outskirts of Chester and i m 41. I ve just started to learn piano so a complete novice. I ve just bought a piano made by Challen and looking forward to getting good at playing it.

PianoLove wrote:

pia noidea wrote:Hello everyone, my names Lee, i live on the outskirts of Chester and i m 41. I ve just started to learn piano so a complete novice. I ve just bought a piano made by Challen and looking forward to getting good at playing it.

Welcome Lee! I too am a beginner at 42 and live not that far from you- Merseyside. I'm learning to play classical.

Hi thanks for the welcome

pia noidea wrote:Hello everyone, my names Lee, i live on the outskirts of Chester and i m 41. I ve just started to learn piano so a complete novice. I ve just bought a piano made by Challen and looking forward to getting good at playing it.

Welcome to the club Lee - I'm 32 and have recently taken up learning the piano. Good luck - have you got a teacher or are you teaching yourself?

dave brum wrote:Welcome Lee and Qcam. My name is David, 40 and I have pianist envy.

Thanks Dave.

Pianist envy? is that painful???

dave brum wrote:All the blooming sight reading exercises and the feeling that you're going nowhere with them....now that IS painful, Q!

As I was practicing tonight I actually felt I was getting somewhere. First time in a while I've felt like that.

PianoLove wrote:I've not heard of the Challen make- is it a new brand? What type of music are you learning to play?

Hello again, Challen is an old make, one was used by The Beatles at Abbey Road which sold a while ago for 100+ thousand pound, ( no i did nt buy it ) This one dates from the 50 s i ve been told, but has been overhauled inside.

I d like to play any music really at the moment, but i do like classical (but it sounds harder to play than some stuff) so perhaps thats what i ll aim to learn when i find my way around the keyboard. I ve just managed to play Ode to joy with chord accompaniment and chuffed with that so far.

What books have you got to learn from ?, i bought a book with a DVD called simply piano by Robyn Payne, its very good for a begginner (cheap too).

Thanks for the welcomes Dave Brum and Qcam 2010.

Welcome to the club allenhunter

How long have you been playing?

Hi to all newcomers. Been a while since I had a peep.

chrisg wrote:Hi to all newcomers. Been a while since I had a peep.

Hello Chrisg - how are you?

New member here, I have been reading this forum for awhile now and I just decided to register here.

To all newbies - welcome. Maybe I'm still classed as one as I don't comment too often but thought I would say "Hello"

hi everyone!! My name is Ray and i currently play on a yamaha U3 but next year i will be flying to tallinn and purchasing a new estonia concert grand piano!!Very excited .
Also im currently learning flight of the bumblebee and if anyone has any good pieces to learn next ,im open to suggestions.Can't wait to look around )

Hello, not new exactly I registered a while ago, but have just realised I hadn't introduced myself.

Now in my mid forties, I have been playing since I was a teenager. I purchased a Yamaha CLP500 Clavinova in 1987 just after touch sensitive keyboards came in and it is still going strong now.

I was at the British Music Fair that same year - anybody remember those when they used to be open to the public - and I was able to try out the Roland, Korg and Yamaha ranges. The latter won.

I am about a grade 5 or 6 standard. I have had lessons on and off over the years but never really taken to them. My talent is more in my ability to keep soldiering away on my own rather than a natural technical aptitude.

My preference is in blues piano, mainly chicago style and boogie woogie. I am currently working on Honkytonk Train Blues and Trouble In Mind.

Working in London I have enjoyed exploring the 'streetpianos' festivals held over the last two summers.

Thanks yes, it's moved house with me several times over the years!

I also have a Yamaha Portable Grand DCX-300 which I bought in 2003 that I never use. I found the key action too light. It made my fingers too weak when playing other people's pianos. It has a lovely crisp tone though. In some ways better than my CLP500.

H.

hi Folks

my names Rich and I live in Birmingham, England.

been playing on and off for most of my life, but have really picked things up in the last few years as I have started writing and performing my own music. I also teach a few private pupils.

looking forward to making some friends

cheers

Rich

dave brum wrote:What a super duper place to live, Rich. The best little city on Planet Earth it must be said and much much better (and safer) than M*n******r

0121ers in the house

Hiya Dave - great to meet a local!

big up the brummie massif

Rich

PianoLove wrote:Welcome Rich- what type of piano have you got?

Hi PianoLove, thats a nice name - Im guilty of the same

my particular object of daily desire is my Roland FP4 - not very traditional Im afrad, but it has a lovely, rich, bassy tone and is very easy to record and to transport to gigs.

how about you, an acoustic piano kinda girl?

best wishes

Rich

I guess you could call it a synth yes, tho Roland call it a digital piano. Ive been very happy with it overall, aside from a slight rattle on some of the black keys (tho I know how to fix this and will get around to it one fine day).

Glad to hear youre enjoying your playing - it can be very therapeutic and meditative cant it. My girlfriend gets eczema on her arms too, so I know how frustrating that can be. Hope yours clears up soon

Rich
x

Hi im from mexico .

Well i just love music, all kinds of music from classic to hardrock from gaga to nobuo uematsu from african tribal sounds to dj tiesto and love the sensation of playing music ur own way through the way u feel. The first instrument i ever played was a piano from my grandmother then my parents bought me a cool casio keyboard and now that im a bit more serious about it used a year of savings to bought a decent digital piano, im pretty happy with it and pracctice the most i can.

I took lessons in the past, not so many and maybe thats why i love to play piano today it kinda makes me feel free the way i play, i tooked guitar lessons too but stopped since it was way to boring taking lessons, anyways i know in order to really improve i need more than just practicing how i want.

I cant read sheet music live so basically i play from my memory and thanks to software like synthesia and youtube videos i can move on music faster than i would playing by ear. I dont really digg classic piano pieces that much but i like to play remixes and piano arrangements of videogame and movie music i also play harmonica and maybe later i would try violin too.

Well for me this is 1 of four pillars in my life not at the point of i seeing myself going on concerts or being a teacher but more of a dude that gets happy playing music.

I hope to get good from ur advice guys

Howdy,

I'm Abie and live in Greenwich. I'm learning the classical guitar and have reached the intermediate level (at least that's what I'd like to believe).

I joined this forum because my son Ashley is learning the piano and I wanted to know a bit more about the instrument and how to better help him in his passion for music and the instrument.

He's 8 and has been playing for a couple years.

At the beginning I was his teacher (transposing my knowledge from the guitar to the piano) then, after finishing the first book of the easiest piano method, he had another teacher and, three months later, he started taking "proper" lessons with his current tutor.

He passed ABRSM grade 2 with distinction and is really enjoying his music making. For us it's been quite a ride with a lot of hard work and some really pleasing and rewarding moments.

That's all for now, I hope to learn a lot from this forum and, when possible, contribute by posting some videos of my son playing the piano.

- Abie.

Hi all,

My name's Ashley, but most people call me Ash, and I like it as a nickname. (And no, I'm not Abie's son! I'm a little older than that )

I came back to the piano after 13 years' worth of break (having ended my last stint in dismay after scraping a Grade 4 pass at 102 out of 150 in 1997), but I haven't been sitting on my musical laurels in that time, having gained GCSE and A-Level music, as well as a degree in Music Technology, among other things such as occasional gigging, and learning other instruments. I also have a couple of students (as a private music teacher), but cannot devote my full time to teaching yet.

I took up the piano again (with renewed passion) in January of 2010, and as of now am currently tackling Grade 7 piano, having gone through Grade 5 theory, Grade 5 piano, Grade 6 theory and Grade 6 piano since re-starting. (I suppose you could say I'm making up for lost time!) Grade 7 theory is also on the horizon, to be taken at some indefinite time in the future. Grade 7 piano is closer than Grade 7 theory, but that's still to be taken at an indefinite time, too, as I've just started studying material for it. (I've been at it for about a month, so far.)

I have a Challen 988 acoustic upright (seems to have been made in the 1960s, with what I can tell from my admittedly limited research), as well as a Roland RD-700GX stage piano that I use when I can't practice on the upright. (I live with my family and the piano is in the living room, which I cannot claim a monopoly on, sadly.)

I have also registered and introduced myself over at the larger Piano World community, but I haven't been back there in a while. I suppose I'm a little put off in larger online communities (as I am offline too - I prefer smaller gatherings). I hope to be more involved there at some point, but for now, I only really have time to be part of one community, and this place seems as good as any other piano place on the net! That I live in the UK is also a bonus!

Hope to get to know you all eventually. I'm glad to meet you and pleased to be here.

Ash

Hello all and a quick re-hello from me, how are you all?

I've been a poor piano player for ages, after we moved and have been very busy and unemployment means no more lessons but I'm bucking up my ideas and practicing hard to teach myself. Rosie's been tuned and is sounding sweet. I'm definitely going to be needing your advice!

I have a voluntary job teaching youngsters to play recorder which is great fun and it's really fired up my enthusiasm for all things musical.

Feel free to ask me anything to do with tight budgets, smallholding, fruit, veg and chickens

xx

Glad you're back!
What do i do with my poor bald bantam then? I'm worried that winter will get to her - I've even got a friend to make a little coat like they put on ex-batts in case, but am scared of losing fingers if/when I try to put it on her....
I love recorder music - there will be some lovely ones at the Early Music Festival in Greenwich; are you near London?

Hello Dave, Hello Gill!

Dave, we've never had a cockerel. We're up to 10 birds now, 8 bantams and 2 full sized jobbies. They're great fun and usually good layers, but they're all a bit off at the moment as they're moulting. There will be another 4 arriving next year.

Gill, sorry about the baldie, has she just moulted or is it stress? I love the idea of the coat, you'll have to take a pic if you ever get it on her. Some never get really tame, most of ours come when called, but we had one that was treated the same as the others, yet always thought I was carrying a machete.

I'll only have time for a short practice today. A friend has lent me "The Basil Brush Songbook" for the and it's an absolute delight. Before that, we have sweetcorn to harvest and a very excited youngster who's getting ready for a party later.

xx

Sorry Gill, I didn't answer your other question, I'm out in Devon, so won't be anywhere close for that. I'm looking for a local group though. I have a lovely wooden recorder that has a great tone, nothing like the plastic one I learnt on. It's a shame that many people see the recorder as just something to do at school before you move on to something else.

Dave,

Lessons are definitely off limits for me right now. If I had the money for some, I'd invest them in my daughter rather than me. I love playing and want to get better, but I'll never be really good, I'd rather she had the chance. We've promised her lessons starting next year if she carries on being interested, though she's mentioned she's more interested in the violin and recorder right now.

I'm sorry you didn't go for grade 3, but I'm like you and I never do well at tests and get very stressed. A distinction at grade 2 is fantastic!

What a shame about Anna, I can't believe she's give up, I hope she dives back in some time.

J

Nut, if you go to Hencam.co.uk there's a thread on the forum about coats for chickens - with pics! Only thing is that the lady who makes them only had a healthy feathered chicken to 'model' them on...she looks like a 3lb sausage in a 2lb skin...
My little baldy is being...um...bothered by 2 cockerels, hence the baldness. I bought 2 new banties to take the heat off her, but one died (obstruction in the crop) and the other 3 are ignoring her. I'm trying them on garlic sausage to make them all smell the same at the moment, hoping they'll accept her. My henhouse smells like Paris...!

Hello

Not been playing the piano for very long, bought a Clavia Nord 2 some time ago as I quite like some of the electronic type of music. I have been a Violin student in the past but rarely play now.
I was soon lost when I tried to teach myself on the Nord 2, not just the technology built into it but actually playing! After some research on various keyboard forums, I soon learned that some piano skills are an advantage & that most organists & keyboard players began with the piano. I am not suggesting that I think the piano is an easier instrument to play, by any means. I am beginning to think that the piano is a more difficult instrument to play. I must say that I am enjoying the piano & its sound more & more & play the Nord less & less!

I have weekly lessons & recently my teacher suggested that I buy a Yamaha digital piano. The Clavia has 49 keys & no feel / touch as such as its a synthesiser primarily, I learn on a Fazer or Frazer acoustic piano

I recently treated myself to a Kawai CN 42 & it is much more like a real piano than a Clavia Nord. I tried the Yamaha & Roland piano's in the same price range as the Kawai & there is very little in it between the three. The salesman was very impartial & I chose the Kawai.