In the tradition of just doing stuff without asking anyone, for those of you who may be new here, every Dec 1st a new *ABF holdiay performances* thread is started.

It's sort of a cross between the piano bar and our recitals in where members are asked to submit any holdiay themed piano piece in decent shape to share with everyone.

It's kind of like getting a nice piano x-mas collections cd for free!. [Double nice for all you cheap mo-fo's! ]

Anyway, just a little over a month away but still plenty-o-time to whip something together [or at least rehash last years submission! .]

The thread will start on Dec 1st and last as long as it lasts. We've had lots of great performances in the past and hopefully will have even more this year.

Start practicing. Today!.

Bah,humbug!
More music to learn? [still haven't done my Beatles piece ]

I've been working on David Nevue's "Greensleeves" (aka "What Child is This," so it can do double duty as a holiday song... ). I should have it in recording shape by December.

The only bad thing is that this is the first song I've ever played that my husband doesn't like. (There's a bridge section that's a little intense with some abrupt stops, and he says it "makes him nervous.") He's very tolerant of my playing so I try to be considerate and practice it only when he's not around.

I think it's an absolutely beautiful arrangement myself.

Mr. S-H,
How long does the thread stay open? I'm hoping to get a Zoom H2 from Santa but until then I can't record.

MK...I believe it's referred to as tension, gets the audiences's attention, make sure their listening...


btw... I voted per your blogs suggestion...lol

SH - well and pithily (?) stated - a post even I can admire (and be jealous of)

And thanks for getting this crosss-bred thread going - I've made a recording, but I'm checking it twice . . .

Have the traditional cool yule!

Regards, JF

P.S. . . . cheap mo-fos

Woody, the holdiay thread will stay open until it dies a natural death. In the past, it has hung around for a few months as members can submit a holiday piece at any time on Dec 1st or any time after that.

It's a great way to get a few tunes put together to share with everyone else as well as give you an inscentive to get something together to play for family/friends around the holidays instead of just sitting around water-logged with egg nog in your belly.

I'm going to start off with the same tune I've submitted for the past few years which is "cristmas time is here" but perform it an a totally different arrangement than in the past.

That's a strange coincidence - I'm working on "What Child is This?" (aka, "Greensleeves"), which is the middle Carol in a 3 Carol medley I've put together.

My version of this beautiful old classic is in traditional style at an intermediate level played by a fumbling rank amateur while your's will be a New Age version at an advanced level played by a highly accomplished near-professional - so there should no conflict or comparison.

But my version doesn't contain any intense bridge sections with abupt stops, so as much as I hate to say this your husband might like it better (or at least feel a little less nervous)

Regards, JF

Thought Mr SH's thread need a push (as a public service).

Regards, JF

Ha Ha; knew you would'nt resist very long and very glad You decided to learn it; You know I have a sweet spot for this arrangement and I can't wait to hear an accomplished pianist such as yourself perform it; no pressure

Cheers

I have a recording of the David Nevue arrangement of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" ready to go.

Ive been working on a simple version of Silent Night that I can submit. If you don't mind a rank amateur.

I needed a new song to start working on, so I'm going to start "Bring a Torch, Janette Isabella" tonight!

Well, just how "rank" are you? :p

Submit it - we want to hear it!

regards, JF

JF. Well pretty rank..hee hee. I'll be there.

I'm working on:

.Cristmas time is here (re-tweaked repeat of last years).

.Jangled bells (super-hunky version)

.Greensleeves (super-hunky version)

I've pretty much given up on reading music (on purpose) to force myself to further explore new melodies and play by ear techniques so I'm not sure what these tunes will sound like until they are done.

Count me in also - working on Mary, Did You Know off of sheet music (sort of) and Carol of the Bells by ear. Santa may arrive early with my H2 I've been told, but it has not yet been confirmed - but it may not have to be January - we'll see.

Edit: I just realized, I too could do "What Child Is This" and combine it with my other two. I'm already in the key of A-minor. We could make this a WCIT Christmas. HMMM
Woody

Woody - Here's a great version of that wonderful song - thought you might like to check it out:

Mary, Did you Know?

Regards, JF

I'm still waiting for the Halloween recital...

Woody, I am looking forward to hearing your Mary Did You Know. It is my favorite Christmas song ever. I played it for a November recital a couple of years ago before I got my Zoom, but the recording quality was truly awful. Maybe I will try recording it again soon.