Gosh, Sarah, you must be really talented. I love the way you casually throw in "I'm preparing some Chopin waltzes too." For me that would be a six-month event, not a quick last-minute filler! I'm really looking forward to hearing what you play, whatever it is (so long as it's Chopin).

Ditto for me, Sarah. Ah, to be at that point in our piano prowess that we can "throw in" anything would be a dream come true for me and I'm certain, others.

I have a piece that I HOPE I will have ready. It's a "modified" version of Rach's Variation on Paginni's 18th. It is not difficult to play at all. Any second year student could probably handle it. For for some weird reason (I think it's the broken chords and arpeggios in the LH that throw me off). Some sections are somewhat alike and that's where I get mixed up as to what arpeggios goes where!!

I started learning this last May, would you believe? Of course, I was learning about 8 other pieces also. But, I knew I had to memorize it to play it better. And that's what is giving me such a headache!!

Last Monday, I said to myself: "Self, this is the week you are going to do nothing but memorize that Rach composition." And, I glad to say that I've finally have.

However, if/when I submit it to the recital, I am still going to have the sheet music in front of me.

Also, I do so love to play it on my grand, but the recording quality sounds TERRIBLE. So I have to play it on my Clavinova, which...since I haven't played it in a long time, is in serious need of some adjustments. The lower register just BOOMS at the slightest touch.

Oh well, did I write this once before? It all seems so familiar.

Kathleen

Well done, Kathleen! You are a determined and focused lady.

Well, actually, they are the same ones that I played as a kid. I'm kind of resucitating (sp?)them in case I need them for the recital.

I'm resuscitating my kid stuff too. Only in my case I've regressed to grade six

I can't even remember what I played as a kid!!

Oh, I take that back. I do remember playing Fur Elise. There is not enough money in the world to pay me to resuscitate that one.

On second thought, I might do it for a million but not a dollar less. And with permission that I can wear ear plugs.

Kathleen

I got the Zoom yesterday. I'm going to have to play around with it a bit so I may not have time to do a decent recording of the Nocturne until the weekend, but it seems pretty easy to use. I did a quick test -- and what I noticed was that my pedaling is not very consistent. Sometimes I lift the pedal too soon at the end of a phrase and the result is a choppy sound. Sigh.

BTW, the SD card that comes with the Zoom doesn't hold a lot of data. It looks like it has room for about 12 minutes of music recording in MP3 mode. Recording in one of the WAV options, there's only room for about 4 minutes.

Thanks for you Zoom report, Piano again. I am wondering if one of my digital camera cards will fit when I get my Zoom ... anyway I can't play more than 12 mins worth of music!

It's easy to get more cards, though prices can vary. I've seen them priced from about $35 to about $90 for the 2GB cards. Here's what the blurb says about it:

"The H4 records on to Secure Digital (SD) media, a 128MB SD card is included with the unit. With a 2GB SD memory card, the H4 provides up to 380 minutes of recording in 16-bit mode (CD Quality), and 34 hours in MP3 stereo mode."

Well, MaryRose...can't you just see us recording 34 hours of music?

Kathleen

I took another look at this piece after a long break. Some of the more technical passages have slipped, but it's mostly still there in my fingers. However, I'm having the same problem as I did back when I stopped. I can't seem to find a nice way of playing this piece. Yesterday, I had a moment where I was like, "this is it!" but it slipped and I couldn't quite figure out what I was doing. How frustrating.

Microcenter is now selling 2GB generic brand SD card for $21.99.

I know what you mean Pianolina. I took two weeks off from the piece in hopes I could come back to it with a fresh perspective. Blah... Same problems as before. I think it's just going to take some more slow practice with those difficult passages before I can play it like I want.

I filmed myself out of curiosity just to see what I looked like playing. Yikes...dropping my wrists and tensing my jaw.

Here I am. http://www.telemarkeast.com/images/nocturne.mov

Thee is a slight glitch part way through but that was where I tried to mess with the film for effect. Should have just left it alone.

Nice to hear from you both, Pianolina and Peyton. I managed at las to download yoyr video, Peyton, I was actually hoping it was a video of you telemark-skiing

It is nice to see your hands - I can see you have done a lot of piano-playing - I also wish I had your hand-size....
Even if I would have played differently myself I like your interpretation - it is the one of a jazz-musician ! ( but I still think you rush the parallel triplets a little too much, maybe your jaw would relax if you cooled them down a bit..... )

I do not play the 55.1 and will not touch it until March - I have a friend who says 2 months practising then 4 months break. I think without a break I get kind of "deaf" to my own playing.

Ragnhild

I enjoyed your playing peyton. Your interpretation is unique and has a lot of personality. I agree with Rag that it's kind of jazzy. I never even thought of it but that's a cool way to interpret classical music. It puts it in a totally new light.

Thanks. I didn't mean to play it "jazzy". I'll have to think about that. I don't feel like I'm rushing those triplets as much as I feel I'm rushing 57-69. I'm really flubbing those notes.And of course 77-85... More slow practice needed no doubt. But I do like that triplet section coming in faster than the earlier section. For me it's kind of a wake up call. There is a way I want to play this and I'm no way near it.

Mmmm...telemark skiing to Chopin would be different. Did you see this video? I can't remember if I posted it. I'm telemark skiing to one of my songs (my nickname is Biff).

Hi Peyton: So good to hear from you. I thought you might be touring with your jazz group. You should, someday, think about it...you are that great!

I tried downloading Quicktime to get to see your video. It downloaded but then I couldn't get back to your site. I am a little disappointed that I couldn't see/hear you play.

Did any of us ever think that when we started to learn this nocuturne...way back in September (??), that some of us would still be working on it in January? Well, I for one, did.

I do like your advice, Peyton, about slow practicing. I think slow practicing is playing a section slow for about 5 minutes. Obviously, not enough time. I have always had an impatient streak, and it does not serve me well when learning a new piece.

That I have actually reached the 4th page (not going to indicate how well I can play the first 3), is amazing to me. I wouldn't "dare" leave this nocturne alone for any longer than 2 days for I know what will happen. It happened with the Raindrop. I admire those of you who have the skill and confidence to do this. I don't think I'll ever get to that point. :rolleyes:

While this piece is given a "7" on that chart...the same as the Raindrop, I think it is more difficult...should be an 8, in my opinion.

Once, again, I am glad to know you are still around Peyton. We've missed you.

Take care to everyone and keep on keeping on. :p

Kathleen

I had not seen it ...cool, the first couple of seconds looks like me - but then I see you are really good at this.
I'm afraid that Telemark to me is an area and not a hobby, I like skiing, though.

Next time skiing with a Chopin-waltz ?

Ragnhild

Hey...that's right, you are in Norway. Birthplace of telemark skiing.

I think a Chopin waltz would work. That can be my next project.

I heard a clip from this on Morning Edition today. Talk about jazzy/classical ...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000B8N4TU/npr-4-20

BANG THOSE DRUMS AND RING THEM BELLS!

We are over the 700 mark!!

Kathleen

This is the most frustrating piece I've played since coming back to piano 5-6 months ago. I find it very difficult to interpret and make sense out of it. And the last half is just hard technically.

I've taken a break from it and I'm playing a couple Chopin Waltzes now. They are much easier to interpret, I think. I feel like I "get" them.

BTW, Is anyone playing Nocturne #2 (Op. 9/2 I think)? That's another one from my past that I'm resuscitating, and it's been a painless resuscitation. It's much easier than this 55/1 Nocturne.

Sarah: I am really surprised that you say you find the 55.1 so technically difficult because that doesn't come across when we listen to you play it.

As so many have said (and meant), you have perfect control over this piece. It sounds like "child's play" under your fingers.

But, of course, only you would know or feel that perhaps "something" isn't right.

I guess I should take some encouragement from your post because I have managed (on my own...still debating to call a teacher) to "get through" the first three pages. I don't imagine the phrase "get through" is exactly what a pianist should strive for. For for me, it's almost a miracle.

You are so talented, and if I were you (if only that were true), I would play what I enjoy...not a piece that doesn't "speak" to you.

This nocturne, from what I've read, is not a big hit with many of the so-called experts. But for some strange reason, I like it. I think it has a lot of character, a sense of pride and dignity and then of anger and frustration, all coming to an end with quiet resignation.

Good luck with the 9/2. I don't think you need any luck though.

Kathleen

Piano again, thanks for posting the Jacques Loussier trio. I didn't hear them on NPR, but I have been a fan of theirs since childhood when my dad first bought their version of the Brandenberg Concertos.

Nancy

Kathleen, I'm impressed you have tackled a piece like this on your own and managed to get so far. For some reason I had thought you had a teacher. It sounds like the piece really speaks to you and I hope you are enjoying the journey.

And thanks for your nice comments about my playing. As I said before, I don't have a teacher now and I also don't have friends who are into classical music, so this forum and people like you are what keeps me motivated.

It's interesting to hear you say how tough you find this. I share your sentiment although not so much for the technical as much as the interpretation. One thing that helps (me anyway) is to listen to a number of the masters play this piece. It's amazing how different the interpretations are. Some start VERY slow, others fast...some go into the second section very fast and with much vitality and others hit it not too different from the way they play the first section. All this says to me that this piece is up for grabs. Whatever rocks our boat...

When I first started playing this with our group here I found the nocturne boring and plodding (until the second section anyway). Now i play the first section and I start to feel a little of the melancholy I like so much in Chopin's works. Slow is really starting to work for me. But then I get to that second section and I want to play it fast and furious. I'm starting to like the nocturne even if I don't totally understand what Chopin was trying to say.

I don't play 9/2 but I do play 9/1 and love it. It was one of the first pieces I learned when I started taking classical seriously and it's still one of my favorites.

Peyton, this is exactly how I feel about this piece. I can tell that there's something very beautiful there but I can't figure out how to bring it out.

By the way, you play it very well. But I suppose what we say matters less until you find an interpretation that you are completely happy with.

I'm not happy that you're stuck, but I am happy that I'm not the only one who feels this way...

Sarah: The reason why you might think I have a teacher is that I do call one (she was a child prodigy) every couple of months or so, when I am confused or need some help for a half/hour lesson. I think I've seen her 4 times in the last year. She's wonderful in that she lets me play what I want even though she might think that it's too difficult for me. :rolleyes:

Peyton: I'm glad to learn that you are starting to "like" the nocturne. For a while there, I thought I was alone in my admiration for it. I think I have a tendency (in fact, I know) to like/love anything that Chopin has composed. So I look for or listen to that phrase or section that appeals to me. In most cases, I don't have to look very hard. I also have noticed how some of the greats play it so differently, and that's encouraging. As you said...so eloquently, "whatever rocks your boat."

Kathleen

I'm currently taking an outside-the-box approach to my problems with the Nocturne (I don't have any good ideas inside my box :rolleyes: ). I tried playing the first few lines of the piece, giving it the character of a different animal each time. Maybe I can develop some new ideas this way. I know it sounds completely ridiculous, but who knows, it may help. At the very least, it was fun to play around with. If you want to hear the current state of my Nocturne Zoo, here are some links.

Cat

Elephant

Grasshopper

Mouse

Pianolina: What an imagination you have. I thought your approach for finding the "right approach for you" was great.

Personally, I like the cat, but the grasshopper was

Thanks for sharing and for a smile to brighten my day.

Kathleen