I'm sure everybody is busy preparing for the upcoming recital, but I thought I take the initiative to start the thread for the August Piano Bar.

This piece is called "The Vigil". It's not perfect since I just picked up learning this piece 2 days ago. It's still in the refining process.

http://www.box.net/public/guskamov1d

Two days?! From sheet music?! sputter WOW! You're good!

....2 days ago? No wonder the chicks won the Practice Log!

What an absolutely marvelous recording! Your use of dynamics was spot on, as was the tune as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all of it, it was hauntingly beautiful.

One thing which I noticed in particular was the way you never let the bass notes drown out the melody. If I had been playing the piece, I would have thumped those notes and probably ruined the piece, but you kept everything at the perfect level.

What a great start to the month!

Great piece, fully enjoyed it kawaigirl1 ya set the bar high to start..nice job, really nice.

[falls back in dead faint] I'm here sputtering with Bob, kawaigirl! You did a fantastic[/b] job on this piece... and you've only had it for TWO DAYS????

The thing is, I have that sheet music, too, so I know just how hard it really is. Two days. WOW.

Txs to all for listening & the feedback

Rocky <----bows down before kawaigirl

Most excellent job!!! As everyone else has already said!!

The piano sounds awesome also!

WOW!!!!! Incredible piece, Kawaigirl!! Utterly phenomenal... *standing ovation*

Two days!! WOW!! *major applause* That was lovely.

Yea...the piano does sound awsome!!!![/b]

2 days and you can play this!!!!! oh my you must be piano master!!! this is excellent!!!! sitting in awe!!!WOW!!!

U guys are all great!..Txs again..

This is what happens when I'm on vacation with nothing else to do and hubby is at work!! (wohooo) house all to myself and play my heart out...lol

Kawaigirl:

Yes, I am just as amazed as everyone else is with your playing; it was incredible.

You see, you currently have the "whole package" going for you. Not only did you choose a beautiful song, you played it VERY well, your piano sounds fantastic and your recording was almost, if not proffessional sounding- possibly perfect!

We may possibly have one thing in common (through VERY different means), and that is the ability to learn a new song very quickly. For me, after a day or two, I really won't get any better at playing the song since I'm making most of it up to begin with! (trust me, this IS the "easy way")

I believe that you are actually reading most, if not every note played which puts you in your own category of talent!

I have never not been "blown away" by your music and I really mean that.

Everyone has posted up some really super stuff, and you need to put out something very extra special for me to remember it over time.

The very first song to "blow me away" was Monica's "christofori's Dream". Her performance was incredible.

Next came Balladeer's "Phantom of the Opera" several songs from Seeside Lee, Roger Ransom, Mike White and Stephenc's Jim Brickman songs.

This song performed by you will also "stick" with me as one of the AB forum very best.

I really, REALLY enjoyed it

Txs S-H for listening, what you said was very touching and I'm glad to have made it on the S-H honour roll...

, and you were asking for help! Now I do not know what to play for the recital, that is what I was going to play!

Just joking. Great job, I wish I could do that in two days. I'll still play it for the recital though.

Another vote for awesome here.

That was really great Kawaigirl, thanks!!..

I say spend more time on vacation and send your husband off to work more often if it means you can play more and post more wonderful songs for us to listen to!!

Hey Psychopianoman, I have to give you credit for helping me with the fingering in that one section that I was having problems with.
I can't wait to hear your version of this piece.


Txs mahlzeit & Stephenc for listening.

Kawaigirl
I am with everyone who is clapping and shouting, "Bravo!"

Out of curiousity...how's your theory? Do you know what chords you are playing? The reason I ask is that a song like this one would be fun to re-arrange and do some variations on. As a teacher, if one of my students played like you did I would help them analyze the piece and try changing something stylistically about it. This can be very educational and often can lead to composing your own songs and developing your own unique style.

Just a suggestion...some people are perfectly happy playing written arrangements note-for-note. If this is you disregard the above advice!!

Thanks for sharing. Good job.
Hobie

Hi Hobie,

Txs for listening. Theory wise I did take harmony and counterpoint in my teenage years. I've always love & admire people who can improvise but I never really got into it and not even sure where to start. But you're absolutely right about this piece where it'll be fun to do variations on.

P.S. Good to know you're a teacher I know who to come to for help..

Kawaigirl

Glad to be of help. Yes, feel free to ask me questions. I'll do my best to assist you.

But I wanted to say that I have no feedback to give you regarding your performance...it was...perfect!

As musicians we are constantly growing and changing how we play. One direction you may choose to take involves getting creative with musical concepts. Some people really enjoy doing this while others are quite content to play the works of great composers. Since I do not know you, I have no idea what your desires are as a musician.

I am really good at helping people figure out what their next challenge will be. I would be interested in knowing what your long-term projects/goals are.

You play beautifully.

Hobie

Please enjoy Scott Joplin's Palm Leaf Rag.

http://www.box.net/public/2zkq3m4837

Mike White

Love the rag. I have never had an interest in playing them but I do love to listen to them. They have such a happy feeling to them and they are so bouncy. Great stuff.

They're not that hard to play, but difficult to make a recording without mistakes, as you are well aware from listening.

I spent more than two days on this one for sure.
Mike White

Psychopianoman is back!!! I watched a thread the other day with a man by the name of Einaudi. He is the best!

I guess I really do not want to be like any one artist but I am at a point where I am trying to find myself as a musician. His music gave me a few ideas.

I only have one song done for now. It is labled as #6. Let me know what you think. This is a common chord progression and is used in tons and tons of songs so I chose to use it. This is also the longest one I have improvised so far and I put a bit more time into it as well.

http://www.box.net/public/cprhs8dj8h

Hope you all enjoy.

Hey Psycho, I love that tune!! What's your secret?? I thought it was fantastic!!

OKAY...i'm lining up to buy your sheet music...

Mike, I'm not familiar with rag time pieces other than the entertainer; however, you put a nice touch to the piece

The secret came through 5 different piano courses and two teachers at the same time. I have one gospel teacher and one newage teacher.

One teacher has even started to give me DVD's. I have to pay for them but they are worth every penny! She told me to get a cam-corder and she would let me tape my lessons so I can see what she does to a song and she wants to start recording styles and patterns for me to use in music. Taped lessons are paid so I get these for free, yeah!!!

The other secret is to listen to tons of newage music as well as try to see what they are doing. This is easy to get started as it is only a pattern in the left hand. It has taken awhile to learn the ins and outs of how the melody works and how to get a good sound but it gets easier as you go.

I am glad you enjoyed. I also hope to one day get as good as my favorite new agers and make music and sell it but I have recently gotten scared when I heard the reply on the ask nevue thread. I just got to keep trying and maybe someday it will come.

Mike, great[/b] job on Pineapple Rag! I had never heard that one before, but I like it a lot. And I don't believe you when you say that it's "not hard to play." I heard a tremendous number of grace notes, rolled chords and other embellishments.

[wonders what Mike could possibly be submitting for the recital if this was consigned to the piano bar...]

psychopianoman, I'm second in line for buying your sheet music. Your piece was lovely. Keep composing. I believe you have real talent.