Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum October Piano Bar

Dear piano friends,

Your encouraging comments made me record another piece yesterday:

Shostakovich. Sad Song (from operetta "Moskva-Cheremushki")This operetta was written in 1958, and I believe this was the only operetta written by Shostakovich.



It is obvious that I need more practice, as you'll notice some choking pauses and some finger twitching that tell me that my hands were not sure what to do next... So it was a bit premature to publish it, but I could not help it

I enjoy this Piano Bar so much! Both listening to everyone's playing and playing myself.

Very nice, Tatiana!! I could listen to you play all day long.

I would comment on your lovely hands again, but I wouldn’t want you to think that I was flirting with you!

Bravo!!

Rick

Thanks, TLT! Yes, I was using strings (and some bells as well in the bridge), just to see if TX-Dennis would notice.

I enjoyed your "rock ballad", too (no "clangers" to my ears)! I'll have to get that Tim Richards book now… I could use some help with the improv.

Thanks Elssa!

There's a lot of good material in the Richards book. A lot of the improvising is too advanced for me, and over too complex baselines. Arpeggios up and down. From the way you play, I would guess it's right up your street.

Here is me playing Minuet in G Major from Anna Bach's Notebook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKLQgbDIY_g

Thanks everyone,

W

You can't beat a bit of Bach, waltz (or should we call you 'minuet'?). Keep those trills coming!

Waltz,

I almost forgot about this beautiful minuet - so nicely performed! Keep the videos coming I really like the way your hands and fingers are moving along the keyboard, very nice technique.

I have always had a real struggle with baroque pieces that required the 'detached' play - and that was a real problem for me, as I did not understand the beauty of the music until I learned how to play detached.

Hi Rick,

I think I am OK to accept more hands compliments (as long as your wife does not mind )

Btw, I was secretly hoping that you or Payton would post something in response to my 'sad' and 'slow' piece to wake up the audience!

Hi Tatiana,

I’m glad you are okay with my comments about your lovely hands. Your music is lovely as well as your hands!

As far as my wife is concerned, she has lovely hands too! (Just in case she reads this!! )

Take care!

Rick

[/quote]
Hi Rick,
Btw, I was secretly hoping that you or Payton would post something in response to my 'sad' and 'slow' piece to wake up the audience! [/quote]

OK then, I'll do it. Wake up everybody, it's time to boogie! This one's called "New In Town"

http://www.box.net/shared/qx2ru484g0

Ten Left Thumbs and Tatiana:

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comments! I wish I could learn to relax by 5th finger in my RH, it's tense much of the time when I don't use it. I have to make a conscious effort to relax it.

I love it Larry!!!

I'm jealous of your left hand!!! I'm not sure if it is as lovely as Tatiana's hands but the music is grand!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Rick

Larry, that's brilliant! Is the sheet music for that available? I'm planning on getting back into boogie at some point. I would love to sit down next to you and be you left hand! I could just listen to that bass line all day.

Waltz - about your R pinkie finger, yes, you do hold it quite up and tense when you're not using it. I wonder, do you sip cocktails like that? Still, it sounds (and looks) fluid when you use it.

Larry, this was a great piece. I listened to it several times and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you!

That was terrific, Larry! Woke me right up and got me in a good boogie mood!

Here's my ragtime arrangement of the song, "Remembering You". It probably would sound better on a honky-tonk piano, but I had fun with it on my DP.

BTW, does anyone remember where it's from? (Hint: Old T.V. show).

REMEMBERING YOU

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzsTHCH8vBo

Thanks Monica. I never thought of adding to it. Interesting idea. I've got another piece that's sort of dangling unfinished that also needs attention. Perhaps..... :-)

Glad you liked it Rick. So you're jealous of my left hand and I'm jealous of the way you can play and sing at the same time. So I wrote you some new lyrics for "Heartbreak Hotel".


“Jealousy Hotel” To the tune of “Heartbreak Hotel”
by Elvis Presley

Well, since that Rickster posted
I found a new place to dwell

It’s down at the end of envy street
at jealously hotel


You make me so jealous Rickster
I get so jealous, I get so jealous, I get so jealous I could practice


Though this piano bar is crowded
You still can find some room.
Where all aspiring piano lovers
play into their Zoom

You make me so jealous Rickster
I get so jealous,
I get so jealous, I could practice

instrumental


Rickster also plays a banjo, and loves to write some blues
When I get bold and learn to sing I hope to fill his shoes


You make me so jealous baby,
I get so jealous,
I get so jealous I could practice.

instrumental


Now Rickster if you’re listenin’
and you got yourself some time
Just post another song on here and this time make it rhyme

You make me so jealous brother,
I get so jealous,
I get so jealous, I could practice.

instrumental

Wow, Larry, I’m absolutely speechless!

And, thanks for the honorable mention in the form of a song! (But I do wish I could play, and write songs as well as you!!)

You are an incredibly talented individual!!!

Take care, and thanks again!

Rick

Elssa, I really enjoyed playing your video. This is my favorite of yours so far Thank you.

Thanks, Tatiana! I thought it might be a nice change from the usual ballad, and rags are a lot of fun to play. Your playing/pieces are lovely!