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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
I am working on publishing a series of sheet music books on the Hao Staff (for adult beginners), with the captioned theme.
Many people are drawn into playing piano because of that thought ... about a tune heard long ago as a child, or a tune just heard over the radio ... For example, many (like myself) "fell in" because of Fur Elise.
It does not have to be the first piece that you played (which may have served as means to an end), but it is the piece that finally hooked you into having a serious go at it (maybe touching the keyboard again after many years), with the thought "I'd live in bliss forever if I can one day play that"!
Of course, once fallen, it does not stop at that piece, as we all know.
If you had a similar experience, could you share it here with all and me? Hope you don't mind my quoting your experience in the books.
Thank you. Jeff Hao
Last edited by BB Player; 01/26/1011:30 AM. Reason: Changed thread title at OP's request
In summer camp they used to give us these songs to sing, like in "color war" (probably some of y'all had that too). One of those songs, I just totally loved. In my first piano lesson after I got back home, I told my teacher about it, and she said, that's from Chopin's Polonaise! I had no idea it was from a classical piece, and when I heard it was, that made me want to keep going until I was able to try to play it.
I could die a happy man if I were to ever conquer Rach 3. It's not the work that "hooked" me into taking on the piano, but then, I can't really remember what got me hooked 40 years ago.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
I can's see the videos(?) 4evr88keys posted. Are they the 1st Mov and 3rd Mov of Rach 3? The beginning of 1st mov hit me. I have not heard it before, but it hit me. It is a concerto ... does any one have a solo version?
No, they're definitely not Rach 3. The videos he posted are from the "Yellow River Piano Concerto"....a world of difference from Rach 3.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
Sorry Jeff. I forgot that China censors your access. What I posted was Nadia Weintraub's performance of the Yellow River Concerto with the The Herzliya Chamber Orchestra in Israel. You need know how to bypass the firewall by using one of many foreign proxy servers reachable in Hong Kong out of the country in order to watch it.
One piece that I'd love to master is La Campanella. Still too chicken to ask about it though. But...if I could only play ONE piece my whole life, I'd like it to be something varied, like Schumann's Carnaval.
Last edited by Frozenicicles; 01/26/1001:37 AM. Reason: spelling
One piece that I'd love to master is La Campanella. Still too chicken to ask about it though. But...if I could only play ONE piece my whole life, I'd like it to be something varied, like Schumann's Carnival.
Great choice with the Schumann...CarnAval is my favorite work of his
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
Thank you, guys. Yep, no youtube for me. But I know Yellow River Concerto pretty well and have it on CD. Will listen to it. La Campanella ... new and I will find out.
Listening to Schumann's Carnival now ...
It would be great if you guys can share some personal experience with the piece mentioned, like Mark C did. If included, I will quote straight from your post .
La Campanella - of course! This one piece that I have listened to countless times but still somehow have not gotten to finding out about its original name. "The Clock" in Chinese, and I just got used to it
One piece that I'd love to master is La Campanella. Still too chicken to ask about it though. But...if I could only play ONE piece my whole life, I'd like it to be something varied, like Schumann's Carnival.
Great choice with the Schumann...CarnAval is my favorite work of his
Haha, thanks for pointing that out. Corrected! I actually don't even play this piece, but I'd rather play something with a lot of variety since it'll be the rest of my life after all...
Gosh - there are just so many beautiful pieces out there! But I remember one that just stuck to my soul and is there till this day - Chopin's "Fantasie" Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 No. 4.
As a kid I use to attend concerts with my aunts and cousin. They bought season's tickets to the NJ Symphony Orchestra performances and they would always invite me along. Sometimes, there would be a guest pianist - and it was there that I was first introduced to Chopin's Impromptu.
I can't for the life of me remember who the pianist was - but the music transported me away to another world. It was there that I fell in love music from the Romantic era, and in particular, Chopin.
Now, whenver I want to be transported away from this world, I grab my CDs and play Chopin.
Someday I hope to play his Impromptu. Someday. . . . . .
(probably some of y'all had that too). One of those songs, I just totally loved. In my first piano lesson after I got back home, I told my teacher about it, and she said, that's from Chopin's Polonaise! I had no idea it was from a classical piece, and when I heard it was, that made me want to keep going until I was able to try to play it.
... I forgot as well.
