Thanks Undone

Are any of you guys/gals submitting a recital piece?

Hi all,
Man SO many things going on with work etc. Been very out of #3 at the moment but I shall be submitting a recital piece for sure. Either Forest or my 1st Einaudi
- SC

I am not. I found the recitals resulted in my putting far too much pressure and stress on myself, and it stopped being fun. Perhaps, at some point, I will try again. But I will be listening to the submissions, as always!

Yes- another David Lanz New Age piece - this one is called "Return to the Heart" - this version is somewhat simplified and slightly re-arranged (by me).

How about you?

JF

Probably not. I dunno. Ive thought about subitting Zanarkand if I finish it in time, but Im not sure that I'll be able to. I'll be checking out all my pw friend's performances though, it's really fun.

To those in book 3, tonight I took a stroll down memory lane, I played through book 1 from the beginning to BTMD, Although familiar material I was able to read through it pretty much clean and in time. Will finish it tomorrow.

It really gives you a new perspective of where we are and where we have been...

PS: I even kicked BTMD's butt...lol

Ha Ha! I just did that yesterday too. It's always good to review - I was fine with BTMD but I had a little trouble with Lone Star, which is where I stopped. Will pick that one up again tomorrow.

So how is book 2 going mom3gram? What piece are you up to and how do you like it so far?

I just started "Solace", just the first couple of measures. It seems hard, but they all do until I get the hang of it. I like the pieces so far. I had no illusions of being able to play difficult classical or jazz pieces, so I am happy with, and having a lot of fun with, the "corny" pieces most people complain about. Every once in a while though, I feel like I'm way over my head, and that's when I go back and review book 1 like I'm doing now. It gives me a big confidence boost to see how far I've come.

Waltz - I plan on submitting something to this recital. Hopefully these plans won’t go awry.

Mark - I haven’t gone back and played anything from book one in a long time, but every now and then I like to listen to some of the recordings I made while working through it. Like you said; it really helps one see just how far they’ve come and can be very motivational.

Undone

I'm sure you will be playing pieces you never thought possible. Your hard work will pay off.

Piano4 – How’s it going with “Moonlight Sonata” (1)? I was just getting to the point where I was starting to feel “familiar” with the first two pages, then I turned the page and “Oh my gosh!”; it’s a whole new ball game.

Undone

Just finished up Zanarkand a couple of days ago. I'm now learning Waltz in A flat Major by Brahms. It's clearly above my level, but fortunately not too long and somewhat repetitive. 4 flats though hmphh

Waltz - I bet that Brahms piece is a bit of a challenge as it changes key a little here and there. Glad to hear that you're prospering in your "life after Alfred".

Undone

Hello from a lowly Level 1 denzien

Just wondering, as im nearing the end of book 1, whether looking back you guys would do anything differently about the way you worked through the course ?

and oh yeah...does anyone have the URL for the cool little Graduate pictures ?

Hi SmokestackLightnin, I've been working my way through the Aflred books with the goal of getting what I consider a "passing" recording of each and every piece. This has worked well from me and I wouldn't change it.

As for the "Graduate pictures", information on these can be found in the "Alfred Graduate" thread click here

Undone

Hello all smile

Ive been messing around with some new graduate signature tags. Inspired of course, and with all due deference to BazC's originals. These might be too large (or too rubbish) but hey ho. I was bored



http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/2807/alfredlevel1forum.jpg


http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/853/alfredlevel2forum.jpg



http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2762/alfredlevel3forum.jpg

If anyone would like any kind of custom signature id be happy to knock one up for them if they email me.

Still hanging with Moonlight". This is my graduation weekend so i will play a bit before I leave and unless I find a piano in the hotel, I will get back to this after Tuesday. For now, take care!

Working on "Toreador Song" and continuing on with what will be a long relationship with "Moonlight Sonata". It seems to be taking me longer and longer to complete the pieces in A3. In part I guess that is to be expected, but it also has to do with the nice weather cutting into some of my practice time.

Undone

I'm still around. I'm currently working on "Blue Rondo" from Book 3.

I'm still around too. Cyborg, we're close...I'm working on the Jazz Ostinato, which I think is just a few pages ahead of blue rondo. I'm pretty slow at the moment in moving through book 3, but I am planning to finish it. Atleast the 'basic' part, don't know yet about the 'for fun' or 'ambitious' (though I already did the bach prelude ages ago).

Summer vacation starts next week (piano lessons I mean). I still have to decide what to work on during the break. Last year it was Yann Tiersen, but I haven't made up my mind about a nice 'big' thing to tackle this summer...

Ingrid

Oh Yes, I am also working on "Moonlight Sonata" I am working on the second measure and it will take some time. But I love it!

I'm really enjoying working on "Moonlight" too. Just getting the dynamics to be anything close to correct and controlling the "right hand little finger vs. thumb" condition is enough of a challenge all by itself.

Undone

I couldn't agree with you more! Actually, I found a Youtube video from someone, ( of course I forgot who!!). Anyhow, it is broken down into three parts and this guy teaches each section of "Moonlight"! I'll go back on a bit later to see if I can get this guy's name! So far, it's a help.
Going to work on this a bit before I go to a meeting tonight!

Take care!

I did a quick search on Youtube but didn’t find the videos you were referring to (there are lots of hits for “Moonlight Sonata”). If you do fine them again please let me know the guy’s name; I can use all the help I can get.

Undone

Here's the video name: It's under "JJBartleymusic' He does pretty well, makes a few mistakes but seeing the video of where he places his fingers help when he makes mistakes. He also goes kind of fast so I just pause and rewind.

He has parts one up to part five.

yes, I also need all the help too!:-) Maybe I can put the firstpart of what I;ve learned on youtube at some point.

Hang in there!

Just wanted to say "hi" to everyone on this thread. I'm still around. I'm practicing less these days due to other commitments but I still get in at least 30 minutes a day at the piano. Still working out that Brahms Waltz and have been playing around a bit with Moonlight. Hope everyone's well,

Piano4 – Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely check this guy out tonight when I get home.

Waltz – Good to hear from you. Yep, life has a way of mixing up one's priorities on a regular bases. When it comes to piano, I’m just trying to stay with the “slow and steady wins the race” philosophy.

Undone

I am in agreement with both of you! I somehow managed to do something with my hand, so I have to check out my technique! Take care all!