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Hmm, this is one of those "reverse" achievements

We're three weeks away from the next studio recital and I haven't memorized my pieces (well, not all sections) and this has never happened before?

My realization is that it takes less playing through to get the pieces close to performance ready. But without all that playing, the "automatic" memorization just isn't working! So, hard work ahead ... or use the music. Memorization is only compulsory for the kids in the studio

Andy
I'm impressed that you CAN memorize. For some reason I can memorize vocal music easily but can't trust my memory on a classical piano piece. At our adult recital (we call them workshops) we all use music. It is certainly less intimidating to our new members that way and less likely to add to our stress level at any playing ability. When I played the Chopin last week I had the music but was surprised how close to memorized it was. Not quite though...we can blame Liszt for making us feel like we have to play it without sheet music...

Mary Ann congratulations on your first public performance. Isn't it too bad we hear our own wrong notes when mostly the audience overlooks it. That's a great accomplishment and TWO pieces too. WOW

Casinitaly. We try to do duets every time we do a workshop. One of the other students did a Mozart concerto with our teacher. It was fabulous (she is very advanced) but she's taking a break over the summer from lessons...just stressed her out. One time we had four of us adult students do a two piano quartet. That was fun...you REALLY have to keep going and keep up to tempo.

Carlos..I hope your mom is much better. That is so cool that she cares to hear you play. Family support is inspiring

Andy Platt, welcome to the world of those of us for whom memorization takes specific concentrated work.

Yesterday I read through Bach's English Suites 1-3, first page to last page. And then decided there is not much in there that is not too difficult for me at present.

I was a little surprised at how long they are (I'm used to suites with 4 or so movements, I guess).

Anyways, it's all part of a musical education!

I tried to play the first movement of Moonlight Sonata about a year ago and quickly realized that it was beyond my ability. I picked it up again yesterday. I am able to play through the first page! I'm pretty excited about that. I have been engrossed in a Joplin piece (The Weeping Willow) for the last few months. I have it thoroughly memorized, but can't seem to play all the way through without making mistakes. I have also learned a piece from a hymn book (How Great Though Art).....I am improvising that piece.

Thanks for the link cas. That was interesting to read.

Carlos, that's so touching that your mom wants to have your music to listen to. And what a nice gift that will be to give her.

MaryAnn - I cannot believe i missed your post about your first performance. Good for you. I would love to have piano friends. I loved your playing the left hand and right hand part with your friends. I used to do it a lot with my younger and much more talented brother. My current duet partner is doing doctorate in Pharmacy so she is very busy.. Right now I don't know anyone who I can invite..

My AoTW - I am very happy to report that Rach 23-5 is getting better. I bought an extension code today for recording. I used to use my husband's code then he wasn't very happy with me because I wound up unplugging everything, his laptop, etc. Generally speaking, my husband hates piano music. He particularly does not like this piece because it has a very loud part. He likes elevator music, some music that he can sleep with. Does anyone have similar spouse? I am planning to turn one of the rooms into a music room. I will change the double door to the room so that it won't interface with his TV. Ironically my dogs seem to love my music. They will come to the piano whenever I am playing. Charlie the puppy (5 months old Golden Retriever) loves it so much he put his head on my foot when I am pedaling. Emma (2.5 years old Golden Retriever) spread herself on the floor right next to piano. When I am playing the C section, she turns around to lie on her back and stretch her arms and legs as though she was mesmerized. I love them both.

I also played through the 3rd movement of Pathetique. I have not touched it for a while but it's still there... phew! I had fun playing some video music and movie music too. There was a thread about improvement.. I think one thing I notice that I got better is sight-reading. It's like night and day. When I first came back to piano after 20+ years of absence, I could not even imagine doing it. What's bad about this is I stopped doing rigorous HS practice. I have to consciously remind myself to practice HS whenever there is tricky sections.

Wow, you must be really good at sight reading. Good for you. I looked at English Suite and I know it's not something I can sight read easily. So I don't know how long it's going to take for me to read it from I through III.

Andy Platt - Do not stress. IMO, 3 weeks is enough to memorize some sessions.

WiseBuff and MaryBee - My mom is getting better, thanks! The problem is that my wife went yesterday to the hospital because of a liver problem... Oh God, I think I'm going to take my DP to the hospital hall to play for my... family.

Eglantine - I think this is an excellent progress on your musical education. It's nice to know that you feel more and more confident.

Michael Taylor - Great progress! Great work! Congratulations.

FarmGirl - LOL, very funny. My advice: give a nice MP3 player to your husband, and an huge and comfortable pillow to your dog.


My AOTW: Due the liver problem of my wife I couldn't work on my Helen Jane Long piece..

Cheryl
Hope you and your family is safe. Just heard that there was a large quake in northern Italy

Thank you, FarmGirl, we're fine.

The epicentre was about 200km from us - more or less in the same region as the quake 10 days ago.

This one was 5.8, the last one was 6.0 - our building shook in quite a horrible way, my furniture rattled and wobbled, 1 book fell off a shelf, but in the end, it was only "very unpleasant" and unnerving. It seems that the vibrations were felt all over the place in the north.

It is extremely strange. We've lived here for 18 years and until this year, we only ONCE felt any vibrations (about 8 years ago).

This year we have felt about 5 - 3 of which have lasted for between 30-40 seconds and seriously rattled us.


BBC article about the earthquake

It is uncomfortable, but there's no damage here.

Edited to add -- there is another one happening RIGHT THIS MINUTE......... AS I AM TYPING. About 15 seconds worth.
Oh, they make me feel ill....

I'm glade you're all fine!
Things in Europe are getting weird...

Yes, very weird.
There are little aftershocks still going on.

Have you been having any in Portugal?

So far, so good.
Last month we had some minor shakes in south region but they were only detected by the quake equipment. No injuries or building impact.

Ah, that's good.

Glad you are OK Cheryl. Where was the epicenter? All is quiet in central Switzerland.

The epicentre is near Modena - about 170km-200km from here.

We've been having repeated little wobbles for almost an hour now - my desk lamp and my glass of water show the vibrations.



My husband has phoned me twice today because he knows how much these shakes bother me.

CarlosCC, wishing your wife and mother quick recoveries to good health, and wishing you fortitude and peace as you help them through this time.

Me too!
I'm so sorry, I had not really ready through the posts earlier and missed what what going on.

You must be very stressed about the health of these two important women in your life.