Weiyan - I like the "A" key on the bottom o` yer piano . . .heh heh

This is the very first time I have recorded myself on a piano. For some reason when I just enjoy playing it goes perfect, but while recording I tend to mess up.

Falling Leaves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4MUGTZ3p0k

Nice tune, Artur. Messing up while recording is a common problem!

I've been practising a fun piece from Final Fantasy VII OST, had a decent run at the recording, then messed up the final chord in a transition. But expecting perfection from yourself is a sure way to fail. It's best to relax and just try to recover from any oopsies.

In Love with Love: Very sweet.

Artur Gajewski: The falling leaves gives me Autumn feel.

Allard: Very good. Not easy to play this long piece.

Artur - That`s a good tune to hack about with. "Autumn Leaves" is a common jazz rendition which can go on forever. . .Plug away on that one, you`ll have fun!

Allard - Ya did well, man. How did you record it? The quality is very good . .

Yes, happens every time. I was just settling in and autumn leaves was over!

Thanks. I worked at trying to be a songwriter every day for several years in the early eighties. I have many more written in the same period. Yes, a long time ago now but I've come back to them from a piano perspective - a little tweak here and there etc.

Allard - interesting piece. From the Final Fantasy game series? I usually find game music hard tolerate (the same four bars over and over) but that captured my attention.

Happy New Year to all!

It's been long while since visiting PW except for the occasional PMs. Listening to everyone's submissions has, in part, help in rekindling my enthusiasm to play after a protracted absence (many reasons for this). It's great to see many of the regulars again and some enthusiastic newcomers.

ladypayne~ oddly, your adagio has a feel and sound to it somewhat like the ever-familiar standard, Autumn Leaves, then morphs into a wonderful melody. Very nicely done.

stumbler~ Thank you for my introduction to the Strathspeys. The one you chose is very pretty and a wonderful way to start the new year!

Newman~ I like your uptempo version of For No One. I recently heard a jazz ballad version of this piece and could hardly believe my ears. Great work, for sure. Your original, You and Me, is terrific. You could easily fit in a solo guitar or piano in there and it'd make a hit. In Love with Love is wonderful - you've got some serious composition skills. I really look forward to hearing more of your original soundtracks.

StarrKeys~ Very excellent arrangement you put together for, 'Till We Meet Again. As always, I very much enjoy hearing your voice accompanied by your piano playing. I am thrilled you chose to continue singing. More importantly, I am sorry to hear about your mother. My thoughts are with you through these difficult and disorienting times.

Weiyan~ your playing of the notes in Bach's music is improving as is your maintaining a solid tempo. Look forward to hearing you play Mussette, No. 11 again after it's matured under your fingers. BWV 846 is nicely done. Dynamics come with time as does getting the evenness of the notes. Keep focusing on making it sing. Keep up the good work!

candlelightpiano~ can't beat a good set of scales and arpeggios, no doubt. Very good piano playing and it sounded to me like you were having a lot of fun with that tune. It shows in your music, for sure!

BillM~ You played, I Love You Truly, so very sweetly. A pretty and romantic old piece. Yes, they don't write them like that anymore. My Grandfather used to sing, Those Were the Days, to me all the time when I was a child. Thank you for these memories.

Amaruk~ Very simple piece, and the simplicity with which you play it brings out the mood most excellently, indeed. Great you are teaching your child to play. Good go on your first Chopin. Quite a bit going on for a half-pager, eh? It will mature under your fingers over the years. Congratulations on your new electric keyboard. Play it in good health!

Wish4Thing~ good work on Bach. You bring out the voices very clearly. No easy task. Keep it up and you will find all the nuances you want to express will fall under your fingers more easily. French Suite 5 is simply fantastic! I love your tempo and dynamics to separate the voices - very well-played, indeed!

Greener~ great Beethoven! Your priority to keep a steady tempo though the change is exceptional. Cute ending, too. Fantastic, Jeff!

sislermi~ Never heard of either piece, but you bring out some unexpected fantastic virtuosity in the second piece that really caught me by surprise. Thanks for introducing me to these pieces. Bravo!

peterws~ very well played piece of music, perfect for the Holiday Season and beyond. Thank you for your music - look forward to hearing more from you.

Elssa~ My grandmother used to play this all the time. I very much enjoyed your version of, Near You. The long ending really makes it. Good job on, Those Were the Days. You've got some very quick fingers there to change those voices while keeping tempo!

ArthurGajewski~ Congratulations on making your first recording! That is no easy task, for sure. I always thought the piece was called, Autumn Leaves - learned something new. Good playing and I look forward to hearing the whole piece. You play with a very nice touch.

Allard~ Mako Reactor is interesting. Never heard of Final Fantasy before. I must be out of the loop. Good playing.

Glen

Thank you very much Amaruk, Elssa and Glen(Inlanding)and everyone else who I earlier thanked, or somehow missed, for your kindness and support in this trying time.

I was able to spend every day of my time in New York at my mom's bedside. She died right after I departed by train for the airport--we all believe, with peace and clarity.

She was a great mom and I'll miss her very much. Here is a link to a performance video that some of you have seen before. It is a tribute to my mother.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysMt5PKGsDw

My condolences, Starr Keys. It's hard losing a parent. The video is terrific.

Glen - good to see you back! (and thanks for the compliments)

Starr Keys: Your mom is great.

Glen: Thank you for the encouragement and suggestion. Also thank to all friends here who listen to my playing and give me feedback.

I am improving with your help.

Thank you.

Sorry about your loss, Starr Keys. Dealing with that is even harder than the song you played so well.

Peter: I use my iPad for recording. It's not great, but better than my old digital camera. I'd prefer to plug my piano into the computer and record audio directly, but I am unable to mix it with video. Windows Movie Maker stopped working when I upgraded to Windows 8.

Newman, Inlanding: Final Fantasy is a series of role playing games originating from Japan. It is known for excellent storyline and music. My song is directly from one of these games, but there are also Piano Collections with arrangements played by concert pianists. There have even been concert tours in Japan featuring fully orchestrated arrangements. (Not of Mako Reactor though, this is just a simple tune.) Most of this music was composed by Nobuo Uematsu. You can find several pieces in the ABF Recital Index. Those piano collections, and Beethoven, are the reason why I started playing. I want to learn to make such beautiful music

Peterws: Fluent start on the Allemande.

Weiyan, you are progressing!
Good video.

Newman, great song writing.
The accompaniment is really catchy too.

Artur, good job on Falling Leaves.

I think everyone here is familiar with the "curse" of recording.
I guess the trick is to not think about the fact that you are recording. I wish I knew how. The worst for me is when I've made it past the difficult places, and I think "yay, I'm getting through without mistakes". As soon as happens, I make a mistake.

Allard, solid playing.
I wish I could maintain tempo so well.

Artur - Falling Leaves
Great playing! We all have the same issue when we hit that Rec button… It is normal.

Allard - Final Fantasy
Great playing. Very relaxed and very rhythmic indeed!!

Inlanding - It is great that you are back!! I hope to hear you play something here again soon.

Starr Keys - I am so sorry to hear that your mother passed away….

Starr Keys, its good to hear that you arrived in time to spend time with your mom. I'm sorry for your loss.

The video is a lovely tribute.

Newman - In Love with Love - a catchy tune performed with your usual excellent vocal. A very clear and crisp recording. Did you upgrade your recording device?

Artur - good start on Autumn Leaves.

Allard - an interesting piece.

Starr Keys - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your video tribute is very moving.

Allard, you need a free programme to assist here for recording. VideoPad and Wavepad will handle whatever you need. I can do it, anybody can! Have fun! Peter

Thank you Newman, Weiyan, Allard, stumbler, Amaruk, and BillM for your kind words. I almost didnt' make that video because I was so unhappy with the vocal. Now, I'm so glad I did.