SwissMS, this is really funny. And congratulations for your Debussy! I understand you had problem having lesson in front of your daughter, last year I had to take my elder son (he was 9) with me at lesson and I was not relaxed (I'm never at lesson, but that day it was worse than usual).

Toastie, I really hope you can recover soon from your hard times.

FarmGirl, congratulations for your major achievement...you are becoming a concert pianist!

My AOTW: my lesson today was really good; the efforts I put on my Bach piece paid well, my teacher said it was unrecognizable. Now, she told me, I have to put it aside for a couple of weeks and then take it again in order to polish it (and improve the speed a bit). She assigned me an easy Minuetto from the French Suite in E major.
I'm still struggling with the trills in the Scarlatti sonata - I decided of changing the fingering two days ago, bad idea- and have to work with the interpretation of the Chopin prelude. Still, I'm really satisfied!
I have also a second (minor) AOTW, last Saturday I was alone at home for one hour so I put my compact camera on the tripod and I recorded me playing. The sound sucks, but still it is a record of a point in my journey. And first step to post in a monthly piano bar or recital... (still a long way, many things to learn).

you gotta love Google ...... instant gratification for the curious.

Just stick yer tongue out!

Yep, now I know why those six-year olds at recital are always loosey-goosey relaxed.

My only AOTW is being able to play again. Long story short I pulled a muscle in my upper back the 25th of FEB and couldn't play for a few days. Better now after two massage sessions.

Didn't get to have a lesson today due to crappy weather. I was out in it on the way to my lesson when teacher called and cancelled.

Still plowing ahead with the Canon in D. Man that puppy got pretty hard (for me) but I'm still having fun with it, albiet much, much slower now

After the Arizona piano party I decided to learn the Chopin Aeolian Etude (op.25 #1) as my first etude. I think it will really help my fluidity and relaxation, because the piece sounds awful if you don't relax and make it really musical.

My AOTW is that I spent a couple hours working on it and I memorized the first page of it (out of about 5 pages, but thankfully there's lots of repetition). It's soooo pretty and fun to play! Here's a rough idea of where I'm at with it: https://www.box.com/s/zbvj4882488ufzlmrc3j

It's really challenging to pull the melody out from that cacophony of notes, but I think the effort for this piece will pay off with more melodic playing in all my pieces.

I am diligently enforcing the "and then STOP" part of my practice.

Of course, when I have the time I don't stop practicing altogether, I just stop that little section after its 3 or 5 times, but it leaves plenty of time for scales, sight reading, and goofing off.

I'm also just enjoying poking around looking for a recital piece that will a) contrast with Honeysuckle Rag and b) be easy, fun, and accessible (i.e. not boring) for the audience.

Toastie...sorry to hear you're having a tough time. Best wishes for getting through it as smoothly as possible.

SwissMS - how wonderful to be able to share your lesson with your daughter! I was able to attend my niece's lesson this past summer and it was great. I've never heard of the "sticking-your-tongue" out technique to calming nerves.... Careful you don't do it at a live recital though!

So on the same page we've got FarmGirl and EdwardianPiano dreaming about playing the piano, that would be like my students dreaming in English I think

Torquenale what great success with Bach ! and with your other pieces. Recording can be a great help - even if you don't share it with others, it is a benchmark for where you are at a given point. Plus...the more you do it, the less intimidating it becomes!

Jim, thank you for that bit of info. I'm doing yoga at my desk now lol.

RagDoll - you need to hire a local kid to be a handy-man for you for a while so you can get back to piano properly Take care and heal up!!!

Sam-- as usual, you're coming a long really well with your new piece! Always a pleasure to hear you - even in "draft" mode.

Malkin, I've been working on that technique too and find it helpful. Good luck on the second piece - maybe a little waltz?

My lesson went well yesterday - we FINALLY had a close look at the Heller, adjusted some fingerings, (corrected some typos in the text! ) and my teacher explained a few more aspects of the technique to me with respect to acciaccatura versus appoggiato. I finally get the difference!

Cheryl, is it easier for you to understand all those musical terms, since they are in Italian? It is fortunate that many of the words look like English or perhaps French, but in the case of those two terms I have no idea what they might mean.

Excitement: a tech should be visiting today to fix my baby! Some of the dampers aren't descending properly leaving my music with a very annoying constantly sounding high D, and depending on the music, a low B flat. I'll finally be able to play.

Allard, some terms are easy because they are Italian - but more often they are easy because I learned them a long time ago. Acciaccatura is another name for a "grace note" It typically is written in smaller print, and has a diagonal line or bar through the stem. It is meant to be played a split second before the main note and released immediately.

Appoggiatura is written without the bar across the stem, and it "steals" time from the main note which follows it.
Here is a link where you can hear the difference, though I'm not convinced the second is a fantastic example...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/elements_of_music/melody6.shtml

If you listen here you can get the acciaccatura example very clearly:

http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0024781

and here is one more document explaining appoggiatura

http://www.piano-play-it.com/appoggiatura.html

"Crushed note" is the literal translation of "Acciaccatura", and a rather nice description. It is sometimes played before the beat, sometimes on the beat. In practice, sometimes it's good to play it simultaneously with the main note but release it quickly.

"Leaning note" is literal for "Appoggiatura".

I have to think twice which word means what! But the two notations are clear enough, which is what matters.

Thanks Cheryl,

Pfft! I can barely pay attention , never mind a local kid. They want 30 bux for an hours work using my stuff. But thanks for the thought.

I'm much better wrt the upper back, I had an hours pratice today in 2 seperate sessions. I think I'll do a bit of sight reading exercises later tonight. That is also coming along well and I blame that Canon!!!

wow sam rose! beautiful! you learned that in a day??! you will have the entire piece going in no time!

i've been pretty down about my playing lately, but I guess my aotw is that I finally did a trial recording of my mendelssohn song without words (85/1) for the upcoming recital. not because it is ready to record, but just to get used to the red dot as that is how much it distracts me. I almost have one of the pieces memorized, but it has taken me weeks to do it and I play the piece so unmusically!! sigh.

My piano had its first tuning since I bought it a little over a month ago. It wasn't too far off but it sounds and feels awesome, yay!

My really excited is that I found a really good teacher. We're starting on Sunday morning. Lessons are over Skype. He isn't too far away that I cannot visit him if I really need to learn something in person.
I had started learning on my own. Doing good. Soaking things up. Working with a few books. One of those books was so good. It motivated me to find a really good teacher.
My only fear is that he might be figuring I'm too much hassle. He leaves home and goes out teaching. Also I take it for granted that he does spend some evenings working with bands/performers in night clubs. We had difficulty coming up with a time for my Skype. That's why Sunday morning. I'm hoping to make it easy for him. Trying to make it work better at another time.
I'm wanting to learn piano to the level of composing. He said that is a whole bunch. Have to learn the creation of music. Told me twice a month isn't nearly as fast as once a week. And I have a bunch I'm wanting to learn. We're looking at many years. I'm so excited that I'm working on budgeting as best I can on finances to pay for once a week.

I am getting very very excited
because I have started to be able to read & understand
much better (and quicker) the scores and melodies
whilst playing my piano.
The exciting news is also that I did start from scratch
as an adult-beginner and I feel now
this adventure has widened my horizon and my world quite a bit.

I am also glad and thrilled because my patience with myself -
and my being stubborn and not to give up - has finally paid off.

I am currently studying Bach's Aria
(from the so-called Goldberg Variations)
which is one of the piano/harpsichord-pieces I have adored
all my life and I am now actually starting to learn and play it.

This is very exciting news for me and it makes me very happy.

Best wishes from Kristina.

Not really an achievement, but I just wanted to share with you a rough recording I made of Chopin Ballade no. 1, which most of you know I've been chipping away at for a long time. I know all the notes now, but in some sections it's still a real struggle, and you'll hear that. But there are good moments here too, and my Yamaha C3 was just tuned and sounds lovely

I hope you enjoy it!

Sam that was Fab! Really Impressed

Sam, congrats on your accomplishment with the Ballade. Indeed, the C3 sounds great. You have a freakish talent - and I sincerely mean that in the nicest possible way.

Just out of curiousity, was that entire nine minutes on utube without edits? (I would consider it an accomplishment if I could play anything for that length of time)

Well done.

Jim

Thanks ju5t1n-h and JimF! It means a lot!

I edited out a couple of slight pauses I made. I call them "brain farts," and they happen because of performance anxiety. The more I record, the easier it becomes though, so hopefully before too long I'll be able to play this live and do a great job. I mean, I already played it live at FarmGirl's place, but I did repeat a half measure once or twice. It wasn't too terrible, but it takes away from the flow of the music, so I removed it. I figure if Zimerman can do it, so can I

But it's not a hodgepodge of pieces stitched together. If it was, I could have made it sound much better than it does (which is probably what they do in a studio recording setting). If I knew more about editing, I would do that at some point. On one hand, this piece deserves absolute perfection. On the other hand, there is something somewhat charming about slight note mistakes (I have a nice one right in the middle of the presto section). So I'm conflicted on the whole idea. Thanks for listening, and I understand your curiosity!

I feel the same way re: the charm of mistakes.

Check out Victor Borge's performance of Clair de Lune at his 80th birthday celebration (Wolf Trap Farm in VA). He muffs the very highest note at the height of the piece. I winced for him when I first heard it... I imagine it must have bugged him quite a bit at that moment.

The joke he can't resist making is at 0:30, the oopsie is at 2:58...


Now, many many listenings later, I've grown quite fond of that missed note. When I hear it hit properly by any other pianist I feel like I'm missing something of the humanity of Borge's performance. If I ever learn that section, I'll be half-tempted to do it that same way, as an homage.

You're brilliant! From now on. I never make mistakes. I pay homage! We should make that a requirement on this forum from now on. The word: Mistake, is replaced with: Homage.
Oh...we can just lie about who we're paying homage to.

Valencia, I'm really looking forward to hearing the Mendelsson piece! I know the "team" in RST has been working really hard on all of the songs without words. I think it has to be quite the learning experience. I would have liked to join in but the pieces were all beyond my skills! It sounds like it has been a stretch for you, but I applaud your determination and focus.

Half-step: There is nothing quite like a freshly tuned piano - enjoy it while it lasts!

Sam - Jim put it rather well,...your talent is rather --particular.
I give you all the credit due for dedication and determination -but at the same time I think it is pretty important for those who may not "know" you to make it clear that you, (like a few others who participate in the forum) are an exceptional case. You've got something that has let you get farther in a few short years than many of us will manage to get after a decade.

It makes me think about how some folks get all worried that their pieces aren't good enough for the recital, because there are many others who play so well. They feel intimidated or so far "behind" that they can't believe anyone would enjoy listening to them.
Sand Tiger always has something very encouraging to put things into perspective as to who participates and the different levels, and I think we all work to let folks know that we're here to share the journey - and we do it better if we get to hear each other.

I say all this only because I would hate for someone to pop in and hear Sam's stunning performances and think "oh man, I've been playing 2 years and I'm still working on getting my scales up to speed"...or something like that. I think it is pretty easy to be intimidated or to feel "slow" or discouraged when we hear people who started up on piano well after we did and who are so much farther ahead.

So, yes, Sam's performance certainly is impressive -- and a pleasure to listen to - but let those of us who are not moving at lightning speed not be discouraged or intimidated, just enjoy the music!

I'm still listening to the last ABF recital in the car and I'm still enjoying the performances of many of the pianists with less than five years experience.

When we listen to ourselves we hear the smallest mistakes, and even listen for them, but when we listen to someone else play we're actually wanting to enjoy the performance and tend to overlook the mistakes and try and hear the interpretation or personality coming through or the progress they're making. It helps when the "personalitites" are friends here on the ABF.

Speaking of performances (shameless plug), I've posted pics of my new piano and a couple of performances (my own AotW) to go with them on RST. Andy, if you're interested, it includes my version of Chopin's Eb Nocturne.

My New Kawai on RST

My big achievement this week - or maybe this is a 4-year achievement - is that I've learned to play the basic 12-bar blues in Tim Richards' Improvising Blues Piano. I had his book from the library after I'd been playing about a year I think, & either it was way beyond me, or it was too much of a distraction - can't remember which. Anyway, it went nowhere & I returned it. But this time, I opened it & it wasn't even a stretch to play the basic Beginners Blues - I started playing the first few bars straight off the page, & then I didn't even need the page, because I knew where it would go. It took me 5 or 10 minutes to get the hang of the on/off rhythm variation, & now I can play them both! My teacher's had me working my way around the circle of 5ths with scales, triads & cadences, so I think I'll start transposing the BB into other keys. Maybe not such a big deal for someone who's been playing almost 4 years, but it shows me I've progressed enough that I DO now have a level at which I'm comfortable, even if it's a basic one. I still have a Chapters gift card left over from Christmas, so I think I'm going to spend it on the Richards' book & maybe the Great American Songbook.

Learning to play the 12-bar blues takes a few minutes (given sufficient basic technique) then it takes a lifetime! Enjoy!

Got meself a good free copy o` Schuman`s Impromptu after I`d thrown most o` my music out having retired . . . .I`m too quick to chuck stuff out. And repent at leisure . . . .

Don't worry peterws. Most of it is easily replaced, and if you're like me you'll have the advantage of being able to find the new one.

JoyousSong, I saw that 12 bars blues early on, and skipped it because I was baffled by it. In time I may go back to it.

Week 52: I posted a lengthy anniversary summary as a separate thread, One year and The Passage of Time. As for my achievements, I added a couple of triplets to my new composition, which now has a name, The Passage of Time . I continue to work on Canon in D, Misty Mountains Cold, and plan to do at least Misty next Saturday at Songmakers, the others will depend on the turn out and the mood.

Thank you Casinitaly for starting this thread, and thanks to all the other regulars on AOTW. Posting and reading here have been a big help to me. Cheers.

Where did you get the sheet music for Misty Mountains Cold? I remember really loving that melody when I watched The Hobbit, and I would love to learn how to play it!

And thanks Casinitaly from me as well!! You are probably the most positive force on this forum. Does anyone else here think Casinitaly is really a bot programmed by Frank to inspire all us adult beginners? I think it's the most plausible explanation. I mean, really! People who are that positive and uplifting don't exist in the real world, do they?

You're doing really good, Sam. Face it. Besides...nobody on this forum is a bot...ot...ot...ot

Sam Rose, I found a couple of transcriptions on:

http://musescore.com/sheetmusic

You may have to work out your own arrangement. The melody line is simple.

There are also several tutorials for Misty Mountains Cold on YouTube, but those arrangements were too advanced for me.