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And here I thought "Are You Sleeping" was just a simple, innocent children's song that our grade-school music teachers thought would be good to use to help us learn how to sing in a round. How dare they!

It does look difficult to read. I understand that you want to see both parts, but it would maybe be nice if the other part was printed maybe in a gray color, so it would be easier to follow your part. Are you going to record this for us to hear?

My husband is going to record me at the SummerKey as long as Mr. Potterton does not object. He won't picture him anyway. If he says, no I will record myself with my teacher in my October recital.

FarmGirl I was reading posts from my phone yesterday and didn't see the picture, I couldn't figure out what was being talked about! As soon as I saw the photo.....wow.... I would definitely have to highlight my part if I had a score like that.
I wonder why it is written that way? There must be a reason, but it eludes me at the moment.

If you play in an orchestra you don't get all the parts of all the instruments on your music (well, the conductor does, but that's different), why would you need it for a piano duet?

(p.s. - I tried googling this but so far the only thing I've learned is that 2 people + 1 piano = duet, it seems that 2 people,+ 2 pianos = duo ) Live and learn.

My guess is that you need to see what other piano is doing. There are solo parts for each piano and I would miss when to come in if I just count it. Also it helps me get back on track when I get off. 1 piano 4 hands duet requires you to sit side by side, so it makes logical sense to print each part in each side of the score. But I really don't see a strong reason for it. Two piano scores come in a set of two for each piano. This must be a good question for Nicoras. I bet he knows.

It's no big deal. But why not leave it in French? It opens doors.

When I grew up in England we learned the French version. Now, whether us completely mashing up French words is really any better than a dodgy translation I can't say!

I do remember speaking to some Scandinavians at University who said their cartoons were never dubbed or subtitled. Whatever language they were in, that's what you got. Good move, though now I realize why so many Norwegians say "eat my shorts"

But surely Fra Martino campanaro is a much nicer guy than that Frère Jacques

Besides, I'm a translator... I don't want English speakers to learn any other language, okay?

Which is the whole point! He's a lazy s.o.b. Is he a metaphor for a whole class of clerics? For something else? Learning horizons widen...

LOL!
At least in the US you're doing pretty well for the moment, anyway.

Yesterday I went to my husband workplace; in the canteen there is a nice grand and I wanted to try it. It's a Yamaha C3 (so I was told), and I had a wonderful quarter of hour with it before the children started to get bored and to make noise. Next time I plan to drop them at the swimming pool before going to play...
Last year there was an even better Bechstein in the same place, but it was a loan because the Yamaha was under repair. What a fantastic experience is playing a nice grand!

Congrats...that is some experience. Personally, those children would be spending lots of time at the pool.

The entire concert was interesting -- all works from modern composers, played in an intimate setting. As for my improvisation, I don't know if that will go anywhere, but it's fun to play with it. The Debussy is "Sarabande" from the set "Pour Le Piano". You can listen to a version here . My teacher suggested that I check out this piece, thinking that I might like to learn it. I actually didn't like it when I listened to it the first time. But then I printed out the music and sat down and played it, and I became entranced. Now the more I play it, the more I'm getting to love it; it is so rich and textured. (This seems to be a common problem with me and Debussy. I don't like listening to much of his music, but it is so interesting and beautiful to play!)

Torquenale: that sounds like fun! Much more fun than your dp eh?
Good idea to drop off the kids at the pool first next time.

Marybee, I'm listening to the Sarabande as I type - what an interesting piece. I am hearing some similarities to the Grieg piece I am learning. I notice that this piece is over 5 minutes- you are doing so well with focus!

My Grieg piece is the longest I've tried so far. I believe that it will end up being about 3 - 3.5 minutes. That's double most of my pieces.

My AOTW is to have realized exactly how much I have to slow down to get things right in 2 pieces, and to have made good use of my metronome and my recordings.

my aotw is finally getting some good practice in. i'm starting to really get better at practicing! also getting rid of silly little things i always do like they are rules when really, they aren't!! i just need to open my hand and find the obvious fingering instead of making it so gosh darn hard on myself like its a mystical puzzle, hint, its not! haha

i can't wait to hear these recital pieces you all submit!

I like your Debussy piece. It sounds deep, beautiful and complex. It will require a well developed musicianship. I think it's a perfect fit for you. It will be a while before I can try good stuff like this. I will have to take a few bscksteps now. The experience of working on Mozart piece convinced me that I would need to build more solid technique. I restart scales regiment along with classical period pieces. I don't like classical period works as much as other periods.

MaryBee - I'm listening to Debussy Sarabande and think it is just a marvelous piece....words like rich and sonorous with many colors come to mind. Would love to hear how it sounds on my piano.

Sweet06 - Good for you refining your practice strategies. You are right, it isn't magic and doing what feels easy and natural is often the right approach (although not always).

My AOTW is finally getting over myself and going ahead with a submission to the quarterly recital. It is the same Scriabin recording I put in the piano bar....thanks to those of you who encouraged me to go ahead and submit it to the recital. Also, at my lesson yesterday I was able to play one of my best performances of the MacDowell piece. My teacher says she no longer needs to hear it, but I will keep working it...maybe a future submission. Oh, and I have a new piece to work on....the beautiful aria O Mio Babbino Caro, from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. It is one of the easier arrangements but features one of my weakest points...continuous legato arpeggios thoughout in the left hand...so will likely provide plenty of challenge.

This is more like a AOTD. Yes, excited....
The Rally motivated lyrics for me....

Tattooed Heifer

Just lost my job
No bank account
Life couldn't be better
Got my Tattooed Heifer!

Rolling Along
Singin' a Song
Can't be happier
With my Tattooed Heifer!

Life is alright
Rally's in sight
All excited
With my Tattooed Heifer!

Poor guy's to blame
His life will remain
Forever a bore
Without a Tattooed Heifer!

Look on the bright side! "Organ donors on wheels" the casualty doctors call them. We need a supply of young, fit spare parts.

Ha! However, the vast majority are neither young nor fit.