I remember Musetta's Waltz...I didn't like playing the piece for whatever reason. Yea, I know what you mean in the sense that the Alfred's takes a back seat. My teacher has me working through 3-4 additional books as well. The couple of months though we've been spending a lot of time in it and I'm knocking the pieces out fairly quickly.

OG - 3 pieces at once (11 in a month) would be a rather formidable task - while it could be done, I'm not too sure how well you would be learning them - at one piece a week these same 11 pieces would take typically about 2 1/2 to 3 months - and some of the remaining pieces are somewhat demanding (for example "Ballin' The Jack" or "Danny Boy", which I'm into my 3rd week on and just starting to get a good handle on) - I would suggest that you take more time with them, and get your teacher to move them up in the priority list - but don't rush thru them just to finish the Book - Book 3 will wait (and you'll just have the same problem with Book 3 taking a back seat to your other methods, etc., unless you can get your teacher to give it top priority) - take your time & study each piece to the best of your ability - it will pay off in the long run

Regards, JF

Hi Jf,

I agree with what you're saying under normal circumstances but my circumstances haven't been normal since I started with my current teacher last August.

She teaches me out of Helen Curtis. It's an old method and it goes very fast and the pieces are originals, no arrangements.

So when I do get an Alfreds piece it's very simple for me compared to the stuff she gives me.

I'm not talented, or gifted or anything it's just that she gives me music that's really challenging so when I do go to an Alfred's it's really simple to me. Doing 3 Alfreds a week is nothing really.

Here's an example of one of the simpler pieces in book 2 of Helen Curtis. We work out of book 2 and book 3 in addition to other supplementary material she gives me from other composers.



All originals though. She's a stickler and hates arrangements so you can imagine how she feels about Alfreds. The only reason we're doing Alfred's is because I asked her to and she doesn't mind at all. I just want to finish what I started.

OG - well, why didn't you say so! That throws a whole new perspective on the situation.

I see clearly now that your situation is not normal. If you can easily handle 3 Alfred 2 pieces in a week then they certainly aren't too challenging for you (as they are for me and many others struggling thru them) and they're more or less "breathers" or "recreational pieces" for you, which you're optionally playing because you simply enjoy playing some of them, and not necessarily because they're improving your skills or technique much, at least not in comparison to the Helen Curtis pieces (the example of which does appear more demanding than anything in Alfred 2).

It would appear - in spite of your protests to the contrary - that you are in possession of a certain measurable level of talent and a definite "gift" for pianistic endevours and accomplishments.

Good luck in your studies, keep us updated on your progress - and, when shall we be hearing from you in a Recital or one of the monthly piano bars?

Regards, JF

Hey Jf,

I freeze under the red light but I promised Mark, I would talk with my teacher this week to see if she'll assign me a recital piece for the next round.

As to whether I can get past the red dot remains to be seen. Kind of funny, I'm comfortable playing in front of people but recording makes me so self concious and I become all thumby.

I have major red dot issues as well, but find recording all my practices seems to help...

I finished "Fascination" and on to "Deep River". I'm still working on my other two supplemental pieces. I've been working some on a recital piece.

Gees, I got less than a week to get it up to snuff!

Cyborg - glad to see your progression thru Book 2 continuing - good job!

I also have confidence that "snuff" will be gotten to by you, so to speak - looking forward to hearing your Recital piece - what is it going to be? I forget, have you decided? Can you reveal it?

Finishing up the next to last piece in 2 "Danny Boy" and started on the last piece "Canon in D", both excellent pieces - hoping to get a good recording of "Danny Boy" - really like this arrangement!

Regards, JF

Well I talked with my teacher yesterday concerning Alfreds. Looks like we're abandoning Alfreds after I finish a few pieces that I wanted to do. Danny boy, Loch Lomond and Canon in addition to 2 more I can't remember. They sounded nice while I was sight reading them so she said it was ok to do them if I wanted.

Alfreds 3 doesn't look any better. Chopins A Major prelude in the ambitious section was assigned to me by her from my Helen Curtis book 2 or 3 about 8 months ago and remains part of my repertoir.

So I'll be selecting a few pieces from there that I think I might like. I love the Irish music and folk songs. The rest she's going to give me the original pieces if I favor one or the other.

We're just going to stick with the Helen Curtis and all the other supplemental stuff she gives me.

I have mixed feelings, I wanted to finish what I started but truly it's a waste of time for me. I best use that time to progress.

I'd like to make a note. I am really not talented or a virtuoso but it's true what some people say. If you work at pieces above your level you tend to progress a bit faster.

OG - other Alfred 2 pieces of possible interest to you might be "Musetta's Waltz", "Ballin' the Jack" and "La Donna E Mobile" - musically entertaining and somewhat of a challenge (for me, anyway)- not much else other than the ones you mentioned.

In a certain way to a certain extent just about every new piece I encounter now is at least slightly "above my level", which as you say, is a good thing - pushing the envelope, so to speak - I like it that way very much, just as you seem to.

You might want to take a hint from Mark and record some or all of your practice sessions - you might just get used to the red dot and get over the worry or fear.

Regards, JF

hey JF,

I finished Musetta's waltz and loved it. It's really easy to memorize as well.

As a matter of fact "La Donna E Mobile" was one of the ones I had picked. We passed Balling THe Jack over. tee heee I might do it on my own if I have time. It sounds naughty to me ha ha

OG - yes, you certainly can have alot of fun with "Ballin'", so to speak

And if you loved "Musetta" you'll probably like this pop hit for Della Reese from way back, which was based on that operatic aria:

Don\'t You Know

Regards, JF

HI gang - Just finished "Danny Boy" - got several half-decent recordings, but not really satisfied with them yet - will keep recording until I'm completely happy - you may hear it in a future recital or piano bar - really bearing down on the "Canon in D Theme Variations" - nice ending piece for Book 2 - because of sheer length this one could take a little while to memorize (as I do all the pieces) - still reviewing & currently working on "Arkansas Travelor" (an old Bluegrass standard meant to be played really fast) - Nov. 15th will be my 3 year anniversary studying the piano, which will be here in a little over 3 months! It's gone so fast, and I think that is because it's been so much Fun!

Regards, JF

JF,

I'm happy to hear of your progress. Tempus fugit, eh?

I'm eager to hear your recital piece. ABF recital time is always exciting for me...reclusive player that I am. I hope it gives you the same rush of excitement.

BTW, I don't know which, if either, avatar closely resembles/(d) your facial features or demeanor, but I much prefer the current over the past one.

Keep moving forward at a rewarding speed.

Regards,

Lisztener

Lisztener - thanks. Tempus fugit? Heard that somewhere way back but my Latin is just a little stale from long underuse - remind me.

Eager to hear your recital piece also - these events are always exciting - often especially the comments afterwards as well as the pieces.

My old Avatar looked more like me generally, although this one reflects my demeanor better - dark, mysterious and potentially threatening! I like it better too - is it someone famous (or infamous)? Maybe I shouldn't ask

Regards, JF

JF

I wasn't trying to sound elitist when using the Latin phrase, "tempus fugit". I was only agreeing with you that "time flies", the Latin equivalent and only Latin phrase that comes to mind that I've remembered.

Yes, you are correct, you shouldn't have asked since you know which one I'll choose. :p

Have a good evening,

Lisztener

My avatar - is it John Wilkes Booth or Jessie James or some other nefarious and unsavory desperado?

With crime-infested Regards, JF

Hi folks,

I'm back to posting on the forums. It's been a hectic 2-3 weeks and things are winding down. I had family visits, home projects, etc. I've been practicing but it's been fairly unproductive and I didn't get anything recorded for the recital.

I finished "Deep River" this week along with "Cruella de Vil". It's on to "Loch Lomond". I think I'm going to like this piece.

Cyborg - glad to see you're back - yes, you should like "Loch Lomond' - it's a real good arrangement of a classic old Scottish folk song - I have a recording of it that I posted in the Opening Post of the August Piano Bar - I just got a fairly good recording of "Danny Boy" (the next to last piece in Book 2) and might post that soon - right now I'm about half way thru the Canon in D piece (last in Book 2) - a little long and a little challenging, but doable - what's "Cruella" from?

Regards, JF

Hi JF,

It's good to be back on the boards. Yes, the "Loch Lomond" arragement seems really nice to me. I love "Danny Boy", so I'll go check out your recording. Plus, I can't wait to get to it myself. I know "Canon" is going to take a little time due to it's length but I can't wait for it either.

"Cruella de vil" (sp?) is the last piece in the Alfred's Top Hits Solo 3 book. So I'm finishing up the book just in time. I also have an arrangement of "The Star Spangled Banner" that is way above my level. I've been working on it for a month and a half but my teacher likes to keep me challenged.

CYborg - if I remember correctly there's a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" in Book 3 -eventually you'll be able to play both back-to-back just for the sake of variation. Could be interesting.

Regards, JF

I haven't been here in a while, because I found I was killing more time in Pianoworld than I was practicing.

I'm working on Those were the days and I thought I would see if JF had a recording here. I do remember a version on my older sister's album that I was sure was done by Melanie. I just searched and see that it was actually by Mary Hopkins. I suppose I should be happy I remember it at all.

Anyways, I got on here and sure enough I've killed an hour.

JF, I heard your Chopin in the recital and your Loch Lomond somewhere else here. Great job on both. The Loch was really pretty.

I'm going to practice now.

bperry - I have a recording of "Those were the Days" uploaded several places here in the Forums, most recently in a new topic I started, which you'll find

here

Please note however that this version is slightly modified from the "book version" (I added some short runs in the beginning & middle and a 2nd full chord at the end not shown in the sheet music).

Also - thanks for the kind words on "Loch Lamond" - it's a good arrangement and a fun piece to play.

Regards, JF

P.S. in case you're interested I recorded a number of the Book 2 pieces which you can find back on page 1 of this thread in the Opening Post (thanks kindly to Mark).

Hi gang - with the "Canon in D" piece under control I just finished my study of new pieces in Book 2 - will be moving on to Book 3 sometime in the fairly near future, but will still visit the 2 thread often - for more about all this see this thread

JF\'s Annoucement

Regards and have fun in your studies, JF

Congratulations JF, I envy your dedication and progress, I'm still struggling at the early part of Book 2, but I fear my time at a piano is going to be greatly curtailed, next week we leave to visit mainland Europe, back here by Christmas, but Mrs Crusader wants to spend Christmas in India!!, February off to the USA again for two months, but I will take some music to the Guitar Center or Sam Ash and practice, until they throw me out.

:D Thanks crusader - for the congratulations and the laugh!

Best Regards (for safe, enjoyable travel and continued piano studies), JF

Congratulations to John Frank for moving on to Book 3!!! You were dead on with your Labor Day prediction.

I was going to say this thread is MINE[/b] now...but I'll be done with Book 2 myself in a couple of weeks and on to Book 3. Unless "Hanna" decides to make my life a mess for awhile.

Well we ditched Alfred's this past week. I saw no point in doing it anymore and I felt good about ditching it as opposed to 2 months ago not wanting to let go.

Onward we go!!!!!

Did you get to look at any of the book 3 pieces? Some are very good.

Yes we did Mark, although they're nice they weren't challenging me enough (not to sound pretentious or anything) so we decided to just continue with original pieces.