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Even way back when I had a teacher, I remember I didn't play the whole book, so I don't think it's absolutely necessary as logn as I play something from each section with some newly covered material like the introduction of a new key. My main goal with Alfred is to learn how to read music again, which I have forgotten.

Hi Waltz.

Before this I had an acoustic console piano. But I did start out on an old digital that someone gave me. It was an old Clavinova 411. I really enjoyed learning on it. It was nice to be able to control the volume or use a set of headphones. The sound quality of it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. The touch....hmmm..... I always struggle with explaining these things. Of course the digital was very even and consistent but, if memory serves, the touch was lighter and there was only limited control over dynamics. On the Kawai the touch is lighter than some pianos I played but heavier than the digital and still very even. Control of dynamics is MUCH more sensitive on the Kawai.

The pedals are completely different. When using the pedal on the Kawai I can feel that it is moving a mechanism inside the piano and therefore I can feel when it is engaged. On my Clavinova the pedal was either on or off.

This is all based on memory and I am sure there have been HUGE changes in digital pianos since then. I would not be where I am in my piano journey if I had not had that Clavinova.

I am working on America the Beautiful today and hope to have a recording to share either today or tomorrow.

This is a great idea Nancy. I always have trouble remembering sharps and flats.

I am on page 28 in book 2 and doing grade 2

Here is a very crude rendition of America the Beautiful. My piano and I are still getting to know each other so my pedaling is a bit choppy and I messed up the ending but here it is.

http://www.box.net/shared/j91uyo0cbt

Your piano sounds beautiful; and I think you did a pretty good job on the song. I'd give myself a pass to the next song if I had it down that well

Heirborne,that piano sounds good, I like it. I have an upright Yamaha U1 but I do most of my practice on the digital one for convenience. I should start hitting the U1 soon, I like the genuine sound.

Two thumbs up from me! Sounded nice

Did you improv that ending or is that how it is written? It was very expressive

Nancy, Thanks for the advice on CiD. Once the LH starts doing octaves on pgs 3 and 4, the piece becomes much, much more tricky... This one may still take quite a while

Thanks everyone

The ending is written that way. It was the hardest part of the whole song. I still haven't got it down perfectly.

Keep practicing that LH by itself. When I started it I couldn't do the octaves without struggling a lot; but now I can do them without looking most of the time. You'll get there!

I hope so! Those 16th notes using the 4th finger on the last page... ugh! Nancy, will you be moving on to Book 3? I ordered the book two days ago since I'm aproaching the end of Book 2.

Speaking of piano sounds, what kind of piano is used by Z32 who recorded some of L2 songs? Like here:

http://www.box.net/shared/ck0el42f7l
http://www.box.net/shared/6ooxhc30i1

I don't think my U1 sounds like that, but I will record using the U1 and see what it sounds like when recorded. Thoughts?

MIM,

I agree with you on z32's recordings: they sound amazing, studio quality. I wondered myself how to achieve such effects, probably a combination of excellent piano playing and quality recording equipment and software. I don't really have any of those

I will be moving onto Book 3, probably in the fall. I already bought it years ago when I was almost finished working on book 1. I realized I liked the format and didn't want to have to wait to order the next one.

I'm Canon in D crazy right now - I'm working on the Dan Coates version. I just started working on page 4, then it'll need a lot of smoothing out. (And I still want to record the Alfred version too - but I need a quiet house for that, and it's difficult with 2 kids aged 5 and 7)

Finally got it to recording quality. This song is fast! At least for me, it is fast. Although it says "moderately", the actual song on the CD is this fast. Enjoy, and critique.

Alexander's Ragtime Band

10/10 . Very, very nice playing!

It makes me feel bad about my recordings. No matter how hard I try, I can't get them to that level of absolute quality. Once again, very nice job on Alexander's Ragtime Band

You made my day Waltz! Glad you liked it.

Now remember, I have been off of my lessons for a few years! I didn't think I could get back into the mood of playing again this quickly. Also, this piece probably took me the longest to learn out of all the pieces I have played in both books.

Nice job MIM. I really enjoyed that.

Here is my rerecording of Danny Boy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7SmnYSXQAo

I fixed the problems from the first and play it under much better control. As always, let me know what you think.