New semester starts soon at the music school
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Yay! I’m glad to hear this! Keep us posted on how it goes!
My piano class at the uni is also underway. I’m working on Clair de Lune, which I still think is just on the edge of being too hard, so I also have three other pieces I’m working on as well. One of these will eventually become the piece I have to play for the final jury.
@ShiroKuro Claire de Lune has been on the edge of being too hard for me for my entire adult life.
I just keep hashing through it, because it's so pretty. I did that last week, in fact. -
@ShiroKuro Claire de Lune has been on the edge of being too hard for me for my entire adult life.
I just keep hashing through it, because it's so pretty. I did that last week, in fact.Claire de Lune has been on the edge of being too hard for me for my entire adult life.
Ok this makes me feel better!!!
I was already thinking that this is a piece I need to "learn," and then put away for a few years and come back to. But the "come back to" part doesn't work if I don't learn it first, so that's one reason I decided to stick with it.
My piano teacher thinks I can have it ready for the final jury, but I think she's either being very nice, very overly optimistic, or just completely misunderstanding my level!
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That's great, Bernard. I'd love to hear more about how the class works. (I'm sorry if you've already talked about it elsewhere.)
Does the teacher choose your pieces? And is there an overarching theme, like everybody's working on the same composer or time period? Do you ever do in-class sight reading? In such a small class, it would be cool if people interested in four-hand music could be paired. I suppose there's even a tiny repertoire written for three people.
Studying music in a group sounds like fun. I did various group musical activities in Florida, but I never had the opportunity (nor the time) in Oklahoma. Earlier this year, I sang with the community chorus here and had a great time. The director also runs a smaller ensemble, eight voices. I really admired the music they were doing, so I auditioned and got in. The rehearsals aren't like anything I've ever done before, with lots of improvisation and movement. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
This is from the school's course catalog:
Join other adults who are studying piano to take your playing to the next level and build a community for piano. Designed as a supplement to individual lessons, this class will give students the chance to perform for each other and hone performance skills in a supportive and engaging group. Students and faculty will share feedback and conversation inspired by each students’ repertoire, interests, and challenges.
The teacher does not choose our pieces. We are free to bring in whatever we wish as long as we can play it through without major breakdowns. It doesn't need to be perfected, though, and there are plenty of stumbles. No theme is given and we don't do in-class sight reading. I image if a duet wanted to bring a four-hands piece to class it would be accepted.
The class consists of a 15-20 minute theory discussion (new this semester), followed by a student going to the piano and playing their piece. Those of us who are listening take notes and offer them when the piece is finished. The teacher usually asks the performer for their opinion(s) first, followed by each of us who were observing. The teacher then offers his input--which may include doing some experimentation in class and going over passages. It can be challenging but always in a positive manner. As many students as time allows plays their piece, which currently is 2 students per hour-long class.
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That's great, Bernard. I'd love to hear more about how the class works. (I'm sorry if you've already talked about it elsewhere.)
Does the teacher choose your pieces? And is there an overarching theme, like everybody's working on the same composer or time period? Do you ever do in-class sight reading? In such a small class, it would be cool if people interested in four-hand music could be paired. I suppose there's even a tiny repertoire written for three people.
Studying music in a group sounds like fun. I did various group musical activities in Florida, but I never had the opportunity (nor the time) in Oklahoma. Earlier this year, I sang with the community chorus here and had a great time. The director also runs a smaller ensemble, eight voices. I really admired the music they were doing, so I auditioned and got in. The rehearsals aren't like anything I've ever done before, with lots of improvisation and movement. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
Earlier this year, I sang with the community chorus here and had a great time. The director also runs a smaller ensemble, eight voices. I really admired the music they were doing, so I auditioned and got in. The rehearsals aren't like anything I've ever done before, with lots of improvisation and movement. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
That sounds fantastic, MaryAnna. Singing with other people--there's hardly any other activity so deeply vibrant (pun intended). Probably more so than any other instrument.
I set aside the cello for an extended period to focus on piano these past few years. The cello was a loaner from a friend and she called last month to see if I was still using it. The child of a friend of hers wanted to take lessons and she thought if I wasn't using, I might return it. Of course I returned it--I don't know how long this break will last and it should be put to good use by someone who wants to learn. The day before I returned it, I took it out and played a bit. I had forgotten how deeply satisfying it is to have a resonant chamber lying on one's chest while pulling out musical sounds. It's almost like having another voice.
The human voice is the ultimate.
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That's great, Bernard. I'd love to hear more about how the class works. (I'm sorry if you've already talked about it elsewhere.)
Does the teacher choose your pieces? And is there an overarching theme, like everybody's working on the same composer or time period? Do you ever do in-class sight reading? In such a small class, it would be cool if people interested in four-hand music could be paired. I suppose there's even a tiny repertoire written for three people.
Studying music in a group sounds like fun. I did various group musical activities in Florida, but I never had the opportunity (nor the time) in Oklahoma. Earlier this year, I sang with the community chorus here and had a great time. The director also runs a smaller ensemble, eight voices. I really admired the music they were doing, so I auditioned and got in. The rehearsals aren't like anything I've ever done before, with lots of improvisation and movement. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
@Mary-Anna Congrats on making the audition!
I love harmony singing. I’m back with the women’s pop choir this term; I had to miss last term (too busy).
I love that we adults can study and enjoy music together. @bernard @shirokuro
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Lots of good news here. Happy to hear everyone making progress. Bernard - argh - hard to give up an instrument. Yes, the cello is an amazingly resonant instrument. I've had a few cellist play in our living room. One of the Chicago Symphony cellists played a few times. I loved his playing because he played as if he were performing in Orchestra Hall. Sitting five feet away from him, you really felt the cello in your chest. From a completely different standpoint, the chief cellist of the orchestra toned his playing down for the size of the room. They both were beautiful - but personally, I loved the over the top resonance. Similarly, my piano is overpowering for the room. When I am playing, the lid is completely down. That helps me a lot when practicing. On the other hand, when someone else is performing and the lid is up, it sounds great from the side of the piano. I'm sure the piano is happier when one of the pros is playing.
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Lots of good news here. Happy to hear everyone making progress. Bernard - argh - hard to give up an instrument. Yes, the cello is an amazingly resonant instrument. I've had a few cellist play in our living room. One of the Chicago Symphony cellists played a few times. I loved his playing because he played as if he were performing in Orchestra Hall. Sitting five feet away from him, you really felt the cello in your chest. From a completely different standpoint, the chief cellist of the orchestra toned his playing down for the size of the room. They both were beautiful - but personally, I loved the over the top resonance. Similarly, my piano is overpowering for the room. When I am playing, the lid is completely down. That helps me a lot when practicing. On the other hand, when someone else is performing and the lid is up, it sounds great from the side of the piano. I'm sure the piano is happier when one of the pros is playing.
Bernard - argh - hard to give up an instrument.
Oh, I haven't given up the cello, just the instrument I was borrowing. I don't think I'm done with it yet. Been keeping an eye out on Craigslist, etc. but may end up going to Vermont Violins. They have instruments in all price ranges. But for now, I'm still focusing on piano so there's no hurry.
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Bernard, that resonant experience is why I prefer an acoustic piano. It sure would have been easier and cheaper to switch to a digital piano when we moved (or one of the other times I moved), but I can feel the music in my hands and through my feet, and to a lesser extent in the rest of my body. The acoustics in this house are really bright, so I put down a rug, hung window treatments, had the piano voiced, and keep the lid down. With all that dampening, it sounds good now, although I think people driving down the street can hear me.
Acoustic music is its own experience. And you're right, so is singing.
I haven't sung much for more than a decade, and I felt like age was starting to affect my voice, but now I think it was more a case of chronic allergies. I had sinus surgery about a year ago, followed by another minor surgery, followed by more allergies and bronchitis. It dragged on for months and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do the choir concert in May, but I started getting better about that time. Now, I think I'm finally getting the benefit of the sinus surgery. The hoarseness is almost gone. And it's a good thing, because the ensemble director is sure that I'm a first soprano. I've sung second soprano and alto all my life, so singing first in this ensemble is going to be an interesting experience!
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I used to love singing! When we lived in Japan, we went to karaoke all the time. Mostly pop music, but singing is singing. And for the record, karaoke in Japan is not like US karaoke, which is not something I have a very favorable impression of. In Japan, each group gets a private room with its own karaoke equipment, you can order food and drink and you reserve the room for some amount of time. So you’re just singing with your friends, no one else. And Mr. SK has a beautiful voice.
I also used to do more accompanying myself at the piano. I had a piano teacher who also taught voice and she taught me a lot of warm up activities and different techniques for bringing your voice out, and how to use your stomach to support your singing etc.
I got away from singing somehow and now my voice is out of practice and I can feel that I’ve sort of forgotten how to sing.
That’s ok, I have more than enough musical activities to keep me busy, but I can imagine that (if I ever get to retire…) I would enjoy joining a choir in the future.
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On the subject of the cello… I believe I have written about my recent experience playing with a cellist who’s a doctoral student (cello performance) in the music school here. Like @kluurs I loved having that amazing resonance in my living room.
I’ve also played with violinists, and I really enjoy it, but there’s something that’s just so compelling about the cello.
The first time I ever played with a cellist was many years ago (maybe around 2017? Before COVID, before I had a grand). I didn’t realize how amazing the cello is as an instrument, and so I wasn’t “emotionally” prepared for having that sound right next to me. As soon as he started to play, I teared up and found to very hard to maintain composure and keep playing.
That’s the essence of music. It vibrates to the very core of your being. I think all music has the potential to do that, but maybe the cello just does it exceptionally well…
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I used to love singing! When we lived in Japan, we went to karaoke all the time. Mostly pop music, but singing is singing. And for the record, karaoke in Japan is not like US karaoke, which is not something I have a very favorable impression of. In Japan, each group gets a private room with its own karaoke equipment, you can order food and drink and you reserve the room for some amount of time. So you’re just singing with your friends, no one else. And Mr. SK has a beautiful voice.
I also used to do more accompanying myself at the piano. I had a piano teacher who also taught voice and she taught me a lot of warm up activities and different techniques for bringing your voice out, and how to use your stomach to support your singing etc.
I got away from singing somehow and now my voice is out of practice and I can feel that I’ve sort of forgotten how to sing.
That’s ok, I have more than enough musical activities to keep me busy, but I can imagine that (if I ever get to retire…) I would enjoy joining a choir in the future.
@ShiroKuro There's a karaoke place here that has individual rooms like that. If I can get a good chunk of my family here at the same time (always a challenge), I think going there would be a hoot.
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@ShiroKuro There's a karaoke place here that has individual rooms like that. If I can get a good chunk of my family here at the same time (always a challenge), I think going there would be a hoot.
@Mary-Anna Oh cool!! I wonder what their song catalog looks like.
The ones in Japan are soooo comprehensive, with all kinds genres, languages etc.
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