Piano Class

Bernard

After a lapse of 5-6 years, I started a group piano class today. Man, it felt good to practice playing in front of others again. Difficult, but good. Getting objective feedback is invaluable.

It was at the same music school I was attending before covid. The teacher trained at Harvard and Eastman School of Music under Russell Sherman, Leonard Shure, and Maria Luisa Faini.

I played Chopin's opus posthumous Nocturne in c# minor. I hope to also play Chopin's 1st Polonaise before the end of the semester.

ShiroKuro

@Bernard That's awesome!!! You pick a beautiful piece to start with!!

Can you tell me how the class works, since I always think of group piano class as something for beginners.

Bernard

@ShiroKuro This class is specifically for adults, any level I believe. The class is small. There were only three of us today. There is a limit of 8. The number of students may change during the first few weeks of the semester as everyone settles into what they want.

We can each play something for the class, then each student in turn offers comments (in a supportive way), then the teacher offers his. Discussion ensues.

I will play the Nocturne again next week, keeping in mind what I received today. For instance, one student thought my 2 against 3 wasn't always clear--with which I agree. The topic of rhythm was brought up but what I really think, is the piece didn't 'flow' (first class, nerves, unfamiliar piano, like yeah). The teacher focused on the first measure which is very free form, and repeated, before the piece really begins. I've struggled with meaning for this measure and how to play it. And from what I've listened to on Youtube, I'm not alone. Everyone plays it differently!

In one of the group classes I took before covid, we also read a book (piano or music related), reading a chapter during the week and discussing it in class. I don't think we'll be doing that in this class.

kluurs

Bernard - Miriam Batashivali did a bunch of mini-lessons on that nocturne. i thought they were quite helpful. They're only on TikTok to my knowledge.

https://www.tiktok.com/@mariampiano/video/7335824947605998880?q=Mariam Batsashvili chopin &t=1758081241700

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kluurs

Hopefully, you can see those??

ShiroKuro

@Bernard that sounds wonderful, I would love to do something that!

What kind of school is the place where this class is held?

Bernard

@kluurs I can see them! I'm not on TikTok but they're playing ok. Thanks!

I've watched about half of them, will watch remainder later. I'm glad to see her take on the first two measures. I've watched a lot of recordings of this and there are so many interpretations, from extremely slow to very rubato to barely any expression at all. I think they're a tough couple of measures.

Bernard

@ShiroKuro It's a private music school (by which I mean it's not affiliated with any universities or colleges).

https://uvmusic.org/

I don't particularly like the name of the place. When I first moved here, I thought it was a music store! Such as it is. But it's a wonderful resource.

Bernard

@kluurs I'm so happy to see her take the 2nd half of the middle section at the correct tempo. (Day 12 video) In almost all the youtube recordings I've watched, the pianist speeds up this section, and I've not been able to figure it out, because there's no tempo change in the manuscript.

Maybe it's related to their hearing the second piano concerto. Chopin wrote this Nocturne for his older sister as an etude in preparation for playing the second concerto. Both parts of the middle section appear in the concerto. I wonder if this is why pianists speed up at that point?

Bernard

Interesting to me that she decides to play major chord (Day 21) four measures from the end. I have the same edition she has, in which there are two versions. The first version goes major four bars from the end. I'm playing the first version but have borrowed the minor chord from the second version because I like hearing the switch to major right at the end (two bars from the end) because I think it makes a wonderful effect.

Bernard

Thanks again, kluurs. Those were enjoyable.

kluurs

I'd hoped you'd find it worth the watch. She comes across as a kind and knowledgeable teacher. At the time, she was hoping to have people learn the work and then post their version which she would critique - all out of the generosity of her heart. She did some exposition on other works - but sadly, not to this level. She's also done some general mini-lessons on other piano performance-related issues.

ShiroKuro

@Bernard It sounds like a wonderful place! I love the idea of group class you're in! Not at all what I think of when I hear "group piano."

You'll have to post back as things progress and share how it goes!

WTF-Beta

Piano Class