One Tune would be a party piece.
My journey to building a repertoire ...
Many. many, many years ago I learned to play the piano.
I won't even pretend I was much of a pianist. Recently, I asked the rest of the family how many grade exams we took. I had to, as I couldn't remember. Neither could my mother; it was sis who confidently said we'd done 1 to 3. That goes a long way to explaining why Bach's Prelude was so hard to learn (even allowing for the decades of rustiness.)
I metaphorically draw a line under each piece by recording it (always a bit of an odd experience and only partly because I'm hearing the music 'out loud', as it were, and not through headphones!).
I won't even pretend I was much of a pianist. Recently, I asked the rest of the family how many grade exams we took. I had to, as I couldn't remember. Neither could my mother; it was sis who confidently said we'd done 1 to 3. That goes a long way to explaining why Bach's Prelude was so hard to learn (even allowing for the decades of rustiness.)
I metaphorically draw a line under each piece by recording it (always a bit of an odd experience and only partly because I'm hearing the music 'out loud', as it were, and not through headphones!).
First up, Bach's Prelude in C, BWV 939. I picked it up and thought it looked reasonably straightforward. It wasn't. It took months. (Recorded 24/03/2019)
I decided to go back to grade 2/3 material and picked up Gigue by Telemann. Not so tricky apart from one of the transitions on a repeat. I didn't perfect it, though, just got it to passable. Probably overdid the forte parts somewhat. (Recorded 13/04/2019)
Currently on the music stand - Andante No. 37 by Mozart.
So here it is. It's the second piece from Keynotes (2-3) by Lenehan (published by Faber). In Keynotes it's called Andante No 37, but it seems that the numbering of the Chelsea works can be a bit inconsistent. Also debatable is the speed at which it's played; from unbelievably fast to incredibly slow. Mostly people seem to play it ridiculously slowly. I went my own way.
I really had to count out the rhythm for this one, and finally tackle a metronome to check consistency. (I vividly recall Mr Jones trying to get me to play using one when I was small; it didn't go well.) I found I did far better this time round, if I turned the sound off (phone apps are so useful in that regard) and just used visual cues.
I like this piece, I think it's very pretty. (Recorded 27/04/2019)
I really had to count out the rhythm for this one, and finally tackle a metronome to check consistency. (I vividly recall Mr Jones trying to get me to play using one when I was small; it didn't go well.) I found I did far better this time round, if I turned the sound off (phone apps are so useful in that regard) and just used visual cues.
I like this piece, I think it's very pretty. (Recorded 27/04/2019)
Next up Gypsy Dance by Haydn. Another pretty piece, but with a big challenge at the end, that I didn't spot until I'd already settled on it. (Octave chord with two inner notes, and in front of the body - I may have to cheat, we'll see how it goes.)
And this is it. I didn't cheat, but that chord is pretty precarious - I'm right on the edge of the keys.
I think I probably ought to dust off the scales and arpeggios book and devote some solid time to the basics, not just pieces. (Recorded 18/05/2019)
I think I probably ought to dust off the scales and arpeggios book and devote some solid time to the basics, not just pieces. (Recorded 18/05/2019)
Currently on the stand - Menuet in D Minor (atttributed to JS Bach) BWV Anh 132.
And at long last, here it is, one incredibly beautiful piece of music. It took a while - the left hand has its own melody and I had to nail both. Hopefully, I've managed in some respect. (Recorded 06/07/2019)
The next piece is Schubert, an entirely different sort of piece and to be honest with a lot of tricky bits. (Recorded 03/11/2019)
Purely for pleasure - Lothlorien (Enya and Nicky Ryan)
I've been re-reading Lord of the Rings and remembered this piece which I initially came across in the mid 90s as a midi file (and loved it). I ordered the sheet music as a special treat to myself.
(Recorded 17/11/2019)
Next up Musette in D Major BWV 126 - thought to be by one of Bach's sons. Lots of broken octaves and moving about on the keyboard. Recorded on Christmas Eve, hence the snowman dress. My left elbow is better and the shoulder is freeing up so my left hand is starting to show improvement.
(Recorded 24/12/2019)
(Recorded 24/12/2019)
And time for some Beethoven. This is Romanze from Sonatina in G (without repeats naturally). There is always something new in each piece and sometimes difficulties show up in the most unexpected places whereas what looks to be difficult turns out to be straightforward.
(Recorded 08/03/2020)
