Search found 27 matches

by PianoAngel
18 Sep 2009, 22:51
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: The right frame of mind for doing a piano exam
Replies: 14
Views: 15228

Re: The right frame of mind for doing a piano exam

Hi Dave, I think on this occasion you need to rethink what getting a distinction in the exam really means. Someone can practice for 2 years solidly on the same 3 pieces and then get a distinction in a Grade 2 exam - I really don't think this makes them a good Grade 2 pianist. Someone else can learn ...
by PianoAngel
20 Oct 2008, 18:29
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: teaching my 5 year old son to play the Piano advice
Replies: 42
Views: 50566

Lol! I'd never thought of a semi-quaver that way before - my students will love that description!! My boyfriend and I are both musicians and after watching your videos it's obvious that not only is your wee boy adorably cute but really talented too. Personally, I think the best bet is to go with the...
by PianoAngel
20 Oct 2008, 18:08
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Hi Everyone - I'm New!
Replies: 31
Views: 24329

You're such a charmer, Dave :D Hi Martin! I've been working hard at the piano for about 10 (and a half) years now. Currently in a panic as I've been asked to play in a wee concert in New York City and nothing I know already seems to be suitable for the organisers!! Welcome to the piano forum! I hone...
by PianoAngel
16 Oct 2008, 15:27
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Key signatures - blindingly stupid question
Replies: 35
Views: 32898

Father Christmas Gave Dad An Electric Blanket

Blanket Exploded And Dad Got Cold Feet
by PianoAngel
12 Oct 2008, 17:19
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Rate Your Piano Teacher!!
Replies: 12
Views: 11231

I'm ok, Dave! Really busy as it's time of year to start thinking about Festival applications and help students choose pieces + the ABRSM exams are in a few weeks. Feeling a bit down today as I've realised that for the first time in my entire life I have a student who I don't like :( I've always just...
by PianoAngel
12 Oct 2008, 16:12
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Rate Your Piano Teacher!!
Replies: 12
Views: 11231

Do I get to rate my students in return? :twisted: :wink: :P
by PianoAngel
27 Sep 2008, 09:02
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Idle chit-chatterers' corner
Replies: 602
Views: 313898

Congratulations Dave :D

Looks like ditching Weight Watchers was the right thing!
by PianoAngel
25 Sep 2008, 22:33
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Practising - Traditional v Modern
Replies: 22
Views: 18763

Hi Dave :D Yeah, been teaching from 3.30 til after 9. Wee bit frazzled! Thursday is little kids night for me, so have to be super enthusiastic and focused!! Although, I'd probably say the same thing about the adult lessons too!! I do love teaching, but because I love it so much I put in so much ener...
by PianoAngel
25 Sep 2008, 21:56
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Practising - Traditional v Modern
Replies: 22
Views: 18763

Oh no! This looks really interesting, but I've got to go do lesson plans for next week!! So just to give my tuppence worth... I think scales and arpeggios q43 necessary, but as part of a wider context of piano technique. Being able to play scales perfectly does not make someone a good pianist. Thoug...
by PianoAngel
24 Sep 2008, 21:46
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Idle chit-chatterers' corner
Replies: 602
Views: 313898

Hi Dave! It is quiet around here today, isn't it?? I've been reading in a lurker fashion for the past few days, but haven't had a minute to post. I've taken on quite a few new students, including a couple of new adult beginners who are coming every couple of weeks or so. Takes me quite a bit of time...
by PianoAngel
15 Sep 2008, 12:01
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 'Weaker' hand
Replies: 19
Views: 20908

I have a few left-handed students, but they all have stronger right hands at the piano! I've never quite been able to figure out why.
by PianoAngel
12 Sep 2008, 10:22
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Best of British luck, Nutroast!!
Replies: 50
Views: 33158

I'm so glad it went well! :D It sounds like you've got a really awesome teacher there! If you keep tension in your hands then you'll hit a limit to what you can do somewhere along the lines. By encouraging you to relax your hands, etc, right from the first lesson she's enabling you to eventually go ...
by PianoAngel
11 Sep 2008, 21:26
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: What are we all learning to play at the moment?
Replies: 50
Views: 42009

To be honest, I haven't learned anything new on the piano since I graduated in November, unless I've been paid to (mostly accompaniments). But reading this forum has been so, so inspiring!! Listening to all you guys talk about how much practice you're doing, and how much you want to learn the next d...
by PianoAngel
07 Sep 2008, 20:18
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 2009 Grade 1 pieces
Replies: 119
Views: 65128

Has anyone listened to the CD or had a go at any of the alternative pieces for Grade 1? One of my students has opted to play Bluemerang by Alan Haughton, which I think is a great piece! It's in the book 'Piano Time Going Places' which also has a lovely piece 'Flying Above the Clouds' which is in the...
by PianoAngel
07 Sep 2008, 17:42
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Theory and piano practical books
Replies: 1
Views: 5073

Hey Steph, For children around 5-7 years old, I usually use a book called "Theory Made Easy for Little Children". It comes in Level 1 and Level 2. I can't quite read the writing on the front to see who it's by, but I think it's Lina Ny or Lina Ng. It's published by Rhythm MP. I like it bec...
by PianoAngel
07 Sep 2008, 17:38
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Finger Strengthening
Replies: 37
Views: 33473

Hey everyone! I used to love playing Hanon :D For anyone who's not so keen on the length of the Hanon exercises there's another book I'd really recommend. It's called Foundations of Pianoforte Technique by Geoffrey Tankard. This book has a huge section on fingerwork, but it also has exercises on oth...
by PianoAngel
04 Sep 2008, 21:27
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Hello, can I join you?
Replies: 66
Views: 43734

I'm so jealous of you all with all your cats!! My boyfriend's parents have 6 cats, and I love them so, so much. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting with a gorgeous cat in your lap, stroking it as it purrs! Unfortunately, we just rent and our lease says no pets :cry:
by PianoAngel
04 Sep 2008, 12:54
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Hello, can I join you?
Replies: 66
Views: 43734

Hey everyone! Dave, you could always use the piano as a reward to get stuff done. That's what I do! I really love making lesson plans for my students, so when I have something really yucky to do (washing dishes, laundry) I do a bit of what I have to do and then reward myself by making the next lesso...
by PianoAngel
03 Sep 2008, 13:42
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Pieces you cannot wait to learn to play!
Replies: 14
Views: 15718

Clair de Lune by Debussy. I think that's what it's called anyone! The one in the Chanel advert with Nicole Kidman. It's what I'd want played as I walk down the aisle on my wedding day!!
by PianoAngel
02 Sep 2008, 13:18
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Advice for 11 year old beginners please :)
Replies: 6
Views: 9651

Hi Bella, I have tried using the Alfred method before. For me, it would depend on what the student was looking for as to whether I would use it again. If the student's interested in learning to play mostly 'classical' music and doing their grades and so on, I probably wouldn't use Alfred - I think i...
by PianoAngel
01 Sep 2008, 23:37
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Idle chit-chatterers' corner
Replies: 602
Views: 313898

Moonlight, My boyfriend's a flutist and he plays that piece with the YOW!! Did it for his end of year exam this summer! I'm all excited to hear it's been on tele :D I've seen the composer play it too - rather funny!! Chromatic scales are indeed the most fun! Until you have to play them in 3rds, or c...
by PianoAngel
31 Aug 2008, 14:33
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Hello, can I join you?
Replies: 66
Views: 43734

Nice to see you back onboard!! It's been quiet around here without you!! :P :lol: :D
by PianoAngel
30 Aug 2008, 16:11
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Adult Beginner
Replies: 28
Views: 25072

Hey Geelan, You've pretty much got the idea with the 46 = 3 quavers! Set the metronome to 46, the play the 1st quaver of each set of 3 on the tick with the other 2 inbetween ticks. One way of making this easier is saying 'strawberry' as you play. So for C major - C 'Straw' E 'ber' G 'ry' C 'Straw' G...
by PianoAngel
26 Aug 2008, 12:36
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 2009 Grade 1 pieces
Replies: 119
Views: 65128

Hey Dave, Is it really just your first lesson today?? And you've already learned Grade 1 pieces before the lesson? When I appeared on the forum a few days ago, I don't think I explained that I'm a piano teacher - it's my full time job these days. Honestly, if I had a new student turn up who'd down a...
by PianoAngel
21 Aug 2008, 16:19
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 2009 Grade 1 pieces
Replies: 119
Views: 65128

Hey Moonlight, I can't believe how much tough stuff this Grade 1 piece has got in it!! I hadn't even noticed! Yeah, the sost. is short for sostenuto. It just really means sustained - so make sure you hold on all the notes for absolutely their full value. Yeah, definitely imagine it has the little te...
by PianoAngel
20 Aug 2008, 14:35
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 2009 Grade 1 pieces
Replies: 119
Views: 65128

Hi Moonlight, You're not confusing at all... the music is!!! The dotted line is only referring to the phrasing of the music - the musical shape - not the actual pitch of the notes. But the D at the end of bar 17 is indeed exactly the same D as the D at the start of bar 18 - they're both the one just...
by PianoAngel
20 Aug 2008, 13:55
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 2009 Grade 1 pieces
Replies: 119
Views: 65128

the funny dotted line in Kummer

Hi Moonlight, this is my 1st time posting on here, so I hope it's all ok and ends up in the right place! I'm going to try to explain the dotted diagonal line in bars 17-18 of Gedike's Kummer. If I don't make it clear enough, please let me know and I'll try again! The line is telling you that the not...