Search found 292 matches

by Feg
12 Jun 2014, 20:09
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Gust. Adolph Ibach grand piano
Replies: 8
Views: 12299

Re: Gust. Adolph Ibach grand piano

Oh my goodness I've had a look and yes I can see that there is a board underneath with crack! Also we can see a wonky pin or two. We have seen a baby grande sturne in a shop for 1200 and as it's smaller and in keeping with our front room, we thought we might (I'm sorry this will either make you lau...
by Feg
09 Jun 2014, 22:41
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

Making contact via social media with some of 'my boy's' from 30+ years ago. Friends at the time used to introduce me as "an unmarried mother of 27 boys" - and yes, they are still friends :D
by Feg
08 Jun 2014, 19:57
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371677

Re: What tune have we had on our minds today??

You should do what Gill does, accompany for choirs and 'do' Sunday mornings on the organ (pedalboard purely an option) Not likely, Dave. Every Sunday is not a commitment I am prepared to make at the moment. I do, however, have the offer of the church keys any time I would like to go and play the ch...
by Feg
07 Jun 2014, 22:25
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

Reading a piece in Pianist Magazine from the one and only Teddy Testicles, bless his cotton socks. Doesn't say how he got on with his AB grade 3, from what I can gather therein, he did it in the spring. Oh, and replacing my low energy lightbulbs with much brighter 1800 lumen bulbs (equivalent to an...
by Feg
07 Jun 2014, 22:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371677

Re: What tune have we had on our minds today??

:| Salut D'Amour by Elgar. It's well and truly stuck as I am researching a suitable repertoire for a concert I am playing in as part of the Balerno Music Festival. Are you playing the piano part or violin part? In any case, I didn't think you did much piano playing these days Feg. I'm playing the vi...
by Feg
07 Jun 2014, 12:59
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371677

Re: What tune have we had on our minds today??

Salut D'Amour by Elgar.

It's well and truly stuck as I am researching a suitable repertoire for a concert I am playing in as part of the Balerno Music Festival.
by Feg
06 Jun 2014, 14:50
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

Lovely bright sunshine.

Two loads of washing out drying in the sun.

My car is not as poorly as I thought so the bill will not be horrendous.

I'm well into my second hour of violin practice :)
by Feg
05 Jun 2014, 17:42
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Stamps feet on floor, I want one, I want one too
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
by Feg
05 Jun 2014, 14:49
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53889

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

Okay, so I've tried something new this evening. I've got the main light on in my music room. the music light and also my lightbox, so it is incredibly dazzlingly bright in my music room. I've found I can actually concentrate better on the dots and my playing is almost perfect. Plus I can read ahead...
by Feg
04 Jun 2014, 19:38
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53889

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

It's just that time is running out....it'll impede me from learning new pieces... I just get frustrated and the enjoyment goes.. ..it'll always take me weeks to learn new pieces, even in ten years time...maybe I have music reading dyslexia ...those dots aren't going to make any sense to me Can I re...
by Feg
03 Jun 2014, 17:53
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53889

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

I'm with Gill on this one. Sans the dots, I have only fragments of pieces stuck in the brain. And they are an eclectic selection at best. Even violin pieces are fragmented. I can half remember the melody but not necessarily in the correct key. I need music in front of me as a reference even if I don...
by Feg
01 Jun 2014, 17:47
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

If it's ropey in one area could be the tuning plank is knackered. Run away! No 'could be' about it, Gill - that one screams loose pins! I was once asked to 'tune' a piano which the unsuspecting customer had purchased from a charity shop for £120 plus the cost of delivery. It was a nice looking thin...
by Feg
30 May 2014, 23:33
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

My darling husband is spending tomorrow with the other 'love of his life' - a fully kitted out R1200RT complete with blue lights and sirens :D
by Feg
28 May 2014, 21:58
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I'm going to join you in the Fed Up With The Weather Corner :(
by Feg
25 May 2014, 13:53
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

It is the Institute of Advanced Motorists Advanced Test. It is not up to Police Class 1 standard but it is a very demanding training then Test. My husband passed it 20 years ago and has now done Emergency Response Training in order to volunteer as a rider for Lifesavers Scotland. My son passed it la...
by Feg
25 May 2014, 10:42
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

My daughter passed her IAM Test this morning. She only passed her DSA test in October 2012, so I am a proud Mum today.
by Feg
16 May 2014, 18:00
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

These are all things that should be covered by your online course :)
by Feg
13 May 2014, 16:17
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

Gill the Piano wrote:
Feg wrote:I am happy today because of some good, but hush-hush news about my daughter's job.
Now I'm intrigued...is she a spy? :)
Not quite, Gill :) However, she does work in the Security division of the Scottish Government so it's Official Secrets Act and liason with CPNI in London.
by Feg
12 May 2014, 20:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

I am happy today because of some good, but hush-hush news about my daughter's job.
by Feg
10 May 2014, 22:25
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

My Facebook newsfeed is full of Eurovision nonsense :evil:

I refuse to watch it so have caught up on recorded stuff :)
by Feg
06 May 2014, 22:09
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

But if it was in two part, I'd have done it within a week! But the sense of achievement is, as Feg said, HUUUUUGE! Praps Feg can do you Jerusalem in 2 parts... :twisted: I was brought up playing 4 parts as soon as I could as my teacher (rightly) regarded it as excellent s**********g practice and it...
by Feg
06 May 2014, 18:19
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO REPORT THAT I AM 8 BARs FROM THE END OF BLAENWERN! I AM GOING TO BE NEEDING A CHURCH ORGAN TO PLAY IT ON SOON!! I would never say I told you so, but I told you so... :lol: Well done! See, she told you so....lol Well done that man :) Achievements like that are good for the...
by Feg
29 Apr 2014, 21:44
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

First 16 bars of Blaenwern done! 10 mins to do the arrangement sans piano - 45 mins to put it into the score writing software :wink:
by Feg
27 Apr 2014, 23:10
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Oh, this one I can answer :). I'm sure I've waffled on about this before but that may have been during your 'blue' period. Imagine the notes are dots that you can join up with a pencil. If the notes move by steps, the line will be a smooth curve, if the notes jump upnor down, you will get peaks and ...
by Feg
27 Apr 2014, 16:49
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

If I get a chance this week, I'll have a go at doing a two-part arrangement of the two hymns previously mentioned. They might sound a bit bare harmonically but they should be playable. Can you cope with handwritten manuscript or would you prefer it to look like something from a proper book?
by Feg
27 Apr 2014, 11:16
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

After doing some reading up and methodical studies, apparently it's the arrangement and not the tune that's at fault. The hymn tunes contained in 'Hymn tunes for the reluctant organist' only have one part missing, so they've been arranged in three part harmony instead of four. The title of the book...
by Feg
25 Apr 2014, 17:53
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Gosh, Dave, I think we all do that to some extent or another :) I'm sure that the bits and pieces I play to check over a customer's piano bear little resemblance to the printed dots on the page. Every so often I dig out the actual music to remind myself of how the pieces should be played and then me...
by Feg
22 Apr 2014, 23:00
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

This is going to sound a bit crazy, but the funeral of a dear friend and colleague today, made me happy to have known him. He was a larger than life character with a heart of gold. He could be rude, funny, belligerent, embarrassing, out spoken, caring and the best listener when he needed to be. No o...
by Feg
20 Apr 2014, 21:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Learning in the here and now is good:)

Transposition at sight is a black art - THE END.
by Feg
20 Apr 2014, 19:40
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Gill and I had to start learning to do this - I doubt we were born with these skills :) I was taught to 'edit' music by my piano teacher when I was at secondary school. He was not only a brilliant teacher and pianist but a very gifted composer and arranger of music. We often had lessons when he woul...
by Feg
20 Apr 2014, 17:38
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

The other thing to remember is that you can move the lower note of a RH chord to the LH making a chord in the LH and a single melody note in the RH - and vice versa if that is your wish. If you want to photograph the whole arrangement, Gill and I can talk you through making your life easier whilst n...
by Feg
20 Apr 2014, 16:23
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Dave - bar seven - a shortcut to success. In the left hand you have a minim A with a crotchet F# then a crotchet A above. Make your life easy and play the F# as a minim with the lower A (a sixth) and omit the upper A crotchet. This will make the left hand in bar seven have the same rhythmic pattern ...
by Feg
17 Apr 2014, 23:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: I applied wd-40 to the piano
Replies: 9
Views: 16074

Re: I applied wd-40 to the piano

Barrie, option 1 needs a quart of paraffin as well as the box of matches :)
by Feg
17 Apr 2014, 22:09
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

JH is most certainly NOT PC - not one little bit :)
by Feg
17 Apr 2014, 20:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

A few choice titles from JH

I'm the urban spaceman
The wreck of the John B
This old hammer
Penny Lane
Right said Fred

Somewhat of an eclectic mix :)
by Feg
17 Apr 2014, 16:47
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I have another one from the same stable - The Jolly Herring.
by Feg
17 Apr 2014, 15:54
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I know Okki Tokki Unga and Appusskidu from my playing for kids days. I still have copies of them here.
by Feg
13 Apr 2014, 20:24
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

You will be able to adapt all sorts of music once you have done your music theory course. It helps to know how it is put together before starting to miss bits out :)
by Feg
10 Apr 2014, 16:51
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I've been playing pianos far longer than I've been tuning them. Unfortunately, I don't have any ABRSM grades to flaunt in either piano or violin (my first instrument) because way back in the mists of time, Scottish Higher Music practical was set at minimum grade 7/8 and I have an A pass in that exam...
by Feg
10 Apr 2014, 09:22
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Church organist/ pianist, moi? Never in a month of Sundays :evil: I am, however, the musician daughter of a now retired primary school teacher who made sure her daughter earned her keep :D As a teenager I played for school assemblies, school choirs etc and as an adult, I was the Mum who could be cal...
by Feg
09 Apr 2014, 22:36
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I really wish I still had 'that book', Gill. I was in Worcester earlier today (there are 2 sheet music shops there) and I was on the lookout for it just to see if Blaenwern was in it (probably it was) and exactly how playable it is for me but no luck. Neither tune is in 'It's easy To Play Hymns' bu...
by Feg
09 Apr 2014, 16:47
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I think you could play the full-on version if you tackled it a bit at a time, gently. I like Hydrofoil. Which is just as well as I seem to play it at least once a month! I've just had a look at the sheet music - it's been years since I had to play those hymns. I don't see why you don't have a go, D...
by Feg
05 Apr 2014, 20:03
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

A flying visit from my brother and sister-in-law enroute from Banffshire to York for a holiday. They will be stopping off again on Friday :)
by Feg
04 Apr 2014, 14:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Free Music Theory Course
Replies: 2
Views: 8541

Free Music Theory Course

I found this https://www.coursera.org/course/musictheory and thought of Dave :piano;
by Feg
20 Mar 2014, 20:58
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 623528

Re: What's Made You Happy Today???

Double chocolate hot cross buns.
by Feg
15 Mar 2014, 18:56
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

We are a wise man, now I'm educating myself to look at the TS and working out what I'm going to count I have an extra thing to chew upon. Something I read said something about 'looking at the shape' of the tune before playing. I think I know what they mean as in simple sub-Grade 1 piano music, I ca...
by Feg
15 Mar 2014, 18:14
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

We are a wise man, now I'm educating myself to look at the TS and working out what I'm going to count I have an extra thing to chew upon. Something I read said something about 'looking at the shape' of the tune before playing. I think I know what they mean as in simple sub-Grade 1 piano music, I ca...
by Feg
15 Mar 2014, 17:29
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

dave brum wrote:Here is the page from the Paul Harris book. It offers absolutely no explanation as to what scale patterns are, but on the basis of what Feg said, the exercises are basically all scale pattern:-
scan0001.jpg
Yes, the boy has got it in one!!!!

It is NOT rocket science :D
by Feg
14 Mar 2014, 23:11
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1271187

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I'm going to find this hard to explain without sheet music examples, but Good King Wenceslas has a few scale patterns. Have a good look at the melody and see if you can find sections of scales, repetition etc. It can be as basic as noting that the first four bars are repeated, and from bar 9 to the ...
by Feg
01 Mar 2014, 11:17
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: 'Pushy' piano teachers
Replies: 5
Views: 10413

Re: 'Pushy' piano teachers

In my experience, staying firmly in your comfort zone means no forward progress :P However, as a teacher, my job is to effect progress in stages that my pupil/s can cope with. As I usually teach in groups of anything up to ten pupils, working out how far to 'push' the boundaries so that all my pupil...