Carol's Corner...

[PianoGirlsMum]

Hi Dave! Thanks for starting a new thread for us over here.

I looked up Werewolves of London & All Summer Long... we ended up buying All Summer Long, Phantom of the Opera (theme song), Black Horse & the Cherry Tree, and Clair de Lune! What can I say, they were good deals! So now I've had All Summer Long stuck in my head all day... which lead me to my husband's music storage (external hard drive)... I ended up putting it on my mp3 player! I knew that song- I had it lodged firmly between my ears all last summer.

What do you mean "has she done any graded exams yet?" Do you mean for piano? If so, I have no clue! I know Cory (the last teacher) did have a day every now and then where she "tested" the kids' knowledge for the afternoon, both theory and technical. I don't know where she put them on any kind of grading scale, though.

Its good to hear that you've only been playing for the last 3 years. Was it difficult to pick up at 36? (I'm 34) I've been meaning to try since Taylor first started lessons, but time to myself is scarce. Taylor is the oldest of 5 children, the youngest is now 3, so for me to sit down and concentrate for any length of time is near impossible! Bedtime is the time to study, but that's not good piano time. I homeschool them, so they're here with me all day. We're almost done with our school year, so maybe I'll start up over the summer.

You lost me with the "grade 1 piano"... I didn't know there was a difference? We have a plain old upright in the living room.... ???

Taylor says, hello!
And Hi to Anna, too!

[PianoGirlsMum]

I've never heard of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music exams. Sorry. Taylor's teachers have tested her here and there, but I don't know if any put her on any sort of grading scale. If anyone would have, it would have been Cory, but if she did I have no idea. As long as Taylor was progressing and happy, I was happy. I wish Cory was still around, I'd love to ask her now! She moved out of state. I should have gotten an email address from her or something...

No, my husband does not play piano, he plays the guitar. He's played since he was young, but was sidetracked for a few years when he lost the tip of one of his fingers in a work accident. That kind of put a damper on his fingering abilities! After a few years, the tip of that finger toughened up enough for him to start playing again, which is good because he is happiest when he is playing.

Anna sounds like good people! Sounds like you had fun when you got to meet. I don't think I'll be meeting either of you any time soon though, I live way over in Virginia, USA! I would love to visit London one day... maybe in a decade or so we'll meet up in a piano shop in Soho.

I think I will be starting my lessons soon. I'm in a bit of a self-improvement phase right now, taking time for me and all, so I think its a great time! I will have to be self taught, if I don't have the money to give the children lessons, then I most certainly will not pay for lessons for myself. Taylor will help me, I'm sure. What child wouldn't jump at the opportunity to critique Mum?!?! Thanks for the encouragement! I can't wait to get started now... soon it could be I who is filling the house with beautiful music! Yay!!!

[PianoGirlsMum]

Hi Dave!

Sorry I didn't get back on here yesterday, the site server was not happy with me. I couldn't get anything to load... Anyways, yes, Washington D.C. is right on top of Virginia. Its about a 2 hour drive from us. If you ever get the chance, its a great place to visit. The most recent WWII memorial is quite beautiful. The Lincoln Memorial is one of my favorites. I love sitting on the steps at Mr. Lincoln's feet. Its a beautiful sight to see. I can't wait to go back, just Shawn and myself (no kids), so we can enjoy everything properly and fully appreciate the impact of it all (esp. the Vietnam Memorial... wow). It was hard to enjoy the last time we went with a wiggling baby in my arms.

Well I am off for a while. Taylor and I are going shopping. (Shawn's home with the rest of the kids today ) There's a great little music shop in town; I may just come home with a new book or two!

Talk to you later!

Carol


Oh, btw, Taylor is playing that Canon in D BEAUTIFULLY!!! I am so loving it! She is down to the last page now. I think she's busting her butt to get this one down because she knows Phantom of the Opera is on its way (we ordered online) and she can't wait to get her hands on it!

[PianoGirlsMum]

Hi! We're back!

We had a nice afternoon. I did get a book!!! I got Adult All-In-One Course (level 1) by Alfred. I've even played my first tune; Ode to Joy! It was wonderful!!! Now as long as we don't mention my left hand sitting over there... I can do this, no problem! I like this book, I'm already recognizing the notes (I think I've had a head start by helping the kids) and playing a song. Looking ahead a bit, it seems to progress quickly. I'm looking forward to delving into it more!

Your dinner sounded lovely! Good prices and good food, I'd go back again, too!

Glad you may have found a teacher nearby. Only a mile away is great! We live out in the hills, so a mile doesn't cover very many neighbors here! I can't wait to hear you've passed your exams with distinction... We'll have our own little party here for you with a good loud classical/jazz tune. You crazy party animal, you!

We did get your emails, thank you! Taylor will be trying the songs out after dinner. The photos were great! Nice to see the face I've been speaking to. It was neat to see the American Embassy over there. That big 'ol eagle is pretty awesome!

Well, I'm going to go practice a bit before I call in the kids. Oh, the other 4 are Zach (11), Jarod (9), Eileen (6), and Hannah (3). This morning I caught Hannah pouring lotion all over our cat. Isn't she just a doll?!

[markymark]

If I, the most notorious moderator on the UK Piano Page, could blow in with the "heavy breeze from the direction of Ireland" and mention that Paul Harris' range of Improve Your Sight Reading IS available in USA at very reasonable prices on Amazon.

See this link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?ur ... &x=24&y=19

[PianoGirlsMum]

Thanks for the great encouragement, Dave & Theresa, and for link, markymark. I will head over to Amazon and check that out.

I played the tune while reading the notes, saying the note names while playing them. As I said, the right hand was a breeze, the left hand I'm not so sure about! Alas, Taylor was not there to critique, she was off with the gals... We had a very busy day today, so I didn't get any practice in before we put the little ones to bed, but I will tomorrow for sure. Today we bought a new lawn mower and Shawn mowed the yard while I washed the den carpet and mopped the rest of the first floor of the house. Then my mother-in-law came over for dinner. Now I'm catching up with my online friends while he's watching NASCAR in the den. (he made a leap for the couch so to not touch my floors )

Dave, I couldn't imagine giving up my stove. It would drive us nuts! I hope you get your new one in soon. So what's first on the menu when it gets here? Baked ziti sounds good and would break in the new stove quite well... yum!

[Moonlight]

Hello Dave and Hello Carol!

Nice to meet you, all the way from America! Yes it was fun meeting up with Dave just before Christmas and we went to Chappell of Bond street ( music shop in London) and annoyed the sales people by playing on the pianos for about an hour! (Poor Teresa, Dave’s wife got bored). Anyway, from catching up on the posts on this topic I see Dave has already introduced me!

Hi Dave how are you? How’s your practice going? My practice is ok, piano exam in July! There’s another piano shop in London we should go there one day its near Euston and they sell more brands of pianos in there not just Yams and Kembles! its called Markson pianos.

[Moonlight]

I shall google Markson pianos after this - and if it's near Euston we could possibly meet up again as it only takes 90 mins to get to Euston from Birmingham New Street on the Pendolino express train! Oh and that programme on Purcell was great in HD, you would have loved it! I liked the bit with Gwynn and Goetze the craftsman organ restorers, it amazes me just how intricate these grandiose Baroque instruments are! I've got the Classic FM Friendly Guide to Music now, and have been dipping into it, and one day I'll start reading it from cover to cover, it's a great way of discovering the whole genre of classical music without the 'elitism' you may get in other books on the subject (Waterstones £9.99)

What date in July is your exam and at which exam centre?

Hi Dave,

Yeah I would love to go to that shop! If you see the website the shop looks big, we would be in our element there! They also sell Pleyel pianos in there, that was Chopin's favorite make of piano so I am very keen to play on a few of them to see what they are like. If they arn't too expensive I would like to buy one maybe if they sound good, when I can!

I really liked the organ makers on that program too. They said something about one of the organs sounded like a human voice but it sounded more like a calf! The next program is about Handle, and the others are about Haydn and Schubert.

I have seen that book in Waterstones but didnt pick it up...I'm reading the book 'Chopin's Letters' at the moment.

I don't know the exact date and place of my exam yet, my teacher said she will email me with details, but the exam will be somewhere in my local town. Btw I have some good news I have a job now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its only an internship so I'm not getting much money but at last I have my foot back in the door!

[Straight-strungout]

Markson Pianos is actually on Albany Street within a row of shops called Chester Court. The Estate is not owned by the local council but by The Crown Paving Commission (ie The Queen). Don't worry; it is unlikely that you will be hoodie dodging on route!