Search found 238 matches

by gizzy
23 Sep 2014, 20:45
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Apologies in advance for the somewhat indelicate subject matter (but some of you have heard worse from me in the past!) I'm off to hospital tomorrow morning. I have colitis. I seem to have Mystery Colitis as my GP doesn't know what caused/is causing it and I don't have any kind of pain, just the - e...
by gizzy
09 Sep 2014, 09:35
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

T was saying to me in bed last night why have I 'got' to fiddle- @rse about with doing ##### ####### when I'm not actually studying for any exams and have told Mabel no, I don't want to do them, which she accepts? It's certainly an enigma when my pieces are way past Grade 2 and I'm doing Grade 3 sc...
by gizzy
26 Aug 2014, 22:22
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

It'll be worth it, those scrambled eggs I had for lunch were the best of its kind I've ever had (and they didn't make me fart either!) Gill, you'd better start marketing those quick! I saw in a gardeing catsalogue once you could get Burpless tomatoes (or was it cucumbers?) and now it seems you have...
by gizzy
21 Aug 2014, 21:23
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Most budding organists should choose a nice friendly church. Where a budding organist might get their arm torn off if they asked to play...if that weren't too counterproductive. My Dad played at St John's in Glastonbury for a couple of years - four manuals and a big enough instrument to do guided t...
by gizzy
19 Aug 2014, 09:26
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

[/img] Christ, it's quiet on here without Marlow's answer to Liberace. Or has the Lounge finally expired and I am resigned to idly chit chatting with myself?? Gizzy, rescue us. I'm still here :D Sitting quietly in a corner with a hat over your eyes, surreptitiously taking down every word and mutteri...
by gizzy
17 Aug 2014, 16:54
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Ar, well, what's s/r for, anyway? Sadly I've more than once been told it's for passing the sight-reading test, which seems unnecessarily circular to me. Of curse some people probably need to be able to sight-read "on the fly" particularly if they're going to play in any sort of band or orc...
by gizzy
11 Jul 2014, 23:33
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Been so busy with one thing and another, I forgot to post this, my homework for next time, from CTM 2 and it's from the Anna Magdalena Notebook by that famous composer from Llanelli, Johann Sospan Bach: scan0005.jpg My first task is to learn the jumps at the end of bar 2 to the beginning of bar 3, ...
by gizzy
02 Jul 2014, 12:21
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371157

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

Two Little Boys by R*lf H*rris. Mentally bleeping out the potentially rude bits which doesn't leave much less to sing but makes it FAR ruder than it was before.

Gizzy

ps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0rlYSJQkyw
by gizzy
02 Jul 2014, 12:17
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Finish the sentence thread
Replies: 26
Views: 30806

Re: Finish the sentence thread

...she fantasized about a little bit of micro-topiary, clipping it into the form of...
by gizzy
27 Jun 2014, 22:16
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Finish the sentence thread
Replies: 26
Views: 30806

Re: Finish the sentence thread

...friendly neighbourhood dominatrix, who was called...
by gizzy
27 Jun 2014, 22:13
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Are adult learners notoriously difficult to teach?
Replies: 5
Views: 15047

Re: Are adult learners notoriously difficult to teach?

If anyone wants a copy when it's finished, let me know. Oh yes, put me down for one! I think it depends what they're playing - I used to teach singing, and at one stage almost half my pupils were adults, but on the piano at present I have only two. Most adult beginners don't last long because of un...
by gizzy
27 Jun 2014, 21:50
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371157

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

How can you do keep fit on such a norrible ot sweaty day? STWOT! Today's earworm; 'Bist Du Bei Mir'. Can't remember who wrote it, but it's lovely. Tis JSBatch. I haven't got any earworms today, though I ought to have the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't it be Nice" as that's where we're going for fo...
by gizzy
27 Jun 2014, 21:43
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371157

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

dave brum wrote:In colloquial Irish folk dialect, a kissa is that thing on the front of your head. Maybe you should learn some Gaeilge.
It's a cat in Finnish, quite appropriate (I lurve my cat) and valkoinen means white.

I should call her aanekas kissa. Loud cat. (with umlauts on all the a's)
by gizzy
23 Jun 2014, 14:12
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Finish the sentence thread
Replies: 26
Views: 30806

Re: Finish the sentence thread

...Mad House, which is near Tooting, where...
by gizzy
23 Jun 2014, 14:06
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371157

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

Not tried looking at Sibelius's markings; I use a program online called BYKI ("before you know it") and I have The Kalevala and the first chapter of Genesis (because I will know what the words mean) to look through and see if I recognise anything, but mainly I have a book on my Kindle call...
by gizzy
22 Jun 2014, 22:44
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Talking of sight-reading books, there's one geared to Trinity starting from Initial Grade, which actually might serve your purposes. It's called Sound at Sight, and for Initial Grade, there are several things you will know in advance about the shight-reading: 1. It will be in 2/4 time 2. The note-le...
by gizzy
22 Jun 2014, 22:26
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What tune have we had on our minds today??
Replies: 413
Views: 371157

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

dave brum wrote:Shine Gill Shine :lol:
Polish, is it?

Gizzy (now learning Finnish. I have a book called "Beginners' Finnish" which sounds a bit contradictory)
by gizzy
22 Jun 2014, 22:23
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Finish the sentence thread
Replies: 26
Views: 30806

Re: Finish the sentence thread

...Kennel Club Choir, who are famous for their million-selling recording of...
by gizzy
22 Jun 2014, 22:19
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53829

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

More interesting snippets from the ABRSM website, this time from 'These Music Exams'; Teachers often arrange for their pupils to play to each other before exams come around, giving valuable performance experience. Well I never! Does this REALLY happen?? Of course it would help immensely but I've ne...
by gizzy
22 Jun 2014, 22:05
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 622747

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

dave brum wrote:Well if you don't teach, why do you admit to hiding a ruler neath your piano then??
Haven't you ever read Adrian Mole?
by gizzy
16 Jun 2014, 21:54
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Finish the sentence thread
Replies: 26
Views: 30806

Re: Finish the sentence thread

...written very b.i.g in crayon. I think this means I have to play it...
by gizzy
15 Jun 2014, 23:31
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Going back to playing - identifying music
Replies: 2
Views: 6712

Re: Going back to playing - identifying music

There are two programs you can try, one is called Musipedia and the other is Barlow & Morgenstern online - or something of the kind, anyway it's based on Barlow & Morgenstern's dictionary of musical themes, in which you look u the first x notes in your tune and once it's got ti down to just ...
by gizzy
15 Jun 2014, 23:26
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 622747

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

Meeting a load of young musos by the piano in the LoB, and suggesting to a librarian the possibility of an official 'open piano' day in the Library in the future.(tying in with what I said about it being a lonely old pastime). DUETS??? Well, what are your organisational skills like? Get someone to ...
by gizzy
15 Jun 2014, 23:20
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53829

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

They'll tell you that Joining The Dots is very popular and it works, but actually in my experience it's just more of the same. How are you for "sight-reading" these days if left to your own devices to learn a simple piece from notation in your own good time, with nobody breathing down your...
by gizzy
15 Jun 2014, 00:07
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Misheard lyrics from songs.
Replies: 161
Views: 162684

Re: Misheard lyrics from songs.

There's been a lot cut out of the Bible. There may be a reference to widdling in the Apocrypha... There's certainly a reference to it somewhere in the OT. About Saul going into a cave to - as the King James version, I think, puts it - "cover his feet" God, he wasn't a very good aimer, was...
by gizzy
15 Jun 2014, 00:03
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53829

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

dave brum wrote:
This is what the ABRSM has to say:

http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/what-i ... t-reading/
In 30 seconds. Ri-ight.If it's any consolation, I think I have more pupils who can't do it (at whatever level their current exam is) than can.

xGizzy
by gizzy
13 Jun 2014, 20:02
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 622747

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

I made peanut butter this afternoon! Used jumbo roasted peanuts and the small food processor which sticks on the bottom of the little whizzer I normally use for soup, about 2 minutes. Very noisy at first, then started to get a bit hot, I stopped just before it was really overheated and lo and behold...
by gizzy
13 Jun 2014, 09:36
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Just got the answer to r3 brain teaser but I bet as usual I'm one of the hundreds who don't get read out

(in case you were listening, it's Hair)
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 22:10
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Misheard lyrics from songs.
Replies: 161
Views: 162684

Re: Misheard lyrics from songs.

When I was about 5 we used to sing a hymn in assembly, tune now usually called Lightly Row, but the words were Little Bird I have heard

In the middle there was a line "Jesus' little ones are we"

I sang it, without really understanding why Jesus, little, wants a wee. :D
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 19:55
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I liked that she now faces 6 depends of rascal.

What a little scallywag she is!
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 15:09
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

dave brum wrote:
gizzy wrote:
The tautology...'Helen Smith, 42'.
Um, I don't get it, why is it a tautology? Are all Helen Smiths 42 or something?
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 15:07
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I'm sure they won't have changed their policy on the supporting tests - it's one of the things that sells them, as a credible alternative syllabus. You offer any two out of aural, sight-reading, musical knowledge and improvisation. That and the fact that there's no singing in the aural tests. And no...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 14:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: What's Made You Happy Today???
Replies: 796
Views: 622747

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

Lost 1 stone 4 pounds since easter (Actually still not as light as I was two and a bit years ago, but I put on a lot in between. It's forced on me by a wake-up call from my glucose meter. Don't want to die suddenly, don't want to lose my eyesight or my feet, so it has to be out with the carbohydrate...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 14:14
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

With me it's the ball-crunching fear that I'll fail the SR part because I'm not ready for it. But everything else I could do easily with absolutely no qualms and/or collywobbles whatsoever Oh well, that's it then :). Trinity, General Musical Knowledge (but only about the pieces you play, they won't...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 12:23
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Mabs' website (http://www.mabelfogglethwaitebmushons.co.uk) says her pupils take ABRSM exams, no mention of Trinity. Whether she actually teaches other syllabi remains for me to ask her. Next lesson is on the 24th. (it's not the Mabel you think it is. You're thinking of F@nny Fosdyke, wouldn't go b...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:59
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I still don't know which is which! Like clavichords, spinets and virginals. penis Good job this isn't the ABRSM forum. You'd have your member ship suspended (no pun intended). No, it would just put a load of sharps where the p"nis should have been On second thoughts I'd sooner have the suspens...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:54
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Thought you might find this account of the Helen Smith bogus exams funny.

http://news-all-the-time.com/2014/05/15 ... k-parents/

xGizzy
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:41
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

dave brum wrote:I still don't know which is which! Like clavichords, spinets and virginals.
Oh, Dave, that one's easy!

Clavichord is another name for the collar bone

Spinet is an anagram of t'penis

Virginals are the white notes.

Glad that's sorted out. Hope there isn't a censorbot on this forum!

xGizzy
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:38
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I've downloaded the syllabus, but I don't think ......it's actually Mabel........teaches Trinity exams, will have to ask her. When I started with her, I told her I didn't want to do any more piano exams as they just took away the fun and made me anxious (and also, being on benefits I couldn't affor...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I got 128 for my g3, but I don't feel that it was earned. Maybe the examiner DID want me boddeh after all.... sadly if he had asked me to 'join me for lunch' I wouldn't have been able to keep it down. Oo matron! Oh, ah, sorry, you meant the food. I presume. (Dirty girl, I should have known Dave Bru...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 11:25
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

acacciatura and apoggiatura. No idea which is which No, I always have to go and look 'em up! My kids' violin teacher taught them about the acciaccatura and then said it had a fat brother called the a-podgy-tura, and demonstrated that it was longer. There, you'll never have to look it up again, will...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 10:57
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

So that's a few that'll be able to provide me with a fake ABRSM distinction pass certificate if I slip them a hundred quid and a few good Google/Yahoo reviews?? Would they even do some handwritten notes to say 'very good sightreader, 19/21 if I slip the examiner another bribeypoos or a sexual favou...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 10:35
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I WILL take my Grade 1. With this person, when she's done her 'bird'; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2629424/Music-teacher-enlisted-fake-examiner-help-hoodwink-parents-thinking-children-taking-piano-grades-home.html (ps apologies for posting a Daily Mail link on this page, advised not to s...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 10:30
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

I will have to check out Trinity Guildhall exams, not really been down that avenue. But must mow the lawn first. They're just called Trinity now, there was a divorce from the Guildhall last year And they're great exams, more and more teachers are changing over to them, actually, and you don't have ...
by gizzy
12 Jun 2014, 09:40
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Playing from memory rather than sight
Replies: 52
Views: 53829

Re: Playing from memory rather than sight

Hi Dave, you know, there's this missing link between playing from memory which even quite experienced players don't get. I find that Some of my folks, including adults, can play through a phrase a couple of times, get it right, but then keep getting it wrong, and it's because they're sight-reading i...
by gizzy
22 Feb 2014, 23:59
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Random thoughts or comments...
Replies: 1635
Views: 1270308

Re: Random thoughts or comments...

Gill the Piano wrote:Have you read the Inner Game of Music yet, Dave? Talks about the little critic we all have inside and how to disregard it. Good book.
I can second that. It works on all sorts of levels
by gizzy
17 Feb 2014, 23:03
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Organs.
Replies: 61
Views: 73625

Re: Organs.

I thought I'd posted my reply to this but it got lost. My dad's organ in St John's Glastonbury had four manuals - like the mightly wurtle-izer. He fell downstairs in the middle of the night and broke his arm, and after a week off in hospitalo, he accompanied services for a week or two with one hand ...
by gizzy
14 Feb 2014, 11:11
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Dave teaches himself piano - again.
Replies: 88
Views: 79964

Re: Dave teaches himself piano - again.

Dave, have you see this?
http://bcat.info/index.asp

Gizzy
by gizzy
13 Feb 2014, 20:29
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Dave teaches himself piano - again.
Replies: 88
Views: 79964

Re: Dave teaches himself piano - again.

Had an email back from this teacher. And, surprise surprise.... I am not sure I would dare to take you on, to be honest I have never had an experience of people with your issues at all and I have never dealt with people like you, to be frank There you go. It's official. I am 100% unteachable. And g...
by gizzy
13 Feb 2014, 13:04
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Dave teaches himself piano - again.
Replies: 88
Views: 79964

Re: Dave teaches himself piano - again.

I cried myself to sleep last night. Haven't done that for years, but trying to learn the piano and failing all of the time is really making me unhappy. So I've come to a decision. I'm going to give it a month and if I still feel the same way on March 13th, then that really will be it, I shall resig...