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Proud of myself this morning; (a musical post - please ignore)
Topic Started: Jun 18 2006, 08:12 AM (193 Views)
George K
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Finally
I just have to brag....

About 3 years ago, Daughter #2 and I went to a concert and we saw the 5 Browns. The two older sisters (in the second half of the program) played the Poulenc Concerto for 2 Pianos. I was smitten (no not with the girls, but with Poulenc).

So, when I came back to the piano, I sought out some of his sheet music (specifically the Nocturnes) and tried to learn the first one, but the damn arpeggios in the left hand have frustrated the hell out of me... The last Nocturne is nice, but somehow didn't grab me.

(brief historical aside here)

When I was a kid and taking lessons, one of my great weaknesses was sight-reading. Never could, and it annoyed me. So, since coming back to the piano two years ago, I set some time aside for sight reading practice (ususally Saturday nights). Last night, I read through a couple of Bach's P&F's (the A-minor from book 1 and the F-minor from book 2). Slow, full of mistakes, but I was amazed that I could read through a fugue (at about 1/2 tempo) but I got through it.

(back to this morning)

Last week at work I had some Poulenc on my iPod, and I listened to the Novelettes. The first one in C grabbed me, and this morning I downloaded the music from Everynote. Went to the piano, thinking that it would be a bear.

Nope. It was melodic, almost at tempo, and it was not only musical, but sounded like Poulenc!

Hooray for me! :yesgrin: :woot: :yesgrin: :woot:
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
All right George! :thumb:

There's nothing like trying to emulate what you hear and enjoy, and having it work out for you!

You gonna record that anytime soon so we can have a listen?
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Horace
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HOLY CARP!!!
If you can sight read a bach fugue at half tempo, I'd say you're a damned fine sight reader indeed!

Improving sight reading is slow work but the total effect is so huge. It's sort of like practicing every piece ever written, all at the same time.
As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good?
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George K
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Finally
Horace
Jun 18 2006, 11:45 AM
If you can sight read a bach fugue at half tempo, I'd say you're a damned fine sight reader indeed!

I didn't say it was accurate or musical. I hit most of the notes at the right time, however. And, the two that I looked at (especially the A-minor) arent' that hard. Whenever I play the c-minor from book one, it falls apart more often than not.

However, another great fugue to practice on is the b-flat minor from book one. Lovely.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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apple
one of the angels
hurray Geo..

i've found that sight reading is 3X easier if i am familiar with the melody
it behooves me to behold
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
That must feel awfully good, George.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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DivaDeb
HOLY CARP!!!
Yea George!!!

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***musical princess***
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HOLY CARP!!!
Yay!!

:singdance:

George, you should post some of those recordings from your website on here!! (He is very very good, ladies and gentlemen :yes: )

x
x Caroline x
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