Performance Directions

Notes for my reference...

• Larghissimo — very, very slow (20 bpm and below)
• Grave — slow and solemn (20–40 bpm)
• Lento — slowly (40–60 bpm)
• Largo — broadly (40–60 bpm)
• Larghetto — rather broadly (60–66 bpm)
• Adagio — slow and stately (literally, "at ease") (66–76 bpm)
• Adagietto — rather slow (70–80 bpm)
• Andante moderato — a bit slower than andante
• Andante — at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
• Andantino – slightly faster than andante (although in some cases it can be taken to mean slightly slower than andante)
• Moderato — moderately (108–120 bpm)
• Allegretto — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)
• Allegro moderato — moderately quick (112–124 bpm)
• Allegro — fast, quickly and bright (120–168 bpm)
• Vivace — lively and fast (≈140 bpm) (quicker than allegro)
• Vivacissimo — very fast and lively
• Allegrissimo — very fast
• Presto — very fast (168–200 bpm)
• Prestissimo — extremely fast (more than 200bpm)

Grade 8 Music Theory?

This is something that I am considering. Should I proceed to continue to learn the Music Theory after my Mar exams? My piano teacher is not teaching Music Theory from Grade 6 and above. So, I will need to find another teacher to learn from if I wish to continue. And then the question is, I learn until Grade 8 for what?

The higher Music Theory Grades seems to be more on composition for different instruments in an orchestra to create harmony and identifying the composer and the period of a given piece, which seems interesting to me but very intimidating. And is not as if I will be really composing a piece for an orchestra. Would I be even able to hear my composed piece played by an orchestra? Is there a software where I can load the scores and they play it out for me to hear? Haha. It is then will I know if the piece I compose sounds horrible or not. Hahaha.

I went to check out the rates to learn the higher Music Theory. They don't come cheap. I mean, a rough estimation is about $3k+ just to learn from Grade 6 to 8. And that is provided I am "talented". If I stupid stupid, the amount might be more if I insist that I want to pass the Grade 8 exams.

Anyway, a teacher offered to teach me during my lunch time on weekdays, which means I don't need to think of ways to settle my 2 kids while I go for lessons, since they will be in the childcare from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. And she claims that she can cover Grade 6 to 8 syllabus and prepare me for the Grade 8 theory exams in 7 months, which works out to be about $1.2k in total. Should I just give it a try and see how?

Back to Piano at a Relaxed Mode...

Yes, I am returning to continue my piano lessons starting tomorrow. My mother in law was very nice. She offered to come over to my house to help take care of the 2 little ones together with my hubby so that I can go for my piano lessons at peace. And yes, I am continuing to learn on alternate weeks and continue to prepare for my exams in 2012.

My piano teacher had registered me for the Grade 5 Music Theory exams on 17 Mar 2012. And I am nowhere near being prepared for the exams. So, the next 5 lessons, the focus will be on the Grade 5 Music Theory. According to my teacher, she says there is sufficient time, so don't worry.

Also, my piano teacher plans to register me for the Grade 5 Piano Practical exams in July 2012. As of now, I have completed all the scales and arpeggios and have learnt the 3 exam pieces, which are:

A2: Joseph Hector Fiocco (1703-41) Andante: from Pieces de clavecin, Op. 1
B1: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Gedike (1877-1957) Miniature in D minor: No. 2 from Dix Miniatures en forme d'etudes, Op. 8
C3:Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) Joyous March: No. 5 from Enfantines

So moving forward, I just need to practice and try to perfect them to be ready for the exams and focus on learning new pieces to brush up my sight reading skills and aural skills!

So, I will just take it slowly and see what the results will turn out to be. Passing both the Theory and Practical exams are in my 2012 Resolution! But not at the expense of my other priorities =)

cbox Removed...

I have removed the cbox from my blog as someone is trying to impersonate me by using my username "Pooh Bear" in providing comments that does not originate from me. I don't like people to "put words into my mouth", although I am ok if that someone had just used your own username to provide your own comments.

To that someone:
Be daring to speak up your own views, and don't hide behind another person's identity. If you really think something is better, just share your views and reasons using your own identity.

To NW:
I don't know who that someone is, but please ignore the last message in the cbox. Someone is obviously trying to be funny.

My little boy arrived...

My dear little boy arrived on 20 Oct 11. This is much earlier than what I expected and hence I was caught unprepared. Luckily he is my 2nd one, so I have some prior experience which came in useful.

I will be returning to work on 20 Feb 12. So I have a full 4 months break from work to spend time with my 2 little ones and my hubby and of coz to try to prepare for the Grade 5 exams.

My goals for these 4 months would be:-
1. Re-establish a routine with my hubby which is sustainable when I go back to work.
2. Fully toilet-train my girl.
3. Wean my girl off her pacifier.
4. Settles my girl well and manage sibling rivalry.
5. Train my boy to sleep through the night without any night feeds.
6. Settles my boy well in the infant care before I start work.
7. Breastfeeding my boy for at least 4 months.

With the encouragement and support from my hubby, I will be registering for the 17 Mar 2012 Grade 5 Music Theory exams and the July 2012 Grade 5 practical exams. He thinks since I am already preparing for it, might as well give it a try. If fail, then so be it. Haha, just waste money on the exams fees lor.

If I am taking my Grade 5 exams...

If I am still taking the Grade 5 exams, below will be the planned schedule...

Grade 5 Theory exam:
Fees: SGD 130
Exam Date: 17 March 2012 (Saturday)
Registration Dates: 28 Nov to 9 Dec 2011

Grade 5 Practical exam:
Fees: SGD 240
Exam Dates: July to September 2012
Registration Dates: 13 Feb to 2 Mar 2012

Taking another break...a long one this time...

FY2011 had been a very busy year for me so far, where I had to cope with so many things happening at the same time. It wasn't really a smooth year for me with many bad events, but there were good ones too. As much as I want to continue learning my piano, I have decided to take a break indefinitely, so that I can free up more time to welcome another new member into my family soon and spend more time on other aspects of my life. Yes, a little boy will come into my life next month. With that, I have done my "national call" of replacing my hubby and myself, saying goodbye to baby bumps. =)

I will still play the piano when I need it to relax, but I will not be doing any exams or going for lessons until maybe when my 2 little ones are much older. And yes, it is going to be a few years.

I am glad that my girl sticks to me quite a lot and with another one coming along, I do not want her to feel upset when she realises that she needs to share my time with a "competitor". I believe that sibling rivalry can be managed and minimised, but all that will require effort and time. I am grateful to my hubby for trying all efforts to make sure that I get to pursue my hobby, but I also think I need to spend more time with him and my mummy who is growing old faster especially after my dad moved on just a few months ago. And of coz, as I wish to progress in my career, my work also require more time. So until I can say that I have that extra time to spare without affecting my other aspects of life, I will put piano learning on hold.

It is obvious on what are my priorities and though I do feel sad that I have to put piano learning on hold, I think there are a lot of things that are "fighting" for the limited resource (time) which are more important to me. Definitely, I will introduce music to my 2 little ones and hope that they will enjoy it as much as I do. =)