My 2011 Music Resolutions:
1. Return back to Piano Learning with a Teacher!
2. Able to work out a more sustainable practice routine!
3. To complete my Grade 4 Theory (Music Theory in Practice & Past Year papers)
4. To learn and master at least 12 new pieces (1 piece a month):-
a) 7 new pieces from "Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 2" to complete the Book
b) 5 new pieces from "John W. Schaum Piano Course F - The Brown Book", that is up to Page 17.
5. To complete the "A Dozen A Day Book 2"
6. To complete the scales and arpeggios needed for Grade 4.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Voce Studio Recital 2010
The Voce Studio Recital was held at the Arts House on the 12 Dec 2010 (Sun) and I played 2 pieces:-
Temple Bells
By Dennis Alexander
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book1
Longing
by Cornelius Gurlitt
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book2
Ok, I don't think I played that well, but I think it is still ok. Haha. Some hiccups here and there. But I really enjoyed myself. Yes, my hubby and my little girl were there to see me perform. But because it was on a Sunday, and by the time I finish my pieces, it was already around 10pm. Well, my girl usually sleeps at around that time. So, yes, she was getting very cranky. So, immediately after I finish my pieces, I went home. So, I didn't manage to stay til the end of the recital. But I really appreciate the effort that Jennifer had put in to give everyone to have a chance to perform. And some of her students were simply FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed their playing!
Some photos for you to see:
Temple Bells
By Dennis Alexander
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book1
Longing
by Cornelius Gurlitt
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book2
Ok, I don't think I played that well, but I think it is still ok. Haha. Some hiccups here and there. But I really enjoyed myself. Yes, my hubby and my little girl were there to see me perform. But because it was on a Sunday, and by the time I finish my pieces, it was already around 10pm. Well, my girl usually sleeps at around that time. So, yes, she was getting very cranky. So, immediately after I finish my pieces, I went home. So, I didn't manage to stay til the end of the recital. But I really appreciate the effort that Jennifer had put in to give everyone to have a chance to perform. And some of her students were simply FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed their playing!
Some photos for you to see:
The Board outside...
The lights...ok, my hubby was finding things to take...
My girl very excited and happy that the recital is starting soon...
One of the MCees...
Jennifer and one of the young pianist. Think she is the same person as the MCee. Haha, for some reasons, my hubby like to take her photo. There were so many other performers.
Mummy playing...
For a moment, I thought Jennifer teaches violin.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Taking a break...
As I have moved on to a new role in my career, which had been very busy for me, I would want to spend more time to pick up and stablise first, I've decided to take a break from my piano learning, for about 3 months. Hopefully when I managed to pick up on my work, then I will be able to resume my piano learning. So, yes, tentatively planning to restart in Feb 2011. But which means I will need to rearrange the slot with Nancy when I am prepared to restart. Sigh, need to give up my 10am Sat slot, which is like, just nice!
Meanwhile, I am busy preparing for my recital which will be coming in Dec 2010. Hopefully this short break will also allow me to catch up with the pieces which I haven't have the time to really learn them well, and also revise and practice what I have learnt so far. Ya, slow and steady is my approach on pursuing my hobby. At the same time, I also need to work out a personal time-table such that I will have enough time to practice. Well, as one move up the Grades, I believe naturally you will need to spend more time practising! But I still hope this to remain as my hobby and don't want to feel stress about it. I'm also hoping Jennifer will be able to free up one weekend slot for me next year (2011), which I am not very hopeful actually. Hope I can hear good news. Haha.
Meanwhile, I am busy preparing for my recital which will be coming in Dec 2010. Hopefully this short break will also allow me to catch up with the pieces which I haven't have the time to really learn them well, and also revise and practice what I have learnt so far. Ya, slow and steady is my approach on pursuing my hobby. At the same time, I also need to work out a personal time-table such that I will have enough time to practice. Well, as one move up the Grades, I believe naturally you will need to spend more time practising! But I still hope this to remain as my hobby and don't want to feel stress about it. I'm also hoping Jennifer will be able to free up one weekend slot for me next year (2011), which I am not very hopeful actually. Hope I can hear good news. Haha.
Change of Venue for the Recital 2010
Just putting it here for own reference:-
There will be a change of venue for Voce Studio Recital 2010 as the Young Musicians' Society (YMS) is undergoing partial closure under the instructions from the Building Construction Authority (BCA). Although the YMS Auditorium is unaffected, all toilets are closed at YMS and the building might subject to complete closure should BCA considers the building unsafe. For the safety of the performers and those involved in this recital, the recital venue is changed t0 the following:
The Art House - The Living Room
1 Old Parliament Lane
Singapore 179429
By Car: Enter via 1 Old Parliament Lane. Parking spaces available at the current Parliament House, The Adelphi and the road side along Empress Place
By Bus: North Bridge Road (Opposite Funan Centre or Outside MITA Building): 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 103, 124, 145, 166, 174, 195, 197, 603, 851, 961 Collyer Quay (At, or Opposite Clifford Pier; Fullerton Square; Opposite Singapore Cricket Club or outside Victoria Concert Hall): 10, 70, 75, 100, 107,130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 605, 607, 608
By MRT: From Raffles Place Station, take exit H and walk across Cavenagh Bridge. From City Hall Station, take exit B (in front of capitol building), turn left, walk towards Funan Centre and turn left again upon reaching the present Parliament house.
From Clark Quay Station, take exit E, cross the road in front, then turn left, upon reaching the Singapore River, turn right and walk towards the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
Recital
Date: Sun 12 Dec 2010
Time: 8pm
Rehearsal
Date: Wed 8 Dec 2010
Time: 9.30pm (30 mins)
There will be a change of venue for Voce Studio Recital 2010 as the Young Musicians' Society (YMS) is undergoing partial closure under the instructions from the Building Construction Authority (BCA). Although the YMS Auditorium is unaffected, all toilets are closed at YMS and the building might subject to complete closure should BCA considers the building unsafe. For the safety of the performers and those involved in this recital, the recital venue is changed t0 the following:
The Art House - The Living Room
1 Old Parliament Lane
Singapore 179429
By Car: Enter via 1 Old Parliament Lane. Parking spaces available at the current Parliament House, The Adelphi and the road side along Empress Place
By Bus: North Bridge Road (Opposite Funan Centre or Outside MITA Building): 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 103, 124, 145, 166, 174, 195, 197, 603, 851, 961 Collyer Quay (At, or Opposite Clifford Pier; Fullerton Square; Opposite Singapore Cricket Club or outside Victoria Concert Hall): 10, 70, 75, 100, 107,130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 605, 607, 608
By MRT: From Raffles Place Station, take exit H and walk across Cavenagh Bridge. From City Hall Station, take exit B (in front of capitol building), turn left, walk towards Funan Centre and turn left again upon reaching the present Parliament house.
From Clark Quay Station, take exit E, cross the road in front, then turn left, upon reaching the Singapore River, turn right and walk towards the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
Recital
Date: Sun 12 Dec 2010
Time: 8pm
Rehearsal
Date: Wed 8 Dec 2010
Time: 9.30pm (30 mins)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Feel rushed...
As I am not preparing for any exams now, the teaching method which Nancy is using now is very different from what she used when I was preparing for my practical exams. Now, I feel very rushed. I need to learn 2 new pieces for each lesson. And frankly, I find it very taxing, even when I have lessons on alternate weeks. I was told, her students are usually given 2 new pieces every week. So, I am already learning at half the required pace.
Due to my family and my work, I only get to really practice on weekends. Practising on weekdays is almost impossible though I do try to make an effort, without sacrificing too much time to spend with my baby and sleep. Also, usually I need quite a lot of practice before I can play a piece smoothly through without any notes error and with the dynamics and articulation needed at the correct tempo. Ok, may not be perfect, but I know I have learnt the techniques needed to play the piece well. But now, I can only merely play through the piece through sight-reading, much slower than the required tempo, pauses here and there. And the dynamics and articulations are not as what I wanted. Before I am ready, the next lesson comes, I need to play to my teacher, she comments here not good enough, there not good enough, replay it during the lesson, then she will pass it. And I need to learn another 2 new pieces for the next lesson. And this continues.
I feel like I am playing some catching games, and ya, I know this method helps in my sight-reading, but I do feel that I did not get the chance to train my playing skills, and appreciate each piece that I am playing. She did comment that I cannot expect to have 1 full month to learn 1 piece, which would be the case if I need to repeat the same piece for another lesson. And she does not expect me to play the piece perfectly. Most of what is needed of the piece is done, then we will move on. But I do really find the pieces that I am playing now is relatively much harder than what I was exposed to previously. Am I the only one feeling this way? Maybe I should also reflect to see if I really did not practice as much as I should.
I am ok when she rushed through theory. I mean, maybe after studying for about 20 years, I can still catch up for theory when she goes very fast. But practical is like, I just need to spend more time to practice and there is no short-cut!
So, sigh, either I tell Nancy that I really need her to slow down, or I really need to find more time to practice without affecting my family time, my work time and my sleep time. Playing the piano is suppose to be a relaxation for me turn out to be so stressful now. Haha, maybe I should ask for a demotion to Grade 3? Haha.
Due to my family and my work, I only get to really practice on weekends. Practising on weekdays is almost impossible though I do try to make an effort, without sacrificing too much time to spend with my baby and sleep. Also, usually I need quite a lot of practice before I can play a piece smoothly through without any notes error and with the dynamics and articulation needed at the correct tempo. Ok, may not be perfect, but I know I have learnt the techniques needed to play the piece well. But now, I can only merely play through the piece through sight-reading, much slower than the required tempo, pauses here and there. And the dynamics and articulations are not as what I wanted. Before I am ready, the next lesson comes, I need to play to my teacher, she comments here not good enough, there not good enough, replay it during the lesson, then she will pass it. And I need to learn another 2 new pieces for the next lesson. And this continues.
I feel like I am playing some catching games, and ya, I know this method helps in my sight-reading, but I do feel that I did not get the chance to train my playing skills, and appreciate each piece that I am playing. She did comment that I cannot expect to have 1 full month to learn 1 piece, which would be the case if I need to repeat the same piece for another lesson. And she does not expect me to play the piece perfectly. Most of what is needed of the piece is done, then we will move on. But I do really find the pieces that I am playing now is relatively much harder than what I was exposed to previously. Am I the only one feeling this way? Maybe I should also reflect to see if I really did not practice as much as I should.
I am ok when she rushed through theory. I mean, maybe after studying for about 20 years, I can still catch up for theory when she goes very fast. But practical is like, I just need to spend more time to practice and there is no short-cut!
So, sigh, either I tell Nancy that I really need her to slow down, or I really need to find more time to practice without affecting my family time, my work time and my sleep time. Playing the piano is suppose to be a relaxation for me turn out to be so stressful now. Haha, maybe I should ask for a demotion to Grade 3? Haha.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mark Sheet (Grade 2 Piano)
Here is the comments that were written on the Mark Sheet for my Grade 2 Piano Exam.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Got a Distinction for my Practical!!!
Okok, I must say the examiner was very lenient, and she was not very particular on the errors which I made. So, I am very lucky to have her as my examiner! Really, in my opinion, I did not do as well for the exams as I think I would be able to do. But well, maybe the exminer don't expect too much for a Grade 2 student!
But of course, I am very very happy! Yeah! I got 133 marks. Ya, not fantastic, but good enough. DISTINCTION!!! Hohoho....
But of course, I am very very happy! Yeah! I got 133 marks. Ya, not fantastic, but good enough. DISTINCTION!!! Hohoho....
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