Piano Trivia Time #3 - [Click images to browse]: Which of the following four music instrument spare parts belong inside a piano?
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Piano Trivia Time #2 - Which classical piano piece is "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" based off of?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMSjI-Znc4
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The answer to this question is Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66. The song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbow" is based off the captivating melody featured in the Largo section. You can compare the... See More The answer to this question is Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66. The song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbow" is based off the captivating melody featured in the Largo section. You can compare the song by watching an excerpt of Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1qrz5h2QWs |
Some of the best piano pieces for a funeral are listed below. What would you add to or remove from the list?
1) Death of Åse, Peer Gynt Suite 1, No. 2, Op 46, by Edvard Grieg - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEcZ22XVPus
2) Prelude, No. 20, Op. 28 by Frederic Chopin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeX4X_1_lo0
3) Enigma... See More
Some of the best piano pieces for a funeral are listed below. What would you add to or remove from the list?
1) Death of Åse, Peer Gynt Suite 1, No. 2, Op 46, by Edvard Grieg - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEcZ22XVPus
2) Prelude, No. 20, Op. 28 by Frederic Chopin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeX4X_1_lo0
3) Enigma Variations, No. 9 (Nimrod) by Edward Elgar -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz8DVpcyLZM
4) Lacrymosa (from Requiem), S 550, by Mozart/Liszt -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKl4B75td70
5) Ave Maria, S 558, No. 12 by Schubert/Liszt -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCucnn-95nY
6) Symphony No 1, Mvmt 3 by Gustav Mahler -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3pu8migxZQ&t=28s
7) Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, No. 7 (Funérailles) by Franz Liszt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EadS7DEHSKM
8) Piano Sonata No 2, Mvmt 3, by Frederic Chopin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL_HFnnywEU
9) Pavane pour une infante défunte by Maurice Ravel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPHSHZssOLs
10) La Cathédrale Engloutie by Claude Debussy -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-4qAxZ0F6s
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Do you think there will be an impact on technique/playing/dynamics if most (70%) of the weekday practice is done with the muted pedal (middle pedal) on the upright? Reason for that is because the practices can only start from 9:30 pm or later.
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90% confident that it will have a negative impact. A lot of learning comes from the ability to feel the keys/hammer, and to control how much / fast to strike them. Your reactions / responses are... See More 90% confident that it will have a negative impact. A lot of learning comes from the ability to feel the keys/hammer, and to control how much / fast to strike them. Your reactions / responses are according to what you heard, and you train your muscles memory based on these. Unless the training is purely for getting notes right, at the stage where expression doesn't matter, and just accuracy matters. |
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Albert and Soo Hin, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have the inkling that the current situation is not ideal but unfortunately, it is unlikely to change. I love my upright and would like to... See More Albert and Soo Hin, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have the inkling that the current situation is not ideal but unfortunately, it is unlikely to change. I love my upright and would like to keep it in its original form. :) Will keep the muted practice for getting the notes right or for loud passages. I agree that the softer/more delicate passages should not be practiced with the muted pedal at the first instance. If the passages are meant to be soft, I think it is still ok to practice without the muted pedal even at 10+ pm or 11 pm. :p |
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Definitely a challenge for you, if you can only practice in the late night. Unless you fix your room to be sound-proof! |
Been seeing some Casio digital pianos popping up. Any recommendations?
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Not familiar with the various models. So, you're only looking to buy digital pianos? |
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Read review websites like these: Read review websites like these: And why not try a shop that let's you try out on various digital pianos? Just google for "buy digital piano singapore" and look out for shop reviews. |
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Ya, I'll go down to shops to try, but I'm just afraid to be swarmed by too many models, and I dunno how to choose between them. |
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There is only 1 model to choose from. Please PM me. |
Should I buy digital or normal piano to start learning piano? Should I get one or just play at school or teacher's place? Any advice? Thanks.
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Wow, thanks Zensen! That's very comprehensive. ?? I have mixed feelings la. For me, it's good to start playing casually. But if I can progress well (god knows), might as well take some exams to... See More Wow, thanks Zensen! That's very comprehensive. ?? I have mixed feelings la. For me, it's good to start playing casually. But if I can progress well (god knows), might as well take some exams to prove something? Definitely not to become concert pianist like you mentioned. I'm working, so, being able to play at night is a big deal to me, cos that's the time I probably can practise (I hope so!) ? |
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That being the case, I'd recommend that you start small by buying a digital piano. If space or mobility isn't a constraint for you, I'd recommend a full-fledged one with 88 keys. Depending on your... See More That being the case, I'd recommend that you start small by buying a digital piano. If space or mobility isn't a constraint for you, I'd recommend a full-fledged one with 88 keys. Depending on your budget, a high-end one costs S$2,699 while an entry-level one costs S$700. Mid-range will be around S$1,699. But if you are space-conscious and prefer it to be more mobile (so that it can be moved around easily), then I have a 76-key version ($400+) and a 61-version (also $400+) to recommend for you. If you are ultra-budget conscious, it will be $269. |
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Ya, I think I'd go with a really cheap one at the start. Just gonna start learning, don't think I'll need that many keys. 61 keys sounds a lot to me already. Lol. |
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61 keys (5 octaves) is really the minimum you should start with. This is because any shorter (e.g. 49 keys, 4 octaves) won't allow you to play it with both hands (meaning right hand on melody and... See More 61 keys (5 octaves) is really the minimum you should start with. This is because any shorter (e.g. 49 keys, 4 octaves) won't allow you to play it with both hands (meaning right hand on melody and left hand on bass and chords). Also, you'd need to look for a model that has touch response/touch sensitivity. This is because some very cheap ones don't come with this, thus no matter how soft or hard you strike the keys, the volume/loudness is the same, which makes the music you play sound monotonous/robotic/expressionless! |
Weird models #6: This thread won't be complete without an Usai!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AmZ2pStWb4
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What's Usai? Looks like piano keyboard. |
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Definitely not! A typical piano octave has 12 keys - 7 white keys jutting forward and 5 black shorter keys. Ignoring the colors, we can say a typical piano has a 7-5 configuration. The Usai... See More Definitely not! A typical piano octave has 12 keys - 7 white keys jutting forward and 5 black shorter keys. Ignoring the colors, we can say a typical piano has a 7-5 configuration. The Usai keyboard however has a 6-6 configuration - a "balanced" combination. If you color the keys on the Usai, you will find that F#, G# and A# wind up as three keys jutting forward, hence they are painted black up front. |
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Read more about it here: http://www.balanced-keyboard.com/ |
Weird models #7: Sail away with the Seaboard! Portamento heaven!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2syqXx97LE
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Omg! What's that!?!?! Amazing! |
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The answer to this is picture number 3 of 4. It is called an agraffe and this particular one can be found in a Steinway grand.
The primary purpose of an agraffe is to hold down the strings near where the hammers strike up. They keep the strings from being lifted up by the hammer blow and pulling them out of tune. At the... See More
The primary purpose of an agraffe is to hold down the strings near where the hammers strike up. They keep the strings from being lifted up by the hammer blow and pulling them out of tune. At the top of the piano's range, the agraffe and the plate it screws into would get in the way of the hammer, hence other alternatives are employed..
Using agraffes is generally more expensive and it is generally considered "better" than not using them. It is however, but one small factor in the design and build quality of a piano.
Agraffes are also not necessary on uprights, although some do have them.
For completeness sake: Picture 1 of 4 is a point screw for a Yamaha flute. Picture 2 of 4 is a violin Bridge. Picture 3 of 4 is a grand piano Steinway agraffe 7/32". Picture 4 of 4 is an Octave... See More
For completeness sake: Picture 1 of 4 is a point screw for a Yamaha flute. Picture 2 of 4 is a violin Bridge. Picture 3 of 4 is a grand piano Steinway agraffe 7/32". Picture 4 of 4 is an Octave Rocker Key for Selmer saxophones.