Just wondering how many in the group are adult learners (regardless of the level) who either (i) start playing piano or (ii) start taking piano lessons, as an adult?
I am one. :)
 |
Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or... See More Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or say you miss the score for Rangoon primary school's school song, or something like that. In summary, e-resources are still pretty weak when it comes to music scores IMHO. But not too shabby in the theory department. Better to just go to the Esplanade Library to browse through and borrow from a wide range there. |
 |
Looks like I should make a trip there soon. Never thought I would go there. Haha. |
|
|
Pauline, are you taking private piano lessons, or you go to music school? |
 |
Mabel, I'm taking private piano lessons. |
Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜发财!
What's your favourite CNY song?
|
|
Thanks for asking! It surely must be one of these: Top 10 list from... See More |
 |
Haha. Certainly a list of very popular CNY pieces. I think 新年歌儿唱 should be in the list too! |
|
|
Mine would be 大地回春! But didn't hear this piece played very often this CNY period leh. Anyone went to River Hongbao? |
I've always known this piece by Emil Chau. Didn't know it has a Japanese origin!!
 |
Btw, my favourite has been 风雨无阻! Hahaha! |
 |
Siew Tin, are you taking formal lessons now? I noticed you have played so many pieces, when I looked at your profile. |
 |
Yes. Mi try no play repeat pc during ?meetup^+^ |
|
|
That's really an impressive "personal rule" you have. No wonder you've a long list of pieces!! ? |
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"One instrumental development in Beethoven’s reign was the development of piano music and hence, the development of his piano sonatas. It is in my opinion that it is in these 32 that we see a beautiful series, each sonata carrying a crucial role in the evolution of music. And if we ever compare the 1st and 32nd sonata he wrote, it would seem that 2 different people have composed them."
|
|
My personal favourite is Sonata No. 17 in D minor, the 3rd movement. Simple motif but engaging. |
 |
Hi Soo Hin. Thank you for your reply. Yes, it is a simple and engaging motif and i believe that would be the tempest sonata. Ah, but unfortunately, I do have some prejudice or I guess "some beef"... See More Hi Soo Hin. Thank you for your reply. Yes, it is a simple and engaging motif and i believe that would be the tempest sonata. Ah, but unfortunately, I do have some prejudice or I guess "some beef" with that particular sonata (which explains why I didnt include it in any of the articles). But we have own preferences and the right to preference (some say that my personal favourite sonata, the Appasionata and particularly the 3rd movement sounds like a mouthful of notes that is not constructive, and I thought this should be applied to Liszt). |
|
|
Zhi Yuan, we are all open to discussions. ? Would you like to share why you have "some beef" with Tempest? |
|
|
Hi Soo Hin. I think it for that sonata, i feel it is just a mouthful of notes especially so for the development of the 3rd movement, a style that is evident in most of his middle sonatas. All of a... See More Hi Soo Hin. I think it for that sonata, i feel it is just a mouthful of notes especially so for the development of the 3rd movement, a style that is evident in most of his middle sonatas. All of a sudden everything sounds unconstructive. Yeah... i dont think its the best thing he has written and i dont particularly enjoy pieces with the same characteristic (Hint Hint Liszt Sonata) |
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"Since Beethoven’s time, the face of music changed forever. Beethoven made it possible for one to break the traditions of music. And by casting away the dogmatic conventional approaches of music from the past, great composers after Beethoven (many of whom modeled their own compositions after Beethoven) carried on his legacy of musical innovation. Other composers too inspired others to push the boundaries of music and the... See More
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"Since Beethoven’s time, the face of music changed forever. Beethoven made it possible for one to break the traditions of music. And by casting away the dogmatic conventional approaches of music from the past, great composers after Beethoven (many of whom modeled their own compositions after Beethoven) carried on his legacy of musical innovation. Other composers too inspired others to push the boundaries of music and the cycle of inspiration goes on and on till present times. And true enough, the cycle will still continue; the music of today: Pop, Rap etc. will irrevocably inspire a new music movement."
|
|
Wa.. Mr Tea, thanks! Enjoyed reading both of your articles. Btw, what's "Tea" in Chinese? Hehe. |
|
|
Hi Mabel. Glad that you enjoyed the articles. haha. you have to be the millionth person to ask me for my chinese surname! Care to take a guess? hint its not 茶 |
|
|
Closest I can think of is "Tay", so I guess it's Zheng? |
|
|
Bingo:))) yeah my chinese surname is zheng. |
Yiruma is coming to Singapore!! Anyone planning to go? Hehe.
|
|
Listening Live with a group of concert goers definitely feel different altogether. That said, I only attend concerts selectively. If you're a fan of Yiruma and haven't been to one, I guess... See More Listening Live with a group of concert goers definitely feel different altogether. That said, I only attend concerts selectively. If you're a fan of Yiruma and haven't been to one, I guess you could take the chance. |
 |
Been seeing a lot of this concert's advertisement on the TV recently. |
|
|
Yup, I noticed too. What's the cheapest ticket? |
|
|
Think it's $98. |
The Chinese New Year (农历新年) is a very important festival that is celebrated by the Chinese populations in many Asian countries, like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Philippines. During the celebrations, many popular Chinese New Year songs are sung, including "Gong Xi Gong Xi" (恭喜恭喜). The fact that it uses the minor key is the oddity, because minor key songs typically project sadness and loneliness. Why is Gong Xi Gong Xi written in... See More
The Chinese New Year (农历新年) is a very important festival that is celebrated by the Chinese populations in many Asian countries, like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Philippines. During the celebrations, many popular Chinese New Year songs are sung, including "Gong Xi Gong Xi" (恭喜恭喜). The fact that it uses the minor key is the oddity, because minor key songs typically project sadness and loneliness. Why is Gong Xi Gong Xi written in the minor key then?
|
|
wa, this is wow! I've taken this song for granted, did not know it has a dark past. |
|
|
This 1946 audio of 恭喜恭喜 sure doesn't sound happy at all - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2oXuzvbGuA |
|
|
Gavin, oh my.. it sounds really unlike the happy CNY song we always know. ? |
Can this be done - 3 months to train a person (with a little play by ear knowledge) to play jazz on a piano professionally? Yes. Ryan Gosling in La La Land. "And his performance was impeccable... 2nd day of shooting."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7szilgmvaeQ
|
|
Omg!! Is this possible!?!? ? |
|
|
But this will be a rote learning process, no? |
|
|
Precisely. Ryan memorized a couple of pieces, then he put in some showmanship and pizzazz for the camera. So, would you rather memorize just a few pieces or learn everything about music theory? It... See More Precisely. Ryan memorized a couple of pieces, then he put in some showmanship and pizzazz for the camera. So, would you rather memorize just a few pieces or learn everything about music theory? It depends on your ultimate goal. Both works just as well, but you just have to have the right aptitude and attitude. |
Looking for a FREE 550+ page book of classical masterpieces? Try this link at IMSLP.
Alternatively, you could go to the Esplanade Library, borrow this truly heavy book and heft it to a Pianover Meetup.
|
|
Here are another few IMSLP gems: Here are another few IMSLP gems: |
|
|
I'm amazed! How did you find all these? |
|
|
I got tired of downloading individual pieces and started looking for collections or anthologies on IMSLP. Plus I actually carried a 550 page book from the Esplanade to URA Centre, so I am NOT... See More I got tired of downloading individual pieces and started looking for collections or anthologies on IMSLP. Plus I actually carried a 550 page book from the Esplanade to URA Centre, so I am NOT doing that again. And while I'm at it, why not share. |
Saw the pianist smiled at 1:18 mark there. Nice!!