Friday December 02, 2005

Piano and Jigsaws

This might seem a strange title for a weblog. In the winter months I usually do jigsaws in the evenings. Very relaxing but it is like paying rent on a house, you don't end up with anything tangible in the end. So as we have a piano in the house - my wife plays very well I thought I would try and learn it. My wife asked her piano teacher for a good book for me to use. The book was purchased and off I went. The first thing to learn is of course where the notes are. One note seems key to this and that is middle C. Once you have eyeballed this one all should be clear. My method of remembering who is who is the C is in front of the block of two black notes so the whites ones around them are C,D,E. The blocks of three black notes follow and these have around them F,G,A and B. so with the practice pedal pressed and locked into position I start to tinkle the ivories. I first try and find all the C's G's and so on. Practice playing the notes after C using my left hand. Following the book you learn about the time each notes needs be be audible quavers, semiquavers and so on. The book then takes you playing scales up from the middle C. Of course you also need to learn to read music from the Grande Stave.

My first tune is a French folks song called Au clair De La Lune. It is only a snippet of it, twelve notes. After a couple of other tunes, you then play another simple tune using the left hand. This initially throws me and my left hand (despite the fact I am left handed) does not have the same degree of suppleness that the right has. Every night I play the pieces I have done before and try at least one new one. Soon both hands will be in action! BTW the book I am using ( with free cardboard keyboard for the ultimate in silent practice technology) is The Classic Piano Course by Carol Barratt. I will let you know how I progress. For marital bliss I am avoiding my wife helping me but I get her to check my playing every so often.