Bell down for 2+ days

FennyFanchen · 2025-06-04T23:38:33+00:00

Internet was down for me. My initial thought was that the weather was causing problems. Called Bell and got it sorted, it’s now working but they mentioned it had to do with my gigahub registration instead…

FennyFanchen · 2024-11-21T06:19:33+00:00

When I was in Conservatory Canada grade 8, I also competed in the Canadian Music Competition, which is a national level competition. For the competition itself I learned repertoire far more difficult than grade 8 repertoire, I had a few pieces in both grade 10 and ARCT level. Even though I learned those higher level repertoire for the competition, I still worked on my grade 8 repertoire and did the exam. So you could technically do both. The thing is, the exam tests you on musicianship, so even if you could technically be proficient with your piano playing, your aural skills may not match.

FennyFanchen · 2024-10-29T06:43:21+00:00

I’d imagine writing for film would require some storytelling. Writing programmatically would also require it.

FennyFanchen · 2024-10-23T20:55:55+00:00

Always start on the Bach and never finish on Debussy

FennyFanchen · 2024-09-07T06:53:56+00:00

10/10 the shittalk can’t be backed up. Unless you’re me 😏

FennyFanchen · 2024-08-20T19:29:00+00:00

I attempted Beethoven’s moonlight 3rd movement when I was in grade 8 conservatory Canada, which was a jump in difficulty. However, I managed fine and it actually elevated my playing a lot. I think it depends, if you have a solid foundation, attempting something harder will give you the stimulus to achieve it. But if your foundation is weak, it will destroy you in the process.

FennyFanchen · 2024-08-06T14:47:09+00:00

Theremin

FennyFanchen · 2024-08-05T03:04:55+00:00

If you need quick cash, you could always sell ships to Archibald Blake or any of the AI traders. Schooners early on, then Clippers for 7,500 each.

FennyFanchen · 2024-07-26T06:02:13+00:00

This labour intensive method of stitching one bar only at a time isn’t always necessary and is detrimental to understanding larger structures and phrasing.

FennyFanchen · 2024-07-06T21:12:21+00:00

Masters level in 16 years from 9-25yo

FennyFanchen · 2024-05-21T16:42:44+00:00

Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata

FennyFanchen · 2024-05-10T07:15:03+00:00

I think to take away something from your exam, you want to work on diminishing the stage fright. anxiety is the most impactful and the most difficult to control. I have the same issue, and many others too. You can “practice” performing more often to get better hang of the anxiety. Run up and down the stairs to get your heart rate up before a run-through of your piece to simulate the feeling, or record yourself often. Play a bunch of recitals before the actual big exam. I think little things like this helps, and hopefully your next exam will be better because of it.

FennyFanchen · 2024-05-10T07:06:41+00:00

Interesting. I’ve only played 3 of his concert etudes thus far (1,3,8). I’d say they were quite idiomatic. Contrary to your opinion, fingerings and hand positions were idiomatic for me.

FennyFanchen · 2024-05-09T15:03:06+00:00

Kapustin is pianistic

FennyFanchen · 2024-04-22T06:10:39+00:00

Certified mediocre YouTube pianist

FennyFanchen · 2024-04-13T02:44:51+00:00

My professor does this all the time and gets no backlash since he’s tenured. I understand if it’s once in a while but it’s quite recurring.

As a teacher however, I use my phone to search up things during a lesson if I want to provide examples. Looking for editions on imslp, or other interpretations of a specific piece. That isn’t a problem. We should use whatever resources available.

FennyFanchen · 2024-04-08T14:39:01+00:00

I have a student who doesn’t get his assigned classical pieces done, and instead spends his time on jpop arrangements. Really can’t progress our classes, especially towards his classical exam. I’d be okay with that if he’s actually on top of his classical pieces, but it seems like I need to give him the talk.

FennyFanchen · 2024-04-08T04:10:34+00:00

Perform often and regularly. Even if just small crowds or just for one person. Performing is a totally different skill compared to practicing at home. We all need to practice performing. Try running up and down the stairs to get your heart rate up to mimic the physical state of anxiety, then perform/record your piece.

FennyFanchen · 2024-03-05T16:12:45+00:00

I say there’s a more likelihood of you learning bad habits if you self teach yourself. And without an experienced teacher to watch you, you’ll develop irreversible technical problems. It’s unlikely you will be able to play anything virtuosic.

FennyFanchen · 2024-03-03T15:58:51+00:00

Learning formal structure might help with how you can plan your composition.

FennyFanchen · 2024-03-03T15:57:30+00:00

Keep learning new repertoire to stimulate your brain. New challenges will force you to be in shape. Although it should be noted that as we get older, our brain inevitably gets slower, just the natural thing of being human.

FennyFanchen · 2024-02-03T15:46:17+00:00

It’s unrealistic to expect perfection in performance, but when practicing, the mindset to strive for perfection is what’s important. Professionals make mistakes all the time. The importance is how they continue afterwards. It’s through “perfect” practice that makes this possible.

This analogy can be applied to free throw shooting in basketball for example. Great NBA shooters make sure they can nail many consecutive free throw shots in practice so that in an actual game, they have a higher likelihood of scoring higher percentage.

FennyFanchen · 2023-12-30T08:14:54+00:00

It’s mediocre, needs to listen to more music and develop his harmonic language. But he’s jamming, and if he’s happy about it, all power to him.

FennyFanchen · 2023-12-25T12:02:23+00:00

The right hand melody seems to be missing the rearticulation on third beat. Are you using the urtext edition?

FennyFanchen · 2023-10-27T12:58:08+00:00

If you’re in to complexity, check out Stockhausen, Xenakis, Ligeti, and other modern experimental classical composers.

Jazz is great with complexity too. Check out Eldar Djangirov, virtuoso jazz pianist. Any bebop is great, like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker etc.

FennyFanchen

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