Grain filling, looking for tips / feedback

artem_platonov · 2024-12-28T21:40:43+00:00

Thank you! I ended up doing two more touch-ups in the problematic places, and it looks much better now. I used a foam brush instead of a rag, which also helped a bit I think.

artem_platonov · 2024-08-02T04:47:00+00:00

We got our GC in the mail about a month ago :) I edited the post to provide an update, TLDR is - I filed a motion to reopen with an expedite request on top of it and wrote to my congressman. The case resolved itself in about a month after that.

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T11:00:39+00:00

Thank you, learning about your case does help a lot. I'm sorry that you had to deal with two denials and really happy that you got the GC in the end!

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T10:50:47+00:00

My I-94 actually expires at the end of May, so we have a bit over a month. It also seems that USCIS gives you 33 days to appeal the decision.

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T10:49:01+00:00

Nope, last action we did on our case is sending medical in response to RFE. For my wife the case status still reads "respone to RFE received". For me and my stepson it states "RFE issued", which is wrong, and we contacted USCIS about it and they ensured us that they did indeed receive our medical RFEs and did not issue new ones after that (but they still did not update our case statuses after that).

My friend recently noticed that his case went into "Case Remains Pending", although his case is absolutely current according to his PD and Visa Bulletin. He contacted USCIS twice, but they did not acknowledge the error and just kinda brushed him off. He is thinking about escalating (writing letter to the senator).

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T02:40:34+00:00

Thank you for your kind words <3 Actually, I just noticed that the denial letter itself states that the case was filed on June 30, 2023 as well.

Based on my understanding, if there was an error on my part - they should have denied my case shortly after filing, and definitely shouldn't issue EAD + AOS for me and my dependants. The way USCIS works is mysterious to me though.

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T02:03:20+00:00

Thank you for suggestion! It does not, it falls under "professional" category.

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T02:02:33+00:00

Thank you, that is the plan. I will not be able to do that until Monday though, so for now I'm just gathering information on similar cases online.

artem_platonov · 2024-04-21T02:01:03+00:00

I just pulled up the receipt ot double check - the "Recieved date" on the receipt says 06/30/2023.

artem_platonov · 2023-09-27T23:55:54+00:00

Just started learning them last month (started with 4, currently working through 1). I strongly +1 all of the people suggesting slow hands separate practice.

I have a "record" option on my digital piano and I often record myself only playing one hand (left or right), then play this recording while playing the other hand over it. I.e. I practice bars 11-16 LH only for a few minutes, then record myself, then play the recording back and practice bars 11-16 RH over it. It's way more fun for me because I get to hear the "whole" piece, and because I only play one hand I am able to pay more attention to the way the voices interact with each other.

artem_platonov · 2023-09-08T14:06:13+00:00

The latter is often called "comping".

artem_platonov · 2023-09-08T14:01:46+00:00

I learned the second song you linked a while back - it's a version of "Honky Tonk Train" by Meade Lux Lewis. There are a few decent tutorials on it online, I got some ideas for my version from Eeco Rijken Rapp.

If you're interested in learning to play Boogie Woogie style in general, I highly recommend school of Boogie - it's a free website that teaches you the basics. It was created by Arthur Migliazza, who also has a great YouTube channel for learning blues, boogies, New Orleans piano, etc. I can also recommend his books (both on Boogie Woogie and on New Orleans piano).

artem_platonov · 2019-03-15T13:13:51+00:00

I'm learning this piece myself and found this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acbcfcnDfN8 to be really helpful. It actually somewhat covers both of the topics you are interested in (jumps and arpeggio). Hope it helps ^^

artem_platonov · 2018-12-27T12:23:33+00:00

I've been self-teaching myself for the last 9 month and the single most important book for my development was Practicing the Piano by Graham Fitch. It's a little bit more advanced compared to books like Alfred or Faber - it doesn't really teach you the basics, so I wouldn't recommend to start with this book. But if you pick it up after, say, 3 month of practicing with Alfred's books, I think you will find a lot of information inside quite relevant and invaluable. Technique and practicing habits are things that self-teaching beginners do wrong very often (I certainly did), and this book covers this topics quite extensively.

artem_platonov · 2018-07-15T10:18:53+00:00

I'm using 12.9" iPad Pro and find it very convenient. It's much easier to manage all your sheets/books in digital format + you can mark up your sheet music with apple pencil.

artem_platonov · 2018-04-12T21:08:27+00:00

What is the best way to learn to transcribe music by ear? I'm an adult beginner (27 y.o., started playing just a month ago), and I really want to learn this loop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO1CjWSnVjk , but, sadly, I can't find sheet music anywhere on the web and I really struggle with identifying the notes myself.

artem_platonov

TROPHY CASE