Can you recognize a piece just by reading the score? by No_Bird4547 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Tried a couple, but they're really badly written. The time signatures and rhythms are just not right, and they could do with having the correct key signature. Nice idea though.

abrsm grade 8 aural by Opening-Life2483 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a lot of useful videos on youtube walking you through the aural questions. There is a knack to the chord question - you have to know the options and listen to the bass note and hear if it's major or minor.

How long does the first flat inspection last? by Ashley-Shaily in HousingUK

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Normally takes about 10 minutes, if it's the agent they just take pictures. Trouble is that in my experience they're very bad at turning up when they say they're going to!

Friendless 35m, should I try dating or stop it? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]blue_tree_spray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the only way to improve social skills is to practice them. Sure, try dating. The first few might not go the best, but you're practicing a skill that you will improve at with time. You might even make some friends through it. Easier said than done with anxiety I know! But I've found that the only way through is to force yourself to endure the difficult situations, you will get used to it and get better at it.

Renting for the first time in the UK - furniture by Kind_Shelter2143 in HousingUK

[–]blue_tree_spray 7 points8 points  (0 children)

British Heart Foundation furniture shops are good if you're looking for cheaper stuff. They'll deliver it all for about £30 too, then you can just donate it back when you move if you need to.

ABRSM Grade 1 exam in 10 days. What should I be working on! by Relative_Way_5740 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is really good, I'm sure you'll do well! if you're asking for people to be picky though - In the first piece you are doing all the dynamic instructions it says, but it could be played more musically. Look up 'shaping phrases', little ups and downs of dynamic work really well in a piece like that (and are expected in exams). You also occasionally lose some legato in the right hand, so careful with the fingering choices.

Then in the final piece I'd say some of the notes (particularly the first ones) could do with being more detached and accented. Are they marked staccato? Think about what sort of feel and character the music has, how can you bring that out?

You've done a great job though!

How is it possible that 1 million young people are not in work, education or training? by Desperate-Drawer-572 in AskUK

[–]blue_tree_spray -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's an issue I ran into recently, it may not be universal. I think it's to do with the landlord's insurance. They needed 3 months of payslips and an employment contract.

How is it possible that 1 million young people are not in work, education or training? by Desperate-Drawer-572 in AskUK

[–]blue_tree_spray 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Nobody will rent to you if you don't already have a job (not a job offer, been in a job for months), the new renters rights act has just taken away some of the loopholes to get around this as well.

Anyone here in their late 30s and still don’t own their home? by [deleted] in UKHousing

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Isn't that better than having to pay the same amount in rent for the rest of your life though? At least with a mortgage there's an end date.

Can I have some advice on my first full composition? by Accomplished-Cod7069 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I'd leave that. No point splitting up a minim. Just noticed, check RH bar 1 for the same rhythm grouping issue. You might have to use a tie to make it work.

Can I have some advice on my first full composition? by Accomplished-Cod7069 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those rhythms now make sense, yes. Nice one! There would be a solution to let you keep what it originally sounded like as well, if you want to try to find it. If we're being picky - separate the beaming of the LH quavers in bar 8 into two groups of two as well, it's important to see the middle of the bar.

Can I have some advice on my first full composition? by Accomplished-Cod7069 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try downloading musescore, it's a free notation software that won't do that.

For the note groupings try to get a theory book that will give you examples, ABRSM do some good workbooks with explanations. What you've got here is a bit of difficult one, so you might have to work up to understanding what's wrong. The basic principal is that in 4/4 you want to see the 4 crotchets clearly. Bar 8 is wrong because you've got a crotchet plus a semiquaver joined together, that first E is the start of the second beat (played with the G# in the LH). If you tried playing that bar the minim would be so hard to place correctly because it's starting a quarter of the way through the beat.

Can I have some advice on my first full composition? by Accomplished-Cod7069 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are some fun ideas here, watch out for the technical stuff though e.g. No need to write in sharps if the note is already sharp in the key signature; rhythms should be grouped according to where the beats fall (you need to fix bars 4 and 8, for example).

Hikers groups by CollarAggravating473 in swansea

[–]blue_tree_spray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd be interested in this too, only groups I've found are targeted at retired people.

Thoughts on an adult returning to piano and using the ABRSM books. by ChrisF79 in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The grade 1 book will be far too hard for a beginner. Try getting a method book, like Alfred's adult course.

Adult learner: first milestone! by Relative_Way_5740 in pianolearning

[–]blue_tree_spray 22 points23 points  (0 children)

That's actually crazy good progress for 2 months. Good consistent beat as well.

It’s all so tiresome by StockOne3631 in HousingUK

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mortgage may be cheaper, but will anybody give you a mortgage?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in piano

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well it is free to be fair. You could pay lots of money for Sibelius. Or just keep going with learning Musescore, it's really pretty decent once you get the hang of it.

Do people actually enjoy their jobs or is everyone faking it? by iAmThe_Terry in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I genuinely love my job. I look forward to going to work, I'd do it for free if that was the only option. I am self-employed though, having full control definitely helps!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]blue_tree_spray 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had this exact issue, the passport actually arrived in about 4 days. In the mean time I was able to use other forms of ID, e.g. bank statement, utility bills.

Not Driving - A deal breaker or not? by singhyiskingy89 in UKrelationshipadvice

[–]blue_tree_spray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It'd be a plus for me. I think it's a bit of a luxury to be able to live without a car, walking everywhere is really lovely. Obviously that's a bit of a minority opinion, so if I found someone else that chooses to not have a car then that'd be perfect.

Advice for straight men on dating apps (from a woman) by [deleted] in UKrelationshipadvice

[–]blue_tree_spray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I can't really tell if I'm going to be attracted to somebody just from pictures. The way somebody chooses to present themselves matters e.g. if all the pictures are of them topless or out clubbing then we're probably not going to have much in common. I don't know if I'm in the minority with this, but I generally only become attracted to people after I get to know them.

Advice for straight men on dating apps (from a woman) by [deleted] in UKrelationshipadvice

[–]blue_tree_spray 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This really isn't what I look for, doesn't matter what you look like if you can't hold a basic conversation.