Player1 The keyboard is at table height. I know it looks awkward but it's my legs that are oversized. I don't want to raise the height because then I won't be able to play a standard acoustic piano.

I saw TC3's comment and felt the same way when watching your recital - you look very cramped and speaking as a tall person who has lower back issues I am concerned that your playing position is not doing you any favours. If you are set on getting an acoustic one day that is your choice, but as you have said before they tend to all be a standard table top height, so this issue may not be resolved if you go that route and cannot accommodate your long legs in a comfortable position.
Digital pianos are much lighter and even if yours is within its own case it would be possible to make it higher.

Also, are you sat on a decent piano bench or are you perched on the edge of the bed? I was struggling a bit previously, as I did not have the right height chair to play comfortably, but since I bought myself a sturdy piano bench and set it on the highest setting to accommodate my long legs I am now much more comfortable when playing piano. Apologies if this comes across as nagging you a bit, but I would hate you to exacerbate any back issues you may already have (as so many of us tall folk do).

@ShiroKuro @MarieJ @Sam @lilypad - Thanks for all your kind comments, I appreciate them very much.

"Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

    Player1 The keyboard is at table height. I know it looks awkward but it's my legs that are oversized. I don't want to raise the height because then I won't be able to play a standard acoustic piano.

    There are times when I feel like Schroeder and his toy piano.

    There should be some room for adjustment that's worth exploring to achieve maximum comfort. And I think comfort is quite important in the long run.

    Acoustic piano's standard keyboard height is 29.5 inches from floor, but it can vary between 27.5 to 30 inches. I've seen them put on casters which would raise them another inch or so. There is a limit for raising the piano though because you don't want the pedal to become too high from the floor.

    You can also try lower the bench, and sit farther away from the keyboard. This should help as long as your arm is not too short.

        TC3 — St. James Infirmary
        I really liked that arrangement, your chosen tempo, and your performance, too. Was there any reason you recorded this with the Zoom rather than the Roland’s recorder?

        iternabe — The Trout
        That was so well done! I’m really impressed that you’ve reached this standard after only 7 months. The Faber books seem to have some really interesting arrangements.

        ShiroKuro — Nuvole Bianche
        One of my ‘favouritest’ of Einaudi’s compositions! Thanks for bringing us this one, ShiroKuro; I’m so I’m glad you didn’t miss this Recital. If only MY practice recordings sounded as good … 😞

        lilypad — Manhattan 1928
        I definitely have had the same thing happen - the harder I try for a ‘perfect’ recording, the less likely I am to nail one. More pleasant music from Faber - that was most enjoyable.

        TheBoringPianist — Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18
        Wow - wonderful! Congratulations on making it to the finals. (How can anyone learn so much, and play so beautifully, in 6-7 weeks?!)

                    Rob — Sunday Morning
                    What a sweet composition. The AI image fitted it perfectly, too. A standing ovation!

                    diretonic — Borrowed Blues
                    It may have been only ‘a last minute morsel’ - but what a delicious one! Terrific!

                    Rubens @Josephine — Waltz Op.70 no.2
                    A refreshing collaboration with a highly successful outcome - a fun project. Encore!

                    twocats — Rustle of Spring
                    A lovely piece indeed, with a magnificent piano to showcase it. I’d say you managed a more than adequate preparation in the limited time you had at your disposal.

                    navindra — Bluebird
                    Ahhh - Alexis Ffrench! 🥰 And the video! Loved the setting, loved the performance, loved the camera angles. A polished finale to an outstanding first Recital - magnifique!

                                Thank you for the very kind words to Nightowl Sophia rogerch TC3 ShiroKuro Sam BicBic rsl12 lilypad and everyone else who listened.

                                rsl12 For a beginner piece, it's pretty long,

                                Honestly, this piece isn't that long. It just repeats :|| haha

                                lilypad I lived in a remote area with no TV reception when the show aired. From the little bits of the show that I've seen, I'd have to be the Cookie Monster.

                                I remember the Muppet Show when I was a very little child. Was always afraid of the big monster puppets. I loved the cookie monster, too - he was just chasing cookies in a very childish way. My favorites were Beaker and Miss Piggy.

                                TC3 ...That’s a good tune to pull out if people put you on the spot and say “Oh, you play piano? Play something for me!”

                                Unfortuntely, I can't. This one I played by read-playing only. The muscle memory might be there, but I don't remember the first note to start with. For playing something out of nothing, I have Linus&Lucy 🙂

                                                          MarieJ St. James Infirmary
                                                          I really liked that arrangement, your chosen tempo, and your performance, too. Was there any reason you recorded this with the Zoom rather than the Roland’s recorder?

                                                          Thanks! Yes, my cellphone 's mic isn't very good but I can plug the zoom into it and get some good quality audio that sounds like you're more or less standing in the room, and then I don't have to mess with splicing in the audio later Also, the quality of the Roland's sound comes from the seven speaker system and the sounds board and chamber, which resonate acoustically, rather than the direct sound on its own. Thanks for asking!

                                                          Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                              WieWaldi Unfortuntely, I can't. This one I played by read-playing only. The muscle memory might be there, but I don't remember the first note to start with. For playing something out of nothing, I have Linus&Lucy

                                                              That's good too!

                                                              Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                                iternabe

                                                                It really comes down to 2 things; comfort and utility.

                                                                The world is at 30" - 36" from the floor. Even common things like chairs aren't built for people my height because most chair seats are 16" - 18" from the floor and I'm more comfortable at 18" - 20".

                                                                Changing my little corner of paradise to be something different from the uniform world standard only means that when I go forth to do battle (aka; go to work) I have to adapt to a different universe than what I'm used to. It can be done, but why put yourself through that if you don't have to? Especially since the constant change could cause physical stress which could lead to injury.

                                                                I'm comfortable and not causing myself any injury. That it looks awkward isn't a reason to change anything.

                                                                  TC3 my cellphone 's mic isn't very good but I can plug the zoom into it

                                                                  Wait, do you mean, plug your Zoom recorder into the cellphone?? I have a Zoom (Handy H4 whatever it's called) and an iPhone, can I do that??? What do you use to plug the Zoom into the phone? That would be awesome!

                                                                  • TC3 replied to this.

                                                                      ShiroKuro Yup! My zoom h4n pro plugs into my phone with a USB cable. There's info in the manual about it (don't have that handy at the moment) for settings and such. Then you just select the mic input from whatever app you use on your phone to record video. Make sure the app is recording at the same sampling rate as the zoom or the sound will come out funny. Easy peasy!

                                                                      Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                                        @TC3 what kind of phone do you have? My iPhone only has a usb-c plug in, but I assume I could get an adapter..... definitely worth looking into!

                                                                        • TC3 replied to this.

                                                                          ShiroKuro I have an android, also USB, I have various cables and adapters lying around, I think the zoom has the antiquated USB mini b, would have to check to be sure.

                                                                          EDIT: Here's a cable.

                                                                          Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                                            @TC3 ghansk for the link! So the left side in that photo goes in the as zoom and the right side into the phone?

                                                                            My iPhone is older so it’s not usb-c but I think there are adapters… I will have to check!!

                                                                            • TC3 replied to this.

                                                                              ShiroKuro Yep! They just plug right into each other.


                                                                              Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                                                Rob Very nice composition and well played, lots of heart in this piece.

                                                                                • Rob likes this.

                                                                                  @TC3 Thanks! I'm a little concerned about adding one additional adapter (bc it will be the zoom, the USB-C, and then the USB-C to lightning cable), since that sometime introduces lag, but it's worth trying!

                                                                                  • TC3 replied to this.
                                                                                  • TC3 likes this.

                                                                                    ShiroKuro An adapter shouldn't add latency. It's just a straight up electrical connection.

                                                                                    Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.

                                                                                      I have seen visual lag when connecting multiple PC monitors (in that case, I switched to a better HDMI cable and it was resolved) so that's what I was thinking about.

                                                                                      Anyway, I will see what I can do and let you know how it goes! I just realized I already have a USB C to lightning adapter, and according to my quick search, I can get a boom stand for less than $50 so... 😃

                                                                                      • TC3 likes this.

                                                                                      Calavera Chrono Cross - Scars of Time - Well done! You conveyed the richness of the music and made the piano sound as much like a full orchestra as it' is possible.

                                                                                      rsl12 Always Chew Your Food - That was great fun to listen to and I love your piano style. I listened to the linked original and recognize the band name as the name of a book by Ricard Brautigan. I think I read all his books that I could find when I was young.

                                                                                      TC3 St. James Infirmary - Absolute classic blues piece! I particular like where the arrangement moves from bare bones at the very beginning and then launches into a sophisticated arrangement. Nice dramatic ending also. Great choice and well played.

                                                                                      iternabe The Trout - Congratulations. As a beginner you have an exciting journey ahead of you. From the quality of your playing, I'd say you're off to a good start.

                                                                                      ShiroKuro Nuvole Bianche - The music sounds very familiar; almost as if it's been used in a movie soundtrack. I'm not an audiophile, so your recording sounded fine to me and your playing, as always, was lovely.

                                                                                      TheBoringPianist Prelude, Fugue et Variation - Very impressive performance. I can see why you made the finals. I've really enjoyed your thread on your piano competition experience, especially the joy of mingling with fellow pianists and your remarks about all being on team piano. I joined a piano Meetup group last year ago and love it.

                                                                                                    lilypad St. James Infirmary - Absolute classic blues piece! I particular like where the arrangement moves from bare bones at the very beginning and then launches into a sophisticated arrangement. Nice dramatic ending also. Great choice and well played.

                                                                                                    Thanks for listening! Yes, it's a neat arrangement. I decided to forgo any pedal for the first part and then use it for the second half, I think that added something to the shift in tone halfway. Thanks again!

                                                                                                    Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.