PianoTell Recital #2 Is Now Live!

BicBic Interesting! It's clearly Scriabin, but I haven't heard a Scriabin piece this slow. I think it's in better shape than maybe you think. I like your phrasing and you apply rubato well. I personally would try and lighten the right hand when the left has the melody. But as it is, I enjoyed listening!

Cratersmash Sounds like fun. The way you play is very exciting! Are you playing this for a performance? It's a lot to have memorized. You're understandably playing very percussive in the first section, but I'd like to hear more smoothness in melody. The second part is much nicer with the smoothness, but I'd prefer an even softer touch (easier said than done, I know). Allegro section: The whole thing sounds difficult. I hate playing repeated notes! The build-up to fff is a little too soon for my taste. In general, you're much better at playing fff than ppp (I was the same when I was younger) so I would work on the softer sections more. Thanks for sharing, I hope you participate more on this site!

Sophia

Thanks! I bought my digital piano on a whim, without knowing where it will lead me. I’m glad 10 months later I am still enjoying the journey. Having furry listeners is a must!

WieWaldi

Smaller battles are easier to win! And thanks to Faber for arranging study materials that way. One of the YT teachers I follow said something to the effect that it’s best to just love whatever piece on the music stand and try to play it as beautiful as one can. I take that advice to heart.

Nightowl
Gooseberry
Sgisela
navindra
Sam

Thank you for listening and your very kind words!

ShiroKuro iternabe Very nicely played！And I love how you have the video set up!

Thank you! I set the camera in a way to best show my wrist/hand/fingers to spot any problems (and it has!) So it’s a nice bonus that people seem to like the video end product, too. It’s in fact not difficult to setup at all with OBS software. I mounted all my camera permanently, so I can always record by simply pushing one button.

rsl12 iternabe your sense of rhythm is really good! I'm curious what the first recording sounded like, because the liberties you took in this one were subtle (and nice).You sound very much in control, and it seems like you are very ready for the Level 2 books.

BicBic
MarieJ

In the first recording, every note was exactly on the beat. Also there was a lack of connection/flow between notes. It sounded percussive when I listened to it. So I paid more attention to the legato, and in the second phrase, I tightened the first measure just a little and lengthened the second measure’s long note to have some push and pull in rhythm. I am glad you feel the effect subtle - it felt more when I was playing, which seem to corroborate some forum post that sometimes one need to exaggerate to make the effect come out just right.

rogerch iternabe — O mio babbino caro
Well played! I like the way you emphasize the melody while keeping the accompaniment subdued. Nice ritard at the end!

Thank you. Keeping the left hand soft is something “Let’s Play Piano Method” YT teacher always saying. It does not come natural for me. And I still find myself not doing it enough when listening to play back during practice.

plop_symphony iternabe — O mio babbino caro

Wow, that's a really nice piano sound. It seems like you're very good at controlling your touch.

It’s Pianoteq’s Bösendorfer straight out of the box. I like the sound, too.

Pathbreaker

When I started the companion book, I did not expect to play every piece in it. But then I quickly realized finishing method book one and being able to play level one pieces are not the same thing. The challenges in each short piece just pulled me in. I am really glad I learned them all.

I have just started Faber’s Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Book 2. The journey continues!

lilypad

Thanks! I am a fan of Faber’s arrangements, too!

Thanks to those who’ve found kind words on my submission - @Sophia, @Nightowl , @Gooseberry, @Sgisela , @rsl12 , @rogerch , @Sam, @BicBic, @lilypad , @MarieJ , @Pathbreaker , @HeartKeys and @SalmonJack . And also thanks to everyone who listened.

As promised in a recent post of mine in this thread, I would include my thoughts for the submissions that specifically stated in their comment policy, for constructive criticism [thus I omitted the ones that didn't specifically say so]. I'll preface by saying I was very impressed by this recital, so it's no surprise there's an overwhelming amount of kudos!

If I missed anyone (for constructive comments), let me know and I'll provide you my feedback as well!

iternabe — O mio babbino caro
Very impressive for learning for only 10 months. The mechanics are solid and on a good trajectory. One area to consider is adding some slight tweaks in the rhythm. I think you aimed for that here, so keep that going!

plop_symphony — The Midnight Ball
Nice work especially with your dexterity. I noticed your posture seems a bit slouched. Hard to tell exactly, but I usually see folks leaning in more, versus back. While it's not entirely relevant to your performance, it's something to call out (in case there's more comfortable position! )

WieWaldi — Quick Five Blues
There's a lot of soul in your playing. If you're comfortable, consider speeding up the playing, as that can add more fun and pizzazz!

Sophia — A Classy Rag
Good "communication" between your left and right hand! I think the left hand can be slightly softer/quieter, but otherwise, there seems to be a nice dynamic between the two. Reminds me of when people have good "conversations" between their LH and RH with Bach pieces.

Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement
Nice playing, and you make that ES920 sound amazing. I'm struggling to think of any critical comment... maybe could add a very slight more reverb, as your playing is so full (in a good way), that allowing some of that richness to extend moreso can give it even more effect, for this very emotive piece.

Cratersmash — Sonata No. 3 in A Minor
Impressive playing. I don't know Prokofiev music much, though one suggestion I have is, the first chords you play can be slightly softer, as it sounds like it's pushing the volume to the max of the speakers. If this were recorded with an acoustic, my suggestion might be moot.

TC3 — Worried Life Blues
Bravo with this duet of piano and vocal. I think your vocal can add some reverb, so it'll distinguish itself from the piano tones. And feel free to scream/shout more in certain parts. This song seems to be suitable for that!

@SalmonJack — Bliss Ten
Very enjoyable, your composition. I recommend to hold certain chords longer, to let the effect last longer, e.g., at the 7:00'ish mark. Also, the boat ride is fun, just keep in mind for those who might have motion sickness watching it

@rsl12 — I am the very model of a modern Major-General
Splendid work on this. Your technique is quite solid. Feel free to add more silliness in the voice, which currently is great accompaniment, though you appear more relaxed with the hands and keys.

@navindra — The Entertainer
Nice work here. As you wanted feedback about the tuning and sound of the piano, I thought the tuning was fine, though the high C you were playing has that harsh brassy tone everytime it's being played. Perhaps some voicing on that string?

Overall, I greatly enjoyed all the submissions! And it was hard to find much to critique about, so some of the nitpicky stuff I mention above is my best effort to provide something, anything