Alfred's Adult All-In-One Piano Course: Level 1

I've now learned the F Major chord for the left hand with "I'm Gonna Lay My Burden Down", and then for the right hand with "Waltzing Chords".

Next up was moving on to G position, and practicing the melodic and harmonic intervals with "Love Somebody" and "A Friend for You". I'm happy to report that on that 2nd piece, after quite a bit of practice, I finally had some success with the suggestion from Lets Play Video Methods to try connecting the moving notes in the chords.

Then it on to learning the sharp sign with "Money Can't By Ev'rything!". I didn't have any issues with this one, so I focused on the dynamics and phrasing. The phrasing in particular, because I still keep having to remind myself to lift up between phrases. I'm wondering if this is something that becomes automatic with time.

The last thing I worked on was A Leschetizky solution. What really shows up here when I do these exercises is that both my pinkies, but more so in my right hand, tend to get 'stuck' when going from extended to curved. From what I've read it's called trigger finger. It seems one of the possible causes may be due to arthritis. I've been diagnosed with 3 types of arthritis, so it's something I'll just have to deal with.

That's it for now with the Alfred's book. I'm now going to get cracking on a supplemental piece for the 40P challenge.

I learned a couple more chords since my last update: G Major and D7. The practice pieces in the lesson book for these included "The Cuckoo", "Harp Song", and "Liza Jane".

The most challenging one was "Harp Song". Mostly due to adding in the pedal and getting the up and down timing right. But also, for some reason, it felt more awkward to play the D7 chord in 3rds than as a whole. I kept missing or slipping off the F# until I eventually got the hang of it.

Ah the Harp Song. My first encounter with the pedal. Can you tell I'm pedal obsessed? It's true But it's one of those skills that take a minute to learn and then a lifetime to master. I love it!

Congrats on your progress!

Thank you, @Sophia. I'm envious of your obsession with the pedal. I wish I could say I was looking forward to more pieces with pedaling, but I'm not feeling it at the moment.

Sophia It was a good read. First time I've heard that story. Though, to be fair, in my elderly years I do sometimes forget things. In any case, I love the enthusiasm. Maybe I, too, will one day have a similar eureka moment.

Kaydia Maybe I, too, will one day have a similar eureka moment.

Haha, yeah, you never know. Might as well have fun with our hobby, right?

Oh, just wait until they stop putting the pedal notations on the score. Then youse guys will really be having fun.

Sophia Haha, yeah, you never know. Might as well have fun with our hobby, right?

Absolutely!!

Player1 Oh, just wait until they stop putting the pedal notations on the score. Then youse guys will really be having fun.

(I'm going to pretend you're being sincere about the "having fun" part.) Sounds good. Looking forward to it.

@Player1 Once upon a time I had a Gordon LIghtfoot album. Brings back memories. Anyway....

I read the comments and saw her reply to someone where she said, "It should be assumed for music at this level that the sustain pedal should be used tastefully (i.e. change the pedal with harmony shifts)." Per my googling, a "harmony shift" could be a chord change. That sounds helpful. But I can imagine it's not that simple.

Well, for now I'm grateful for the pedal markings so I have the visual to help coordinate my hands and feet.

Kaydia

As you progress you'll find it actually is that simple. You'll hear the harmony shifts as well as how the harmony gets muddy if you don't lift when you should.

But for now, just follow the book. It'll lead you to where you want to go.

Player1 As you progress you'll find it actually is that simple. You'll hear the harmony shifts as well as how the harmony gets muddy if you don't lift when you should.

But for now, just follow the book. It'll lead you to where you want to go.

That's good to hear. Thanks again for your help.

I'm working on two pieces at the moment; "Beautiful Brown Eyes" and "Alpine Melody".

I started with "BBE" and thought I had it down fairly well when I wrapped up my practice yesterday. But today I thought I'd run through it one more time, and when I did that it all fell apart. So it for sure needs more work. My 2 biggest issues are hesitations between the chord changes and timing the pedaling to be after, not on the note. I'm having the same issues with the other piece, "AM" as well.

It's time to focus on focused practice! And slow practice. Slow, focused practice.

Kaydia Well, for now I'm grateful for the pedal markings so I have the visual to help coordinate my hands and feet.

I have those scores without pedal markings, but I put them in myself on places where there is some irregularity - where I either need more pedal changes, or less. It is not difficult, you'll learn to hear it very well.

Animisha I have those scores without pedal markings, but I put them in myself on places where there is some irregularity - where I either need more pedal changes, or less. It is not difficult, you'll learn to hear it very well.

I'm glad you said, "learn". It'll be great to one day hear what other people are hearing when they leave comments on videos where they're offering pedaling critiques/suggestions.

Kaydia This day will come!

Two more pieces completed: "Beautiful Brown Eyes" and "Alpine Melody". Basically was just more practice with chords and pedaling. On these two my chord changes took longer to smooth out than the pedaling did. Admittedly, by smooth I mean playing the chord in time, not necessarily that the 3 finger chords always sounded as one. Looking at you D7 in the RH!

Congrats on your progress Both very sweet pieces, you might find yourself revisiting them quite a lot.