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Hi, Key Notes. I have been out of pocket for a couple of days, putting in long hours at a (potential) customer. Sorry for the delay here.

Is your question still on the table? I do recall some VERY specific things I did on the fingering that made this piece much easier, for me. The recommended fingering for a lot of ARB simply didn't work for me.

Without looking at the music (and my notes thereon), I would say what clicked for me was mercilessly pounding on that phrase in the middle of the piece... the "that's just... the bestest band what am" portion. I did a "Chuan Chang" on that part, which means (based on the recommendations in the "Fundamentals of Piano Practice" book) I played that part, in rapid repetition, over and over and over again, over the course of many evenings. Once that was down, and once my own fingerings became cemented in muscle memory in other places, it came together quickly.

All told, I spent about 3 weeks on it.

If you're interested, I will get the music tonight and tell you what adjustments worked for me.

Well someone needs to stand up for this poor, maligned piece. I for one actually enjoyed playing La Bamba. Oh sure, I hated it at first, and yes it took some time to get down, but once I was able to play it, I found it a fun piece play.

Undone

Well, it's not perfect but here is my recording of Space Shuttle Blues.

http://www.box.net/shared/slr6yy1en0

It's a recording day! Here's my Theme from Solace.

http://www.box.net/shared/v1zqczr6vd

.

In all honesty, I think you nailed it. Your rhythm and tempo is superb, along with dynamics etc. Great, great job! What are you thoughts regarding La Bamba, going to give it a try or no?

Well someone needs to stand up for this poor, maligned piece. I for one actually enjoyed playing La Bamba. Oh sure, I hated it at first, and yes it took some time to get down, but once I was able to play it, I found it a fun piece play.

Undone

Well, it's not perfect but here is my recording of Space Shuttle Blues.

http://www.box.net/shared/slr6yy1en0

It's a recording day! Here's my Theme from Solace.

http://www.box.net/shared/v1zqczr6vd

I posted a blog entry on this where I say more about it than could possibly interest anyone except my mother. If you're curious...

http://aw2pp.blogspot.com/2009/06/theme-from-solace.html

For the sake of this discussion, I will say it took a great deal of discipline to keep the tempo of these piece to a "Slow Marching Tempo". And to be honest, I was not entirely successful in this regard. Nevertheless, this recording represents a reasonably good effort for me, at this point. If I played it 10 times, it would be this clean, oh, maybe twice.

I remember hearing the recording you posted long ago: it was absolutely spectacular. This is how I first knew of your talent at the piano. Perhaps, if I would have had more skill I would not have abhorred learning it; yet, again, If Alfred's wishes to throw in a "challenge piece" I would hope they would choose something like Hava Nagila or the Etude. It is only an opinion however, and only valid as such.

http://www.coinmanipulation.com/misc/music/SongWithoutWords.mp3

AWTPP – Great job on the Theme from Solace! This is another one of my favorites from Book 2. Have you ever listened to the complete Joplin piece (Solace: A Mexican Serenade)? It’s really something.

Undone