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Scorpio, that was very well done! Great job especially considering that is one of the most difficult pieces in the book!

Jim F, earlofmar, ajames, Johnny D: Thank you so much for listening.

Scorpio, just listened to Amazing Grace again, lovely playing. It's next for me, I hope to get it to sound as good as yours. I am studying theory too so taking a long time in book 1, but nearly there. After revision I don't whether to continue with book 2 or try something else. I see you have taken it up, how is it so far? Or you may not look here now you have graduated.

Thank you Shey.

I have not really started Book 2. Well I have, but not really. Haha.

I will do Book 2 slower than Book 1. I will always be working on an Alfred Book 2 piece, but will venture out into supplemental/additional material. I will be back into full swing next week! By then I will have a better idea how I plan to tackle the next phase.

I will always be checking in on this thread ... it's like home.

Just ordered book #1 , thanks for a great thread, hope
I'm on that grad list someday

Welcome Barry1963! Enjoy every minute of it. Be patient, practice everyday, get your rest (sleep is important), and you will find that you will make great progress. I highly recommend that you record yourself, even if you don't share it. Listening, without playing, is a great way to discover areas that need to be addressed. Of course, getting a teacher is always a good idea.

On that note, here is my last upload for Book 1:

The Entertainer ( https://app.box.com/s/fqd4oqzdt00z34wtlg89 )

Thanks for the welcome Scorpio. I'll use the record myself tip.

Scorpio

Very nicely played Scorpio, you have a nice smooth touch there. Congratulations on finishing book 1, quite a steep curve going from nothing to the end piece so well done. Book 2 has a few interesting and challenging pieces but by applying the practice skills and technique from book 1 should be no problem to you. I should say though I am still on a piece in this book - Chopin Etude, Opus 10 No 3 still eludes me. I do hope to record it soon though.

Barry1963

Welcome to the forum and to book 1 in particular. I would second Scorpio's advice.

Do not lift fingers high, not even in Hanon. Those are outdated instructions from the original edition of Hanon. We understand more now about the biomechanics of playing the piano.

I recently purchased a book (arrives today) just on this topic. I want to be more aware of how the fingers, arms and body coordinate while playing the piano. More importantly, I hope to learn how to reduce tension and strain, and to avoid injury.

The book comes with terrific feedback and reviews:
What Every Pianists Needs to Know About the Body by Thomas Carson Mark

Scorpio, Your "The Entertainer" was very entertaining. Very nicely done. I've decided to go back and make some recordings of earlier stuff up to now. I like the idea of being able, in the future, to go back and listen to what I used to sound like. It also forces one to get the pieces into a more polished state.

PianoStudent88, Thanks for the info. I will not be lifting the fingers. I've been struggling with tension in the hands and wrists and lifting fingers doesn't help with that...

Welcome Barry1963, good luck with Alfreds, hope enjoy it.

AJ

Scorpio, you did a great rendition of Amazing Grace & The Entertainer, thanks for sharing.

Cheers!
Alux

I appreciate that link. I'm always trying to understand physiology better. I have another good book on playing that discusses much about physiology: The Art of Practicing by Madeline Bruser. She gets into things like yoga and meditation. It is interesting and good.
I'm sure you people are interested in playing piano without stress, strain, and injury. Not becoming a physical training coach. A person could study a bunch on physiology. I have had to. I'm no great athlete. I've searched out the best trainer I could find. I have a Coach who could tell you all about the physiology of piano playing. Yet he has never played piano. He understands physiology that well. I would suggest though that people who want to reduce stress, strain, and avoid injury. You might be interested in his mobility. It does a ton for a person. It is a fountain of youth. It isn't exercise either. Just moving your body through all the ways it can move everyday. You'd be surprised what it does for you. More than anything else in exercise, it has made it possible for me to do things like play piano.

Based on that. My biggest problem physiologically in playing piano is the bad habit of extending my shoulders. Piano will seek this out and leave you in ruins. Even though, interestingly, piano ain't any stress weight wise. The best example I can give on extending shoulders is the difference between body builders and athletes. Body builders have extended shoulders and always have problems with their shoulders as a result. They actually build up those extender muscles. Because it looks impressive. But look at boxers and other athletes. Their shoulders are packed. They're down and in.

Scorpio.... I appreciated those pieces. Nicely done.

My teacher and I are at page 108, 109 in the book. I take to those Blues songs easily. Anything with rhythm. We have slowed way down on getting through. The reason is the development of my nervous system/autonomic mind, in playing. It has held me up. Our focus right now is on getting this developed. I can play anything. Doesn't matter what. Just get in that time to get that part of the mind developed. Still, when I play other things. I come back to the book because it is focused on developing this part of the mind. Playing anything else is more sort of a little break. Then back to focus. I'm coming along. My teacher knows this is very important.

I'll be there with you

Londonderry Air from Alfred's All Time Favorites, level 1. Played on Yamaha P105 and recorded using Wavepad (a free program from NCH which is very easy to use). Londonderry Air

I used the 1st ending without a repeat since I thought the 2nd ending was too low.

Struggled to keep the LH soft.

Mad week last week! Arrival of new baby in the family.
A welcome to Barry 1963 to the forum, everyone is so helpful here.
I have had little piano practice and not covered any of my theory practice either over the last week with all the excitement.
Just had a little dabble last night and it was wonderful to get back to it.
I have ordered Masterworks Classics and have some Christmas songs and of course progressing with theory. Along with "Entertainer" and "Amazing Grace" to complete then revision of the AIO book 1, I have plenty to go at. I am very happy since it's not that long ago I posted 'Stuck' and felt quite desperate. So, Barry and any other newbies you are in the right place at the right time when you find yourself here.

Hey y'all!!! My name is Andy and I've just started on book 1 (Alfred's Self Teaching Adult Piano course) in the last week and already up to about page 30. Practice time is usually from the time the kids go to school in the morning until they come home in the afternoon which is nice and quiet. Will also review from the beginning up to where I'm currently at in "the book" until proficiency and muscle memory are adequate.

P.S. Introductory post over in the "Tell Us About Yourself" thread.

Hi again all;

First of all welcome to the newcomers.

And congratulations Scorpio, both for your very smooth recordings and for being graduated from Alfred's 1. Hopefully I will be following you to Alfred's 2 thread soon since I too have some progress to report.

Here is my recording of "The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFZWFMqh_jM

This piece took me a lot longer than I expected. Only the last piece left now, I am hoping the it was not put there to be an end game boss

Well done sydnal, quite a tricky piece I can see why it might have taken you longer than expected. Nicely played the end is in sight

sydnal, Another quality piece! Thank you. Thank you.