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Thanks. It's a fun song. It's the first song I've learned in the key of Ab. I'm not afraid of the black keys anymore.


This is crazy California and we haven't been able to hold church services since the beginning of March (everything has been online or via zoom).

When we were in church I would play a little bit in-between services when people aren't paying that close attention. Even though I've been a pastor for over 20 years and I'm quite comfortable in front large audiences, that doesn't translate to playing the piano. I get terrible performance anxiety. If I had to lead a congregational hymn I would most likely mess it up and it would become a distraction. I'll leave playing for the congregation to those who are more experienced, i.e., have been playing all their lives.

I'd like to be capable of playing more in church, but the ability just isn't there yet. I don't know if it ever will be, but I am happy playing in my limited capacity for now.

God Bless,
David

Hi David
I’ll remind you of what I need to remind myself before I play in public—
The performance is not about you... it is about the music 🎶

thinking of it this way makes all the difference in my anxiety level. ‘ Breathe deep and think of the music ‘

Thank you. I appreciate that.

God Bless,
David

Nice to hear and see your progress Dave.😎

Here is another song from the Praise and Gospel Course. This is a beautiful song called Precious Memories. Duane emphasized elements that would fit with this type of slower meditative song. There was a strong emphasis on dynamics in this lesson. Some of the techniques covered were:

White Noise Duane refers to this as space between the notes to give time for reflection.
Echos
Rolling chords
4/1 and 3/1 breakups
16, 32, and 64 note runs
Chord substitutions

The piano sound for this song is VSL’s Bösendorfer Imperial Grand. I did record the hymnal version of this song, but omitted it from the upload because my internet is very slow and the longer video would take several hours to upload. So here is just the arrangement.



God Bless,
David

Wow! David B, what progress you are making so far! It definitely helps to keep the motivation up (for me)!! I am currently working on the 52 week course - but the dvd can be cumbersome (since it's an external drive). Thank you for posting your videos because then rather than attach my player for the nth time, since I heard Duanne's instructions at least 1-2 times, I can just listen to what you're doing in your videos when just needing that little reminder/hint on how to play certain sections. Awesome work so far! Keep on posting!

Beautiful playing (as always!), David. And that Imperial Grand sounds pretty darn good, too.

Wonderful!

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the 52-Week Crash Course was essential for me to go through. It provided the foundation for Duane's Praise and Gospel Course. I could not have started (as a beginner) with this course. Keep working at the 52 week course and it will payoff.


Thank you for the encouragement. The Bösendorfer Imperial Grand is my favorite VSL offering (and I have them all ).

I wish I could sell all the others. I could use the money.

God Bless,
David

David B,

Referring to your liking the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand sound:

You might find it enjoyable to listen Albert Frantz, American-born concert pianist based in Vienna for 20+ years now. Albert is a Bösendorfer pianist and plays the Imperial Grand. All of the music and instruction on his www.key-notes.com website, as well as his recordings of Alkan and Beethoven, among others, are played on a that instrument.

I'll look him up. Thanks.

God Bless,
David

Now 11 practice sessions, of my minimum 24, into Lesson 8 of the 52 week course. Any song in 3/4 time is getting played with block, broken, 2:1, and swing bass. Those in 4/4 time are being played in Alberti bass and 2:1. That is how I am interpreting Duane's guidance for trying things. It lengthens my practice sessions to 30-40 minutes, still a very comfortable duration for me, as long as I reduce to 2 sessions daily on the lessons. Brain fog sets in as my play migrates toward automaton.

It is interesting how easy it is to play a song that is written in a particular LH pattern, say 2:1, then how much more challenging it become to play it in Alberti, and vice versa. I can play either LH pattern fluidly when those notes are on the paper, but when trying to play a bass pattern that is different from what is written it becomes a challenge, even though I can play the different bass pattern fluidly if that pattern is written. Perhaps it is force of habit; perhaps concentration lapses (like that ever happens to a septuagenarian); perhaps not quite recognizing the chord fast enough in the subconscious yet in its various presentations on the written music. I also tend to lose my RH fluency when switching to a bass pattern that is not on the paper.

LH swing bass, playing the bass note 2 octaves below middle C, is a challenge. It is becoming better, and some passes through the songs slowly are ok, but I still have to feel around for the keys. Time will heal that deficiency. Interesting that when starting to work on swing bass last lesson, I tended to not reach far enough with the LH for the bass note; now that I am gaining some skill, my tendency is to reach too far for the bass note, except in a G7 chord where I still fall a little short and hit the A rather than the G a bit too often. I'm trying to transition from feeling the piano topography to find the notes to ingraining the feel of the jump. Slowly but surely, and any comments or tips are always welcomed.

The emphasis in this lesson (I'm a bit behind on updating my progress) was on applying different styles to a song for different purposes. The first version of this hymn would be played softly in the background when people are praying or responding to an appeal. Duane calls this "Nature Style" because it's supposed to have more of an ebb and flow like the ocean waves or wind in the trees. Major 7ths and suspensions help to create that airy feel.

The second is more traditional with a constant pulse. Consistent swing notes and chording in the left hand help to create a syncopated rhythmic sound bringing a jovial feel to this somewhat solemn hymn. This could be played at the end of a service as people are leaving. The constant rhythm would also be more appropriate for congressional singing.

Thankfully, all the techniques used in these arrangements were covered in the 52 Week Crash Course. The emphasis in this this lesson was more on stylistic approaches rather than technical treatments. That's why I would not recommend this course before the 52 Week Crash Course for a beginner.



God Bless,
David

Sounds great David. I always look forward to listening to your progress. Hope all is well with you and the family.

Peace

Everything is well here. Thank you for the kind wishes and affirmation.

God Bless,
David

Unfortunately, I injured my wrist (fell on some stairs) and had to take some time off. I’m almost 100% now (praise the Lord). I’m continuing on in the Praise and Gospel course. Duane emphasizes that we should apply what we are learning to other songs.

I stumbled across this praise song while I was watching a worship service on TV. I contacted the ministry, but they did not have the music available for purchase because the song evidently had never been recorded/sold. I was able to pluck out the melody and determine the key. I utilized what I have been learning from Duane and came up with my own arrangement for the song. Here is my arrangement of “For Such A Time As This,” originally written by Donna Carline.



God Bless,
David

What you've accomplished over the past several years is remarkable, David. And thanks for all the videos!

Thanks. It's been a fun journey so far. I'd have to say that I think Duane's materials are perfect for what I wanted to accomplish. The 52 Week and Praise and Gospel courses are providing a great foundation for me to build on.

God Bless,
David

Very impressive David. I remember your early postings on the 52wcc thread that your goal was to play spiritual music by ear and make your own arrangements. You certainly have accomplished that and more. Thank you for the beautiful music.

Yeah, that's one of the benefits of Duane's material. You learn to dress up what's written.

God Bless,
David