Rue Des Cascades - Yann Tiersen

La valse d'amelie - Yann Tiersen

I have already posted this before (in an older video of my older posts) but I decided to redo it hopefully to elimate the mistakes that I've done before.

It's difficult to record a peice well done, especially when you find yourself correcting your flaws months after you thought you had the perfect shot.

Keyboard?

You know how everybody thinks that when you reach Grade 10 or ARCT, you should be practicing off of a grand piano? Well, since I'd rather not throw 20k away, I would prefer very much a professional keyboard.

I was looking at the Yamaha S90es, the "perfect combination between synthesizor and keyboard". It was the model I used when I went to the "Electronic Music" workshop at the Art Institute back in 2007.

The piano sounds of the keyboard are recorded off of 'apparently' Yamaha's most expensive grand piano that's selling for some odd 200k. From my experience, it is quite a very nice feeling keyboard; and the sound is almost realistic like a piano!

So I'm currently rummaging through craiglist trying to find a good deal on it, and hopefully I will be able to use this great keyboard for 2k in placement for the grand piano. (I know it won't be a fraction as amazing, but whatever! I'm not about performance anyways, and I'd much rather just play around with the knobs and settings here and there!!).

I have my good old upright Yamaha, anyways, that I'm happy enough with.

Sound Quality

It's horrible on my camera -- the warmth of the piano is totally demolished from the hardwood floor. The sounds of the piano just bouce off of :S This is very fustrating as the music that I play is supposed to sound gentle and subtle, yet after recording sounds very harsh and ugly.

Comptine d'un autre été - Yann Tiersen

ARCT

So I've been thinking about completing my ARCT.. but since I haven't really been practicing anything (technical), I might actually have a really hard time with it. I don't plan on taking any lessons merely because of my schedule at SFU, so will I suffice by learning on my own time?

There's no use in giving up on it right? I've already acheived my Grade 10 Certificate and my Elementary Piano Pedagogy certificate, ARCT should be a peice of cake! (hahaha yeah right)

ARCT is very complex as you need a tremendous amount of theory (History Harmony Analysis and Counterpoint) -- and of course memorized peices consisting of an HOUR long performance over the stretched period of 2 years. This is not you're average course, it's basicly a degree.

I will be choosing my ARCT repertoire soon with my instructor.. and we'll see how this process goes.

Composing

I wish I had the ability to compose!! But NooOOo I don't whatsoever! I actually tried a few weeks ago, and I usually end up giving up or forgetting how it goes (I'm way too lazy to be writing down my ideas when I know they are going to be worthless).

How depressing.

Update

I actually haven't touched this blog in a while (because I've been on my personal blog so much). So I will give an update on what I would like improve on:

1. Yann Tiersen pieces
2. Claire de Lune - Debussy
3. Noctourne in D flat major - Chopin
4. Arabesque - Debussy
5. Sarabande - Debussy
6. Pathetique - Beethovan
7. Moonlight Sonata - Beethovan
8. NEW ARCT PEICES?!