Hobbies!

[phykell]

Piano

I have a tutor who I see every two weeks or so. I'm doing approximately 30 mins a day and more at the weekend - nothing like enough for what I'm playing really but I don't have any time.

It can be very exhausting and frustrating - I'm sure I've lost a bit of sanity on my current work piece - a Beethoven sonata, the ubiquitous Tempest. I'm going through phases of liking and hating it but at least it's always a good prelude (npi) to jumping on the exercise bike as I'm then warmed up and ready

Piano can be so rewarding but sometimes it's just about gritting your teeth and working through a piece, hoping that the results will justify the means.

Other than that, just reading really.

[phykell]

Originally Posted by Takhisis

Reading and ratties (and rat shows) are the only things I can think of to count as hobbies.

LOL, rat shows

I actually thought of you whilst watching Breakfast TV the other day. They had a beautiful pouch rat featured that apparently sniffs out land mines, etc. They're considered to be excellent at the job - I bet they've prevented many deaths and serious injuries

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by phykell

Piano

I have a tutor who I see every two weeks or so. I'm doing approximately 30 mins a day and more at the weekend - nothing like enough for what I'm playing really but I don't have any time.

It can be very exhausting and frustrating - I'm sure I've lost a bit of sanity on my current work piece - a Beethoven sonata, the ubiquitous Tempest. I'm going through phases of liking and hating it but at least it's always a good prelude (npi) to jumping on the exercise bike as I'm then warmed up and ready

Piano can be so rewarding but sometimes it's just about gritting your teeth and working through a piece, hoping that the results will justify the means.

Other than that, just reading really.

May I ask how long have you been learning? and ar eyou doing grading?

[phykell]

Originally Posted by Mondo

May I ask how long have you been learning? and ar eyou doing grading?

I've been playing since I was very young and did all my grades back then

[Wryel]

Originally Posted by vix

I think most of you will have gathered that motorsport is my big hobby! I own a sprint car with Phil and compete in the Toyota Sprint Series, so this takes up most of our time tweaking the car and competing, as well as doing trackdays for practicing.

Did I talk to you about this at the '06 Essex meet?

[iCraig]

Can you play I Don't Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats?

That's my aim. I'm learning the piano to play *that* song. Once I can do that, I'll be happy.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by phykell

I've been playing since I was very young and did all my grades back then

Oh wow, then you must be a pretty competent player, i wish i could just get to a point where i can sight read.

[phykell]

Originally Posted by Mondo

Oh wow, then you must be a pretty competent player, i wish i could just get to a point where i can sight read.

I know people say it all the time but it really is just practice. Try just playing with your RH at first and train yourself to spend more and more time looking at the music whilst you're playing. In that way it's like typing at a keyboard. If your fingers learn where to "find" the keys, it's that much easier to concentrate on what's happening with the music. Also, just do the RH first and do small sections at a time.

Even the best pianists have to repeat and repeat until they get it down. There's an interview with a well-known pianist where the interviewer is asked to sit down (at the pianist's home) and wait as he's just completing his practice session. The interviewer expresses surprise at the pianist when he finally enters the room because he's heard the guy playing, at most, just a few bars of some piece. He asks (politely) why so much repetition. The polite answer from the Maestro is that he always practices like that - "to achieve perfection one must practice beyond competence".

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by phykell

I know people say it all the time but it really is just practice. Try just playing with your RH at first and train yourself to spend more and more time looking at the music whilst you're playing. In that way it's like typing at a keyboard. If your fingers learn where to "find" the keys, it's that much easier to concentrate on what's happening with the music. Also, just do the RH first and do small sections at a time.

Even the best pianists have to repeat and repeat until they get it down. There's an interview with a well-known pianist where the interviewer is asked to sit down (at the pianist's home) and wait as he's just completing his practice session. The interviewer expresses surprise at the pianist when he finally enters the room because he's heard the guy playing, at most, just a few bars of some piece. He asks (politely) why so much repetition. The polite answer from the Maestro is that he always practices like that - "to achieve perfection one must practice beyond competence".

I do realise that, that's basically how i can touch type, i never took any course or lessons. With the hours i spent on doing essays and MSN was how i learn how to type. Obviously that is much easier being i spent hours on the computer practically everyday. If i spend that much time on the piano i am sure i would be competent too.

[Greedo]

Oh some quite interesting ones just reading the thread. I'm just a typical geek so films and my xbox keep me occupied when i'm not at work.

I've been looking at getting into something else recently, and i've been needing to travel more with my work so i'm looking into learning to ride a motorcycle. Would be great to get a bit more freedom, just need to get round to booking my cbt at some point.