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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 10, 2006 16:06:22 GMT
Ey up - one of my girls is playing this... She plays with great dynamics, articulation and style. However, she's a bit slow. From memory, I think it's marked (composer's) at minim=88, with a note at the bottom to aim for minim=72 in the exam. She's currently at minim=50 and gives a really good performance. How much should I push her to speed up? Clearly I don't want it to become uncontrolled, but similarly I don't want her to be penalised for a plodding performance. Where is that happy medium?! I have posted this in *TOP* but the only reply so far didn't make any sense! Something about all pieces being a risk...
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Post by chocolatedog on Jun 10, 2006 17:45:20 GMT
Have you tried metronome games? Find the speed she's currently comfortably at then push the metronome up a single notch, and get her to play it again. If successful, push it up another single notch and try again, and so on until she hits a speed where mistakes or stumbles/unevenness creep in, then take it back a single notch and practise at that speed a few times before trying to push up a notch again. Quite often before you know it, you've crept up maybe 10 notches on the metronome without realising, as each time the speed increase is almost imperceptible......
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 10, 2006 18:32:26 GMT
We've been doing that the last couple of lessons, problem is she's not very good at continuing it at home! Just wondering roughly what speed is 'unacceptable' to an examiner? Piece of string, etc, I know! We have four more lessons, so I shouldn't be worried just yet
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Post by princessmoose on Jun 10, 2006 22:01:05 GMT
I have posted this in *TOP* but the only reply so far didn't make any sense! Something about all pieces being a risk... You expect replies in TOP to make sense? ...gosh you are asking a lot ;D.
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Post by Steve Hopwood on Jun 11, 2006 12:12:02 GMT
Ehup SuzyMac 72-76 is a good speed for this piece - kids can control it and include the detail. Any slower and it starts to 'plod', and the slower it gets the more ploddy it becomes. I have just played some of it at 50; to be honest, it felt as if it were going backwards. It is slower than the slow practise I told Victoria and Amy-Jo to do last year. So yes, you do need to help her speed it up substantially. Happily, she has mastered it through all the slow practise she has done, so speeding up should be easy. Try playing the right hand with her as she plays the piece, gradually increasing the speed. No, thinking about it, try jumping to a more appropriate tempo in a couple of goes first, then do it gradually if this does not work. Steve Ps That is because the sensible ones are posting here instead. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 11, 2006 21:08:35 GMT
Cheers I'll let her know she *will* manage it at 70+. She will be pleased Quite ;D
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Post by princessmoose on Jun 11, 2006 21:59:22 GMT
Hope your student does ok Suzy .
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 18, 2006 20:40:58 GMT
Weeks to go: 2-and-a-half Speed attained in this week's lesson: minim @ 58 We're getting there 72 sounds fast, I've had a go!
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Post by Steve Hopwood on Jun 18, 2006 21:23:26 GMT
Weeks to go: 2-and-a-half Speed attained in this week's lesson: minim @ 58 We're getting there 72 sounds fast, I've had a go! Playing this in my head to the ticking of a clock - just about works. She might even do well this speed if she includes some good contrasting dynamics and articulation. Kids at grade 3 are not expected to play at lightening speeds, after all ;D So, if she can't get the extra speed, then compensate with attractive detail. Steve
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 18, 2006 21:32:09 GMT
Her articulation is beautiful. I'm very proud! Will keep you updated
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Post by Steve Hopwood on Jun 18, 2006 21:37:58 GMT
Her articulation is beautiful. I'm very proud! Will keep you updated Wonderful. I know the piece is marked to be played rh staccato throughout, but experiment with some legato in the midle section. The bar with the lh chord F-Ab-C-Eb is a great example. Try this: - play the preceeding quaver C's staccati - the succeeding Eb-D-C Eb-D-C pattern legato - the following E-G-E-C staccato The whole of the middle section can be treated in this way. Kids of mine who have done this have gained great marks. Steve
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 18, 2006 22:05:35 GMT
Her articulation is beautiful. I'm very proud! Will keep you updated Wonderful. I know the piece is marked to be played rh staccato throughout, but experiment with some legato in the midle section. The bar with the lh chord F-Ab-C-Eb is a great example. Try this: - play the preceeding quaver C's staccati - the succeeding Eb-D-C Eb-D-C pattern legato - the following E-G-E-C staccato The whole of the middle section can be treated in this way. Kids of mine who have done this have gained great marks. Steve That's exactly what we're doing! Yay Playing that bit pretty loud and then echo-ing. Good to know it's been appreciated
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Post by Steve Hopwood on Jun 18, 2006 22:09:09 GMT
That's exactly what we're doing! Yay Playing that bit pretty loud and then echo-ing. Good to know it's been appreciated Brilliant. The girl will do well
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Post by SuzyMac on Jun 23, 2006 8:19:44 GMT
Update... Days to go: 14 Speed in this lesson: minim @ 64! Pushed her up to minim @ 68 to see what happened...and the dynamics disappeared! She's going to find them for next time Thanks for the advice everyone - I'm now much happier she'll make it!
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Post by princessmoose on Jun 23, 2006 9:47:18 GMT
That's great, she's getting there .
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