One problem this website has is that it does not list the composer of pieces played in the Statistics > Pieces performed section (@YM - Bummer, leh). So a quick way to search this particular website is to do something like this on Google Search (or you can also type this straight into the Address Bar on Google Chrome):
Type in - site:thepiano.sg digest zimmer
The... See More
One problem this website has is that it does not list the composer of pieces played in the Statistics > Pieces performed section (@YM - Bummer, leh). So a quick way to search this particular website is to do something like this on Google Search (or you can also type this straight into the Address Bar on Google Chrome):
Type in - site:thepiano.sg digest zimmer
The above example will search for all instances of Hans Zimmer pieces mentioned in the digests of thepiano.sg. You can check out the search results for the above example over here.
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Wow wow wow! How did it go? How's the crowd on a Sat afternoon? ? |
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It was a success! We were hoping to see you there! |
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I'd love to support you guys! I'm now based overseas, however. Keep it up! ? |
What if you are handicapped; can you learn to play the piano? Or if you become handicapped; can you continue to play the piano?
Check the comments below to learn more about these inspirational pianists in short documentary-like segments. Add anyone else that you might know below too. Thanks.
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I think in Singapore, there's this Purple movement or something. |
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There's a event called True Colours Festival now. Is it related to this topic? https://truecolours.sg |
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Sure, it is. Thanks for informing! |
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I attended the inaugural True Colors Concert and was humbled by the performances; the participants are all handicapped in some way. There was a pianist from Singapore - Azariah Tan - he's... See More I attended the inaugural True Colors Concert and was humbled by the performances; the participants are all handicapped in some way. There was a pianist from Singapore - Azariah Tan - he's almost deaf - but he played Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu very well. Other performances hailed from across the globe; with one other pianist (Seong Il Kim), violinists, excellent singers, talented dancers, a digital orchestra, and even an enthusiastic Children's Choir. It was an excellent night that I will not soon forget! |
This is addictive! ??
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Saw the pianist smiled at 1:18 mark there. Nice!! |
Just wondering how many in the group are adult learners (regardless of the level) who either (i) start playing piano or (ii) start taking piano lessons, as an adult?
I am one. :)
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Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or... See More Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or say you miss the score for Rangoon primary school's school song, or something like that. In summary, e-resources are still pretty weak when it comes to music scores IMHO. But not too shabby in the theory department. Better to just go to the Esplanade Library to browse through and borrow from a wide range there. |
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Looks like I should make a trip there soon. Never thought I would go there. Haha. |
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Pauline, are you taking private piano lessons, or you go to music school? |
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Mabel, I'm taking private piano lessons. |
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Thanks for asking! It surely must be one of these: Top 10 list from... See More |
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Haha. Certainly a list of very popular CNY pieces. I think 新年歌儿唱 should be in the list too! |
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Mine would be 大地回春! But didn't hear this piece played very often this CNY period leh. Anyone went to River Hongbao? |
I've always known this piece by Emil Chau. Didn't know it has a Japanese origin!!
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Btw, my favourite has been 风雨无阻! Hahaha! |
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Siew Tin, are you taking formal lessons now? I noticed you have played so many pieces, when I looked at your profile. |
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Yes. Mi try no play repeat pc during ?meetup^+^ |
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That's really an impressive "personal rule" you have. No wonder you've a long list of pieces!! ? |
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"One instrumental development in Beethoven’s reign was the development of piano music and hence, the development of his piano sonatas. It is in my opinion that it is in these 32 that we see a beautiful series, each sonata carrying a crucial role in the evolution of music. And if we ever compare the 1st and 32nd sonata he wrote, it would seem that 2 different people have composed them."
... See More
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"One instrumental development in Beethoven’s reign was the development of piano music and hence, the development of his piano sonatas. It is in my opinion that it is in these 32 that we see a beautiful series, each sonata carrying a crucial role in the evolution of music. And if we ever compare the 1st and 32nd sonata he wrote, it would seem that 2 different people have composed them."
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My personal favourite is Sonata No. 17 in D minor, the 3rd movement. Simple motif but engaging. |
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Hi Soo Hin. Thank you for your reply. Yes, it is a simple and engaging motif and i believe that would be the tempest sonata. Ah, but unfortunately, I do have some prejudice or I guess "some beef"... See More Hi Soo Hin. Thank you for your reply. Yes, it is a simple and engaging motif and i believe that would be the tempest sonata. Ah, but unfortunately, I do have some prejudice or I guess "some beef" with that particular sonata (which explains why I didnt include it in any of the articles). But we have own preferences and the right to preference (some say that my personal favourite sonata, the Appasionata and particularly the 3rd movement sounds like a mouthful of notes that is not constructive, and I thought this should be applied to Liszt). |
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Zhi Yuan, we are all open to discussions. ? Would you like to share why you have "some beef" with Tempest? |
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Hi Soo Hin. I think it for that sonata, i feel it is just a mouthful of notes especially so for the development of the 3rd movement, a style that is evident in most of his middle sonatas. All of a... See More Hi Soo Hin. I think it for that sonata, i feel it is just a mouthful of notes especially so for the development of the 3rd movement, a style that is evident in most of his middle sonatas. All of a sudden everything sounds unconstructive. Yeah... i dont think its the best thing he has written and i dont particularly enjoy pieces with the same characteristic (Hint Hint Liszt Sonata) |
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"Since Beethoven’s time, the face of music changed forever. Beethoven made it possible for one to break the traditions of music. And by casting away the dogmatic conventional approaches of music from the past, great composers after Beethoven (many of whom modeled their own compositions after Beethoven) carried on his legacy of musical innovation. Other composers too inspired others to push the boundaries of music and the... See More
Thank you, Tea Zhi Yuan, for your contribution of this article.
"Since Beethoven’s time, the face of music changed forever. Beethoven made it possible for one to break the traditions of music. And by casting away the dogmatic conventional approaches of music from the past, great composers after Beethoven (many of whom modeled their own compositions after Beethoven) carried on his legacy of musical innovation. Other composers too inspired others to push the boundaries of music and the cycle of inspiration goes on and on till present times. And true enough, the cycle will still continue; the music of today: Pop, Rap etc. will irrevocably inspire a new music movement."
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Wa.. Mr Tea, thanks! Enjoyed reading both of your articles. Btw, what's "Tea" in Chinese? Hehe. |
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Hi Mabel. Glad that you enjoyed the articles. haha. you have to be the millionth person to ask me for my chinese surname! Care to take a guess? hint its not 茶 |
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Closest I can think of is "Tay", so I guess it's Zheng? |
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Bingo:))) yeah my chinese surname is zheng. |
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Listening Live with a group of concert goers definitely feel different altogether. That said, I only attend concerts selectively. If you're a fan of Yiruma and haven't been to one, I guess... See More Listening Live with a group of concert goers definitely feel different altogether. That said, I only attend concerts selectively. If you're a fan of Yiruma and haven't been to one, I guess you could take the chance. |
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Been seeing a lot of this concert's advertisement on the TV recently. |
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Yup, I noticed too. What's the cheapest ticket? |
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Think it's $98. |
The Chinese New Year (农历新年) is a very important festival that is celebrated by the Chinese populations in many Asian countries, like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Philippines. During the celebrations, many popular Chinese New Year songs are sung, including "Gong Xi Gong Xi" (恭喜恭喜). The fact that it uses the minor key is the oddity, because minor key songs typically project sadness and loneliness. Why is Gong Xi Gong Xi written in... See More
The Chinese New Year (农历新年) is a very important festival that is celebrated by the Chinese populations in many Asian countries, like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Philippines. During the celebrations, many popular Chinese New Year songs are sung, including "Gong Xi Gong Xi" (恭喜恭喜). The fact that it uses the minor key is the oddity, because minor key songs typically project sadness and loneliness. Why is Gong Xi Gong Xi written in the minor key then?
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wa, this is wow! I've taken this song for granted, did not know it has a dark past. |
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This 1946 audio of 恭喜恭喜 sure doesn't sound happy at all - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2oXuzvbGuA |
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Gavin, oh my.. it sounds really unlike the happy CNY song we always know. ? |
Can this be done - 3 months to train a person (with a little play by ear knowledge) to play jazz on a piano professionally? Yes. Ryan Gosling in La La Land. "And his performance was impeccable... 2nd day of shooting."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7szilgmvaeQ
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Omg!! Is this possible!?!? ? |
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But this will be a rote learning process, no? |
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Precisely. Ryan memorized a couple of pieces, then he put in some showmanship and pizzazz for the camera. So, would you rather memorize just a few pieces or learn everything about music theory? It... See More Precisely. Ryan memorized a couple of pieces, then he put in some showmanship and pizzazz for the camera. So, would you rather memorize just a few pieces or learn everything about music theory? It depends on your ultimate goal. Both works just as well, but you just have to have the right aptitude and attitude. |
Looking for a FREE 550+ page book of classical masterpieces? Try this link at IMSLP.
Alternatively, you could go to the Esplanade Library, borrow this truly heavy book and heft it to a Pianover Meetup.
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Here are another few IMSLP gems: Here are another few IMSLP gems: |
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I'm amazed! How did you find all these? |
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I got tired of downloading individual pieces and started looking for collections or anthologies on IMSLP. Plus I actually carried a 550 page book from the Esplanade to URA Centre, so I am NOT... See More I got tired of downloading individual pieces and started looking for collections or anthologies on IMSLP. Plus I actually carried a 550 page book from the Esplanade to URA Centre, so I am NOT doing that again. And while I'm at it, why not share. |
The pianos at URA are slowly deteriorating week by week. Will we ever be going to another place for our meetups? Like maybe with the all important milestones - session 60 and Xmas coming, we need some place else special.
Here's an article with all the pianos for play in Singapore.
http://www.buro247.sg/culture/art-and-design/play-me-im-yours-singapore-...
... See More
The pianos at URA are slowly deteriorating week by week. Will we ever be going to another place for our meetups? Like maybe with the all important milestones - session 60 and Xmas coming, we need some place else special.
Here's an article with all the pianos for play in Singapore.
http://www.buro247.sg/culture/art-and-design/play-me-im-yours-singapore-...
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Nice! Any idea when the pianos are open to public? |
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At Pianover Meetup #68. If I understand correctly, we are officially "opening" them to the public. Join us! Check the details here:... See More At Pianover Meetup #68. If I understand correctly, we are officially "opening" them to the public. Join us! Check the details here: https://www.meetup.com/singapore-piano-lovers/events/247023769/?_cookie-... |
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https://www.thepiano.sg/piano/event/2018/02/pianovers-meetup-68-tanjong-... ... See Morehttps://www.thepiano.sg/piano/event/2018/02/pianovers-meetup-68-tanjong-... Unveiling!! And got free vouchers to be given out!! |
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Haha... Didn't notice the voucher. Am here because I got a chance to share music and to establish a portfolio regardless of mistakes or not. |
Thank you Gavin for contributing this article.
"Video game music transited through several phases. Chiptunes were predominant in the 80s, while the 90s brought digitally synthesized music, MIDI, and pre-recorded music that could be streamed during gameplay. Today, video game music has matured like fine wine; you can now have beautiful soundtracks presented with a full orchestra and even couple that with Dolby Stereo playback. This first part shall explore some of the music from the... See More
Thank you Gavin for contributing this article.
"Video game music transited through several phases. Chiptunes were predominant in the 80s, while the 90s brought digitally synthesized music, MIDI, and pre-recorded music that could be streamed during gameplay. Today, video game music has matured like fine wine; you can now have beautiful soundtracks presented with a full orchestra and even couple that with Dolby Stereo playback. This first part shall explore some of the music from the role-playing game genre."
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Yayy!! Looking forward!! Woww.. is the 3rd article related to this topic? |
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Not at all. |
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Hehehe, good time to reveal the title? |
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It's something to do with the "Piano Concerto". |
I might be asking a silly question. But how do you polish your piano? And how often? What about the white and black keys?
Something I've noticed : pianists who are good at sight reading are generally not so good at playing by ear or improvising, and vice versa. I wonder why. (Because two different parts of the brain are utilized?)
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Haha, can see that this can be a "war" between sight-reading and play-by-ear. But I think we can discuss with educational benefits. One simple example that sight-reading will survive is... See More Haha, can see that this can be a "war" between sight-reading and play-by-ear. But I think we can discuss with educational benefits. One simple example that sight-reading will survive is because composers want their works to be reproduced correctly. Maybe a piece played by a single instrument can be reproduced by a person with great ears, but a film music typically comprising many instruments would be better reproduced with scores. I've always looked at scores with thick chords, maybe both hands playing about 8 notes together, and wonder how someone can pick these 8 individual notes out easily by ear. It's quite obvious which side I'm on. |
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Not really a "war" but more a "divide". In fact I was invited to delivery a talk on this topic at one of Pianovers's special meetup at the Bliss House some months ago. In the talk I mentioned each... See More Not really a "war" but more a "divide". In fact I was invited to delivery a talk on this topic at one of Pianovers's special meetup at the Bliss House some months ago. In the talk I mentioned each serves a different set of purposes, and the merits and shortcomings of each. If you are keen I can email you the slides. |
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Another vital insight to share with regard to play-by-ear is as follows. If we treat classical/art music as THE genre, then of course sight-reading carries heavy weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm a... See More Another vital insight to share with regard to play-by-ear is as follows. If we treat classical/art music as THE genre, then of course sight-reading carries heavy weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm a classical music specialist (among all genres) and I advocate all music learners go through at least the main classical repertoire. However, the world of music is more than the classical genre. We have several other genres of music whereby "scores aren't available" for such pieces because of the nature/context of things. For example, traditional folk music of several countries/regions such as Greensleeves (England) and Sakura (Japan) - we can't really traced their original composer. And even if we are able to, most of them did not pen their works via the 5-lined stave. Many could be played/sung throughout the generations/eras. And if we need to rely on scores to play such pieces, we can only find specific score versions done by specific ARRANGERS. So we are playing someone's arrangement, instead of its original version (which has no score). Play-by-ear and improvising/arrangement skills of us (as pianists) are thus coming in handy for such purposes. Even in the mege-genre of pop music, and also other genres like New Age music and Soundtrack music, many composers don't create the stave notations - they only produce the final product (the audio track). As such, music score transcribers start to earn some market share by notating these to various degrees (which again is subject to their own "arrangement"). So in this context, wouldn't it be better that we play by ear? |
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Black cat or white car, as long as it can catch the mouse, it's a good cat. Using this philosophy, it doesn't matter the method to learn, as in the end, you achieve your aim. Of course,... See More Black cat or white car, as long as it can catch the mouse, it's a good cat. Using this philosophy, it doesn't matter the method to learn, as in the end, you achieve your aim. Of course, your aim might be different from me. |
Music as art? Will Synthesia redefine music for the modern era?
Imagine a piano piece embellished with more than 100,000 notes for art's sake. Can we play it? No. But a computer sure can!
Here is a Christmas Black MIDI piece for you. BLACK because if you were to print out the score, you'd smear the whole paper black with the "thousands of" (or sometimes "millions of") notes.
Is this visual artistry perhaps just a passing phase?
... See More
Music as art? Will Synthesia redefine music for the modern era?
Imagine a piano piece embellished with more than 100,000 notes for art's sake. Can we play it? No. But a computer sure can!
Here is a Christmas Black MIDI piece for you. BLACK because if you were to print out the score, you'd smear the whole paper black with the "thousands of" (or sometimes "millions of") notes.
Is this visual artistry perhaps just a passing phase?
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To achieve the snowflakes effect you see in the video, you only need to copy and paste a group of notes resembling a single snowflake. To displace the snowflakes across the horizontal axis, you... See More To achieve the snowflakes effect you see in the video, you only need to copy and paste a group of notes resembling a single snowflake. To displace the snowflakes across the horizontal axis, you only need to transpose these groups. |
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I can't keep up with the everything flying here and there. Lol! Who in the world has the time to make this kind of song?! ? |
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I am hoping it will be Generation Z, Alpha Generation and beyond, who will take any form of music and make it into a visual spectacle. |
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What did I just see!? ? |
The use of classical music in classic cartoons started in the 1930s and spawned a whole new learning process for children and adults alike. For example, an episode of Tom and Jerry, the popular cartoon depicting the cat and mouse in a perpetual chase, titled The Cat Concerto, features one of Liszt’s works - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.
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The Rhapsody Rabbit (Warner Bros) was released a few months before The Cat Concerto (MGM). Both studios accused each other of plagiarism. But today, both studios have merged. Talk about irony!... See More The Rhapsody Rabbit (Warner Bros) was released a few months before The Cat Concerto (MGM). Both studios accused each other of plagiarism. But today, both studios have merged. Talk about irony! |
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In truth, Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 was featured in way too many cartoons. Take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/... See More In truth, Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 was featured in way too many cartoons. Take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1laz-7C2KM |
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Mabel, I didn't know there is a bugs bunny version! Hehehe, nice! |
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Wow, I watched this before! Nice! |
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That would be music by Danny Elfman. If I can dig music from The Simpsons, then I must say I will love this piece too. If you google the right words, you can even... See More That would be music by Danny Elfman. If I can dig music from The Simpsons, then I must say I will love this piece too. If you google the right words, you can even download it. |
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❤music expresses what words cannot say |
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Hahaha, I'm still not competent enough to play it. Will work hard towards it! Meanwhile, Gavin and Jia hui, you both can play during the pianovers meetup! ? |
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Merry Christmas! Are u going to the countdown party for pianovers? |
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Unfortunately, I cannot, because I was overseas. Hehehe. I saw your video performance on that day. Great performance! |
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Thank you for your encouragement! Lots of area for improvement unfortunately.....hope to see you in a meet up soon, maybe we can discuss more on performance tips? |
One of my favourite piano pieces - Eyes On Me, from Final Fantasy 8. ?
Loves Faye Wong's voice for this piece too.
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I have played some FF7 a long time back and just a bit of FF8 (as a preview). Can't wait to finish playing them once again. |
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I see. Haha. I don't play Final Fantasy. Only know of this game because of Eyes On Me. |
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Same, Mabel, I also don't play this game. Didn't even know it was from final fantasy. hehehe. |
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I went to check out some songs from the Final Fantasy series after I read this post. I think To Zanarkand is great too! Suteki da ne from FF10 as well. Great to share pieces here. I get to know... See More I went to check out some songs from the Final Fantasy series after I read this post. I think To Zanarkand is great too! Suteki da ne from FF10 as well. Great to share pieces here. I get to know some interesting pieces from the sharing. Keep it up!! =) |
The book Absolutely on Music
was purchased this year . For the price
I paid, I thought more people can benefit from reading it besides my family. Anyone who is interested in it can borrow from me. Will gladly bring it out in the next meet up.
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Great to find another fellow piano concertos lover, Jia Hui! Hope you are able to attend my talk on Analysis of Chopin's Piano Concertos - The Formalism Way, The Expressionism Way and the... See More Great to find another fellow piano concertos lover, Jia Hui! Hope you are able to attend my talk on Analysis of Chopin's Piano Concertos - The Formalism Way, The Expressionism Way and the Referentialism Way. |
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I was planning to write an article on Piano Concertos. Might be able to glean something from this here book. |
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Ok! Am bringing the book tonight. Let's talk more over food tonight. I am indeed very interested in piano concertos. Let's talk more on violin concertos too......especially Izhak Perlman who is... See More Ok! Am bringing the book tonight. Let's talk more over food tonight. I am indeed very interested in piano concertos. Let's talk more on violin concertos too......especially Izhak Perlman who is playing the violin.? |
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I saw the pictures from the chalet. Food, wine, friends, and music!! So happening! Great community! *Thumbs up!! Hope you all had a good discussion about the concertos at the chalet. Hehe... See More I saw the pictures from the chalet. Food, wine, friends, and music!! So happening! Great community! *Thumbs up!! Hope you all had a good discussion about the concertos at the chalet. Hehe. So nice to share and support each other. |
OMG! I typed in "Bach" and it coughed out JS Bach, JC Bach, Offenbach, and Leybach. Hooray, now I can easily research to play a new piece that's not been heard by Pianovers before. Thanks a... See More
OMG! I typed in "Bach" and it coughed out JS Bach, JC Bach, Offenbach, and Leybach. Hooray, now I can easily research to play a new piece that's not been heard by Pianovers before. Thanks a million!
I just tried the feature! Useful!! Thumbs up! I tend to search sometimes by composer too.
Thanks! The new feature is indeed very helpful.
And even though it reads "Frédéric Chopin", you can just type "Frederic" ignoring all the diacritical marks, and the search engine will still give you a proper search result.
I guess, the... See More
And even though it reads "Frédéric Chopin", you can just type "Frederic" ignoring all the diacritical marks, and the search engine will still give you a proper search result.
I guess, the only minor problem is that the search engine can't parse hanyu pinyin (not that I'm asking for that feature).