Saturday 29th January
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| 29/365: yellow pansies |
I'm hoping for a quiet weekend at home. I have a number of friends who are celebrating their "freedom" as if the Covid threat is a thing of the past even though Trowbridge is listed as a 'hot spot' in Wiltshire with numbers currently increasing. I've had a few invites to celebrate but have explained that I'm continuing to be cautious and, while I'm quite happy to make arrangements to meet one or two at a time for coffee in town, I feel uneasy about unexpected visits or bigger groups. I'm hoping that they take notice of what I've said. The friends who called in on Thursday night have kept themselves isolated since the pandemic started so even though they put me on the spot by visiting unexpectedly I classed them as very low risk, but that's not the case with some of the others.
Of course, I've been spending a lot of time playing the new piano. No matter what I'm doing I keep being drawn back to the music room for a few more minutes another half an hour or so of practice and I'm loving it. The keys are fully weighted but the action is much lighter than on the old piano so playing no longer aggravates the arthritis in my hands and I can play for longer in each session. I suppose the novelty will eventually wear off but at the moment I am going with the flow!
I've decided that one of the 'adventures' this year will be to start taking piano exams. I didn't think I'd want to get caught up with the exam trail again but in a strange sort of way I am looking forward to the challenge. I'm in an odd sort of place in that I can read and understand even the most difficult music, have taught myself to play some much harder pieces than I am currently playing (around grades 5 or 6), but am currently learning with correct technique at around grade 1 standard, so I'm assuming that's the first exam I'll do. The thought of doing another music exam is something I still need to get my head round ... it'll definitely be character building but I think there's a lot of fun to be had along the way as well!
There's nothing in the diary for today so it'll be a day of piano, reading, family tree research, and jigsaw puzzling (is that a word?) ... I haven't finished the Christmas puzzle yet!
I agree with you re the risks. I'm delighted not to have to wear a blooming mask, but I'll still shop early in the day when it's quiet, and keep away from crowded places. Having gone through the last two years without catching it, it would be silly to risk infection now. x x
ReplyDeleteI'm still choosing to wear a mask and will continue to have deliveries for the majority of my needs for now. It would be much easier if the powers that be could be more open about the data they are basing their decisions on! xx
DeleteI agree. If I understood the motivation behind the decisions it would be a whole lot easier. At the moment I suspect that public health comes several places down the list, and the items above it are not priorities for me! I am currently bracing myself for a "compulsory" theatre visit next week, which is going to be complicated for all sorts of reasons and I will be glad when it is over. Then next month, a large funeral. The official details are coming by post and I am really hoping they include a request for masks and/or lateral flow tests.
DeleteDoing piano exams sounds exciting! Do you really need to start from Grade I? Surely C can oversee your technique for the first couple of grades, then you could start at III or something? Or do you prefer the reassurance of the piece of paper? Did you do piano exams growing up? What are you like on sightreading?
I hope the arrangements for the theatre trip and also the funeral are sensible and include mask wearing and LFTs. What are you seeing at the theatre?
DeleteI don't 'need' to do the exams but have decided to have a go because it is something that will take me outside of my comfort zone. I don't really need the reassurance of a piece of paper but if I'm taking that route, I want a full set! I didn't do any music exams as a child and didn't start learning the piano until I was in my 40s, and only then started learning properly when I started lessons with C. Before the lessons I was self teaching on much harder pieces but totally agree with C's suggestion to return to the beginning and learn the technique in easier pieces. It's definitely working and I can see the improvement myself. Also, because I've only ever played single line instruments before I've never had to consider chords etc, so learning the piano now makes a lot of the theory much more meaningful. My sight reading is good but the best news is that there is no sight-reading requirement in online music exams!!
My comment misfired. I quite understand why you'd like to do exams and are learning like a beginner. No criticism intended or justification required, sorry!
DeleteIt's better if I email about the theatre.
Absolutely no need to apologise. I didn't see anything you said as a criticism or feel that I had to justify my decision to restart or to take exams. We're still friends 😀😀😀
DeleteI'll look out for the email.
I think it is a very good idea to start at a lower grade because it's important to get that technique sorted out. At least you won't have to mug up on that theory, worry about the ear tests (assuming they still do them) or actually learn the notes of the scales.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the weighted keys suit your hands and wrists so much better.
Have a lovely, gentle day.
xx
The difference in the weight of the keys has made a huge difference to my playing and I think progress will be quite a bit quicker from now on. The aural tests are still used by ABRSM but other boards test on different skills. C uses a relatively new board (can't remember the name of it) where there is a choice of aural/singing or playing the prima part in a duet. I think you do still have to play scales but I already know them so will only have to work on playing hands together.
DeleteHope you have a lovely day too xx
I agree with you on the social gatherings. I've had to turn down an invitation to attend a birthday party for my cousin's grandson. It won't be a small family gathering and I am not willing to risk being among so many others with our Covid numbers being as high as they are! However, I am planning to visit friend A, this weekend as she has invited us over; just a short, masked visit, I told her.
ReplyDeleteHave fun playing your new piano! I can't imagine sitting for exams, but, if you want to try then, more power to you! :)
I don't blame you for deciding to give the birthday party a miss. The USA numbers are quite scary aren't they? I feel it's time to start socialising more but there are safe ways to do it so avoiding big groups and opting for much smaller gatherings, as with A, is the way to go. I hope you have a lovely time visiting with her.
DeleteIt's my year of 'adventures' and I was looking for things that will take me outside of my comfort zone ... music exams definitely fit the bill! It's a digital (online) exams which helped with the decision. It's unlikely I'd be as keen if it was an in-person exam!
That's good that playing your new piano is more comfortable for your hands. I can understand you keep being drawn to your music room. Seems silly of me to say this now but enjoy your weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThe relatively pain free playing is a benefit I hadn't thought of, but am delighted that it has proved to be the case. I hope you have a lovely weekend too xx
DeleteI'm still wearing a mask in shops. I'm really pleased that you are having fun with the piano. Exams can be a great framework for expanding your learning, so go for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyssa. I think I will enjoy the challenge of exams ... in a strange sort of way.
DeleteI'm still wearing my mask when I go out as are a lot of people, I was pleased to see.
I'm glad you are enjoying your new piano. The exams sound like a good challenge.
ReplyDeleteI am still being careful. I don't like large crowds so staying away from them isn't that difficult for me. I don't mind getting together with a couple of people but I like to hope they are as careful as I am, but I know that's not always the case. I still wear my mask in shops. I haven't ever stopped even though it's not been compulsory here for a long time. I have noticed that more people are wearing them again now.
Thanks Sharon, I'm loving everything about it! I'm hoping the exams will be fun.
DeleteIt sounds like we both have the same approach to the situation. I'm okay about meeting friends one or two at a time, but more than that is a step too far at present. It's interesting that you've noticed that more people have started wearing masks again. I wonder if that will happen here.