Worked on the Entertainer and Amazing Grace. I am glad we will have a lesson beforehand. Both seem very difficult.

Hi Laura,
I practiced Scarborough Fair, Raisins & Almonds and He's Got the Whole Wide World in His Hands today. I will work on them again before our lesson. Say, what about me putting some notes on the music? The left hand moves around so much on He's Got the Whole Wide World...I can't keep track.
Oh, the practice room smells so bad today. That drain is pouring down something awful.
Oh well, at least it is not hot out today.
Kevin B.

I have two weeks and five songs!

Hi Laura,

I have started practicing 3 songs this week: Scarborough Fair, Raisins & Almonds and He's Got the Whole Wide World in His Hands. That will leave just The Entertainer and Amazing Grace-which I will perform as my concert pieces.

Kevin B.

Working on Greensleeves and Jericho today

Hi Laura,
I am working on Greensleeves and Jericho today. That 7Th raised tone G# does sound weird, both in the exercise and the musical pieces.
See you Thursday.
Kevin B.

Just worked on the Mexican hat dance song

It was tough but I am getting through it. Wow, those extended 4 finger chords are hard. Hope your Easter went well. See you Thursday evening.
Kevin B.

I'll shot for 7:00pm

Hi Laura,
I'll shot for 7:00pm; That way if you can come a little earlier the better for both of us. If not, that will give em 15 to practice. I could use it as you know.
Kevin B.

Today

Well, so far I haven't heard back from anyone! I suppose that means more people are probably going home early than I thought. Since I don't know if other people are planning on attending, I'm going to get there around the normal time and stick around to see if anyone else shows up. I'll be there at 7:15. Does 7:15 work for you? It's at least a bit earlier! At any rate, I'll see you sometime tonight.

Laura

Thursda

I will most likely take you up on that- I am waiting to hear back from a few people about their availability on Thursday. Is there a deadline that you need to know by? If not, I'll make sure to get back to you by Wednesday at the latest.

Want me a little earlier Thursday evening?

Laura,
I was thinking, if all of the other students are going home early, for Easter break, I can get to campus as soon as 5:30 pm. Let me know if that works.
Also, I have been working on Why am I Blue and the F Major Scale for both hands.
Take care,
Kevin B.

Good luck with Bye Bye Birdie tonight!!!

Hi Laura,

Good luck with your production. Hey, I saw Music Man and the parents all thought their kids were great. Seriously, I bet it was a lot of work but it will all come together.

I have been practicing and I am working on the Marine Hymn. If I can find Anchors Away, Off We Go (into the Wild Blue Yonder) and The Caissons Go Rolling Along. Perhaps I can play for my dad at his nursing home. (It is down in Montrose, on the grounds with the VA Hospital, and it is all Veterans at this facility.)

I noticed a four finger LH chord on page 72. It was [D,F#,A, and C].

G major scale. Good, that it is not in one of the pieces on these pages. We can see it and try to get used to it before we need it. I think?

Well, enjoy this weekend and see you next week.

Kevin B.

3/26/09

Just a quick not reminding you that there's no class tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions about your practicing. Enjoy your week, and I'll see you in April!

Working on Joy to the World

Laura,
It is funny that this piano lesson book didn't really start to introduce scales until this section and right before this piece of music.
I am finding it a little hard to get my practice in with the issues concerning my dad and the fact that I just contracted gout. (Wow, very painful!) But I will try. see you this Thursday evening 7:45 pm
Kevin Bergin

Sorry for not posting

We had to put dad in a nursing home this week. Sad enough, but the money is almost as sad. I will be there tonight for my lesson and I have practiced a little bit Tuesday and today.

This week

I haven't heard from you this week- not that that's bad- but I know you were having problems accessing the blog. Let me know if you get this!

Blow the Man Down is more challenging

Laura,
Blow the Man Down is more challenging than I thought. Simple the chord changes are not identical for both hands. (Quarter note on the RH and half note on the LH, etc.) I am going slowly here.
Hope you trip went well last week. See you Thursday 7:45 pm as scheduled.

Funny to play RH G with 4 position

I am so used to playing G (RH) with my pinkie but I see why they want it done with the ring finger-so I can reach the A easily.
I spoke with a classmate yesterday and she said unless you post otherwise there will not be class tonight. Therefore, good luck with your event.
See you on 02/26/09 at 7:45 pm unless I hear otherwise.

Alpine Melody

Working on Alpine Melody. The Major C chord is hard with the RH. I will work on it over the weekend. See you next Thursday at 7:45 pm.

Wow, foot pedal and hand position changes

Beautiful Brown Eyes is tough! Bad enough to change hands but to remember when to place your right foot down, on the pedal, is a bit confusing.
I will see how far I get back Thursday.
Also, Laura, read this on cell phone marketing:

"Heads up - this is true.
REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this week
REMINDER... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies this week and you will start to receive sale calls.

.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 1-888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.. It takes about 20 seconds."

Starting to play Harp Song one Octave up and one down

Octave up is okay. Little harder one Octave down??? the pedal is something I have to keep remembering. See you Thursday 7:45 pm. I will dress in layers.

Working on the Harp Song

I have just finished practicing at DCC on the Harp Song (page 37). It is interested that some very pleasing pieces can be made up of all broken cords-although I think that last note: G on the RH needs a bigger finish, don't you?
Even though the Damper pedal is not that big a deal it was hard to remember to lift and return after the 4Th measure in each line. I am sure that will come over time.
The main reason for this posting is the D7 chord on the RH. Funny, the D7 is easier on the LH. (Strange since I am a rightie.). Here I really have to slide the fingers towards the back of the keys just to make it work. More on that Thursday evening. I will try and practice again tomorrow so we will see if I have anything else before class.

So interersting concerning the fingering of the F Major Chord!

At first I did not notice that the 3rd finger, on the right hand, moves up to play the F note. I was not doing that but I will work on it now.
I am currently working on When The Saints Go Marching In with the LH melody. It would be cool to come to class Thursday evening and move right from RH Melody to LH melody on the same piece. That is what I am working on now.
See you at 7:45 pm Thursday.
KEVIN B.

Working on hand position

Will continue and practice more pieces.

Thank you for inviting me to your blog! Happy practicing and blogging!