Briefs Encountered - Fabulous Read from Julian Clary!

Masterclass With Concert Pianist Philip Fowke - Practice Tips for Pianists

On Saturday 14th January  I had the priviledge of meeting the British Concert Pianist Philip Fowke at St Hilda's in Oxford.  Philip is respected and admired worldwide as one of Britain’s most distinguished pianists.


Can you imagine how nervous I was to play in front of such a genius on a concert Steinway at the Jaqueline Du Pre buildinhg auditorium.  I had chosen to play Oscar Petersons Jazz Exercise Number 3.  Fantastic piece but a bit challenging for my little hands.


Well I didn't disgrace myself, one bar fell apart (which never did at home) but overall I was pleased.  


There were 6 of us brave souls who played for him out of a class of 15 and I just wanted to record in this blog the general practice tips that were given to us.

1. Quote "There are 3 important factors to playing the piano well, fingering, fingering and fingering!"
2. When you make a mistake in practice or in front of your teacher, stop there and then and leave your hands on the keyboard!  That way you can see clearly how the mistake happened.  
3. When isolating bars to work on - memorise them with correct fingering - "Take the music away!".
4. When mistakes occur - why always go back to the beginning and try again? You will get a perfect beginning but not much else!
5. "When you do not know the piece inside out, the piano keys are playing your fingers, not your fingers playing the piano.
6. Don't circle problem notes on the score - Triangle them! Danger!

Philip was extremely witty with his advice.  Its such common sense, but how many of us just play through our music without engaging our brains and delivering a sub standard performance.  Our concert pianists spend 6-8 hours a day practising their craft.


So in conclusion, practice is practice not a performance.  It shouldn't sound pretty, infact it should sound blooming awful or your not doing it properly.  Like anything else in life its hard work, but the rewards can be amazing.


So off I go back to Oscar, to sort out my fingering in the bar that wasn't secure and let me down.  Instead of playing it swung im going to play some of it straight like Philip suggested to add some more colour.

It Was Fun To Be A Nun!

Between November 29th & December 2nd I took to the stage once more at Salisbury City Hall in the Salisbury Amateur Operatic Societies production of "The Sound of Music".  I played the role of Sister Margharetta!  It was so much fun. The Wimpole did take some getting used to though and I think I have "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria" etched on my brain for ever.

Here I am with my sisters from left to right me, Berthe and Sophia.

Here I am before the straight jacket Wimpole. Oh dear - I seem to have lines on my forehead!

What ever will I be up to next? To be revealed soon.

Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society presents the Gondoliers!

Im so behind on my blog.  Life just gets in the way!  Just found a picture of my second performance with SAOS in May 2011.  Gilbert and Sullivans "The Gondoliers"  It was an amazing production directed by the charismatic and dynamic Alistair Donkin.  My first insight into G & S and I had an absolute ball.  My favourite production to date!

Singing in the Rain

This is such an iconic picture!

A tribute to the final Harry Potter Film!

As I await to see the final instalment of Harry Potter, I reflect on my visit to Harry Potter World in July 2010.

Im a huge Harry Potter fan and was so excited when Harry Potter World was finally completed in time for our Disney Florida Trip last year.

What was slightly surreal was experiencing snowy Hogsmeade in the +100 degree heat!

And there waiting for us was the Hogwarts Express!

As you can see the outside of  Hogwarts Castle is amazing!  

I queued for 1 1/2 hours to experience the inside of the castle, (bit disappointed), and the Castle ride.  (So scary, I had my eyes shut for most of the time after the Dementor flew at me!).

It was a great experience, and im so glad I got to see it, but it really needs to be a larger park and here in England where it should be!

JK Rowling Take Note Please!

My Italian Holiday Read.

First day on the beach in beautiful Tuscany armed with this book and from the very first chapter I was hooked.  There were lots of intertwining plots to keep me from putting the book down for long.  I warmed to the leading character, unlucky in love Anna, who buries herself into her media law career.   The media law covered in this book helps you understand the darker side that can be encountered by high profile celebrities and the lengths that media lawyers have to go to keep their clients out of the papers!

Although Anna is central to the story, there are many other characters with a story of their own.  I enjoyed how all the plots eventually came together for the inevitable happy ending, but I must say that you do keep guessing right until the end.