classical_music | Another introductory post

You're viewing

classical_music
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: site light

espresso_addict posting in

classical_music

Hello, everyone! I stumbled across this comm at random and was surprised to find it's so new. Looking forward to interesting discussions, but meanwhile... My three favourite composers are JS Bach, Stravinsky & Steve Reich, and I also listen to a lot of contemporary classical, 20th century eg Bartok & a handful of earlier composers. I love contemporary opera, choral music, string quartets, cello, &c&c.

I've very recently started to play the piano again after a 30-year hiatus, but am finding it hard work on my own. I was also hoping to take up choral singing again, but find my voice -- always problematically placed between soprano & alto -- has shrunk to nearly nonexistence.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

used_songs

I love Bach's music. It's so satisfying and visual.

From:

espresso_addict

I never tire of Bach. Satisfying is a great description.

From:

twistedchick

My voice has come and gone several times; I am working to get it back after two years of illness and not singing. It takes time, and easy (nonpainful) vocal exercises, and it does not have as wide a range as when I was younger, but it can return, a little lower than before.

From:

espresso_addict

Thanks, that's very good to know. What kind of vocal exercises do you recommend?

From:

twistedchick

There is a book of voice exercises by Vaccai (I think Nicolo, but could be wrong). It is little melodies with Italian words that includea all the intervals; they are simple to learn. It comes in all ranges -- high soprano, soprano, alto, etc. -- so get the one that fits what you can sing comfortably. And then try singing a little of it each day.

From:

espresso_addict

Thanks, I will try that! They sound more fun than scales.

From:

twistedchick

The main thing is to warm up a little first, sing gently and not for too long, and stop while it still feels and sounds good. If you can warm up with a little bit more range than what you're singing in, that helps. If not, do what you can; it will come. Just don't strain.

ETA: If you search online, there is a site that will sell you the exercises one at a time. The printed music is much less expensive than that, and handier to use.

Edited Date: 2017-05-11 03:03 am (UTC)

From:

espresso_addict

Thanks! There looks to be a free online version here.

From:

lilacsigil

I'm also returning to piano after a very long break (20 years for me) and it's difficult! My hands no longer remember exactly what goes where - my brain says "octave!" and my hand perfectly places itself in a seventh.

From:

espresso_addict

When the digital piano was delivered I was having extreme trouble playing anything because I was off in the same direction as you -- to the point I thought my childhood piano must have had smaller than average keys! (It was an 85-key piano, so it wasn't as off the wall a thought as it might seem.) I did some hand stretching exercises and now find the opposite problem: I call 'octave!' and my hand gives me octave plus one.