wow. to you - it takes talent and real hard work at least to get distinctions.Blobbi wrote:I loved scales and the various exercises even. There was a ... spatial symmetry that I loved. My teacher was the typical, rap your knuckles, didn't like modern music type, but that was fine with me actually. I just loved Chopin and disliked Bach even though that was probably the most symmetrical, hmm. There is this feeling of being in tune with the music that one can achieve with enough practice (maybe become delirious, haha!). But as I got older, it became a real chore having to balance schoolwork, reading (I was a junkie), and practicing, and I started to dislike it. Plus I was, em, "advised strongly" to take up French which took up a lot of time. So I saw Grade 8 as the final end. I made a pact with my parents and, well, I guess I held up my end of the bargain pretty well.
Psst buds, can't be me lah. Think I can manage chopsticks or Fur Elsie if I'm forced to now, but nothing else!
you reminded me of how much I loved scales. but unlike you, i loved bach. only did well for scales and bach. lousy at aural. but somehow good at singing.
I scraped a grade 8 (even teacher said I should be thankful i passed and trust me, I WAS so thankful) and can play pachelbel's canon (real melodic piece huh) and sight read chords but that's about it today! negotiated with parents to stop at grade 8 to concentrate on O levels.
But today I'm glad that they put me through a piano education. and that i somehow persevered through it.
hubby tahan until grade 5 and stopped. but he plays So Much Better than me today and can play by ear, and almost anything he's heard. beautifully. i guess in some ways i wasted my parents' money.
when i was studying there were many music students in the same dorm. I'd swoon whenever i was in the laundry room cos of the beautiful music coming out from the music room next door. do laundry slowly....