The
term ‘classically-trained musician’ carries real kudos. It somehow implies rare genius.
In truth, it is someone who has been taught classical playing techniques, music
theory, harmony, composition and history. Learning involves the study of
classical composers and their respective works.
I
am, therefore, by definition, a classically-trained musician. Weekly lessons began
at the age of nine, and I spent eight years in a perennial cycle of practice,
revision and (fifteen) Royal Schools of Music examinations in both theory and individual performance.
Then, it seemed like all work and little play. Today, the opposite holds true.
Playing techniques that were painstaking shown to me as a schoolboy are now
second nature, and I shall forever remain grateful to all my teachers.
The
music for a beautiful piece was emailed to me recently. Looking at it for the
first time, it did not appear too daunting, although some parts proved technically
awkward. The idea of recording it came
from one of my sons, who is a YouTube
junkie. Simple footage was created, in my daughter’s bedroom, using nothing
more than an Android phone – hence the custom sound effects (creaky piano
pedals and heavy breathing).
During
the first recording, my daughter’s dog started barking. The second was uninterrupted
and subsequently uploaded to YouTube
a few days ago.
It is dedicated to someone with whom I am, sadly, no longer in contact.
Click
the link below (Figure 115.1) and ‘upvote’ (and comment) if you like it.
Copyright
© 2017 Paul Spradbery
Copyright
© 2017 Paul Spradbery
