Derek - Tatiana Stachak Introduction to the Waltz
Hi all. After a brief hiatus due to an 'Angioplasty' after which I was advised not to play for a few days (which was why I didn't play at the dress rehearsal). I've started looking at some more pieces in the book Introduction to the Waltz by Polish guitarist and educator Tatiana Stachak. There are 14 pieces in the book, all fairly easy but all very lovely. I have already looked at 3 or 4 of them but this morning I started a new one 'Frosted Waltz (Zuckerguss Waltz)'. I am thinking of playing a few of these pieces at our local guitar club meeting next week and also playing one as a warm up before Alba in the community concert on the 4th. Excuse the dishevelled look. I'll get a haircut before the concert:-)
-
Those were great, Derek! So glad you are back playing again.
I think I’ve heard of her before. Maybe Matthew MacAllister played something by her on his YT channel? If you hadn’t said who wrote those, I’d have guessed Sagreras. Really lovely. I’ll have to check those out.
-
Eric Phillips Thanks Eric. A couple of the pieces are in the syllabus for our grade 5 exams (Trinity College and ABRSM - Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) which is how I came across them. I'll try to record some of the others
-
-
Wonderful Derek!
-
David Chidsey thanks David
-
-
Very Lovely and melancholic Derek. I am not familiar with these pieces or the composer.
Well done.
-
Jack Stewart thanks Jack
-
-
Sounding very nice, Derek!
-
Khiem Nguyen Thank you Khiem. Well played in the Brouwer masterclass. It sounded very good
-
Derek thank you Derek!
-
-
Derek very lovely! I am glad your hand is back on track! Tatiana's method book is very popular in my music school, although I don't share her enthusiasm on playing all the notes in the 3rd fret with the 4th finger (which she does exclusively in her method).
-
Martin thanks Martin (it was actually the arteries my heart that was the problem but to sort them out they had to push a wire through to them via the artery in my wrist. I was told to rest the arm so as not to cause the entry point in my wrist to open up again and start bleeding)
Interesting about Tatiana. I am aware of her method book and etudes but I haven't actually seen them. I first became aware of the waltzes when I taught somebody the Parisian Waltz for a Trinity College grade 5 exam. Then I heard Helen Sanderson play the Carmen Waltz at a presentation for the new ABRSM syllabus in Manchester so I decided to buy the book. With regard to the 4th finger on the 3rd fret, I've taught a few children who've struggled to reach the 3rd fret with their 3rd finger (and an adult with mobility issues) so I've suggested using the 4th finger. What is your opinion on that?
Danke einmal Derek
-
Derek Oh, that sounds painful, I hope you're feeling better now!
I have no problem with using the 4th finger occasionally, but when I went through the book she only used the 4th finger all the notes in the 4th fret. While I see where this is coming from (strengthening the 4th finger will automatically improve the 3rd finger as well), it usually makes my students turn there left hand a bit outwards so that they don't have to bend the 4th finger. I usually implement the 4th finger first when they play a melody where they need to jump from the "d" on the 2nd string to the "g" in the first string!
Then after a while when all the notes in first few frets are clear, I do proper 4th finger implementation with Brouwer's 1st etude!
-
Martin hi Martin. Thank you for your reply. It's very interesting and hopefully very useful (I don't teach many people but next time I will remember your advice).
Looking forward to Saturday!!
Best wishes Derek
-
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
