Live data from Hacker News

Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

musicandliterature.org

21–28 of 28 posts

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#21

This bit in particular resonated with me, as someone who's had problems with nervousness giving piano recitals: I have a psychological approach to nerves as well. We have to consider the so-called importance of our little place in the world. This Beethoven performance is unlikely to be of any significance in three hundred years—and in three thousand years, not at all. It’s like standing on a different planet and look…

If you've never done it before, consider drilling every single aspect of the performance.

For example-- in a performance, you usually walk to the instrument, bow, sit down, adjust the bench, pause, consider the tempo... all to play the first few notes that establish the tempo of the piece.

So you would drill that entire entrance, as well as drilling from a sitting position and establishing the tempo.

What you'll probably find is that the variance in speed among these drills is well beyond what you desire for your performance. And the more you drill, the more control you have over the established tempo, which is probably the most important moment to not make a mistake. :)

This approach doesn't "solve" nerves. But it can slowly decouple them from the performance. E.g., you start freaking out because you never noticed how "weird" your thumbs look in this passage; nevertheless, muscle memory established a nice, solid tempo for your freakout instead of one thats 1.5x too fast... :)

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't say it would prove you wrong, but the StudioLogic SL88 Grand with the sound coming from Pianoteq is stunning for the money. Obviously it's not going to feel exactly like a real piano, but it is absolutely similar enough to feel way more like a real piano than anything else I've tried, and at a bit more than $1KUS, the price is unbeatable for anyone up to a very advanced level. StudioLogic is Fatar's in-hou…

On a similar spirit, the Kawai VPC1 although you need a PC to generate the sounds. Most people tend to use Modartts' Pianoteq.

I've started to use a RPi4 instead (output is through a simple USB DAC) and the quality is pretty much the same. Additionally, it makes for a simpler setup if you have a dedicated unit for the purpose.

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#23
post #2

Learning to play piano takes years, but rewards can be more or less immediate if one knows how to set the right expectations. As an adult learner, you need to make sure you are enjoying the instrument so it should have the right action and sound. It's unbeliable how you can purchase a Casio CDP S100 these days for less than 400 bucks and get a decent keybed and sound, advances in digital piano technology are staggeri…

I am learning for the first time as an adult. Decided to pick up a Yamaha P45 and it’s treated me well. The weighted keys feel nice, and the features are welcome and not distracting. I think it will serve me well as I continue learning, but I am only a few months in so far so it’s really too early to tell haha

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#24
Liszt: Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K03xMG7fdQ4

A great performance by Hough — a devout Catholic.

Currently one of my favorite pieces to play.

I was inspired to learn it after hearing him play it. Both the titles and the content are deeply relevant during times of coronavirus.

Especially at the height of a solitary lockdown.

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#25

This bit in particular resonated with me, as someone who's had problems with nervousness giving piano recitals: I have a psychological approach to nerves as well. We have to consider the so-called importance of our little place in the world. This Beethoven performance is unlikely to be of any significance in three hundred years—and in three thousand years, not at all. It’s like standing on a different planet and look…

If you've never done it before, consider drilling every single aspect of the performance. For example-- in a performance, you usually walk to the instrument, bow, sit down, adjust the bench, pause, consider the tempo... all to play the first few notes that establish the tempo of the piece. So you would drill that entire entrance, as well as drilling from a sitting position and establishing the tempo. What you'll prob…

Yes. I've used this for public speaking. Also for parachuting, where I finally got a clean jump (back in solo static-line days) by working through in my mind all of the distractions: stall alarm sounding, jump-master shouting instructions, clambering into the door (seated position in a Cessna), smell of exhaust fumes, slipstream.

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On a similar spirit, the Kawai VPC1 although you need a PC to generate the sounds. Most people tend to use Modartts' Pianoteq.

I've started to use a RPi4 instead (output is through a simple USB DAC) and the quality is pretty much the same. Additionally, it makes for a simpler setup if you have a dedicated unit for the purpose.

Are you running Pianoteq or other software?

My Korg Kronos is just a dedicated mini-PC working as a synthesizer workstation appliance. It takes about 3-4 minutes to boot so hooking a RPi4 next to it would make for a great weekend project.

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't say it would prove you wrong, but the StudioLogic SL88 Grand with the sound coming from Pianoteq is stunning for the money. Obviously it's not going to feel exactly like a real piano, but it is absolutely similar enough to feel way more like a real piano than anything else I've tried, and at a bit more than $1KUS, the price is unbeatable for anyone up to a very advanced level. StudioLogic is Fatar's in-hou…

On a similar spirit, the Kawai VPC1 although you need a PC to generate the sounds. Most people tend to use Modartts' Pianoteq.

Yup, I use Pianoteq too, it's amazing!

Re: Interview with British Pianist Stephen Hough

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've started to use a RPi4 instead (output is through a simple USB DAC) and the quality is pretty much the same. Additionally, it makes for a simpler setup if you have a dedicated unit for the purpose.

Are you running Pianoteq or other software? My Korg Kronos is just a dedicated mini-PC working as a synthesizer workstation appliance. It takes about 3-4 minutes to boot so hooking a RPi4 next to it would make for a great weekend project.

I’m running Pianoteq indeed
Post reply on HN