Miss Cheng's Piano World 鋼琴老師

日本中部的紅葉

Bagan, Myanmar. Absolutely beautiful.

王苑芝2014年底有一首新廣東歌，名「我們他們」，如果是古典音樂愛好者應該聽得出部份旋律是從Rachmaninof 第三鋼琴協奏曲的first movement 的鋼琴演奏部份得來的。編曲清新獨特、夕爺神級歌詞、藝術意境高深、苑之唱出味道、值得一讚！

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb8ChvxKG6Q (王苑芝)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5mxU_7BTRA (Horowitz)

王菀之 Ivana Wong - 我們他們 (歌詞版) [Official] [官方] 王菀之 - 我們他們 (Inspired by n dedicated to maestro Rachmaninov on his masterpiece - Piano Concerto No. 3) 曲：王菀之 詞：林夕 編 / 監: 馮翰銘 沙鷗見到天色上一半 蝙蝠記得山影下一半 身影對於身軀亦不滿 光影怎...

This is a good music game apps to train your note reading skill!

在郎朗的協奏會上重遇上年同時坐在第一行郎朗的super fan，這位來自德國滿頭銀髮的老太太告訴我，她剛剛6pm從法蘭克福到達香港機場，馬上出席8pm的協奏會，只為支持郎朗。明天又再起程回德國，趕著與孫兒共渡聖誕。這位super fan為郎朗可以去到幾盡? 她基本上每年參加所有郎朗舉行的全球演奏會。郎朗去美國、她到美國；郎朗去中國、她到中國；郎朗去歐洲、她到歐洲。每年都跟著郎朗去幾十個城市，每次都在演奏會後送上鮮花及拍照!她更每年製作一本全年演奏會的紀念相簿給偶像留呢! What a fantastic super fan!
I bumped into a super fan of Lang Lang at his concerto as we were both sitting in the first row last year and this year. This old lady came all the way from Frankfurt just to support Lang Lang and will return to Frankfurt the next day to spend Christmas with her grand children. She landed HK at 6pm and the concerto started at 8pm. Wherever Lang Lang performs, she goes to support him whether it is in the USA, China or Europe. She visits over 30 cities every year by attending Lang Lang's concerto or recital. She also gives bouquet to him and takes pictures for him after every performance as well as hand-makes a picture album for her super idol at the end of the year! What a fantastic super fan!

今晚將會去欣賞郎朗與港樂的協奏會。曲目是柴可夫斯基的第一鋼琴協奏曲及第四交響曲。雖然每年都一早買郎朗的飛，但仍是很期待！Will be going to see Lang Lang and HKPO tonight. They will be playing Tchaikovsky piano concerto no 1 and HKPO to play symphony no 4. I managed to see Lang Lang every year and am still looking forward to it tonight! :)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?sns=fb&v=8yE3Dz0-koA

Lang Lang - Last Night Proms 2011 - Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major Lang Lang performs Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major during Last Night Proms 2011 inside the Royal Albert Hall. Edward Gardner conducts the BBC Symp...

No Metronome at home? This is a useful free mobile app to count the beats for you! 家𥚃沒有拍子機？可下載這個免費app幫你打拍子！

(English below) 上週六我的一位法國女學生於上課時告訴她剛收到遠在法國的親人去世的消息，實在沒心情上課；接下來兩週都要飛到法國處理家事。在此希望她親人Rest in Peace, 並祝福她和她的家人能早日平復心情。她是一位領悟力高、節奏感強的學習型學生，是一好例子成人學琴永不會遲! 好好保重，Take care!
My french student was sadden by the news of the death of her family member during our lesson last Saturday and she has to go back to France to take care of the arrangement. I am really sorry for her loss and sincerely send my deepest condolence to her and her family. She is a quick learner with a strong sense of rhythm - a great example of "adults are never too late to learn piano playing". Take care!

(English below) 前幾天收到12歲學生爸爸的短訊，告知我學生的5級樂理試合格!我高興了一整天！這位同學考試前兩個月才找上我，已考了5級鋼琴，想繼續考琴試，於是請我教「精讀樂理」，以應付10月份的考試。一路上課才知道小男孩的樂理程度只有2級，過往的老師亦只注重彈琴而少作樂理培訓，心想要用2個月追回3、4、5級樂理真是超高難度啊！而且同學只剛升上中一，學習能力與高年級的相比始終較弱，但難得同學專注力高、夠勤力、加上父母的鼓勵和合作，終於一take過成功考上!我也為這合格的分數感到安慰。希望同學不要止步樂理5級，繼續努力學習，打穩基礎! :)
A few days ago, I have received a whatsapp message from my 12 years old student's father who notified me that the student has passed the Music Grade 5 theory exam. The news made my whole day! This little fellow came to me with Grade 5 piano but Grade 2 music theory background only 2 months before the October exam. I was thinking catching up Grade 3-5 theory within 2 months is a huge challenge indeed especially for a Secondary form 1 student whose learning ability may not be as strong as the older fellows. Fortunately, student has shown good concentration level and diligent, together with the supports from his parents, he managed to make it with one-take! I am truly delighted with the results and sincerely say that passing an exam should not put you to a stop, one should continue further study whenever there is a chance! :)

5級樂理好難考？ Music Theory Grade 5 is difficult? (English below)
如要報考英國皇家音樂學院(ABRSM)各種樂器考試6-8級，均需要提供5級樂理的考試証書，此為pre-requisite(必須要求)。由於低年級1-5級的樂器考試沒有必須考獲樂理証書的耍求，因此有些學生甚至老師對樂理初級不太注重，臨到報考5級樂理考試才精讀，在時間緊迫下學習，效果可能不太理想。相信大家亦時有聽聞5級的樂理重考的現象。其實這樂理考試一點也不困難，不如先看看一些基本資料:

5級音樂樂理總分100，66分為合格，80分為優異、90分為傑出。在香港每年有3次考試日期，分別為1或2月、6月及10月。報名日期為考試前約3個月開始為期數星期。以廣東話為母語的學生最常報英文輔以中文翻譯的語言選擇。

作為鋼琴樂理老師，我認為最理想是樂器及樂理同程度考授，即學習一級程度樂器時，於課堂時加插一級樂理知識，令學生融匯貫通，輕鬆學習。如事者，只需考樂理前做2-3年的舊樂理試卷便可，考試壓力相對較少。

ABRSM Grade 5 theory certificate is a pre-requisite for any Grade 6 -8 instrument exams. However, no other theory exam is required for taking Grade 1 - 5 instrument exams, thus, some music students and even teachers are not too emphasis on junior music theory learning in Hong Kong. Intensive Grade 5 theory courses tailored for the exam are popular, but failing the exam is not rare probably due to the tight learning time. This exam is indeed not difficult at all, let's take a look at its fact sheet:

Each Music Theory paper carries a total of 100 marks, 66 are required to achieve a pass, 80 to receive a merit and 90 for a distinction. In Hong Kong, there are 3 exam dates, normally in January/February, June and October every year. The exam application date usually starts three months before the exam date for a window period of a few weeks. Students can select exam paper written in either English OR English with Chinese translation.

As a piano and theory teacher, I personally think the best way is to learn both instrument as well as music theory simultaneously, that is learning grade 1 music theory while studying grade 1 instrument as both learning are supporting each other to enable students to fully understand both. As a result, students can easily work on 2-3 years past exam papers to prepare the exam. Stress free and light!

考試內容 Exam Contents:
Adding time signatures, indicating part of a chromatic scale, describing chords and rewriting note in different clefs
加拍子記號、標示半音音階、描述和弦，用不同譜號重寫音符

Describing melodic intervals描述旋律音程

Transposing passage for instrument from written to concert pitch
移調，以實際音重寫旋律

Indicating interval, chord and sign, naming similarity and difference and rewriting note in different clefs
標示音程、和弦和記號，找出相似和相異地方，用不同譜號重寫音符

Terms and sign, rewriting bar from simple to compound time and rewriting enharmonic equivalent as breve
音樂詞彙與記號、將單拍子重寫成複拍子，用倍全音符重寫異符同音

Instrumental questions 樂器相關問題

Writing scale according to named key signature and writing scale with given key signature根據指定調號寫音階

Writing melody for instrument or to given words 以不同樂器寫作旋律 / 為字詞譜曲

Indicating chord names and cadences 和弦＋終止式

報名連結 http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/ipe/abrsm/ptexam/

(English below) 這個月收了一位二十多歲在髮型屋工作的學生，他從來沒有學過任何樂器，卻充滿熱誠及學琴的欲望。由於他家裡暫時沒有琴，現在只能租琴練習。昨天他說我應否買一部電子琴，我相信大部份彈過傳統鋼琴及電子琴的朋友都清楚兩者在彈奏上的分別。

電子琴
分手提式及座立式
琴鍵數目有49鍵、54鍵、61鍵、76鍵、78鍵、88鍵等；
琴鍵觸感 非常輕，但有模擬各種樂器的音色，亦有音量控制等功能。
沒有腳踏或手提式可能需額外配至腳踏。

數碼鋼琴
體積較電子較大，88 鍵，有腳踏
琴鍵觸感 輕重可調校，不至於電子琴那麼輕，但又未到傳統鋼琴那麼重(實)；不同樂器的音色，較電子琴更多，可以重播／合奏／錄音等不同功能。

一般來說，我們應該用傳統鋼去學習，因為它的琴鍵 比電子琴及數碼鋼琴重身(實)，才能控制到大細聲及練習不同技巧，而不會學壞手勢。

但同時我亦明白要衡量金錢、家居地方、租琴地點、練琴時間等因素，另很多初學者未能投資一部傳統鋼琴，或安排到時間租琴，所以如果真的不能在外租琴，我也不太反對初學者以電子琴或數碼鋼琴練習。但最遲在三級後，便應改用傳統鋼琴練習了。

I have a new piano student who works in a hair salon this month. As a 20 some years old youngster, he has never learnt any musical instrument before but he has a great passion on learning how to play the piano. He asked me yesterday that whether he should purchase a digital piano or not as he is currently renting a piano room in one of the music stores. I believe those who have played the traditional piano and the digital piano should know the difference between the two.

Electronic Piano
A keyboard of 49, 54, 61, 76, 68, 88 keys
Light key touch, volume control, various instrument sounds
No pedal or mobile pedal

Digital Piano
Bigger size than Electronic Piano
A keyboard of 88 keys with Pedal
Stronger key touch but not as solid and strong than the traditional pianos
Even more various instrument sounds
Able to replay, duet, record

General speaking, it is ideal to practise piano playing on a traditional piano because of the powerful key touch which enable you to play with different techniques. However, it is quite understandable that some may not be able to afford a traditional piano especially during the beginner stage, thus, I would not too object in choosing electronic or digital piano for practise but one should change to a traditional piano when Grade 3 is completed.

Yamaha UX10B1 @ Pokfulam, exclusive available in Japan. Exceptional quality sound for an upright piano
只在日本發售的UX10B1, 擁有直身琴中少見的宏厚音色