Natalie Blanch's Piano Studio

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 by Natalie Blanch | Uncategorized

Recorded first in 1968 by John Fogerty's band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, it was covered twice in 1969—by Solomon Burke as well as the Checkmates Ltd. —and in 1970 by Ike and Tina Turner, whose hit version became a frenzied classic. The song peaked at No 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1969 in the United States. A cover version by Ike and Tina Turner, released two years later in 1971, did nearly as well, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award. 

Proud Mary's singer, a low-wage earner, leaves what he considers a "good job", or steady work, even though it is long hours under a dictatorial boss. He decides to follow his imagination and hitch a ride on a riverboat queen, farewelling the city. Only when the boat pulls out does he see "the good side of the city" - which for him, is one in the distance, far removed from his life. 

The song is a seamless mix of black and white roots music, with the "Proud Mary" steamboat, and the picture of the singer finding his niche in a community of outsiders, alluding to Mark Twain's story of the rambling man and life along the Mississippi. 

In Tina Tuner's covers, the song starts off with a slow, sultry soulful tone in which she introduces the song and warns the audience that she and the band are going to start it off "nice and easy" but will finish it "rough". After the lyrics are first sung softly by the Turners, the song is then turned into a funk rock vamp with Tina and the Ikettes delivering gospel-influenced vocals. 

(From Wikipedia)

Thursday, April 16, 2020 by Natalie Blanch | Music Appreciation

Welcome to my first post on a piece of music that you're all invited to listen to, respond to and research further if you wish ♫

This piece is Humoresque by Dvorak. It appears in the Gr 7 Piano for Leisure Syllabus for AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board). This particular Humoresque is a very well known piece, possibly second only to Fur Elise in terms of how well-recognised it is for a piano piece. Enjoy listening to the various arrangements for orchestra, piano and cello (and for hippopotamuses..) and please let me know what you like about this piece, whether you've heard it before, either on the media or in a performance, and depending on your age/musical experience, perhaps something about the form of the piece (it has 5 sections, so listen to see if some of them are very similar! Do you know what the Italian word for a piece with 5 parts is?), key signature, meaning of the title or anything else you would like to add. If you feel inspired to, grab a piece of paper and colouring pencils and swirl, sketch and draw as you listen - please send me a photo if you would like to, and if you are happy for it to be shared on here, I will add it into the post ♥

Enjoy!! ♫

This Humoresque is Number 7 in G flat Major from Antonin Dvorak's Opus 101, which consists of eight humoresques, Arrangements for this Humoresque have been made for many instruments and ensembles. The Humoresques are among Dvorak's last works for keyboard, composed in 1894, during what musicians term as the Romantic Period.

Piano performance. 

Cello performance.

And for a laugh.. I remember this one from my childhood in the late 80's/early 90's! Humoresque melody for the Hippo on Rollerskates

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 by Natalie Blanch | Free Sheet Music

New Release from Glenn Seddon, "These Days". Click on the link on Seddon Music to download, print/view on your device, practice and impress me next lesson! I also recommend the free Sight-Reading book. Work your way through the pieces and enjoy ☺♫

https://seddonmusic.net/index.php/product/these-days/