Q&A with Ashley (aka ClaraOswald)

[Ashley]

HELLO THERE, FELLOW PIANO NERD. HAVE A SEAT. *cracks knuckles*

I kinda play by ear; not that great tho. I wish I could. I play a lot better by sight. My teacher says I"m better than her at sight reading. So I guess that's a good thing. xD

I use any RCM repertoire book that's around my grade level, or any sheet music that I can get off the internet for free xD

I only have a smallish parlour piano. I'd love a baby grand, but that's kinda out of my budget range right now. But someday.

I love any soundtrack piece, especially Doctor Who. "Vale Decem" and "I am the Doctor" are my favourites. Although it's hard to play Vale Decem without crying...

I really love slow minor pieces. Maybe it's because I'm a slow minor person. xD

I like C (obviously), F, and B flat. And all minor keys except for F sharp

I'm kinda good... not as good as I should be for playing for 13+ years.

YES. IMPROV IS LIFE.

It's kinda in the middle of easy and hard. But closer to easier.

Hahaha! I started reading this and I was like "woah.... he must have a big thing for pianos..." xD

[Tarol]

Haha, dat's me!

That's cool. So, you can basically play a song pretty well the first time you read it? Is that what your teacher means?

I've never heard of RCM...could you explain how it works? Oh, and if you ever need free sheet music, Musescore is usually where I find sheet music. Anyone can upload their own arrangements or transcriptions of songs.

Yeshhhhhh, baby grands are amazing. #WishList

Oh, is that when Tennant dies?

Do you prefer flats or sharps? How many flats or sharps can you handle until your brain explodes?

Heh, same here. I've been playing for almost 10 years, and I'm sure I could do much better... >_>

That's cool. I wish I could improv easier.

Heh, sort of. As I said, I don't think I'm very good, so I like learning from others. Plus, I'm a homeschooler, so I don't really meet many pianists that I can talk to. ^_^ Plus, I like learning what other people think about pianos and playing them.

[Mandy]

How long have you been playing the piano? Is there any other instrument you would like to play?

If someone were standing over you with a sword, telling you to deny Jesus or else you'd be chopped into a million pieces, what would you do?

What do you usually do to vent/calm your anger?

What is your career goal?

Favorite SS forum?

Funnest thing you've done this summer?

[Ashley]

Haha, dat's me!

That's cool. So, you can basically play a song pretty well the first time you read it? Is that what your teacher means?

I've never heard of RCM...could you explain how it works? Oh, and if you ever need free sheet music, Musescore is usually where I find sheet music. Anyone can upload their own arrangements or transcriptions of songs.

Yeshhhhhh, baby grands are amazing. #WishList

Oh, is that when Tennant dies?

Do you prefer flats or sharps? How many flats or sharps can you handle until your brain explodes?

Heh, same here. I've been playing for almost 10 years, and I'm sure I could do much better... >_>

That's cool. I wish I could improv easier.

Heh, sort of. As I said, I don't think I'm very good, so I like learning from others. Plus, I'm a homeschooler, so I don't really meet many pianists that I can talk to. ^_^ Plus, I like learning what other people think about pianos and playing them.

Yep!

It's basically just a grading system for music. Like "The Happy Farmer" is grade 5, I think. And Mozart's "Sonata in C Major" is grade 8. They have a list of repertoire/studies/theory that you have to practice for each grade, then you can get tested on the stuff you practice. If you pass (60% is the passing mark), then you get a sheet of paper saying you passed, but if you take a written theory test that's up to your grade level, you get a certificate. I have not yet taken any written tests, so I don't have a fancy certificate.

YES MUSESCORE IS AMAZINGGGG

Yes

I honestly don't care, because if there's too many sharps/flats I just do the thing, like if they're 5 sharps you turn it into 2 flats

How long have you been playing the piano? Is there any other instrument you would like to play?

If someone were standing over you with a sword, telling you to deny Jesus or else you'd be chopped into a million pieces, what would you do?

What do you usually do to vent/calm your anger?

What is your career goal?

Favorite SS forum?

Funnest thing you've done this summer?

I've been playing since I was 5ish. I'd like to play the drums But I already also play the guitar and ukulele, so I probably won't have time to do that any time soon.

Try to find a way out of that situation without denying Jesus or getting chopped up.

Internalize it until I blow up/cry.

To act alongside Benedict Cumberbatch/David Tennant/Robert Carlyle/and other amazing people

The SS Tumblr

Go to Canada's Wonderland

[Tarol]

Whoa, what thing? There is a transposing trick? (I probably know this...I just forget... )

Musescore is awesome. ^_^ Do you use the Musescore program much? Do you write any music?

Ohhhhh, who tests your piano skills?

Do you think you know a lot of Disney songs?

What is your favorite song book that you have? Any books you would recommend? Or don't you have many?

Do you like musicals? What is your favorite?

[Miss Friendship]

Why are you a Christian? Why aren't you a Muslim, Mormon, JW or atheist or anything else?

Do you believe there are many ways to God? Why or why not?

If some random person on the street who knew nothing about Christianity, asked you what it is all about in a nutshell, what would you say?

[Ashley]

Whoa, what thing? There is a transposing trick? (I probably know this...I just forget... )

Musescore is awesome. ^_^ Do you use the Musescore program much? Do you write any music?

Ohhhhh, who tests your piano skills?

Do you think you know a lot of Disney songs?

What is your favorite song book that you have? Any books you would recommend? Or don't you have many?

Do you like musicals? What is your favorite?

Yeah. Example: If there's a song that has 4 sharps (E major), but you don't like to play in E, then you can transpose the three keys that aren't sharped down to flats, and it turns into B flat major.

Nah, I just use others'.

A special RCM tester person

Not on piano. But I do know "Lava" from the Disney short "Lava" that's at the beginning of Inside Out on the Ukulele.

I own both all of Keith Green's piano books. I enjoy playing those, although they're quite hard.

I. LOVE. MUSICALS. Mary Poppins (the one with Julie Andrews) is my favourite. Julie is just soooo talented.

Why are you a Christian? Why aren't you a Muslim, Mormon, JW or atheist or anything else?

Do you believe there are many ways to God? Why or why not?

If some random person on the street who knew nothing about Christianity, asked you what it is all about in a nutshell, what would you say?

Because Christianity makes a lot more sense than any other religion. Other religions are all basically the same, that in you have to work to get to Heaven. Christianity also is the only way that you can properly explain the world around you and how to deal with it. There are many more reasons, but that's just what first came to mind.

No. Because the Bible says so. Although, if you count different denominations (like Baptist and Pres.) as different ways, then yes.

I've thought about this a lot, and I haven't quite figured out exactly what I'd say. Like, I know the long version, but if I only had 10 seconds? Idk. But I do need to do that.

[Mandy]

If you could meet 5 SSers IRL, who would they be? (If you have already been asked this before... sorry).

How did you find the SS?

[Blitz]

Who is your favorite AIO character?

Favorite band?

Favorite SSer?

[Tarol]

Not on piano. But I do know "Lava" from the Disney short "Lava" that's at the beginning of Inside Out on the Ukulele.

Haha, cool! How about just Disney songs in general? If you were listening to a Disney radio (on Pandora, iTunes, or Spotify, etc.), would you know most of the songs?

I. LOVE. MUSICALS. Mary Poppins (the one with Julie Andrews) is my favourite. Julie is just soooo talented.

You really should talk with RagTag. What are your top 5 favorite musicals, or just the most popular 5 musicals you've seen?

Are you on the chat?

Would you like to have your own (piano) keyboard before you go to college?

[Ashley]

If you could meet 5 SSers IRL, who would they be? (If you have already been asked this before... sorry).

How did you find the SS?

I'd pick Blitz, you, MF, Paula, and Mr. Oxxy.

I was around when it first was advertised. People were like "Oh my gosh a new AIO forum !!!" I think it took me a while to actually sign up for an account tho.

Who is your favorite AIO character?

Favorite band?

Favorite SSer?

Um... Connie, Jay, and Jason.

ASDFGHJKL WHY DO YOU ASK ME SUCH HARD QUESTIONSSS
For bands, I think I'll go with Anthem Lights. But my favourite singer is Jonathan Thulin.

Again... WHY SUCH HARD QUESTIONS
I can't pick just one... but I do love John Henry. He never failed to make me laugh. Sadly, he is no more.

Not on piano. But I do know "Lava" from the Disney short "Lava" that's at the beginning of Inside Out on the Ukulele.

Haha, cool! How about just Disney songs in general? If you were listening to a Disney radio (on Pandora, iTunes, or Spotify, etc.), would you know most of the songs?

I. LOVE. MUSICALS. Mary Poppins (the one with Julie Andrews) is my favourite. Julie is just soooo talented.

You really should talk with RagTag. What are your top 5 favorite musicals, or just the most popular 5 musicals you've seen?

Are you on the chat?

Would you like to have your own (piano) keyboard before you go to college?

Yeah. I do. I actually feel kinda weird about knowing so many bc all my friends are into Marvel and LOTR and don't care about Disney and while I love those things I also love Disney. So yeah.

My top fav are : Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The Lion King, The Beauty and the Beast, and The Prince of Egypt.

Yeah, once in a while. I'm AshleyWhittaker.

YESSSS
Once I get a job, I'll be able to afford one. xD

[Blitz]

But but but... I'm not your favorite SSer?

[Miss Friendship]

Did you and JH ever have debates?

[Tarol]

Hey, Disney's awesome.

THOSE MUSICALS ARE ALL AMAZING.

Would you like a really big keyboard, or maybe just a light, 72 key one?

Do you like any Broadway musicals? Have you seen/heard of the Beauty and the Beast and Lion King stage productions?

Have I asked you too many questions about music? 0_o

Oh, and I'm OxR on the chat, if you ever stop by, and I'm there.

What is your favorite franchise series? (like Harry Potter, Superheroes, Hunger Games, Narnia, etc.) (I don't know if franchise is the right word...but... )

[Ashley]

But but but... I'm not your favorite SSer?

You're my second favourite...

Did you and JH ever have debates?

Not by ourselves, but yeah, we did. I MISS HIM *sobs*

Would you like a really big keyboard, or maybe just a light, 72 key one?

Do you like any Broadway musicals? Have you seen/heard of the Beauty and the Beast and Lion King stage productions?

Have I asked you too many questions about music? 0_o

Oh, and I'm OxR on the chat, if you ever stop by, and I'm there.

What is your favorite franchise series? (like Harry Potter, Superheroes, Hunger Games, Narnia, etc.) (I don't know if franchise is the right word...but... )

A BIG ONE

No, I haven't. I would, but I'm too busy right now. :/

Nope! I love music.

DOCTOR WHOOOOO. And LOTR and Star Wars. The SW stuff out there is amazing.

[Blitz]

I personally dislike JH.

If you had to pick an addiction what would you chose?

[Miss Friendship]

I personally dislike JH.

Clara, what should be done for him saying that?

Do you make your own sets?

[Ashley]

I personally dislike JH.

If you had to pick an addiction what would you chose?

Is that jealousy, I detect, Bestie? xD

Like drugs, or normal everyday things? Because I'm already addicted to the internet.

I personally dislike JH.

Clara, what should be done for him saying that?

Do you make your own sets?

HANG HIM BY HIS TOES FROM THE RAFTERS

Yep, I do! I really like my current one.

[Paula]

YAY! I'd love to meet you too *dances* *passes the chocolate around*
What's your favorite memory from the SS?
Other than JH... Do you miss any other old SS members who don't get on anymore?

[Ashley]

Favourite memory... When the chat was here. xD

Suzie Lou, SparkyHappyGiraffe, and iluvjason. I miss them lots