"Very nice" says he, "Yay!" says me

I had my piano lesson this afternoon and managed to put off The Entertainer for another week. I'm struggling with it at the moment. It all looks so simple but my left hand just does not like that striding bass. I think I will have to memorize the piece so that I can watch my hands a bit more. Peter says that Scott Joplin used to practice those bass lines for hours. When there are large jumps I need to visualize where my hand is going to land and also put it into position while still in the air, especially when going from playing an octave to a chord (very different hand position). Joplin also has a way of setting up a fine pattern and then throwing an unsuspected chord at you. Tricksy composers.

I did play my Mendelssohn without interruption (triumph!) and received a "very nice!" from Peter (double triumph!). I don't know whether it is Peter's teaching style or whether he treats me differently because I'm an adult student, but the most I've gotten out of him in terms of compliments on my playing is "good job!" (for the Pineapple Rag) and "you're almost there!" (for the Nocturne, op. 9 no. 1). He's a great teacher but quite different from Joan! Very laid back! We're still getting used to each other. I'm not sure that he always gets my sense of humour...