Warning: this episode is more rambling than usual, and contains some fairly awful and geeky singing. The results of gardening; a pep talk to kids; trying to make the practice room feel like the stage, my lifelong quest to improve my focus; a strategy (from this book) to work on accuracy and rhythm in 25/4; a confession about scales; a plan about jazz involving a place and a book; some serious theory geekery, including how I teach sonata form (see above warning about the singing).
Archives for posts with tag: Piano
Putting play into practice; two silly things I did this week, including putting words to 25/4 (with different versions for different editions); a new approach to 10/1 and 10/2.
Trying to concentrate with a toddler; a couple of tricks from backstage; wrestling with articulation and pedal markings in 25/4; permission from Chopin’s TA.
The very first listener question, the answer to which involves babbling about harmonies in 25/1 in possibly excruciating detail. The importance of mapping and landmarks, and a cautionary tale. This week’s practice strategies for 10/2, 25/4, and 25/7. Also: a rule about performing and caffeine.
An attempt at 10/2; the left hand of 25/4; some thoughts from the MTNA conference (including how Menahem Pressler talks about legato); how to practice an orchestral part.
Thoughts on the difference between practice and rehearsal; the exact physical motions of 10/2 in way too much detail; a theory geek moment in 10/4; two promises about next week’s practice.
Thinking about the thumbs in most of the Chopin etudes; moments of mindfulness; the tricky bits of 25/7.
Chopin 25/6 goes on the shelf; a weird practice week; the key to 10/6 (maybe); adding a new etude.
Play It Again Swig 