Goals:
★ Time Satie. About 20-25 min.
☆ Scan music.
★ Print out calendar
Practice schedule.
Feeling bleh today. Going to hang out with friends.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
Goals:
Reply to email
★ Order BSG music
★ Run through Pachelbel's Canon
Plan out Roslin and Adama and Wander My Friends
★ Run through Scottish music
★ Run through Satie
Find Tir Na Nog sheet music? Doesn't seem to exist except for full scores.
☆ test other sheet music: Evanescence, Elder Scrolls, Rebecca Sugar
Reply to email
★ Order BSG music
★ Run through Pachelbel's Canon
Plan out Roslin and Adama and Wander My Friends
★ Run through Scottish music
★ Run through Satie
Find Tir Na Nog sheet music? Doesn't seem to exist except for full scores.
☆ test other sheet music: Evanescence, Elder Scrolls, Rebecca Sugar
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Goals:
★ Conditioning Exercises
★★ Goldfish. I don't know if I'm just better at memorizing in general, or this is really easy to memorize. Things seem to be clicking into place much more easily.
☆ 30DtD Tambourin. Got halfway done on the first half of today. Think I gave myself a blister, or stopped right before I got one. Need to stop this and switch over to wedding music.
Automne.
Need to do quick repertoire work on wedding music. Print it out again?
★ Conditioning Exercises
★★ Goldfish. I don't know if I'm just better at memorizing in general, or this is really easy to memorize. Things seem to be clicking into place much more easily.
☆ 30DtD Tambourin. Got halfway done on the first half of today. Think I gave myself a blister, or stopped right before I got one. Need to stop this and switch over to wedding music.
Automne.
Need to do quick repertoire work on wedding music. Print it out again?
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016
Goals:
At least look at a calendar.
★ Listen to prog rock
★ Conditioning exercises. These are getting easier.
★ Goldfish. I've got most of this memorized. I think maybe I should try to build up my repertoire of easy songs.
Look at other Tiny Tales.
★ Do detail work on Windy Nights. It might be easier than Looking Glass River.
★ Pick next piece for 30DtD. Ugh. Tambourin is the winner.
Start 30DtD.
One of two remaining Automne sections.
Set up repertoire refresher schedule.
Do last repertoire activity.
Order Mortari's music?
At least look at a calendar.
★ Listen to prog rock
★ Conditioning exercises. These are getting easier.
★ Goldfish. I've got most of this memorized. I think maybe I should try to build up my repertoire of easy songs.
Look at other Tiny Tales.
★ Do detail work on Windy Nights. It might be easier than Looking Glass River.
★ Pick next piece for 30DtD. Ugh. Tambourin is the winner.
Start 30DtD.
One of two remaining Automne sections.
Set up repertoire refresher schedule.
Do last repertoire activity.
Order Mortari's music?
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
Goals:
★ Write and send 2 wedding summary/contract
Reply to recording email
★ Put clips online
★ Conditioning Exercises
★ Goldfish - played at 50 need to listen to recording. It's not bad!
☆ 30DtD LGR - Did 2nd to last day. I still seriously mess this up.
☆ Listen to LGR recording - didn't concentrate on whether there were consistent errors.
☆ 30Dtd LGR - last day. It is just a mess. Summary of 30DtD process: It's really hard to know that after all the work I put in it still sounds like crap. Working on the dynamic details was helpful - it helped get me over that hump in my normal learning process. This might have worked better doing one piece at a time.
★ Automne - finished a section and got the 1st large section to the point where I can keep playing if I mess up.
Pick days for practice perf
Read through/research Prog book
★ Write and send 2 wedding summary/contract
Reply to recording email
★ Put clips online
★ Conditioning Exercises
★ Goldfish - played at 50 need to listen to recording. It's not bad!
☆ 30DtD LGR - Did 2nd to last day. I still seriously mess this up.
☆ Listen to LGR recording - didn't concentrate on whether there were consistent errors.
☆ 30Dtd LGR - last day. It is just a mess. Summary of 30DtD process: It's really hard to know that after all the work I put in it still sounds like crap. Working on the dynamic details was helpful - it helped get me over that hump in my normal learning process. This might have worked better doing one piece at a time.
★ Automne - finished a section and got the 1st large section to the point where I can keep playing if I mess up.
Pick days for practice perf
Read through/research Prog book
Over the past few days:
★ Did Conditioning Exercises
★ 30 DtD LGR - figured out I'm still too thumk-y in the first part. played around with making that go away. Need to record and mark spots again.
★ Automne - got more sections done. Almost done with it!
★ Booked a wedding
Yesterday was a long day and I skipped any practicing.
★ Did Conditioning Exercises
★ 30 DtD LGR - figured out I'm still too thumk-y in the first part. played around with making that go away. Need to record and mark spots again.
★ Automne - got more sections done. Almost done with it!
★ Booked a wedding
Yesterday was a long day and I skipped any practicing.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Still having weird memory problems today. We'll see how this goes.
Goals:
★ Scales are done!!!
★ Finger mechanics - break out Conditioning Exercises?
★ Work on memorizing Goldfish? Need to set up a practice chart like 30DtD
★ 30DtD LGR (final week!) - record, listen and mark. That was a lot of work. First take was awful. In general the 1st section needs to be smoother like the 3rd section. It sounds thumpy. The waveforms are also smoother in the 3rd section than the 1st. In the middle, the right hand needs to be brought out more. Also, really emphasis dynamics. There are a lot of gasps that need to be smoothed out by more confidence.
30DtD Danza? Not sure I want to continue with this.
★ Automne - got a few more sections sort of memorized
☆ Look through wedding music
Set up another practice performance
1. Set list
2. Practice set list - memorized
Goals:
★ Scales are done!!!
★ Finger mechanics - break out Conditioning Exercises?
★ Work on memorizing Goldfish? Need to set up a practice chart like 30DtD
★ 30DtD LGR (final week!) - record, listen and mark. That was a lot of work. First take was awful. In general the 1st section needs to be smoother like the 3rd section. It sounds thumpy. The waveforms are also smoother in the 3rd section than the 1st. In the middle, the right hand needs to be brought out more. Also, really emphasis dynamics. There are a lot of gasps that need to be smoothed out by more confidence.
30DtD Danza? Not sure I want to continue with this.
★ Automne - got a few more sections sort of memorized
☆ Look through wedding music
Set up another practice performance
1. Set list
2. Practice set list - memorized
Friday, June 24, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Goals:
★ Listen to Marcel Tabuteau's Lessons. Listened partway through 3B. I'm having a hard time hearing the differences. I also think voice lessons may help my playing.
Sort music.
Read Sound in Motion
★ Scales
★ Finger mechanics
★ 30DtD LGR. I made notes in my head and now have forgotten them.
30DtD Danza
Another section of Automne
★ Listen to Marcel Tabuteau's Lessons. Listened partway through 3B. I'm having a hard time hearing the differences. I also think voice lessons may help my playing.
Sort music.
Read Sound in Motion
★ Scales
★ Finger mechanics
★ 30DtD LGR. I made notes in my head and now have forgotten them.
30DtD Danza
Another section of Automne
Monday, June 20, 2016
Goals:
★ Scales. Yep.
★ Finger mechanics. Yep.
★ 30DtD Danza. Worked on small sections. Section that still needs work: the 4-bar 8th notes. There are some jumps that will take some more work. Also, it's hard not to play this loud.
30DtD LGR. Holy crap my fingers still hurt. I better be building excellent calluses.
★ Scales. Yep.
★ Finger mechanics. Yep.
★ 30DtD Danza. Worked on small sections. Section that still needs work: the 4-bar 8th notes. There are some jumps that will take some more work. Also, it's hard not to play this loud.
30DtD LGR. Holy crap my fingers still hurt. I better be building excellent calluses.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Goals:
Get as much done before going out to see Suuns!
Scales. Emphasized different beats - very difficult. Probably should try this at different speeds before the week is up.
Finger mechanics. Yes.
30DtD LGR. Worked on small sections, with dynamics, slowly, and I think it was a big help. Didn't play through with hands apart, because 1) Suuns, and 2) I don't see the benefit since this is a lot of switching between hands, and 3) my fingers were killing me at this point.
30DtD Danza. See above re: fingers killing me. And going out.
Get as much done before going out to see Suuns!
Scales. Emphasized different beats - very difficult. Probably should try this at different speeds before the week is up.
Finger mechanics. Yes.
30DtD LGR. Worked on small sections, with dynamics, slowly, and I think it was a big help. Didn't play through with hands apart, because 1) Suuns, and 2) I don't see the benefit since this is a lot of switching between hands, and 3) my fingers were killing me at this point.
30DtD Danza. See above re: fingers killing me. And going out.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Goals:
★ Go through music. I made a spreadsheet. I may add or take away things.
★ Scales week 3. It's hard emphasizing off beats.
★ finger Mechanic. I think my fingers are gradually getting more flexible and independent.
★ 30DtD LGR. This seems to be surprisingly coming together. I need to listen to my recording and mark spots.
☆ 30DtD Danza. I'm not sure what dynamics I want. And I still need to figure out exactly what I'm doing with the left hand.
★ Automne. The parts I'm comfortable with sound great. Got another section marked off.
★ Go through music. I made a spreadsheet. I may add or take away things.
★ Scales week 3. It's hard emphasizing off beats.
★ finger Mechanic. I think my fingers are gradually getting more flexible and independent.
★ 30DtD LGR. This seems to be surprisingly coming together. I need to listen to my recording and mark spots.
☆ 30DtD Danza. I'm not sure what dynamics I want. And I still need to figure out exactly what I'm doing with the left hand.
★ Automne. The parts I'm comfortable with sound great. Got another section marked off.
Friday, June 17, 2016
★ Start scales week 3
★ Finger mechanics
Finish up week 1 of 30DtD with Danza and LGR and start week 2. Even though there was a rest day built in, I needed more than one, apparently.
★ LGR - I re-read the intro for Solos for the Harp Player, and learned (again?) that LGR was "suggested" by the Robert Louis Stevenson poem. I'm interpreting the loud part in the middle as the disruption of the water, but maybe something more profoundly darker and terrifying. Worked on smaller sections with dynamics.
★ Danza - Found the wiki article about Ernesto Halffter as well as a little info about the ballet (Sonatina, 1928) Danza is from. I can't find any info about Danza de la Pastora itself. I'm going to try to make it as light as possible. Tried working on small sections, and wasn't really able to pay attention. Went back to this and worked a little harder. It's really repetitive and I managed to get some patterns in my hands.
★ Try to get to one section of Automne. Got two sections done.
★ Decide what to do with Grey Donkeys. I think I just need to set this aside for a while.
Sort through music. May need to make a list, since most everything is in one book.
★ Finger mechanics
Finish up week 1 of 30DtD with Danza and LGR and start week 2. Even though there was a rest day built in, I needed more than one, apparently.
★ LGR - I re-read the intro for Solos for the Harp Player, and learned (again?) that LGR was "suggested" by the Robert Louis Stevenson poem. I'm interpreting the loud part in the middle as the disruption of the water, but maybe something more profoundly darker and terrifying. Worked on smaller sections with dynamics.
★ Danza - Found the wiki article about Ernesto Halffter as well as a little info about the ballet (Sonatina, 1928) Danza is from. I can't find any info about Danza de la Pastora itself. I'm going to try to make it as light as possible. Tried working on small sections, and wasn't really able to pay attention. Went back to this and worked a little harder. It's really repetitive and I managed to get some patterns in my hands.
★ Try to get to one section of Automne. Got two sections done.
★ Decide what to do with Grey Donkeys. I think I just need to set this aside for a while.
Sort through music. May need to make a list, since most everything is in one book.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Goals:
★ Scales week 2. Bumped metronome up 4 clicks. Left hand had a little problem in the 6ths at the end turn around into 8ths.
★ Finger mechanics. Stretching still feels good.
☆ 30DtD LGR. Worked on one measure. I don't know why it's so difficult. I'd like to go more slowly to work on dynamics, but also want to really try to follow the schedule. Didn't get to do research in the morning, asked a ref question at work. The just isn't a lot of readily available information on Forst.
☆ 30DtD Danza. Only got to play it slowly with hands together, not separate.
Automne. I've already forgotten this. Geez.
Organize music - maybe if I hadn't started practicing an hour late, I could have gotten to this.
☆ Tried some Bear McCreary BSG music. It didn't work too well.
★ Scales week 2. Bumped metronome up 4 clicks. Left hand had a little problem in the 6ths at the end turn around into 8ths.
★ Finger mechanics. Stretching still feels good.
☆ 30DtD LGR. Worked on one measure. I don't know why it's so difficult. I'd like to go more slowly to work on dynamics, but also want to really try to follow the schedule. Didn't get to do research in the morning, asked a ref question at work. The just isn't a lot of readily available information on Forst.
☆ 30DtD Danza. Only got to play it slowly with hands together, not separate.
Automne. I've already forgotten this. Geez.
Organize music - maybe if I hadn't started practicing an hour late, I could have gotten to this.
☆ Tried some Bear McCreary BSG music. It didn't work too well.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Monday, June 13, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Goals:
★ Scales week 2. I was having a lot of problems with the different rhythms, but then my counting and playing clicked and I kind of got it. I was able to play through the whole thing. I did sections CDE yesterday and AB today.
★ Finger mechanics. Did a couple repeats and stretched.
★ 30DtD LGR. Did this one first and it seems to be coming together. It's difficult not to do detail work, but kind of a relief at the same time.
★ 30DtD Danza. This was easier today. I played hands separately at 3/4 speed, which I had judged to be ♪=176, so 132, and was surprised by how well I did.
This all took about an hour. Not sure what I was doing the past couple days that it took 3.
★ Scales week 2. I was having a lot of problems with the different rhythms, but then my counting and playing clicked and I kind of got it. I was able to play through the whole thing. I did sections CDE yesterday and AB today.
★ Finger mechanics. Did a couple repeats and stretched.
★ 30DtD LGR. Did this one first and it seems to be coming together. It's difficult not to do detail work, but kind of a relief at the same time.
★ 30DtD Danza. This was easier today. I played hands separately at 3/4 speed, which I had judged to be ♪=176, so 132, and was surprised by how well I did.
This all took about an hour. Not sure what I was doing the past couple days that it took 3.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Goals:
★ Speed up scales. Um... these need work.
★ Finger mechanics. I've forgotten over the years how good it feels to stretch my fingers like this. I need to do this ALL THE TIME.
★ 30DtD Danza. I think I got all the arrangements done as far as replacing the alternating 10ths. Difficult on harp, how do they even play this on the piano.
☆ 30DtD LGR. This is a really hard freakin' piece. Worked hard on two small sections and ran out of energy. Need to do this one first tomorrow!
☆ Section of Automne. Sort of got one?
_______________________________________________
This was another 3 hours! There is not enough time to do what I want. Also, my stamina was shot.
Section of Grey Donkeys. Didn't even get to this.
★ Speed up scales. Um... these need work.
★ Finger mechanics. I've forgotten over the years how good it feels to stretch my fingers like this. I need to do this ALL THE TIME.
★ 30DtD Danza. I think I got all the arrangements done as far as replacing the alternating 10ths. Difficult on harp, how do they even play this on the piano.
☆ 30DtD LGR. This is a really hard freakin' piece. Worked hard on two small sections and ran out of energy. Need to do this one first tomorrow!
☆ Section of Automne. Sort of got one?
_______________________________________________
This was another 3 hours! There is not enough time to do what I want. Also, my stamina was shot.
Section of Grey Donkeys. Didn't even get to this.
Friday, June 10, 2016
★ Start scales week 2. I was a little disappointed by how slowly I'm playing, however I have all week to speed up. My right thumb still gets my bicep in on the action.
★ Finger mechanics
☆ Day 3 of 30DtD with LGR. I'm not sure this is the best way of reviving this. I am getting a little more familiar with it again. It's just really hard to play this one hands apart. Although maybe it'd be a really good counting exercise. Also trying numbering my dynamics. I also have problems playing separate dynamics in each hand.
★ Day 2 of 30DtD with Danza. I did the first and last sections. Thank goodness for music that repeats.
★ Work on memorizing Automne with dynamics. I went through my chart and figured out what I need to work on. Dynamics were suspiciously easy to play around with.
☆ Work on one section of Grey Donkeys. At this point I had been practicing for almost 3 hours. And I worked on three chords instead of the six measures in that section.
All this with a headache, too.
★ Finger mechanics
☆ Day 3 of 30DtD with LGR. I'm not sure this is the best way of reviving this. I am getting a little more familiar with it again. It's just really hard to play this one hands apart. Although maybe it'd be a really good counting exercise. Also trying numbering my dynamics. I also have problems playing separate dynamics in each hand.
★ Day 2 of 30DtD with Danza. I did the first and last sections. Thank goodness for music that repeats.
★ Work on memorizing Automne with dynamics. I went through my chart and figured out what I need to work on. Dynamics were suspiciously easy to play around with.
☆ Work on one section of Grey Donkeys. At this point I had been practicing for almost 3 hours. And I worked on three chords instead of the six measures in that section.
All this with a headache, too.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Goals:
★ Scale mechanics
★ Finger Independence
★ 1st 30DtD exercise with LGR - not sure how much "practice" with hands apart I did. It's hard not to work on details.
★ Pick something else I don't know at all for 30DtD? or use it for Automne or Grey Donkeys? I will be working on Danza La Pastora by Hafftler. It's got a lot of repetition and I really like it.
★ Do repertoire sorting later. I sorted the "love" pile into "like" and "love" and realized I don't really ever play anymore; I practice. I also now have music all over my floor. Week 1 done.
★ Scale mechanics
★ Finger Independence
★ 1st 30DtD exercise with LGR - not sure how much "practice" with hands apart I did. It's hard not to work on details.
★ Pick something else I don't know at all for 30DtD? or use it for Automne or Grey Donkeys? I will be working on Danza La Pastora by Hafftler. It's got a lot of repetition and I really like it.
★ Do repertoire sorting later. I sorted the "love" pile into "like" and "love" and realized I don't really ever play anymore; I practice. I also now have music all over my floor. Week 1 done.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Goals:
Eat all the strawberries. Done.
Oh right, harp stuff.
Scale mechanics week 1 (thru Thurs)
I smacked my left elbow pretty dang hard at work, so I'm just doing scales today. And it's really hot.
Read more of Sound in Motion as that doesn't require too much motion.
Plan re-recording based on previous times recorded* to learn pieces.
Look for Bear McCreary sheet music.
Achieved:
★ Scale mechanics with varying rhythms. Right thumb is fine today. Lt hand, not so much, but not surprising.
☆ The previous times I recorded were not helpful because I didn't actually put dates on them. I may try "30 days to done" (ack! which seems to be gone), OH! or the brand new "Music Repertoire Builder Challenge"!!! Or look through the Kaleidoscope practice at the sample charts.
☆ Maybe read Sound in Motion later tonight.
★ Printed out sample sheet. Looks like just BSG book exists. Ordered from Amazon in a heat-induced delirium, canceled order the next day, ordered through ILL. If it works for the harp, then I will order it.
* or noted, both bad puns, but accurate.
Eat all the strawberries. Done.
Oh right, harp stuff.
Scale mechanics week 1 (thru Thurs)
I smacked my left elbow pretty dang hard at work, so I'm just doing scales today. And it's really hot.
Read more of Sound in Motion as that doesn't require too much motion.
Plan re-recording based on previous times recorded* to learn pieces.
Look for Bear McCreary sheet music.
Achieved:
★ Scale mechanics with varying rhythms. Right thumb is fine today. Lt hand, not so much, but not surprising.
☆ The previous times I recorded were not helpful because I didn't actually put dates on them. I may try "30 days to done" (ack! which seems to be gone), OH! or the brand new "Music Repertoire Builder Challenge"!!! Or look through the Kaleidoscope practice at the sample charts.
☆ Maybe read Sound in Motion later tonight.
★ Printed out sample sheet. Looks like just BSG book exists. Ordered from Amazon in a heat-induced delirium, canceled order the next day, ordered through ILL. If it works for the harp, then I will order it.
* or noted, both bad puns, but accurate.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Today's goals:
Play one measure of LGR with dynamics*
Do scales exercise
Plot out memorization for Automne
Pick section of Grey Donkeys to work on and work on it - from practice chart
*Work on scale dynamics before getting disappointed trying to do this on LGR?
Achieved
★ Scale mechanics - right thumb is weak
☆ Worked on section of Grey Donkeys, and wore myself out, so it was nice to have the next activity to do. Try not to do too much too soon.
★ Made a practice chart for Automne, divided it up, and put dates on it. I hope I can beat those dates, since I've already done a ton of work on it.
☆ Played a few notes of LGR measure. It's hard to hear with a fan going, and today, I am not turning the fan off.
Thinking about setting up scheduled posts for daily goals and filling in the Achieved section after practicing.
★ Not sure gold stars are helping. ★☺
Play one measure of LGR with dynamics*
Do scales exercise
Plot out memorization for Automne
Pick section of Grey Donkeys to work on and work on it - from practice chart
*Work on scale dynamics before getting disappointed trying to do this on LGR?
Achieved
★ Scale mechanics - right thumb is weak
☆ Worked on section of Grey Donkeys, and wore myself out, so it was nice to have the next activity to do. Try not to do too much too soon.
★ Made a practice chart for Automne, divided it up, and put dates on it. I hope I can beat those dates, since I've already done a ton of work on it.
☆ Played a few notes of LGR measure. It's hard to hear with a fan going, and today, I am not turning the fan off.
Thinking about setting up scheduled posts for daily goals and filling in the Achieved section after practicing.
★ Not sure gold stars are helping. ★☺
Friday, June 3, 2016
I finished editing what I could for my album. I now know exactly what I need to work on. Or I should say, which pieces I need to work on. There are several "what to work on"s that could be applied to each piece.
I checked out "Sound In Motion" by David McGill. It explains Tabuteau's numerical method for creating "greater musical expression". Because, dayum, my playing is pretty boring.
I tried to apply the dynamic number system to one of the pieces and realized how little control I have over my fingers - I can neither play at the volume I expect, or play the same volume with the same finger consistently.
My next goal is to apply this method... methodically to Looking Glass River.
Still working on memorizing Automne.
Still working on being able to play Grey Donkeys at all.
Also, doing the scales Monthly Mastery Theme over at myharpmastery.com. Hopefully that will help with control over my fingers, or at least point me in a good direction to achieve that.
I checked out "Sound In Motion" by David McGill. It explains Tabuteau's numerical method for creating "greater musical expression". Because, dayum, my playing is pretty boring.
I tried to apply the dynamic number system to one of the pieces and realized how little control I have over my fingers - I can neither play at the volume I expect, or play the same volume with the same finger consistently.
My next goal is to apply this method... methodically to Looking Glass River.
Still working on memorizing Automne.
Still working on being able to play Grey Donkeys at all.
Also, doing the scales Monthly Mastery Theme over at myharpmastery.com. Hopefully that will help with control over my fingers, or at least point me in a good direction to achieve that.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tried to remember to concentrate on tone while working on arpeggios, but got more interested in playing fast. Was sort of successful, could definitely see improvement from last week.
Played Bells In Snow, (more like sight-read it) because I want snow. Not that I think I can make it snow by playing the harp. Worked a little more on Prelude Intimes and Automne, both are coming along, and way more easy than what I've been working on for my album.
Bit the bullet and started working on Chaconne again, which is something that needs to be re-recorded.
Played Bells In Snow, (more like sight-read it) because I want snow. Not that I think I can make it snow by playing the harp. Worked a little more on Prelude Intimes and Automne, both are coming along, and way more easy than what I've been working on for my album.
Bit the bullet and started working on Chaconne again, which is something that needs to be re-recorded.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Octaves with something I can't remember the name of - "Stilts" something? It's in Tiny Tales for Beginning Harpists. Or Beginners. Or something along those lines. I can't be bothered to get up and verify any of these names.
Got one more line of Automne under my belt. Played almost all of Prelude Intimes.
Tried to work on the first page of Rigaudon. I just do not know how to play that fast and loud without my fingers flying off the strings. Or wobbling.
Got one more line of Automne under my belt. Played almost all of Prelude Intimes.
Tried to work on the first page of Rigaudon. I just do not know how to play that fast and loud without my fingers flying off the strings. Or wobbling.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Friday, December 18, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Friday, December 11, 2015
Fiddle Friday
Did Introduction To Bowing and
Introduction To Fingering Lesson 1.
Introduction to Fingering Lesson 2 seems to be missing. Played Mary Had A Little Lamb in the key of D major.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Using the new practice session structure yesterday I worked on scales from Poetical Studies, ran through Preludes Intimes, and worked on Srebotnjak's Prelude 4.
Notes on the session: I want more speed out of my scales, but can't do that until I've warmed up? It takes a while and takes too much time out of my limited practice time? Will I loosen up over time to the point where I can sit down and bang out some scales quickly? I need to learn the last 2 Prelude Intimes.
Today, I worked on arpeggios from Poetical Studies. I ran through Solfegietto and the first few pieces in Medieval to Modern. Ran out of time.
Notes: My hands feel great.
Notes on the session: I want more speed out of my scales, but can't do that until I've warmed up? It takes a while and takes too much time out of my limited practice time? Will I loosen up over time to the point where I can sit down and bang out some scales quickly? I need to learn the last 2 Prelude Intimes.
Today, I worked on arpeggios from Poetical Studies. I ran through Solfegietto and the first few pieces in Medieval to Modern. Ran out of time.
Notes: My hands feel great.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Sos. Or, "Wow" - with my fingers on the correct keys (although SOS could be appropriate) - I didn't write here that I finished the first draft of my album, ie I got Giga recorded.
However, it's crap, and I'm going to have to re-record it. Editing is underway, which is how I know Giga is crap. Some other things are crap, too, but that may be ok because my microphone was broken during that session.
After getting my album "done", I slipped on practicing (hence the "SOS"). I found a couple resources that helped get me inspired to practice again: http://harpmastery.com/ which is a website run by Anne Sullivan who blogs helpfully and frequently about being better at the harp, and http://fiddlehed.com/ which is a website created by Jason the Fiddlehed who teaches fiddle through multitudinous youtube videos where you can find lesson plans and strategies as well as an extremely helpful daily lesson outline. Both are extremely encouraging teachers.
Today, I'm running a little behind in my schedule, so I only got to warm up and work a little on Prelude 4. I'm going to try going over pieces I already know in future sessions, as recommended on fiddlehed as well as an article I read about Salzedo that said he went though an entire recital repertoire once a week.
However, it's crap, and I'm going to have to re-record it. Editing is underway, which is how I know Giga is crap. Some other things are crap, too, but that may be ok because my microphone was broken during that session.
After getting my album "done", I slipped on practicing (hence the "SOS"). I found a couple resources that helped get me inspired to practice again: http://harpmastery.com/ which is a website run by Anne Sullivan who blogs helpfully and frequently about being better at the harp, and http://fiddlehed.com/ which is a website created by Jason the Fiddlehed who teaches fiddle through multitudinous youtube videos where you can find lesson plans and strategies as well as an extremely helpful daily lesson outline. Both are extremely encouraging teachers.
Today, I'm running a little behind in my schedule, so I only got to warm up and work a little on Prelude 4. I'm going to try going over pieces I already know in future sessions, as recommended on fiddlehed as well as an article I read about Salzedo that said he went though an entire recital repertoire once a week.
Monday, October 12, 2015
I think I may have overcome the mental hurdle I had regarding dynamics in Giga. I really buckled down yesterday and did some work one phrase at a time. Almost note by note. Which is what I did today, but my brain could only take 1/2 hour of that before it said "no more". I need to do some cementing, possibly, after test recording tomorrow - with the right disc - of the dynamics in Giga, as well as the left hand in Berceuse. As well as metronome work with Prelude 2.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
Prelude 2 - pause 2 sec, not 3. go over middle section - remember it's a melody.
Giga- really, really exaggerate phrases and remember it's a dance
Berceuse - left hand needs to be quieter but phrased, beginning in general needs to be quieter, pedal change at beginning A♭.
Recording these tomorrow, fingers crossed all goes well.
Giga- really, really exaggerate phrases and remember it's a dance
Berceuse - left hand needs to be quieter but phrased, beginning in general needs to be quieter, pedal change at beginning A♭.
Recording these tomorrow, fingers crossed all goes well.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Picked random measures and worked on them. 3 in LGR. Then played different pieces to for fun but then to see what I had memorized. I have a lot memorized, except for various lines in various pieces. So I don't have any one thing totally memorized.
Need to listen to the recordings I made because I made voice notes.
Need to listen to the recordings I made because I made voice notes.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
I've been working on little sections of Impromptu by Lex van Delden because I'm so sick of Giga. I'm hoping it's a good thing that I'm "setting it aside" for a little while. Hopefully, all the dynamic and musical things will percolate and it will be perfect when I pick it back up again.
I almost couldn't make myself play today, so I did the CBT thing of "try it for 5 minutes". I lasted longer than 5 minutes, but not by much. I did play fiddle a little bit after that, and that was fun. I'm still working on trying to play the notes in tune.
I also sight-read a little bit of Joaquin Turina's Tocata y Fuga arr. Nicanor Zabaleta (thank you, MultCoLib and Vassar College ILL depts) and will probably order it. I like the pieces and they are arranged REALLY well. I always wonder when that happens (Dewey Owens anyone?) if the arranger had the same size hands as me, or if they had really bendy fingers like me.
I almost couldn't make myself play today, so I did the CBT thing of "try it for 5 minutes". I lasted longer than 5 minutes, but not by much. I did play fiddle a little bit after that, and that was fun. I'm still working on trying to play the notes in tune.
I also sight-read a little bit of Joaquin Turina's Tocata y Fuga arr. Nicanor Zabaleta (thank you, MultCoLib and Vassar College ILL depts) and will probably order it. I like the pieces and they are arranged REALLY well. I always wonder when that happens (Dewey Owens anyone?) if the arranger had the same size hands as me, or if they had really bendy fingers like me.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Results of exaggerating:
- Listen to original Berceuse, more strictly in time and sounds ok.
- Don't pause between measures in Berceuse, make sure glisses dissolve into notes properly.
- Sped up Giga in audacity, don't like the over exaggeration, but some things sound good. Maybe incorporate regular phrasing instead of exaggerated.
- Prelude 2 sounds good, just need to record 3x to find errors and FIX ERRORS.
- Listen to original Berceuse, more strictly in time and sounds ok.
- Don't pause between measures in Berceuse, make sure glisses dissolve into notes properly.
- Sped up Giga in audacity, don't like the over exaggeration, but some things sound good. Maybe incorporate regular phrasing instead of exaggerated.
- Prelude 2 sounds good, just need to record 3x to find errors and FIX ERRORS.
Friday, September 11, 2015
After all the technical work, Giga now sounds boring.
Options for making it more interesting:
+ Really, really exaggerate the phrasing. Like, REALLY. And record it and see if anything sounds good. (searching duckduckgo brought up a lot of "How to be interesting" articles. Pursue later. Right now, FOCUS.) (Practice these things in small chunks/phrases.)
+ Painting the scene chapter
+ Play along with the recording I really like
Add more as I think of things.
I also need to go back to exaggerating Berceuse. Need to do that and record.
And I need to do that for Prelude 2.
Options for making it more interesting:
+ Really, really exaggerate the phrasing. Like, REALLY. And record it and see if anything sounds good. (searching duckduckgo brought up a lot of "How to be interesting" articles. Pursue later. Right now, FOCUS.) (Practice these things in small chunks/phrases.)
+ Painting the scene chapter
+ Play along with the recording I really like
Add more as I think of things.
I also need to go back to exaggerating Berceuse. Need to do that and record.
And I need to do that for Prelude 2.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Monday, September 7, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
Giga notes
It's totally fine to play this slower.
Watch out for buzzing jeezy creezy.
Incorporate more dynamics and phrasing.
Make it sound fun.
Watch out for buzzing jeezy creezy.
Incorporate more dynamics and phrasing.
Make it sound fun.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Headphones
I finally fixed my good headphones - it took two hours - so I can now do all the subsequent things I've been putting off.
I'm taking a break, dammit. Two. Hours. Mostly from threading the tecflex onto the wires and now my fingers are killing me.
On the bright side, I did manage to solder and reassemble everything without testing. Ha!
I'm taking a break, dammit. Two. Hours. Mostly from threading the tecflex onto the wires and now my fingers are killing me.
On the bright side, I did manage to solder and reassemble everything without testing. Ha!
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Friday, August 7, 2015
Monday, August 3, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
While trying to improve Giga by visualizing, I realized there are repeated themes in different keys, but using completely different fingering and splitting the chords between two hands differently, which may explain why I can't remember how to play either of them. And why it's exhausting to visualize.
Berceuse needs test recording, or I need to listen to my other recording to remember how I want to play it.
Started some good work on Prelude 2, need to chain the rest of page 1 and first part of p 2.
Berceuse needs test recording, or I need to listen to my other recording to remember how I want to play it.
Started some good work on Prelude 2, need to chain the rest of page 1 and first part of p 2.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
After an epic heatwave (for Portland) I got back to Giga. I got out the red pen and listened to my practice recordings. The first repeat is a source of constant trouble. Reading Practicopedia chapter "Clearing Obstacles" to see if it helps.
Berceuse seems ok. Need to record that to see if it still sounds like what I want.
Prelude 2 is ok. Need to work on trouble spots.
Prelude 4 needs a lot of detail work.
And I'm going to have tater tots for dinner because now I can actually use my oven without my apartment nearing temperatures that would melt the One Ring.
ETA: I might try visualization - last chapter in the book - along with chaining.
Berceuse seems ok. Need to record that to see if it still sounds like what I want.
Prelude 2 is ok. Need to work on trouble spots.
Prelude 4 needs a lot of detail work.
And I'm going to have tater tots for dinner because now I can actually use my oven without my apartment nearing temperatures that would melt the One Ring.
ETA: I might try visualization - last chapter in the book - along with chaining.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Two versions of Italian Pavane
I may or may not be learning this. However, it turns out it's perfect for if you've sprained your right ankle as most of the accidentals are B, C, and D.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Friday, June 5, 2015
Tambourin - trills need to be slower and less squeaky. And I need to figure out dynamics, wow.
Rigaudon - The dynamics I decided on I like and can be added to the actual music.
1st Arabesque - need to go through and mark mistakes and drill those.
Folk Song - ready? possibly? need to mark dynamics, but they're already kind of ok?
Not recording this weekend, hopefully next. Then I will have ONE piece left. I think I'm going to skip the Italian Pavane. Then I can re-record whatever is necessary.
Rigaudon - The dynamics I decided on I like and can be added to the actual music.
1st Arabesque - need to go through and mark mistakes and drill those.
Folk Song - ready? possibly? need to mark dynamics, but they're already kind of ok?
Not recording this weekend, hopefully next. Then I will have ONE piece left. I think I'm going to skip the Italian Pavane. Then I can re-record whatever is necessary.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Rigaudon - worked first 2 sections slowly. last phrase of 2nd section still needs work. Need to work slowly on last 2 sections. With dynamics. Need to listen to recording.
First Arabesque - I may have finally deprogrammed myself for the opening triplets. 2nd and last page still need deprogramming. Need to listen to recording.
Folk Song 1 - need to listen to recording. May just need work on one arpeggio.
Giga - ?? Not sure what to do with it. Maybe just keep working it slowly up to speed.
First Arabesque - I may have finally deprogrammed myself for the opening triplets. 2nd and last page still need deprogramming. Need to listen to recording.
Folk Song 1 - need to listen to recording. May just need work on one arpeggio.
Giga - ?? Not sure what to do with it. Maybe just keep working it slowly up to speed.
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