Scarborough Fair

I have chosen 'Scarborough Fair' as my recital song. I am a big fan of Simon and Garfunkel, and am familiar with this song, but still find it challenging. I practiced this one song for a very long time (probably an entire hour), and found that the repetition was very helpful. I was really struggling at the beginning with some rhythms and frequent hand placement changes. But once I kept going, it became more natural. I am still stumbling over some parts, but definitely feel like it was a good start.

I also believe going over this song so many times helped me with reading other music better. When I moved back to where I had left off in the book, I was able to remember where my hands belonged for certain notes better by referring back to where they were for Scarborough Fair. My sight reading is getting better, and I feel a little more confident. I know I still have a long way to go, but feel this week was definitely a turning point for me.

2/26/09

Just a quick note reminding you that there's no class tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions about your practicing. Enjoy your week, and I'll see you in April!

First blog after spring break- Hooray!

Still working on Hanon. Fingertips hurt. Speed is increasing though.

Midterm Week

So this has been a fun week! I have been working on crossing my fingers on the songs and working on the jazz chord transitions. I am finding the idea of switching the melody on both hands more difficult that playing the melody with one hand and a changing chord on the others. 

I have also been working on stretching my hand an octave. I feel like I have reading both keys down to a science now. Also, I am working on switching my hands to work with the flats and sharps on the scale. 

I am working on the Amazing Aerobics of Hanon! 

See you tonight!

Funny Story...

So I don't know if you have all heard about the mini-disaster in the piano lab by now, but I was the sole witness. I was in there practicing when all of a sudden I hear dripping water. I can't understand where it might be coming from, but then I turn around and see it coming out pretty quickly from the ceiling over the wooden piano. I make sure to get out of there, and in the nick of time- because then that piece of ceiling fell! So I wonder if that room in functionable right now, because it seemed like the pipe burst...

Before I was so dramatically interrupted, I was working on songs where I had to move my hand across the piano a lot. I am still finding this pretty tricky just because remembering which finger has to play which note, especially on my left hand, is a challenge. I know this will become easier with time, but is definitely something I need to work on. I wish I had a keyboard at home to practice on over spring break, but unfortunately I do not, so I will probably be a little rusty when I get back.