Denise's Practice Diary
Well, I moved on from Beethoven's Opus 79 (full sonata)
My current pieces are:
1. Shostakovich's Prelude 17 (Opus 34) A Flat Major - just started. Wasn't so sure I would like it because of the chromatic and dissonant harmonies, not to mention, I have never played, let alone, am not well versed in this composer. However, after one week of practicing, I LOVE THIS PIECE! It is SOOOOOO me... perhaps my teacher picked it with purpose.
2. Chopin Prelude 3 (Opus 28) G Major - scares the bejeezus out of me because of the speed in the left hand, but after a month, I can play it ... just ok, but, it's coming along.
3. Bach's 2 part Invention 4 D minor - probably the best invention, the fastest I have ever learned one too... this makes 9? I think... I just assigned one of my students his first invention... F Major. This will be FUN!
4. Also working through Bartok Mikrokosmos for sight reading... short memorizing bursts (i have trouble memorizing at 50), and just back to the basics review...
I am surprised I can actually do the left hand in Chopin's prelude with some degree of speed- I always say I cannot play fast. I am studying with Brendan Nguyen, who has PhD from UCSD, but his BM and Masters are from Oberlin. I have a BA in Music from SDSU, and have been playing since I was 5 years old. However, I am a Special Education Math/Science teacher by day. I have a private piano studio with 18 students by night, but during the pandemic, I returned to study (virtually) with a piano teacher from long ago... to hone my chops.
I still have severe performance anxiety, but Brendan has been awesome since I started studying with him in July! He gave me a copy of the book "There are No Wrong Notes" - Highly recommend!!
I really miss being a virtual high school teacher like I was last year because I could zip in to all the tone base live steams! Now I am on campus, come home and teach... then practice -
But, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way!
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Hi Denise!
Thank you for this post. I returned to piano after 30 years of break, and after a full year of recovering, I managed to enter State high music school (grades 7-10) at the age of 44. And I really enjoy it. I changed my career (after almost two decades of management positions in Pharmaceutical industry, I decided to quit and use my experience to be a Scrum Master) so that I can have more time to enjoy my life and practice.
I also have severe stage anxiety as I haven’t performed in public for ages. I see the book you recommended - who is the author, as I seem not to find it on the internet?
Currently I work on Bach’s Prelude and Fugue no 2 from WTC 1, Beethoven’s Sonata Op.2 no 1 in f minor (currently on 4th movement), Chopin’s Nocturne in g minor Op.37 no 1 and I’m preparing the Chamber music exam (Schilndler’s list Theme, for violoncello and piano).
I work with my aunt who is excellent piano teacher and retired so she has time for me. And if all goes well, I will probably go as far as auditioning for Conservatorium after completing level 10. I should have done it long time ago, but it’s never too late to do what you love.
If it continues to go this well
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Aleksandra Bogomaz I was totally mistaken, it was late at night, and my partner had served me a Martini!! Here is a picture of my book. It's "The PERFECT WRONG Note..." My apologies!! :-) Sounds like you are having a great journey! One of the girls I went to music school with became a music teacher, but then switched and became a pharmacist! Never stop learning. :-)
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Denise thanks a lot, I found the book - I will start reading it immediately!
I wish you a smooth and pleasant musical journey as well!
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I performed this last week at a studio class. not memorized. Tonight I recorded it very slowly... because my heart is so very heavy for what is happening in Ukraine. Russian composers were denounced for writing "inappropriate" music... I certainly hope we, as a world, do not allow the iron curtain to fall again.
Please, know... I have severe performance anxiety. To play in front of people... is huge. To record, start to finish, with a decent delivery is massive! This is my first Shostakovich piece.
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Denise , thank you for sharing your video. I also get nervous with these recordings, but think it gets easier the more you do it. I'm also upset with what's happening in Ukraine. I hope the Ukrainians know that the vast majority of the global community is on their side instead of on Putin's side.
On a much lighter note, I read your comment about assigning one of your students their first Bach invention which I believe was #8 (in F major). I remember my first Bach invention which was #10 in G major. Not sure why my piano teacher selected that as my first, but it might be because the structure resembles Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring which I had just previously learned to play (or more likely, a simplified version of the original). But #8 was my second and remember what fun it was to learn and play. It's good to hear you are introducing your students to these wonderful Bach pieces.
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Anthony Miyake My student ATE UP number 8!! He is working on 13 currently and I just assigned him Mozart's Fantasy in D Minor. :-) Thank you for your reply.
I have a student who came to America from Iraq who's parents are both from Russia, however he is now a full US citizen, and you wouldn't believe how the students on campus were treating him. :-( it breaks my heart. I served in the US Navy during the tail end of the Cold War, so it really scares me to see Putin so unglued... and the havoc that is being unleashed right now.
Music unites. -
Denise , that's great to hear and it seems like your student is enjoying learning the piano (as opposed to being forced by parents to learn). #13 was and still is my favorite Bach invention. To me, it's the one that "sings" the most.
It's unfortunate to hear how your student with the Russian background is being treated by the other students. And unfortunately it's the Russian people who will bear the brunt of Putin's actions with the sanctions even though they have no opportunity to dissent against him.
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Denise Denise, I'm so inspired to hear that you teach a private piano studio alongside your work as a Special Education teacher, and that you wouldn't have it any other way. What makes you so committed to playing the piano?
Performance anxiety is common and congratulations on recording Shostakovich. I really love watching your hands as you play, too. You're so gentle and tender with the keys and its effect on the tone you get from the instrument is unmissable.
What's it like for you to both practice and teach students? I've done both too and would be so curious to hear about your experiences!
Hilda
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Hilda Huang Thank you Hilda! I started playing when I was 5. Piano is my life. My significant other is a professional pianist... I am committed to playing so that I can become a better teacher... :-)
I wish I had more time to practice, but, seeing my students take to piano is glorious.I have 19 in my studio currently. This was my first year entering any in contests or the like. I had 3 in a sonata contest in the fall. No one placed but they did great. And then 4 did MTAC Certificate of Merit and received State Honors :-). Music sparks joy!
~Denise
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Hilda Huang I forgot to mention, my top student (he is 11) is currently working on Mozart's Fantasy in D Minor. At first he said it was TOOO HARD - growth mindset set him straight. He has it playable in 3 weeks. Now we are working on expression and dynamics. Just wait til I tell hem he needs to memorize it for recital... hehe...
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Well, I took a slow down for practicing... My big oof of a dog pulled me down and in hyper extended both wrists 3 weeks ago. Chopin is off the table because of the left hand work. However, I started an Adagio movement of Haydn's Sonata in E minor, XVI:47bis... :-) Just started it today. It's very pretty. I have the Shostakovich pretty well set, just working on the rubato. Bach Invention 4 is fine... just not enough time to sit and keep it in my fingers especially with the injury... Taking things slow.
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Here is the score for the first movement of the e minor Sonata ... and the link to my first read through.... (about 1/3rd of the movement.)
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Denise Love this piece! Good luck!
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Brother Will Green thank you! Working on memorizing. :-)
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Update on Haydn Sonata...
Iecorded myself... sonata movement is mostly memorized, but used the music. I had recorded it nearly without any note mistakes, then the dogs started barking... so, I was a bit upset. I didn't take the repeat this time, a couple of phrasing issues, note errors, and botched the ending. But... I am going to try to record myself every few days. Trying to get it ready to perform it. UGH, my anxiety is really bad thinking about that! I will definitely play at a studio class on May 7, but my teacher wants me to play in the May recital. I haven't really played in a recital environment since 2003-2005ish.
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Denise Lovely piece. On the quiet, meditative side, but still very expressive. Thank you for sharing! I'm going to check out that book you mentioned as well. Hope things have been going well!
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So, the Haydn Sonata first movement is memorized. I will be playing next week at a studio class. However, I have turned down the request to play at the recital. I just am too busy life wise and preparing my studio to play for the June recital to put one more thing on my agenda. But with my anxiety, the studio class is a huge step! So, I am good with it.
My next projects, finish up the Shostakovich prelude, then start Schubert's Impromptu Op 142 No 3. I think it's a little toooo hard for me, but we shall see. Bren said we will treat each variation as it's own piece. We have learned that the shorter pieces work better with my schedule, but the Impromptus as a whole are longer pieces... I am going to say this is probably the most difficult piece I have been assigned...
Here is a video of my first read through of the theme. Not bad for sight reading. I can definitely feel I have progressed in the past year since studying with him. My confidence is better too. I never would record myself.
NO this is NOT perfect. Obviously... I have been playing since I was 5, and am now 51. I stopped at 18, till I was about 31 - while I was in the Navy. Got my music degree when I was 34, but by then, my performance anxiety was crippling.
Some of the variations are scary to my ear and eyes... but, I am ready to at least take on the challenge and see where it leads me!
https://youtu.be/PMESJRCjmno -
I am so addicted to Schubert’s impromptu no 3. It’s in my ear even when I am not playing. I can play the theme and am starting to get variation number 1.
I played the Haydn Sonata for the studio class. No mistakes in the exposition, a few in the dev/recap, but stone face and continued. I don’t think anyone in the room really noticed except for me and Bren.
Polishing the Shostakovich Prelude which is super easy now after the Haydn!
School year is almost a wrap. Looking forward to summer!! But I may be called to teach Summer session at the Catholic high school next door (where I used to teach). That’s ok! 12 half days… and my old kiddos…
feeling good about playing! Also feel like the last year had brought substantial improvements in my technique.
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Denise Sounds great, Denise :) so glad to hear from you!
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Brother Will Green Thank you! Nice to hear from you too!
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Surprisingly the Schubert Impromptu is coming along. Spending a lot of slow practice on Variation 1 and listening to recordings makes variation 2 not so bad.
More playable than I thought I ever could. The minor variation scares me, but with summer break approaching, I think I may be able to get it!
optimism!
:-)
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Shostakovich is memorized! And I thought I couldn't memorize. Getting better the more I put my mind to it... (pun intended). Yes, there are mistakes...
Haunting yet beautiful Prelude in A Flat Major... Very me.
