Week 2: Status Update and one NEW improvement!
Hello and welcome to the WEEK TWO Main Thread for this challenge! 
Alright everyone - this is the thread where we'll all be posting our daily updates.
Make sure you've read the rules before replying (<- click)
Twice a week between August 7th - 14th I hope to be reading your daily updates in this very thread right here!
Here is this week's assignment!
1. Let us know what status your "Unfinished Business" piece is at!
2. No matter what, let's focus this week on ONE NEW improvement for your piece!
3. Optional: post a video of your update, and work!
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My goal this week for the Chopin Grand Polonaise is to practice playing more deeply into the keys, not only for the sonorous sections (which have too many gaps in sound), but also the leggiero and left hand accompaniment, and also for phrase endings. Last week I noticed a lot of notes either aren't sounding or the tone quality is off. Hopefully this will also help with building physical and mental endurance too; this piece is a marathon
I'll worry about balance and speed later...This is a recording from today, measures 17-132 (no Tutti opening; with score) https://youtu.be/gVRg8kXmPWg
I love reading everyone's thought processes. Really helpful perspectives!
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Alexander Weymann Michelle R Vidhya Bashyam Thank you for taking the time to listen so closely and for your encouraging feedback! This is my first time participating on anything, really, on Tonebase. Knowing I have a very informed audience is highly motivating for both practicing and actually listening to my recordings
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Judy Kuan Wow! Great progress. Love how you play it. Gives me a smile.
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Kerstin
Just trying to have fun with it 
Thank you! Have a great weekend! -
Alexander Weymann What a great practice video. You are well on your way to achieving your objectives PLUS adding a dash of Chopin-y flare and charm!
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Judy Kuan I love your delicate your touch on the piano! You create such a beautiful sound from it. Looking forward to hear more from this Polonaise!
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Judy Kuan this sounds so beautiful already! I totally agree with all the comments above. I look forward to following your progress in the coming weeks. I also have to mention, you sit with amazing posture at the piano!!
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Judy Kuan Great practice session. Your sound is warm and beautiful and very expressive in each note.
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Hi everyone! Changed my piece, because I want to finish one in the next two weeks. Working on it the last days and it’s better now. More confidence now.
https://youtu.be/AqMWhI2tkvg-
Kerstin sounds great - it's coming together nicely :)
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Kerstin This is delightful! I don't know this Nocturne at all and am happy to be learning it vicariously through you
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Kerstin Lovely job with sensitive dynamics and lovely phrasing!
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Kerstin I just loved the switch from the slower reflective mood, to the more fast paced middle section - and then back again. Sounds great!
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Kerstin Very beautiful! Enjoying your lovely interpretation of this piece.
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Vidhya Bashyam Thanks.
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Sindre Skarelven Thanks Sindre.
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Judy Kuan Yes this is my favorite Nocturne and also op 48/1 Priya is playing here. Maybe I can finish that one too. Half year ago I played this Nocturne and my teacher didn’t like how I play it and gave me such a harsh criticism that I didn’t want to play it anymore. But now without a teacher I came back to it.
Have fun with your practicing. -
Priya Viseskul Thanks Priya!
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Gail Starr Thank you very much. 🫶
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Kerstin Oh wow, that is difficult for me to read... I'm glad you found your way back to the piece! 48/1 is so profound - a few years ago my teacher said I wasn't ready for it, but maybe I'll join you both and also try it after this challenge is over!
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Judy Kuan For sure. I want to finish this Nocturne too. Today I was working on it. And than I looked in the score of the Polonaise your are playing. That’s sometimes really complicated and long. Great you can play it. So the best is to have fun and love the music.
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Kerstin I'm glad you didn't give up on playing this nocturne and you are coming back to it. It is certainly a beautiful one! Looking forward to further videos of this.
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Natalie Peh Thanks Natalie! This challenge and all the comments are so inspiring for me - unbelievable.
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Kerstin Beautiful phrasing, Kerstin! What a wonderful piece for this challenge!
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Kerstin that sounded very polished, bravo :)
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Derek McConville Thanks Derek!
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