Maija's practice diary

I'm working on building a balanced repertoire and improving my technical skills and musicality. I've never taken any piano exams before but I'm now working towards taking an exam (roughly equivalent to ABRSM grade 6) possibly later this year or the next.  I don't have a lot of performance experience or opportunities and I thought having a practice diary might be a good way to ease into playing in front of other people. 

Right now I'm working on:

- J. S. Bach: Invention No. 6 in E Major, BWV 777 and Allemande from French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814

- Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor K. 213

- Beethoven: Sonata Op. 49. No. 1 in G Minor and Sonata Op. 49 No. 2 in G Major

- Mozart: Sonata No. 16 in C Major K. 545

- Sibelius: Op. 75 No. 4 "Björken" and Etude Op. 76 No. 2

- Brahms: Intermezzo in A Major Op. 118 No. 2

Some of my biggest overall technical challenges are: 

- hypermobility, joints locking and/or collapsing

- tension and stiffness (especially in my thumbs)

- maintaining proper hand and arm position and knuckle support 

Other challenges:

- Playing from memory. In the exam I'm preparing for everything must be played from memory but I haven't really memorized anything in a long time much less performed without sheet music, so this is a huge challenge for me.

- Performance anxiety. I perform in recitals about twice a year. Sometimes I'm very anxious but even when I don't feel anxious I get the physical symptoms (hands won't stop shaking etc.) and play worse than usual. I get this even when I'm recording all alone at home. I think sharing my playing (imperfect as it is) here might help with this.