Yesterday was not really a good day and I arrived at my lesson feeling rather fraught and frazzled. I was not really in the frame of mind for learning. We pressed on anyway.... through a slow Ferling study that needed quietness and calmness and controlled breathing, onto the Hindemith second movement with long, sweeping slow phrases followed by a chance to really go for it with fortissimos and accented notes. Then a sense of spaciousness and elegance with the start of Telemann's Fantasia no 7.
By the end of the lesson I felt like a different person and was ready to face "real life" again.
On a forum that I read, someone recently posed the question "Why Study Music?"
For me, this is why: it soothes my soul.
Showing posts with label Hindemith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hindemith. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Looking forward and looking back
Summer is nearly over and in less than a week the new term will be begin. Despite having no real connection with schools anymore - the academic year still exerts its influence. Everything seems to stop over July and August. Life steps down a gear - though work still continues at usual it just becomes harder to get anything done. August is my least favourite month.
But September is something else. I love September. A chill comes into the air, Autumn clothes are dug out, life begins to pick up again. After the lethargy of the "summer" I feel a new energy to embark on new projects and get back to all my usual activities. Orchestra begins next Tuesday with my first oboe lesson the day after. A new term, a new academic year, a new start. I already have my new practice book, am wondering what music we will be playing in our first Orchestra concert and have started browsing June Emerson wondering what music my teacher may suggest we work on this term.
This week I've booked myself on two courses for next year. One is a day's reed making course, the other a weekend wind ensemble playing course. They are both months off but I am already excited. Later this year there is a double reed day that I am hoping to go to, and in February an annual wind play day which is always lots of fun.
Summer practice has been reasonably productive though. At the start of the summer I wrote a list of old repertoire that I wanted to play through. I have come to the end of that list now - some pieces I lingered over for a few days (Marcello and Cimerosa concertos, Britten Metamorphoses, Poulenc Sonata), for others one play through was sufficient (Meyer Rustical Miniatures, Schumann Romances). I also played through the Ferling Studies that I studied in my first year of lessons. I've played through some of the Luft studies too.
I've managed a little bit of reed making - not as much as I maybe should have done but I have managed to do 3 or so practice sessions on reeds that I have made myself. A small step in the right direction.
I think I've improved on the pieces that my teacher asked me to look at:
Telemann Fantasia No 4 - I think I am just beginning now to really get to grips with the second movement. It has been a struggle - but finally it is paying off. A few more days will hopefully make this even more secure.
Harty - Orientale. There are some timing bits here that I can't fathom but the rest of it is coming together reasonably. Though need to work on the cadenza runs a little this week.
Hindemith Sonata Mvt 2 - this has really grown on me. I have been playing this along to a recording in the last couple of weeks. It isn't something I often do but in this case it has really helped in understanding the music. Playing with the piano accompaniment has made a number of things click into place.
Luft Study 23 - notes are fairly secure and have been working on playing through, breathing, phrasing.
Luft 24 - well, I wasn't asked to look at this, but I have done and it is sounding OK now.
Scales are becoming more engrained, I've worked on playing extended major scales (tonic to highest note on instrument, down to lowest and back to tonic) and playing major scales in 3rds. They are beginning to be more fluent now.
I think my tuning and vibrato has also improved over the last few weeks when I've been able to put in very consistent practice.
What will this year bring? No exams to focus on this time, but I am looking forward to improving all aspects of my playing by exploring lots of new repertoire. I would like to focus on learning to make reeds so that I can more self reliant in that departmnet. I would also love to buy a Cor Anglais at some point. Let's see what the year brings.
But September is something else. I love September. A chill comes into the air, Autumn clothes are dug out, life begins to pick up again. After the lethargy of the "summer" I feel a new energy to embark on new projects and get back to all my usual activities. Orchestra begins next Tuesday with my first oboe lesson the day after. A new term, a new academic year, a new start. I already have my new practice book, am wondering what music we will be playing in our first Orchestra concert and have started browsing June Emerson wondering what music my teacher may suggest we work on this term.
This week I've booked myself on two courses for next year. One is a day's reed making course, the other a weekend wind ensemble playing course. They are both months off but I am already excited. Later this year there is a double reed day that I am hoping to go to, and in February an annual wind play day which is always lots of fun.
Summer practice has been reasonably productive though. At the start of the summer I wrote a list of old repertoire that I wanted to play through. I have come to the end of that list now - some pieces I lingered over for a few days (Marcello and Cimerosa concertos, Britten Metamorphoses, Poulenc Sonata), for others one play through was sufficient (Meyer Rustical Miniatures, Schumann Romances). I also played through the Ferling Studies that I studied in my first year of lessons. I've played through some of the Luft studies too.
I've managed a little bit of reed making - not as much as I maybe should have done but I have managed to do 3 or so practice sessions on reeds that I have made myself. A small step in the right direction.
I think I've improved on the pieces that my teacher asked me to look at:
Telemann Fantasia No 4 - I think I am just beginning now to really get to grips with the second movement. It has been a struggle - but finally it is paying off. A few more days will hopefully make this even more secure.
Harty - Orientale. There are some timing bits here that I can't fathom but the rest of it is coming together reasonably. Though need to work on the cadenza runs a little this week.
Hindemith Sonata Mvt 2 - this has really grown on me. I have been playing this along to a recording in the last couple of weeks. It isn't something I often do but in this case it has really helped in understanding the music. Playing with the piano accompaniment has made a number of things click into place.
Luft Study 23 - notes are fairly secure and have been working on playing through, breathing, phrasing.
Luft 24 - well, I wasn't asked to look at this, but I have done and it is sounding OK now.
Scales are becoming more engrained, I've worked on playing extended major scales (tonic to highest note on instrument, down to lowest and back to tonic) and playing major scales in 3rds. They are beginning to be more fluent now.
I think my tuning and vibrato has also improved over the last few weeks when I've been able to put in very consistent practice.
What will this year bring? No exams to focus on this time, but I am looking forward to improving all aspects of my playing by exploring lots of new repertoire. I would like to focus on learning to make reeds so that I can more self reliant in that departmnet. I would also love to buy a Cor Anglais at some point. Let's see what the year brings.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Summer plans
Oboe lessons are finished for the Summer. It will be 6 weeks before they restart. I avoid going away in school holidays as much as possible - so practice will continue as (nearly) normal. My teacher hasn't particuarly set me additional work over the summer so there is a chance to add in a few extras and focus on some more fun things.
Practice this week has been good so far. I feel recovered from my illness, which was sapping my energy, and my general playing is much improved now that I am not preparing to play in front of people!
So this is what I am doing:
1. Technical work - I've put together a tick box for this to help make sure I'm covering all aspects regularly. It is based on an articulation one that my teacher did for me. I find it helpful as I can record which exercises I've done, metronome speeds, scale of the day etc. I spent some time yesterday doing slow broken arpeggios, trying to make them as legato and smooth as possible with no bumps at the change of note or register. It is very difficult but I think I made a small amount of progress!
2. Studies - my teacher told me to look at Luft 23. This one is harder than it looks. There are 6 sharps in the key signature and I was very confused as it why it didn't seem to be in F# major. It only clicked last night that a number of the B's are also sharpened and it is actually in C#major with 7 sharps. No wonder it makes my brain ache. I think I can just about cope with 6 sharps in the key signature but adding additional accidentals just tips it over the edge. It shouldn't take 6 weeks to sort it out though so I may have a look at number 24 too. For a little light relief I'm playing through the studies I've already covered - both Luft and Ferling - to remind myself of how they go and also so I can make note of which studies are particularly useful for certain techincal difficulties.
3. Pieces - only 3 to look at for my lessons. Orinetale - the final miniature, Telemann Fantasia no 4, Hindemith Sonata 2nd movement. All progressing at the moment.
4. Revision - I'm going through my music and pulling out pieces that I've covered in my lessons over the last 3 years. It shows me how far I've progressed - bits I found hard I can sometimes now do easily. It's also just nice to have time to play pieces for fun!
This week i have been playing:
Britten - Metamophoses (4 out of the 6). I love these so much - I should play them everyday!
Albinoni - Concerto in D, opus 7 no 6. I played the first 2 movements for my Grade 7 exam.
Cimerosa - Concerto. This is tricky, I may do some more work on this.
Fiocco - Ariosa. I played this at the Adult learner's event last summer, lovely piece of music!
Hoepfully over the summer I will have chance to do more reed making too!
I am sure that it will be September before I know it!
Practice this week has been good so far. I feel recovered from my illness, which was sapping my energy, and my general playing is much improved now that I am not preparing to play in front of people!
So this is what I am doing:
1. Technical work - I've put together a tick box for this to help make sure I'm covering all aspects regularly. It is based on an articulation one that my teacher did for me. I find it helpful as I can record which exercises I've done, metronome speeds, scale of the day etc. I spent some time yesterday doing slow broken arpeggios, trying to make them as legato and smooth as possible with no bumps at the change of note or register. It is very difficult but I think I made a small amount of progress!
2. Studies - my teacher told me to look at Luft 23. This one is harder than it looks. There are 6 sharps in the key signature and I was very confused as it why it didn't seem to be in F# major. It only clicked last night that a number of the B's are also sharpened and it is actually in C#major with 7 sharps. No wonder it makes my brain ache. I think I can just about cope with 6 sharps in the key signature but adding additional accidentals just tips it over the edge. It shouldn't take 6 weeks to sort it out though so I may have a look at number 24 too. For a little light relief I'm playing through the studies I've already covered - both Luft and Ferling - to remind myself of how they go and also so I can make note of which studies are particularly useful for certain techincal difficulties.
3. Pieces - only 3 to look at for my lessons. Orinetale - the final miniature, Telemann Fantasia no 4, Hindemith Sonata 2nd movement. All progressing at the moment.
4. Revision - I'm going through my music and pulling out pieces that I've covered in my lessons over the last 3 years. It shows me how far I've progressed - bits I found hard I can sometimes now do easily. It's also just nice to have time to play pieces for fun!
This week i have been playing:
Britten - Metamophoses (4 out of the 6). I love these so much - I should play them everyday!
Albinoni - Concerto in D, opus 7 no 6. I played the first 2 movements for my Grade 7 exam.
Cimerosa - Concerto. This is tricky, I may do some more work on this.
Fiocco - Ariosa. I played this at the Adult learner's event last summer, lovely piece of music!
Hoepfully over the summer I will have chance to do more reed making too!
I am sure that it will be September before I know it!
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Catch up
I thought I ought to do a round up of the things that I am practising at the moment:
Technical exercises - I am still doing articulation exercises to try and up my speed. It is gradually having some effect I think. I'm also doing long notes based on arpeggios - trying to improve tone, dynamic range and tuning. Doing arpeggios is good as it means I'm doing notes across the whole range of the instrument.
Studies - this week's study is Luft No 20 which is in C# minor. I really like this one but it has some tricky passages and also a lot of rhythmic changees - lots of subdivisions as it goes from minims to crotchets to demi semi quavers to quavers to semi quaver tripets to trying to fit 5 notes into the space of 1 semi quaver....it is making my head spin a bit. Hopefully I will get another week to work on it.
Hindemith Sonata - There are only 2 movements. The first one grew on me a bit - though having heard a recording of it with piano I would still say that it is a Sonata that is more fun to play than to listen to. I really do not like the second movement at all. Slow, random notes, strange rhythms. It really doesn't do it for me at all. So hopefully won't be spending too much longer on this.
Telemann Fantasia No 8 - still working on the second and third movements of this as we haven't looked at it in a lesson for a few weeks. I really like these pieces but there are still a few bits of this that I am struggling to get into my fingers. It just doesn't seem to go as expected. Improving though.
Mozart Oboe Quartet - have been working on third movement in lesson which has some really awkward bits in the middle. It is getting better though.
I have finally agreed what I'm playing at the Adult learner concert and Garden Party.
Adult Leader Concert - second movement of the Mozart Oboe Quartet. Sadly the piano accompaniment for French Suite turned out to be too tricky and an alternative needed to be found. The first movement of the Quartet exceeded the time limit so this is my third (maybe even 4th) choice piece. My accompanist seems quite happy with this one though. I need to get practicing and make sure I have a VERY good reed to pull it off!
Garden Party - I've had a run through with pianist for this, which seemed to go very well. I am playing:
Mozart Quartet Movement 1
Piazolla Oblivion
Dring Italian Dance.
Hopefully this fits the bill of light, accessible, easy to listen to classical music and it should take just over 10 minutes. I just need to time the pieces and send the programe to the organiser (and practice of course!).
Piano exam 28th June. Playing my pieces for a friend tonight.
Technical exercises - I am still doing articulation exercises to try and up my speed. It is gradually having some effect I think. I'm also doing long notes based on arpeggios - trying to improve tone, dynamic range and tuning. Doing arpeggios is good as it means I'm doing notes across the whole range of the instrument.
Studies - this week's study is Luft No 20 which is in C# minor. I really like this one but it has some tricky passages and also a lot of rhythmic changees - lots of subdivisions as it goes from minims to crotchets to demi semi quavers to quavers to semi quaver tripets to trying to fit 5 notes into the space of 1 semi quaver....it is making my head spin a bit. Hopefully I will get another week to work on it.
Hindemith Sonata - There are only 2 movements. The first one grew on me a bit - though having heard a recording of it with piano I would still say that it is a Sonata that is more fun to play than to listen to. I really do not like the second movement at all. Slow, random notes, strange rhythms. It really doesn't do it for me at all. So hopefully won't be spending too much longer on this.
Telemann Fantasia No 8 - still working on the second and third movements of this as we haven't looked at it in a lesson for a few weeks. I really like these pieces but there are still a few bits of this that I am struggling to get into my fingers. It just doesn't seem to go as expected. Improving though.
Mozart Oboe Quartet - have been working on third movement in lesson which has some really awkward bits in the middle. It is getting better though.
I have finally agreed what I'm playing at the Adult learner concert and Garden Party.
Adult Leader Concert - second movement of the Mozart Oboe Quartet. Sadly the piano accompaniment for French Suite turned out to be too tricky and an alternative needed to be found. The first movement of the Quartet exceeded the time limit so this is my third (maybe even 4th) choice piece. My accompanist seems quite happy with this one though. I need to get practicing and make sure I have a VERY good reed to pull it off!
Garden Party - I've had a run through with pianist for this, which seemed to go very well. I am playing:
Mozart Quartet Movement 1
Piazolla Oblivion
Dring Italian Dance.
Hopefully this fits the bill of light, accessible, easy to listen to classical music and it should take just over 10 minutes. I just need to time the pieces and send the programe to the organiser (and practice of course!).
Piano exam 28th June. Playing my pieces for a friend tonight.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Run up to holidays
Well Summer seems to have arrived - for this week anyway. My lesson last night was rather warm, to say the least. I thought it went OK though - Luft, Telemann Fantasia and a start on the Hindemith Sonata. I need to add in my own articulation and some ornamentation for the Telemann. I'm also still working on the Mozart - so more than enough to keep me busy at the moment.
There seems to be a lot of things coming up over the next couple of months - leading into the summer holidays. I am trying to take them one at a time.
This week was my final orchestra rehearsal till September. We just had a bash through some things for fun. I nice way to finish off the term. I really appreciate the summer break from orchestra. By the time the first September rehearsal comes round I will be raring to go again.
I am still waiting for a date for my piano exam, which could be any time from 11 June.
On 16 June I am doing a play day with a professional orchestra - those pieces need LOTS of practice!
On both 17th and 24th June I am playing piano in the morning sevice at church.
14th July I am playing in an Adult Learner's Concert - I think I am going to play a couple of movements from French Suite. I'd like to be able to have a go at them with an accompanist - and it is Bastille Day so it feels appropriate. I'll also be accompanying another performer though don't know who that will be, or what they will be playing yet.
18 July - last lesson before summer holidays
21 July I've been asked to play a couple of pieces at a Garden party in aid of a local charity. Still trying to sort out accompanist for this - I may do the French Suite pieces again, or may give the first movement of the Mozart Quartet a go. I may also do Italian Dance by Dring. Depends very much on how things go with the accompanist and what they can manage.
Then it will be summer holidays and hopefully a chance to take things slightly easy. Having said that, there has been talk of chamber music sessions with Orchestra colleagues...
There seems to be a lot of things coming up over the next couple of months - leading into the summer holidays. I am trying to take them one at a time.
This week was my final orchestra rehearsal till September. We just had a bash through some things for fun. I nice way to finish off the term. I really appreciate the summer break from orchestra. By the time the first September rehearsal comes round I will be raring to go again.
I am still waiting for a date for my piano exam, which could be any time from 11 June.
On 16 June I am doing a play day with a professional orchestra - those pieces need LOTS of practice!
On both 17th and 24th June I am playing piano in the morning sevice at church.
14th July I am playing in an Adult Learner's Concert - I think I am going to play a couple of movements from French Suite. I'd like to be able to have a go at them with an accompanist - and it is Bastille Day so it feels appropriate. I'll also be accompanying another performer though don't know who that will be, or what they will be playing yet.
18 July - last lesson before summer holidays
21 July I've been asked to play a couple of pieces at a Garden party in aid of a local charity. Still trying to sort out accompanist for this - I may do the French Suite pieces again, or may give the first movement of the Mozart Quartet a go. I may also do Italian Dance by Dring. Depends very much on how things go with the accompanist and what they can manage.
Then it will be summer holidays and hopefully a chance to take things slightly easy. Having said that, there has been talk of chamber music sessions with Orchestra colleagues...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)