Recording these etudes is really helping me to see areas I’d like to improve, particularly around my breathing. I’m gasping more than I’d like, and what is up with all the weird shoulder movement? In spite of that, this etude felt much more comfortable than the previous two. Today was also the first day in about a week that I’ve done really serious warm up and technique practice. Correlation?? You decide, dear readers.
See you soon for number four!
Hello again! It’s been a quiet weekend around these parts, but since I have two etudes for you today my neighbors might disagree with that.
I’ve moved on to No. 2 from Moyse’s 24 Petites Études Mélodiques. While this one presents about the same level of technical challenge as No. 1, it also provides similar opportunities to focus on tone, intonation, and beautiful interval leaps. I’m enjoying playing these etudes at the end of my warm up to check in with how I’m doing with the expressive elements of my playing each day.
Focusing on the larger intervals in this one has been good preparation for this week’s Etude of the Week assignment. We’re working through the Donjon Etudes de Salon and I’m really enjoying getting to know this new-to-me book. Today is the end of Week 2- Serenade so it’s time to stop trying to perfect it and just turn in my homework. Last week’s etude (Elegie) was much flashier, but in a lot of ways I find this one more challenging. Those leaps! Those high notes! Those (hopefully) beautiful pianissimo note endings!
Thanks for listening!
24 Little Melodic Studies with Variations (Easy)- let’s start with number 1! It has simple rhythms, the fingers don’t have to move very quickly, and it’s in C Major. Easy indeed!
Not so fast.
What you don’t see in the video are the first six times I tried to start with a beautiful pianissimo right at the beginning. I found that as I worked on this there was always more I could do with dynamics and phrasing and intonation and everything. I tried to keep things from getting too slow and really focused on not gasping too loudly when it was time to breathe. Moyse’s definition of “easy” is actually incredibly difficult to pull off! This etude will be a great one to revisit when I want to focus on the things around the notes- breath, posture, light fingers, the list is endless!
Thanks for listening today- I always welcome constructive feedback!