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October 22, 2005

Ear Training

For some reason I have developed the inability to distinguish major and minor thirds in harmonic form. The result is a lot of frustration. I can hear them ascending, descending and have no problem distinguishing major and minor triads. Yet, when they are played harmonically it is a crapshoot. Some are easier to hear than others depending on their placement, but for the most part, I'm better off flipping a coin.

I have downloaded a great piece of software to help me with my ear. . . EarMaster It's helping, but I get stuck on the thirds every time. I think I need to figure out some other identifying characteristic on the way these things sound.

Posted by amy at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2005

Current Projects

I have several irons in the fire right now. Here is what I am working on:

Technique:
Major Scales in Fourths at 110, Minor Scales in Fourths at 90

Repertoire
Berio Sequenza IXb
Bach Partita in A minor (yes on saxophone)
Ravel Sonatine pour piano (transcription for saxophone)
Laitman I never saw another butterfly

Quartet
Desenclos Quartet
Rivier Grave et Presto

Ensemble
Stravinsky Pulcinella
Andriessen Workers Union

So with all that to work on, what am I doing? I sometimes find it hard to focus on things when I have so many pieces to work on. I usually have to make a list and just focus on a couple of things in each session. It really depends on where I am in the piece. If I'm just learning it, then I can really only focus on one or two things in a session. If I know the piece and am only working on small issues, then I can plow through several small issues in multiple pieces.

Today I worked on the second half of the Berio Sequenza and then worked on the interpretations for the first page of the Bach partita as well as playing through half of both the minor and major scales in fourths. My hand is hurting today, I'm going to have to stop for the evening and work on some other school work.

For some reason today, I feel like I am biting more than usual, it's making my mouth tired. It could be from the marathon parade the bagpipe band did this morning in the rain. I thing I am also getting an abcess from a cut in my mouth. It doesn't bother me when I play, but I am worried that it could be impacting me in the near future.

My Wishlist

Posted by amy at 8:55 PM | Comments (0)

October 8, 2005

Back Door

The steps to the back door have been finished. Please feel free to use that entrance instead of the other back door. I will be able to both see/hear you when you come to the house. PS - you don't have to knock. The door will be unlocked during lessons.

Posted by amy at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)