I have several performances coming up and no time to really focus on what I am working on. I feel like I'm just going around in circles. Working on the next up and coming thing and not getting any further ahead on anything else coming up afterwards. I'm anxious to get through the semester so I can start to focus on my recital material.
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.
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
Ok - So I just got back from a 5 day vacation. Did I practice? No. Why? Sometimes you need to breathe a little. Besides I just spent 15 hours in the car yesterday thanks to a 4 hour backup on the GW Bridge. I don't even want to be awake right now. But. . . Duty calls. . I have a gig.
So, what did I do musically on my vacation? Nothing. I didn't even listen to music. We listened to audio books the whole time. But I did do this: I spent many hours actually contemplating what I want to work on this year, and when I am going to do recitals and where. So here are some things I want to work on. .
Glazunov Concerto - for the Concerto competition this spring. I just have to memorize, so I'm going to continue with my plan of memorizing a section everyday.
Fuzzy Bird Sonata - I like this piece, the key it is written in is rather "uplifiting" so to speak. Maybe this fall.
Lauba Steady Study - I bought this, and now I can't find it. But maybe this fall as well
Berio Sequenza IXb - I have it and haven't done it yet. this fall also
The thing I'm wondering about is. . . when should I plan my recital? Should I do it earlier or later? I could do it this fall and be done with it. Then just concentrate on things for spring semester.
the other issue is: I have to do an Independent Study project. It has to be "academic" meaning it's a research project and I have to either do a presentation or a lecture recital. hmm lecture recital. . . That could be easier I think. . .We'll have to see. What to do. . . .
But, I'm back from vacation, I have to get ready to leave for a gig, and get my practice schedule together this week.
Saxophone -
Scales Worked on Ab Major Fourths up to quarter note =76; Played all major scales at quarter=90 with Articulation series B from Londeix Scales
Glazunov - Played first two sections from memory. I want to play this for the Concerto competition next year, so I need to start memorizing now. My goal is to re-memorize one section each day. Followed by a play through of the entire piece.
Bagpipes -
Short practice today on bagpipes. Decided to open the Rhythmic Fingerwork book at random and pick something to work on. Found grip exercises #79, 80, 81. Played at 112 and decided it's a little too fast for the actual grip to be clean. I'm going to work on these some more this week and back off the tempo so I can clean up what I am doing.
I've created this practice log category for two reasons.
1. to keep track of my own practicing and insights on what I am working on.
2. For my students to see how I practice. I think the hardest part of learning any instrument is learning how to practice. Even though I regularly make suggestions to my students on how to practice certain things, I think the best thing I can do is lead by example. I am hoping that by having my practice log online here, my students will see my own suggestions in practice and will benefit.
3. For everyone's entertainment. Enjoy, please feel free to make comments or suggestions on my practicing.
You will find that I will often make observations or comments about what I am working on. You will see where I am having difficulties and where I am having successes. I welcome suggestions on things I am working.