Saturday-December 14, 2002

I've made a couple practice recordings (minidisc) of the Schubert Impromptu in G minor. Played it over and over again while driving and had this to say: MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. The transitions from p to pp are difficult especially when the same hand is playing both the melodic line and the accompaniment and that is the area I'll need to improve on. Smoothing out. I haven't consulted my Lupu and Horowitz recordings yet, as I'm trying to develop my own voice for the piece...without having to resort to imitation.

Monday-December 9, 2002

I've memorized the notes to the Schubert Impromptu in G minor. Now I'm going to turn my attention to the dynamics and all the little things....Plus, the piece needs to be polished. The left hand trills are still trouble spots, but with more practice, I should be alright (I have improved a bit though). I haven't spent much time practicing since returning from Chicago. I don't really have an excuse for it; I've probably spent more time reading the paper and clipping coupons this week than I have on playing piano. I don't expect to play much this week either...since I have 3 finals and working on 2 poems to be submitted for a poetry contest. I did practice for a bit this afternoon, however.

Tuesday-December 3, 2002

It's been over two weeks since I last recorded something in my journal. That doesn't mean that it's been that long since i've practiced, however. Well, to be honest, I haven't practiced in a week since I've been away (Chicago). I did play a bit at Goodspeed Hall in Chicago (before Will intruded...heh. jk). I'm almost done memorizing the Schubert Impromptu in G minor. I don't know why that piece has taken me so long to learn (4-5 weeks) and memorize. It doesn't seem like a very challenging piece to play, but it is kinda different for me i suppose. It'll definifely get memorized by the end of the week. I have to work on Liszt's Sonetto 104 del petrarca also. Practiced some Schumann's Kreisleriana no. 7 also (played 2/3rds of it 3-4 times; last third is boring as hell to play). That's all I can fit in an hour's time =(.

I bought a magazine at Tower Records in Schaumburg, IL (a suburb of Chicago) that featured Lang Lang on the cover. It also has some music scores in the magazine....a chinese folk piece that lang lang plays on his latest CD....hope to learn that some day.