Charles: Hi Cody, how did practicing go this week?
Cody: Well I had several tests and an oral presentation this
week so I didn’t get a chance to memorize the second page,
but I think I mastered the tricky section.
Charles: Great! Warm up with some scales and arpeggios
first. Good, good. This week, work on keeping the rhythm
steady when you play the last part with the sixteenth note .
Now let’s take a look at this tricky section.
Cody: Charles? Before I start I was wondering if it was ok
if I put a small crescendo in here and then decrescendo
back to pianissimo again over here?
Charles: It might work. I’ll have to hear it . Show me
what you’ve done. Not bad , not bad .
Cody: It was horrible! I played play it much better at
home!
Charles: It’s just nerves. Just play the right hand for now.
One two three four five six, ta ti tri-ple-ti. Good, good.
Don’t forget the accidentals! The key signature says that
note should be a G-sharp but now it’s a G-natural. Now
add the bass clef. You’re going too fast. Remember the
tempo for this piece is andante.
Cody: Is that better?
Charles: Yes, much better. Watch where you lift your foot
off the pedal. What was that?
Cody: Sorry! The stretch for that octave is always hard to
make.
Charles: That’s ok, keep going, you’re moving ahead by
leaps and bounds . Watch your dynamics! Keep your
elbows lifted. Remember to stroke the keys, don’t pound.
That’s better! Remember that as a pianist or any other
musician, your technique will be what separates you from
the pack just as much or more so as your musicianship.