Originally Posted on Instagram -- Prelude in C sharp major. Seven sharps and lots of double sharps! That was more pain than I expected — please give me five flats instead of seven sharps, any day of the week (this is for musicians). This piece is also fast moving. Watch my eyes, looking at the score like a hawk. Normally, one would be recording more further into having learned the piece but with only a few days to work on it, I’ve got to glue my eyes on the score like a hawk. This is the 22nd of the 24th preludes I’m learning. I got three days until Sunday. Luckily, I know that last one well.
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Bach composed two compilations of 24 Preludes and Fugues for the keyboard called Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 and Book 2. The number 24 represents all major and minor keys, starting with C major and then C minor, then C# major, then C# minor, etc. I’ve decided to start from the back, the Prelude is in B minor and this project will end with Prelude in C major. Expect about four posts of the preludes a week.
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Since finishing college (decades ago), I’ve not had a consistent period of practicing, especially working on classical music. When I returned to doing music eight years ago, I fell in love with teaching and now days most of my time is dedicated to teaching. This lenten project comes out of my love for teaching my young student; I must continue to model for them what I ask them to do, I must continue to take risks and do new things. So often, classically trained pianists feel underserved to put something that is not perfect out there. Striving for perfection in our industry is noble and beautiful but also limiting and debilitating. During this lenten season, I will do my best to learn the preludes in the given time but I will not be bogged down by perfectionism. Instead, it is meditation and gift to myself.
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These are some parameters I’ve given to myself. 1. Only post videos that were recorded in one take (no editing other than color adjustment) 2. Allow imperfections 3. Don’t be restricted by tempo markings (don’t feel like I have to play it fast)
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Played on #Casio #GrandHybrid #Piano.
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