I'm working consistently on Maykapar's Toccatina, Karganov's Dance of the Elves, Maykapar's At the Skating Rink, and Burgmuller's The Storm right now. They're coming along well so that it actually feels like I'm working at the right level--which is a good thing. I'm also continuing my sight reading work, though I often supplement or replace some of the lower-level sight reading with reading I necessarily do while learning new pieces. Relatedly, I've also been trying to "re-learn" Chopin's Prelude in E Minor and so have been mixing sight reading with that task. I'm also still practising his Waltz in A-flat. But... I've also abandoned some pieces.
Texts I've fallen off learning/practising:
- Bach's Prelude in C Major
- Kabalevsky's Etude
- Grieg's Little Bird
- Left-Hand Etude (though I'm advancing toward it in the RCM text)
- Schubert's Scherzo in B-flat
- Beethoven's Sonata in F-minor
Nevertheless, I'm still looking to resume the John Thompson Grade 5 book--that's what practising Bach's Prelude in C Major and Schubert's Scherzo in B-flat was all about. Maybe I should just move on to the Cui (Orientale) and call it progress, because I find that I'm learning The Storm with speed and alacrity, and this sloth in learning the other two might just mean I'm not all that interested. Sigh... I want diligence! Not this wishy-washy behaviour.
I also think I need a new technical regimen. The current one feels tired and old; it needs rejuvenation. I need to practise the black-key minors in contrary motion. I've learned C#, but I'm just intimidated by trying the other four. One of the problems with starting contrary motion is that it tends to undermine the level of confidence I've usually just achieved in having "mastered" the parallel motion. Suddenly I become clumsy again, and the whole thing just gets disheartening. It makes me feel like I've regressed--though that could never be farther from the truth.
Sigh again...
Despite all this sighing, I know I'm getting better every day. I really feel like soon I'll be ready for RCM level 9--not exam level, but to tackle the work that will eventually get me to exam level. I am forever in awe of this gradual path that has the ability to take me from my current level of mere competency to one of advanced pianism. It's unbelievable sometimes, but I just have to remember to trust the process. It worked for many others, and it'll work for me too because I'm not special.
