The basic goal is to become a better piano player before my body says no. And also, because I want to be a decent player when I eventually get around to buying my own grand piano.
Key skills
- Reading Music
- Aural/relative pitch and intervals
- Music theory
- Repertoire
- Technique
Reading Music
Current state of affairs:
- Fluent in G clef between middle C up to high A
- Increasingly fluent in the octave above that
- Weak in the octave below middle C
- Reasonably fluent on the bass clef between the lines up to middle C
- Very weak below low G.
Plan of Action
Modern technology is wonderful here. I have a sight reading testing app which has been effective in increasing fluency in the high octave. Current schedule is to
- continue drilling high octave (g clef)
- increase drilling low octave (g clef)
- start drilling low octaves (bass clef)
- start drilling full g clef
- start drilling full bass clef
Target Metric: 32 correct answers in each 30 second test for each section listed above.
Aural/Relative pitch
Current state of play
- Relative pitch is reasonably strong
- Intervals for most keys are reasonably strong
Plan of Action
Continue drilling and identify weaknesses in 7th intervals.
Target metric: 100% correct answers on relevant application
Music Theory
Current state of play
- Difficult to assess in detail
- recognition of key signatures for some keys is weak (particularly over 4 sharps or flats)
- Full revision required
Plan of action
- Can drill the key signatures via one of the apps
- Background reading is required to identify gaps in terminology – Dummies Guide to Music and Piano (two books) have been acquired as a starting point for reading.
Target Metric: 100% correct answers for key signatures on relevant application. Also ongoing updates to site in terms of newly acquired or reacquired information.
Repertoire
Current state of play
I lack a classical party piece. All my for public consumption pieces are from Irish repertoire.
Plan of Action
Short term priorities
- Valse Triste – Sibelius
- Nocturne in C# Minor (posth) – Chopin
- Valse d’Amelie – Tiersen
- Sur le Fil – Tiersen
Long term options
- Valse Fantaisie – Glinka/Gryaznov
- Ballade No 1 – Chopin
- Ballade No 2 – Chopin
Target Metric:
- Completion of the Chopin Nocturne by Dec 31 and possibly one other
- Progress in the Glinka noted in practice notes.
Technique
Current state of play
Currently weak
Plan of Action:
- Hanon 1 and 2 in C, G, D, A and E flat.
- Review contents of Czerny and set target objectives at next practice session
Target Metric
- Hanon 1 and 2 complete as described inline with metronome markings
- At least 1 Czerny exercise complete and in line with metronome markings