Hi Monica,

I think these two numbers sound quite well played. In the prelude you feature the wonderful rhythmic drive. Maybe just a tad more power is needed there to make it even more declarative. The etude sounds like a tricky one to play given the different touches required in the RH--legato, staccato, slurs, etc. You articulate it all convincingly in my opinion. I enjoyed hearing both.

David

Time to visit a new medicine man, if you ask me.

Given a condition like this, I'd avoid pieces that so specifically go against the grain.

There must be something wrong with your technique. You were so forward when you thought the keys on my old groaner were uneven that I am surprised you let this pass, unless, of course, this tendonitis is not related to the piano. I had something on the top joint of the right pinky which was not related to playing, as it came at a time I was not too active practising and then would not hurt when playing. It has since vanished and all the time I have played two or three hours a day.

Thank you for listening, Stewart. And OMG, I didn't realize you were in New Jersey....what a terrible mess; I feel sorry for everybody on the east coast. I hope your power is on?



Thank you for listening, David. I guess I should eat my Wheaties before I attempt this one again....


I know.....I was just trying to find something Chopin that we didn't already have and felt I could play this one. It wasn't so bad at first because I was just casually playing through it. The trouble started when I got serious with it.



My piano is actually very well balanced. That's one of the reasons I bought it in the first place. The problem is definitely my technique. I am too tense. My last piano teacher often touched my shoulder when I was playing to remind me to relax.

But you know....talking about what hurts us.... the thing that hurts my wrists the most is painting a wall. Something about that motion just kills me. I can't paint a wall anymore.

Doesn't it always

I was just reading an article about it:

http://www.pianomap.com/injuries/index.html

Four of the points there are things that I was taught:

forearm parallel to the keys
curved and not curled or straight fingers
never use wrist movement to play a note
never play a black key with the thumb or pinky if another fingering is available (that is, avoid twisting the hand).

Thank you for the link, Richard. I'll read it soon.

Hi Monica,
I just listened to your recordings and commend you for your attempts. I thought the etude was delightful, if perhaps under tempo, but generally well executed and voiced -- and quite musical. The prelude did not achieve the same level as the etude for me (and for you apparently). I think that both Andrew and Joe gave you great remarks. Perhaps while you give the works time to simmer, you could continue to play them mentally with score review; this may also allow you to discover some layers/levels of the pieces that you had not seen yet. I am amazed at how much I continue to discover years later in works that I had programmed in the past.

Hi Eddy, and thank you for listening. I don't think I will work on the etude anymore because it hurts my hands too much. I have the prelude memorized though, so I might as well video-record it probably next weekend. I know it's not to everyone's liking (my playing it), but at least I can sort of get it out of my system then.

this etude is nicely played, Monica, mas it's a pitty that you didn't record the most beautiful Ab major one. =D

and you're crazy to play those crazy Chopin preludes I've always been purposely away.

Thank you, Luis. I'm not sure what mas means, but I am currently working on the one in A-flat.
I'm not sure what to do about this prelude. Some days it goes pretty well, and then the next day it doesn't. I still have a goal to video-record it....just have to catch a good day.

'mas' = 'BUT', in portuguese.

Can't believe I thought in portuguese while writing here.