INTRO
Dear reader, hello! Welcome back. For the new here, this is another update on the project I chose to pursue this semester, which is my first studio recording. My goal was to record all the repertoire I am going to play in my qualifying doctoral recital on May 1 (keep an eye out for a live streaming video). Many times, goals have to change. This is one of these times.
My hand injury had me not practice for about a month, which made everything fall behind. Including the recording sessions and my recital. But I am back practicing now! Here is a snippet from my practice time, playing Schumann's Fantasie in C major, Op. 17 (second movement; the one that most probably caused the injury, along with other factors):
My Schumann needs more practice. Much more. Therefore, recording it next week, in order to be in time for the project deadline (mid-April), would be... risky.
WEEKLY UPDATE
The news I have are that the only available time in the studio, before the project deadline, is Wednesday, April 10. Thus, I will have to adjust my action steps, as Confucius said (see quote). I don't believe I can record my whole program in one session. It would be a smart move to instead make a demo recording for now and complete the album with the rest of the repertoire later in the semester. Last but not least, me and the graphics designer have decided on the colors and fonts for the album, and we keep working together.
What I learned this week is that:
Dear reader,
|
You translate everything, whether physical or mental or spiritual, into muscular tension. - Frederick Matthias Alexander |
INTRO
Hello dear reader, I am very excited to share my news with you!
Are you new here? Then scroll down to see what you have missed!
By mid-April I have to present my project for a class (Careers in Music) here at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. The project is my first studio recording, on the repertoire I will be playing for my qualifying doctoral recital coming up May 1. Unfortunately, I suffered from a performance injury from which I am still recovering, and had to push back both the recital (originally scheduled for March 21st) and the recording sessions.
Hello dear reader, I am very excited to share my news with you!
Are you new here? Then scroll down to see what you have missed!
By mid-April I have to present my project for a class (Careers in Music) here at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. The project is my first studio recording, on the repertoire I will be playing for my qualifying doctoral recital coming up May 1. Unfortunately, I suffered from a performance injury from which I am still recovering, and had to push back both the recital (originally scheduled for March 21st) and the recording sessions.
Since I have not recovered fully, my practice time on the piano is limited. But I feel much better, especially after visits to the physical therapy center and taking care of my posture. I had a presentation for another class (Teaching Music in Higher Education) this week where I briefly discussed the issue of teaching students how to understand their body. See, since the injury, I read more on Alexander Technique, created by Frederick Matthias Alexander: "an educational process that was created to retrain habitual patterns of movement and posture. Alexander believed that poor habits in posture and movement damaged spatial self-awareness as well as health, and that movement efficiency could support overall physical well-being" (Wikipedia). Read more on this website: www.alexandertechnique.com |
I noticed that if I was feeling stressed (meaning most of the time), I would lock some parts of my body and forget to breathe. Alexander here is saying that whatever happens in our body, mind, soul, we translate it to tension (see quote). And he is right!
I also noticed that, when in a hurry, same things would happen. Dear reader, remember to relax, breathe, let go.
I also noticed that, when in a hurry, same things would happen. Dear reader, remember to relax, breathe, let go.
WEEKLY UPDATE
Regarding the recording, I have material from the graphics designer who is also a dear friend and pianist (Andreas Xenopoulos). He owns the non profit Piano Plus Festival which will take on labeling, producing, and distributing of my album. Check their website out, there are so many interesting things going on: www.pianoplusfestival.gr
Regarding the recording, I have material from the graphics designer who is also a dear friend and pianist (Andreas Xenopoulos). He owns the non profit Piano Plus Festival which will take on labeling, producing, and distributing of my album. Check their website out, there are so many interesting things going on: www.pianoplusfestival.gr
Currently, I am still working on the liner notes. Next week I have the recording studio sessions.
Sneak peek - I received two drafts for the album cover:
Sneak peek - I received two drafts for the album cover:
To conclude for today, here is a suggestion:
- if you are a musician, even if you believe you will never get injured, do me a favor and inform yourself on the subject of understanding your body
- here, I am making it easier for you with this short article I found online: