LO1: Identify their own strengths and develop areas for growth

As I continued to work on Chopin’s Ballade in G minor, I realised that I had improved on the dynamic interpretation of the piece as the melodic lines were much more sung and there was an overall nice arc established. In terms of technique, I found myself  achieving greater clarity especially in the fast octave passages and sections that included lots of running notes. However, below are some of the aspects that I need to work on:

• phrasing of melodic lines in a way that makes sense musically
• clear bass notes, more prominent bass line
• do not rush the arpeggiated left hand section, take time to sing the right hand triplets and semi quavers

For Bach’s prelude and fugue I became more comfortable maintaining a steady tempo that would still enable me to play clear notes (not blurred all together) and focused more on emphasising the first and third notes that are on the beat to bring out the upper ‘voice’ in a sense. However, below are some aspects that I found challenging that require more attention:

• creating greater dynamic contrast during the first section of the prelude
• articulation in the fugue (making sure you can distinctly hear the difference in touch between the crotchet, quaver and semiquaver