Week 3: Expressive practice 
Welcome to Week Three of "Change your Habits, Change your Playing" with Phil Goldenberg! This is the thread for posting your submissions and assignments for the thirdweek!
Assignment:
Pick a spot in one of your pieces that is rich in musical gestures (dynamics, rubato, tempo changes, color changes, etc) and share it with the group. Try to make the most out of every expressive gesture, and check out other peoples videos for inspiration.
-
Sor's Andante Largo measures 14-16 attempt at expressive playing
I'm playing the part between the red brackets.
The tail end of measure 14 is a bit ponticello, but then I change to tasto, almost like I'm changing my mind as I play.
The high point of the phrase is the B on the first string, so I want it to sound like I'm almost sneaking up to it, like tip-toeing. Then, as the phrase descends toward the A chord (dominant), I want it to "slink" back down.
Let me know your thoughts.
-
Phil Goldenberg Thanks for informative lesson. Got a question, where does storyboarding or maybe imagery fit into this process? I personally find it very useful when I can already imagine a story a particular image before I can add in color or dynamics. Thanks!
-
Phil Goldenberg Hi Phil, I know I am late posting for this week (been on vacation for the past two weeks), but I was able to listen to your lesson on Expressive Practicing and really enjoyed it. Therefore, I wanted to post my take on an expressive practice phrase. I chose a phrase from Abel Carlevaro's Microestudio #17. In working on this phrase, I tried to bring out the polyphony of the phrase as well as a slight crescendo, followed by a ritard and resolution. I also tried to bring out some contrasting color and timbre. If you have a moment to check it out, that would be great. Thanks, Dale
