Week 3: "Time and Patience"

Jack Stewart Well done Jack.  I was mesmerized by the speed that your left hand had to travel up and down the neck for this piece.

Jack Stewart Definitely an improvement, Jack - well done! I find it hard to understand how ToneBase can classify this study as intermediate - it's among the most challenging Sor wrote. I certainly think of it as 'advanced' repertoire. You're playing it with great fluency, and at a very good tempo. (And with a very good sense of musical purpose too!) I look forward to hearing the Bach.

Blaise Laflamme Thanks Blaise. I do feel I have managed to get a handle on this piece. However, it sounded much better when I was playing than when I was listening to it. One of the bitter-sweet advantages of making and then listening g to one's recording. It does help focus on what needs more attention.

Jim King Thanks Jim. This piece has taken a long time to get down. I especially had a problem with the descending segment of the opening phrase. I had to really concentrate on that section long after I had everything else down.

David Krupka Thanks David. I agree, I found this piece to be really challenging, especially the 2nd half of the first phrase (as I mentioned to Jim). It has taken me forever to be able to play that consistently (well... sort of consistently). And then, when I listened to my recording, the phrasing I thought I was achieving was not as clear as I thought. Sigh! I guess I'm not done yet. 

Jack Stewart I have the impression that the audio quality of your recording is not as good as it might be. Perhaps this is why the recording does not seem to match what you hear as you are playing. I experience the same thing with my own recordings. I find myself wondering whether what I hear while practicing is 'real' or simply imagined. I generally record with an inexpensive voice recorder, so perhaps this is the problem. (At least, I hope it is, because the alternative explanation is not flattering!) I've recently purchased some better equipment (the well-known Focusrite 'Scarlett' audio interface with its accompanying microphone) but I haven't tried it out yet. I'll let you know if this makes a difference.

David Krupka I would be interested in your assessment. I have an Apogee M/C+ usb mic and record directly into my iPad. I am considering a more involved setup, some for a better sound and also to learn more about recording.

Jack Stewart This coming along very nicely.  I also agree with other comments, that this is an advanced study and you are playing it well.  Keep listening to Carlevaro's rendition.  It is truly the best that I have heard.  

Dale Needles Thanks Dale. I do need to refer back to Carlevaro's version. I usually stop reference other versions once I get to a certain point but listening to this recording I realize I have more work to do. 

Jack Stewart I just emailed you Carlevaro notes on this study along with a score with his fingering from the Abel Carlevaro Masterclass - Volume I Sor Studies.  Definitely worth checking out. 

joosje Thanks Joosje. I agree with your recommendations. Some of what you suggested I thought I was doing until I listened to the recording. I could certainly relax more and use rubato more, especially at the phrase ends. The bass, in particular was a problem. I actually articulate the bass until the peak which I play in full but I couldn't hear it at all.  So..... back to the woodshed (American colloquialism).

Jack Stewart From memorization to execution, you did a great job Jack. Bravo 

Andre Bernier  Thanks Andre. Memorization at my age is no small feat.

Jack Stewart You have improved dramatically on this Etude, Jack.  Great job!  The obvious area I see for possible improvement would be the accuracy /clarity on some of the shifts, primarily when the thirds are descending.  When I worked on this piece , the thing that helped me in this regard, was breaking down each phrase separately and practicing it "very slowly" observing the smoothness and accuracy of the sound (listen closely) after the shifts .  Don't worry about speed, which you already have and can be added back later;  you want a cleaner result.

I hope that helps.  This is not an easy Etude. Congrats on your great progress!