LESSON PAGE.  NIKOLAI

May 13

Strategic lesson:  Building a half-recital program with pieces already in your repertory, and new pieces.

Chronological order:
Bach: C minor prelude and fugue
(new) Beethoven: 2nd movement from the Pathetique Sonata Nr. 8 in C minor Op. 13
Chopin: Etude Op. 25 nr. 1 in A-flat Major (Aeolian Harp)
List: Consolation Nr. 3
Rachmaninoff: Prelude Op. 23 Nr. 5 in G minor
(new) ​Debussy: Rêverie
Goussev: L'Ouragan

Next lesson:  Tuesday, May 17 7:15 pm.

Scales.  Levine Curriculum Level Seven
Keys for level Seven:
C, G, D, A, E, B, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb Major.
A, E, B, F#, C#, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb minor.
Keys for level Eight:
C, G, D, A, E, B, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb Major.
A, E, B, F#, C#, G#, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb minor.
Level 7
lev_scales_level_7_cm.pdf
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lev_scales_level_7_am.pdf
File Size: 1631 kb
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Level 8
lev_scales_level_8_cm.pdf
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lev_scales_level_8_am.pdf
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March-22
Level Seven
For next lesson, scale: B Major

The progression for 2c and 3a goes like this:
I – i – bVI6 – vi6 – IV64 – iv64 – I
​C - Cm - Ab - Am - F - Fm - C

To order the book of scales:

 https://levine.formstack.com/forms/piano_books

​CZERNY-Germer

April 19

For the jury you can choose between preparing an Czerny etude or preparing a technique routine in one of the keys we have prepared.

If chosen Czerny:  Czerny 17
If technique routine: Choose key.  Level Seven (this may be an easier option for you)
czerny-germer_vol_1.pdf
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SCHAFER Sight-Reading. Volume 1

Feb-1
Continue from #37
SCHAFER sight-reading vol.1
File Size: 1080 kb
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SCHAFER sight-reading vol.2
File Size: 3039 kb
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FROM LAST LESSON: 
​RACHMANINOFF.  Prelude Op23 Nr5

March 22 (lesson in person)
Beginning is mysterious.  Clean it up  and "know" how you are going to play it, not just play, think and have a plan.
Do a general note-check:  There are sections that still have wrong notes.
Apply dynamics in a more noticeable way
Apply upper body weight on the slow section.  More commitment in the way you project the sound.  Avoid detachment from the instrument.
Check notes on the slow section.  There are still notes that need review.
Work on learning the last section.  We don't have much time before the recitals and juries arrive.
Have a plan of the way it is going to sound.  Sing it in your head as if you were going to teach it to someone else.
RACHMANINOV Prelude Op23 Nr5 Gm
File Size: 1488 kb
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Below:  Scanned pages with suggested fingering
poco_meno_mosso.pdf
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FROM LAST LESSON: 
​CHOPIN.  Etude Op25 Nr1 "Aeolian Harp"

May 6
Tempo: It feels comfortable and secure.  No need to go faster for now.
Transition between sections: Very natural.  A Major section needs a more clear transition.  Think of images such as taking an exit to a different landscape, opening a door to a new space.
Climatic point: You need to secure this section.  Also, you can play it slower and make the slow-down work for you.  "Grab" the notes, take your time.
End arpeggio: Think of it rather than as notes, as shiny sparkling dust you are spreading over the end of the piece.  When you play it on a real piano, ok to use the left pedal.

April 19
​
Prepare Chopin at performance tempo for next lesson if you would like to participate in April 30 performance
Please confirm in order to register within the deadline
CHOPIN ETUDES op 25 Nr 1 Aeolian Harp
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AEOLIAN HARP with measure numbers
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JAZZ tips:

II - V - I

2-5-1 in major key
​Build the three left hand chords in the key of C Major:  Dm7 - G7 - CMaj7
Scales for the RH:
Dm7 = D Dorian (same as C Major)
G7 = Option -1-: diminished arpeggio that contains the 3rd and 7th of the G7 chord (B and F)
Option -2-: diminished scale of the chord you are playing
CMaj7 = C Lydian, which is C Major #4 (F#)

2-5-1 in minor key
​Build the three left hand chords in the key of C Major:  Dm7(b5) - G7(#5) - CMaj7(9,13)
Scales for the RH:
Dm7(b5):  C minor (natural)
G7(#5):  C minor (harmonic)
CMaj7(9,13):  C minor (melodic)

Diminished scales
diminished_scales.pdf
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November 2

Send me the improvisation you mentioned at the lesson and I will give you my impression on how it can sound better (unless it is so good that there is nothing I can add)

​The 5 will be the chord producing the real tension.  For this one here is a great trick:

Raise one whole step up  the note of the V7
​For example, if G7, take A
Build a Major chord from this note
Example: A Major (A - C# - E)
Each of these resulting notes are the root of the chord we will be adding to the G7
Examples:
LH plays G7 while RH plays A Major (9, #11, 13)
LH plays G7 while RH plays C# Major (b9, #11)
LH plays G7 while RH plays E Major (b9, 13)

Next repertory pieces

SUGGESTED PIECES:
BACH Prelude and fugue Nr. 2 WTC 1 C minor (finished)
MENDELSSOHN Songs without Words Op.30 Nr. 3 and Op.53 Nr.1
CHOPIN Prelude Op 28 in C minor
CHOPIN Etude Op. 25 Nr. 1 "Aeolian Harp" (in progress)
CHOPIN Etude Op. 10 Nr. 12 "Revolutionary"
RACHMANINOFF Prelude Op23 Nr5 G minor (in progress)
DEBUSSY Rêverie (on reserve)
​LISTZ Consolation Nr.3 (finished)

​Nikolai, if you already have your own scores, use your own instead of these ones. 
The scores I provide are just to save you time in case you don't have the scores yourself.
BACH Prelude Fugue 2 WTC-1 C minor
File Size: 886 kb
File Type: pdf
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BACH Prelude Fugue 2 WTC-1 C minor
File Size: 1744 kb
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MENDELSSOHN S w/out W Op-30_nr.3
File Size: 963 kb
File Type: pdf
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MENDELSSOHN S w/out W Op-53_nr.1
File Size: 3069 kb
File Type: pdf
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CHOPIN Prelude C minor Op 28
File Size: 743 kb
File Type: pdf
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CHOPIN ETUDES op 25 Nr 1 Aeolian Harp
File Size: 1655 kb
File Type: pdf
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CHOPIN Etude Op. 10 Nr. 12 "Revolutionary"
File Size: 2045 kb
File Type: pdf
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RACHMANINOV Prelude Op23 Nr5 Gm
File Size: 1488 kb
File Type: pdf
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DEBUSSY Rêverie
File Size: 267 kb
File Type: pdf
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listz_consolations_-ricordi-.pdf
File Size: 7036 kb
File Type: pdf
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listz_grb_notes.pdf
File Size: 5974 kb
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ON RESERVE: DEBUSSY.  Reverie

5/25
First page and a bit of the second page.
​Lots of light touch for the LH and very delicate phrasing for the RH.
Here is some help for the 4 against 3:
DEBUSSY Rêverie
File Size: 267 kb
File Type: pdf
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Link to Nikolai's Youtube Channel with his compositions

www.youtube.com/channel/UCiZo1Oy3n_63r7WBaimDVtg

Composition "L’Ouragan" (The Hurricane)

3/16
Analyze your chord progression just like we did today with Bach.  Then decide how the different sections affect the way this piece will be played.  Dynamics, introverted playing versus extroverted, structural section versus transition, how a transition will be played, as a tension that resolves or no tension, just taking you from one place to the next... etc.

​Write as much as you can and send it to me as a way to hold you to a deadline.

Also, watch the enharmonies that call A# minor to whet really is Bb minor chord/section.  You may need to re-name some notes around measure 9.

2/23
Feel free to send me pictures of the scores with your scribbles before committing to transferring the dynamics and phrasings to the editor.  It will save you a lot of time.  I will gladly look at them and give you suggestions.

2/17
Add all dynamics to your piece and send me a PDF with them before our next lesson so we can discuss them.

The sooner before the next lesson the better so it gives me a chance to study the piece before we meet.
​
​2/10
​Score received and attached to the side for our reference.  We will update this version as other modifications may take place.

Next action:
While I go through the piece to see how it sounds, you can start adding all the necessary details to make sure your intentions are clearly stated in the score.  The first one is to figure out how to indicate which notes form the melody.
goussev_“_l’ouragan”-2.pdf
File Size: 409 kb
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Pieces already on repertory and ready for performance

CLEMENTI: Sonatina Op.36 G Major. 1st movement

PASSED: CLEMENTI Sonatinas Op. 36
​Sonatina Number 2 in G Major. 1st movement

2/24

​2/17
Complete piece with articulations.
If you send me a recording clean and accomplished, we may pass it early.


​2/10
Exaggerate articulation for the main theme, so your playing is involving and not passive.
Create excitement, not just playing the notes.  All articulations and dynamics can be much more present while you play.​

​2/2
Everything needs to be more noticeable.  Exaggerate more during practice and we will escalate down once speed is applied.
More articulations.
More hand rotation or side to side motions during LH accompaniment 
More phrasing, feel free to exaggerate, we can always bring it down.
Practice slowly as if you were watching a slo-mo movie of yourself when the piece is ready and played fast.  Slo-mo practice should reflect all the motions, dynamics, articulations, that would exist if you were playing fast.
CLEMENTI Op.36 complete sonatinas
File Size: 3636 kb
File Type: pdf
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Video with articulation example
Video practicing slow motion and regular motion

PASSED. LISTZ.  Consolation No. 3

5/5
Start section: Beautiful melody. Accompaniment could be a bit lighter
14  beautiful
15 attention to the notes
​21 don't strike to hard
22 lighter
25 no bass Db
31 too hard a strike
33-34 excellent crescendo-deccrescendo
38 remember "pp"
40 and 41 more effect if you started pp earlier
43-44 LH needs to go into pp so melody on 45 can sing easily
47 Attention to accent
48-49 context is "p"
53 16th notes are an extension of the D half note, not a actual melody
56 very good
59-60 evaporate
listz_consolations_-ricordi-.pdf
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listz_grb_notes.pdf
File Size: 5974 kb
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BACH. Prelude and Fugue in C Minor WTC vol 1 (WTC 847)

Prelude

4/7
Still too focused on the individual notes.
Let's try practicing phrase by phrase rather than the complete piece.
One phrase:
- Slowly, as slow as necessary
- Bring out the leading notes (top and bass)
- Think of the shape of the phrase (4 measures)
- Record it as if it was going to be presented in public.  Slow is ok but has to sound musical.
​- You are going to send me a recording of each phrase, but only send me your best.
- For the purpose of learning the notes, practice from both ends.
BACH C minor prelude
File Size: 886 kb
File Type: pdf
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bach_487_gabriel_markings.pdf
File Size: 1744 kb
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