On Halloween I met with Michael for another lesson. I left the lesson feeling more confident than ever before as 4 of my 6 assigned pieces received a passing mark!
The Lesson
I began the lesson by playing the Walcha prelude. At my previous lesson I was not able to play it in a convincing manner. I had not practiced it enough. After that lesson, I decided to play it each time I practiced until my next lesson. This strategy worked! I only had to play it one time through for Michael. He approved it!
Next up was the Bach prelude. I played it, but not perfectly. Micheal remarked that it was improved since last lesson. Then he had me play it again a little faster and without thinking about the tempo so much. It was the best I have ever played it at a lesson!!! Michael said it was good! Finally, after 2 years and 2 months he did not need to hear it at another lesson!
I also received approval on my playing of two of the three assigned hymns: “God Be With You Until We Meet Again” and “Christ, Mighty Savior”.
A mistake in practice…
The Boellmann piece (Prière à Notre-Dame) didn’t go all that well. When practicing at home I focused on learning the parts for the hands without pedal. The pedal line is not difficult so I thought it would be easy enough to add in later. This was a mistake. Adding it in the week of my lesson didn’t work! I was not able to build the muscle memory and coordination to accurately play the pedal and hands together. I have learned from this and will be including the pedal line during practice even when it looks easy!
Gaining Confidence
Since this lesson I have felt more confident tackling the newly assigned pieces. This was the first time to have 4 pieces approved at the same lesson. And I was assigned 4 new pieces! I have realized that Michael would not have assigned me these pieces if he didn’t think I could do them.
I also feel confident that I can correct my syncopation issues in “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” before my next lesson.
Will this lesson become a major turning point? Only time will tell!
That is great to hear! You should be proud of sticking with it and meeting your goal!
Thank you for catching up on my posts, Mark!
Wow Heidi !! That must have been very encouraging for you.
Never give up when working on a goal. The practice will pay off.
Very good Heidi. I like to hear that you are becoming confident ! Your a beautiful sister and friend. Good to know what you need more practice at. Congratulations !
Thanks Jennifer!