Unit 5 - Music performing: Learning Aim: B

Week Beginning 3 Feb 2014

On Monday In MWS Music lesson Miss Harris said that we had to sign our name on the feedback sheet. After Miss Harris gave us the Learning Aim B and she went through it and said what we have to do. Then Miss Harris said that we had to prepare two contrasting pieces.  I chose Fugue and Na Todce. Fugue is fast and smooth and Na Todce is slow and it is like a lullaby.

On Tuesday I was practising Na Todce. But first I did different scales to warm up and I have learnt that I can't rush Na Todce because it is soft and quiet and not too loud. I have worked on Na Todce. I rehearsed it by myself.

Week Beginning 10 Feb 2014

On Monday and Tuesday I didn't have MWS Music lesson because I had to do a school play at Knightsfield. On Thursday we had to perform our play.

On Wednesday after school I went to my extra piano lesson and the technical skills for my warm up exercise that I have learnt is p=soft (loud), f=loud (forte), smooth (legato) and detached (staccato) and the scale I used for them was Major C. The piece that I kept gong over and over was Na Todce. I rehearsed with my piano teacher Theresa.  She showed me where the notes are. My piano teacher Theresa said that I was playing Na Todce too loud and that I could try a bit quieter on the piano. I said that I will try to go quiet on the piano and that I will keep trying and I was happy with the comments what my piano teacher Theresa said.

This is the link of my instrumental lesson recorded

Week Beginning 17 Feb 2014 (half-term)

I didn't rehearse during the week but I did rehearse on the weekends for an hour and the piece I rehearsed on the weekend was Na Todce. On the weekend when I did my Na Todce rehearsal I did warm-up technical in Major C (C D E F G=RH) (C D E F G=LH). The pieces I worked on the weekend was Na Todce and I was performing by myself and I started to practise the first phrase with both of my hands but I did it slowly for a few times.Then after that I did the first phrase again with both of my hands in normal tempo. After that I went onto the second phrase I did slow tempo because I have to find the notes and to get it right. My Mum said it was good and lovely on the first phrase that I did with both of my hands in normal tempo. I said to my mum thank you and I was happy and I still need to practise the other phrase.

Week Beginning 24 Feb 2014

On Monday In MWS Music I went on my blog and I had to write what I rehearsed in the half term.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I will do warm-up fingers exercises and rehearse Fugue in the evening for an hour and on Thursday and Friday I will do warm-up fingers exercise and rehearse Na Todce in the evening for an hour. On Saturday and Sunday I will do warm-up fingers exercise and rehearsed Na Todce and Fugue for two hours. This is what I planned to do.

On Monday afternoon I got home from school I went to my piano to do warm up fingers exercise and rehearse Fugue and I was thinking about what warm-up fingers exercise I could do. Then I came up with a plan and I did quick tempo in the right hand and slow tempo in the left hand, Major C (C D E F G=RH and C D E F G=LH). After that I rehearsed my Fugue for an hour and I was performing by myself. My Mum said it was a very confidently well played piece of music. I was happy with the comment that my mum said.

On Tuesday in MWS Music lesson I was rehearsing my Na Todce by myself. In the lesson I could do both hand of the first phrase and then I got stuck because it was hard to go onto the second phrase like the normal tempo I did on the first phrase. To do this I had to practise and go slow on the second phrase for a few times and then I tried to do it in a normal tempo and I got it close but I still need to work on this.

In the afternoon when I for home I did warm up fingers exercise it was with both hand, Major C (C D E F G=RH) (C D E F G=LH). I rehearsed by myself. The hard bit of my practise was that when I go on the second phrase I stopped and I don't know what notes to do next. The good bit was that I am getting a bit better on my second phrase.



On Wednesday in MWS Music lesson I was at Knightsfield because I know the notes. In the lesson I was practising Na Todce and I started at the beginning on the first phrase and went through the third phrase because it was hard because I had to start C sharp  on the third phrase at the beginning. The first thing I did was to go slow on the third phrase for a few times and then I tried to do it like the other phrase tempo but t was hard. Miss Montague told me why don't you move your hand up and then down so then I tried and it worked but I did it slow not really slow. After that Miss Montague told me to do it again and I did it for about 6 times then she said Try to keep it in time and rhythm and I said that I will try.

In the afternoon I went to my extra piano lesson.The warm up fingers exercise was p=soft (loud), f=loud (forte), smooth (legato) and detached (staccato) and the scale I used for them was Major C. The pieces I was practising was Na Todce. The first thing we did was warm up fingers exercise and practising my music. I went through the piece and the first and the second phrase I could do together and the third phrase I could it a bit together with the first and second phrase and the fourth phrase I went slow.My piano teacher Theresa said that I coming on good and that I am improving good. I was happy what Theresa said. The hard bit was that in the lesson that the third phrase was a bit hard The good thing was that I know the first and second phrase well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBnUfS_KmNs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5daTL4GLgFM&noredirect=1 This is the video of my instrumental lesson record

On Thursday in the afternoon I went home and I did warm-up fingers exercise and then practise Na Todce. I went through the piece I did some mistake by playing some of the notes wrong. I rehearsed by myself. I am really getting better on the first and second phrase. The third phrase I am getting a bit better the C sharp I can do it but a bit on the third phrase I find it hard and the fourth phrase I am getting alright on it but the third and second phrase I still need to work on. I still kept and kept going on for an hour. The hard bit was that the fourth phrase is hard. The good thing was that I am really glad I can do the first, second together and a bit of the third phrase I can do it together.
On Friday afternoon I went home. The first thing I did was that I did was warm up exercise and I started to practise my piece. I went through all the way. The second phrase I can do it it and the third phrase I am still getting better but still need to practise a bit on it. The good thing is that I can do the first, second phrase together and also a bit of the third phrase. The hard bit that the fourth phrase is hard but I am still trying to to do it in a normal tempo.
On Sunday I did warm up exercise. Then I practised Na Todce for an hour and then Fugue for an hour. I was practising by myself. In the Na Todce I could do the first, second, third phrase together, but I still need to practise more on the fourth phrase. My mum said that the practise I have done over days have improved my music on Na Todce and Fugue. On Fugue I know the notes and I could play it. The pieces I have kept going over and over was Na Todce this week.

Week Beginning 3 March 2014

On Tuesday I went to MWS Music lesson. The first thing I did was doing warm-up fingers exercise and I start to practise Na Todce and Fugue for a few times and then I asked Mrs Ryan who help me what do you like about my Na Todce and Fugue. She said that she liked Na Todce and it was smoothly then she said that I played it sharp. I was happy with the comments and I would improved on not playing sharp when I play Fugue.

On Wednesday I went to MWS Music lesson. I did warm up and then started to play Na Todce for a few times and then Fugue for a few times. Then Miss Harris came in to see how I am getting on with my pieces that I chooses to play. I played the Na Todce first to Miss Harris and she said it was lovely, it was smoothly. Also Ms Montague who help me said that it was flowing and she liked it. After that I played Fugue and Miss Harris said that it was good but on the second phrase I played the note wrong at the end so she helped me and told me to practise that bit for a few times. Also she said add some dynamics to both of the pieces. So then I kept on practising on both of the pieces.

In the afternoon I went to my piano lesson. I forgot to do some warm up. Then I played Na Todce to Theresa she said it was lovely, flowing and beautiful but you can add some dynamics like quiet at the beginning until the third phrase you can do it loud and then on the fourth phrase you can do it quiet. Then I played Fugue and she said good but you can add some dynamics like loud and fast at the start and on the second phrase slowly and quiet and then loud and quiet tempo. S then I tried to add dynamics to both of the pieces it worked. Also she said she was happy and impressed that I improved a lot and what I played.

On Saturday I did warm up fingers exercise. Then I went on to practise Na Todce and Fugue and I did it for an hour. I really enjoyed play Na Todce because it was my favourite because it was flowing and soft like a lullaby. I don't like Fugue because it is really difficult when I play it fast but I have practise a lot on this and I could do it. Also I have been practising really hard on both of the pieces and I am improving every day and I am getting confident on the pieces that I am going to play in front of my class. My mum said that she really liked it because she said it was soft and flowing like a lullaby. Also she said that I am improving and that I am doing really well on the two pieces. I was really pround of myself because I can do Na Todce perfect without getting the notes wrong and I can do Fugue playing fast. The pieces that I went over again during the week was Na Todce and Fugue.


Week Beginning 10 March 2014

On Monday I went on my blog and looked at the comments of what Miss Harris said and I replied then I went through my blog to check the spellings and to see if I need to add anything.

On Tuesday I did my performance and I went first. I was so nervous but my audience gave me courage that I can do it. The first piece that I did was Fugue and when I went through the piece I made a little mistake but I kept going on. I was happy and proud that I did it really good. The second piece that I did was Na Todce and when I started to play it I was very confident playing that piece because it is my favourite piece that I enjoy playing. Also I made a little mistakes at the end but I ignored it and played on.When I was finish I was happy and proud that I done it well and to a high standard. This was my first time performing in front of my audience. I been practising hard to able to perform the pieces from start to finish.
Here is the comments about my performance.

Name: Ellie
Comments:
1- It had a brief moment where he lost his timing but he immediately brought it back up.
2- Yes it was very accurate.
3- He played the piano really well.

Name: Kiara, Kiera, Jess
Comments:
Fugue- Really nice rhythm and good pitch
2nd piece- Really good rhythm-it's in time. Really well for a hearing impaired person.

Name:Grace, Abbie, Kelly and Charlotte
Comments:
It was in time and accurate, you could clearly hear the keys. He felt it not just playing but in his mind he mentally prepared.

Name: Zoey Huggett
Comments:
The performer was perfectly in time. Some notes got muddled up but he carried on. It was very accurate.
Good tension building, love how it was quiet and got louder.

Name: Cory, Dan, Jack
Comments:
It was in time most notes played correctly. Notes were quite advance and showed confident throughout.

I was happy with the comments with what they said because they liked the songs and that I made some mistake but I kept going on. Also that I played the tempo right with the two music and the audience like the dynamics.

​I will improve by being more confident. Also to get better on my rhythm and timing and reading the notes.


On Wednesday I went on my blog and wrote the comments from my audience that I performed.

In the afternoon I went to my extra piano lesson. I played Na Todce and Fugue to Theresa and she was amazed. Then she said that she was very amazed with my progress for my grade 1 she would like me to do my grade 1 in June if my mum is alright with it.

Week Beginning 17 March 2014

On Tuesday I went to MWS Music lesson. I told Miss Harris that I forgot my music book and she was not happy so I couldn't practise.  I could remember how to play Na Todce and a little bit of March.

On Wednesday I brought my music book. Then Miss Harris said have I got the full video of Miss Harris playing the March only the hands to remember where the notes are. I said I have but the video go up to the second phrase. So I went back to Knightsfield and practise March and it went okay it was a little bit hard but I coped.

In the afternoon I went to my extra piano lesson. In the lesson I only practised March and we went over the third and fourth phrase over and over but on the fourth phrase I got stuck on the right hand but I can do the left hand. I can do the the first and second phrase together but I need to work on the third and fourth phrase to get better.

I have been practising for an hour. March I can do the first and second phrase together and I am getting better on my third and fourth phrase.

Week Beginning 24 March 2014

Today I went onto my blog and checked through to make sure it make sense. Then Miss Harris said to me write down what I need to improve for my next performance. Then she sent me an email of my two performance and  to copy the link from the emil onto my blog. I had to put the link of my instrumental lesson recordings onto my blog as well. Tonight I am going to practice March tonight.

On Tuesday I practise March for the whole lesson. I could do the first phrase. second phrase and the third phrase and a little bit of the fourth phrase together. I still need to practise more on the fourth phrase only the middle bit to the end. I used my ipad for the beginning and my iPhone on the fourth phrase because I recorded only the right hand to remind me how to play it. I use Ipad and my Iphone to help me to know where the notes are and how to play it that the reason why.

On Wednesday I practised March and Na Todce. Mrs Montague liked my Na Todce and the dynamics. Also I wrote hard to wrote a blog on Tuesday because I forgot to do it on Tuesday.

In the afternoon I went to my extra piano lesson. I did Na Todce and Theresa really liked it. I played March and she said it was good and it is coming on nicely. Then she recorded the video oh her phone so that her husband can watch it and see if he like it.

I am doing vey well on my Na Todce because I know it very well. On March I am getting on it alright but I still need to work a bit more on my fourth phrase. I practised for about 40 minutes.

Week Beginning 31 March 2014

On Tuesday I practise March for 10 minus. I went through the music and It was well but I am getting better on the fourth phrase at the end. I went over the fourth phrase at the end that I got stuck on a little bit  and it was getting better and better. Then I practise Na Todce. It went perfect no mistake and  Miss Ryan said that Na Todce was good but March you need to practise a bit on it to make it perfect.

On Wednesday I practise March and I through it 2 times and it was very good but not perfect. I have no problem on the fourth phrase because I know it well. Miss Montague said It is getting better but not perfect yet. It was jumpy and harsh and you can make it flow like Na Todce. I tried it and it getting better but I still need to work on the dynamics. Then I practise Na Todce and It was very good but I made one tiny mistake. I still kept practising on it. It was getting perfectly and Miss Montague said she beautiful only just one only mistake. I really like Na Todce because I feel confident playing that music.

I have been practising for 50 minutes for March. March I am getting better on all of the phrase but the fourth I still need to work on to do the tempo with the other phrase and I can do both of my hands together on the fourth phrase only slow.

Week Beginning 22 April 2014

On Tuesday I went back to Knigtsfield because Miss Harris said that I can practise their for my pieces for next week performance that I am going to perform in front of my class. I practise Na Todce for a few minutes and it was nearly perfect. Then I started to practise March it was getting better but I need to think about the dynamics that I can use for March. Mrs Ryan sid that Na Todce was good and it nearly perfect and March was good. I was happy with the comments.

On Wednesday I wen back to Knightsfield to practise with Miss Harris permission. I practised Na Todce for a few minutes. There was no mistake and it was perfect. After that I the practise March. It was good but I still need to think what dynamics that i could add in the piece. I ask Miss Coleman what she thought of my two pieces she said Na Todce is coming on nicely and it perfect but Marach still need a litre work on it.

In the afternoon I went to my extra piano lesson. I played Na Todce and Theresa said that it really coming on nice and perfect. After that I played March and Theresa said theta it was good but need to add dynamics. So Theresa helped me with the dynamic on March and I played that she suggested and it worked well with the piece.

I have been practising for an hour. March I am getting better because I can do all the phrase with both of my hands and doing it in a fast tempo. Also there was a little mistake. I have added dynamic and expression with it as well. Na Todce is really good and there hasn't been any mistake and the notes are perfect. My Mum said Na todce is really good and beautiful. You play it with confident. March is good but little mistakes

Week Beginning 28 April 2014

On Tuesday I went to Music but I had to go to another room because of Exams. I was the first person to perform my pieces called Na Todce and March. When I had done my performance I was happy and felt proud that I didn't make any mistakes. Also I felt relieved that it done and over.When I did my Na Todce piece for the first time I made mistake and didn't use lots of expression and dynamics but the second time it was better by not making mistake but also adding more expression and dynamics. When I did my March I wanted to do it because it is more difficult piece because it got more notes and it's a fast tempo than Na Todce.
Here is my video for my first and second performed.

Review of my performance 

When I preformed today I felt more confident and proud because I was more disciplined with my practising than I used to be when I performed for the first time. It was good because there was any mistake also that it went perfectly because the express and dynamics was good and it suited with the pieces of song that I performed.