Recorder Lesson and Group 1/23/10

I had a good lesson and group again this week. In my lesson, I started by playing the portions of the Handel Gavotte which I had memorized - Part A and also 4 measures of Part B. My teacher recommended visualization - of rooms in a house, people, or some other sequential thing, to identify each of the parts so as to remember the AABABA sequence. I also confessed that I was uncomfortable doing a solo piece, much less a memorized piece, for the recital in March. I'll keep working on this piece, and on memorization in general, which helps with my playing.

Then we worked on modo 2 of the Van Eyck 32 Comagain, fixing some rhythmical and breathing issues I was having. For next week I'll be working on modo 3 - we marked the breathings so I could have a check of what I was doing.

Then on to alto - we worked through the Linde 19 - I'm making good progress on this, but will work some more on it this week. Finally, we agreed that I'll do the 1st and 2nd Musettes from Suite I of the Chedeville 6 galantes duos book in the March recital - these are technically easy, and are duets, but will allow me to focus on ornaments. We played them through, and I learned a new alternate fingering for the E flat to D trill, and noted it in my book.

In group, we started with the folksong set where I play tenor - I found the music much easier, I think as a result of all my other practicing. Then we moved on to the Theater Tango piece by Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk, where I play alto - this one is rhythmically challenging. We worked on a number of technical issues, measure by measure - very challenging but worthwhile. To end, we played through the wonderful Purcell Chacony, which I also found easier.