RB Piano Forte Chronicles

I’m still woozed out with anti-cold/flu drugs. Listening to some improvisational piano, trapset, bass playing on NPR gives pause for reflection about the genre. And why I hate it [...]

SOME RESPIRATORY SOMETHING or other has nailed me, and knocked me down for a few days.

In general, I find myself reclined on the couch with no motivation, energy, or will to ever do anything, again.

But, the keyboard always calls, and I always manage to get in an hour or two of practice, even through my [...]

After a nice two week break in the Caribbean, I’m anxious to return to the piano. Not faring too badly after a two week hiatus, it seems [...]

SITTING AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT at 11:10pm, waiting for a 12:50am flight to Atlanta and then Puerto Rico. The proverbial ‘red-eye’.

It will, of course, be two weeks of wonderful sun and water (we’re going to Viecques), but likely no piano. Which means likely no practice.

So, I’ll miss that, as things have been [...]

I’M FINALLY TO THE POINT WHERE I have run the Bach Invention #4 (D minor) completely through – no sticking points.

At least twice, so that’s real progress. So, the intense metronome practice has really paid off.

The Scarlatti K380 is coming along nicely, as well – only one sticking area, and that in the second [...]

IN THE PREVIOUS POST I reflected on my dismay that the Bach #8 Invention (F major) seemed to be deteriorating.

Now, last night, I was working on the #4 (D minor), and, to my continued dismay, it seemed to be deteriorating, as well. A lot of slurring, indistinct notes in the passages.

Time to knuckle down.

The [...]

SIGH.

I seem to be ‘unlearning’ things – yesterday’s practice was less than stellar, to be sure, particularly with regards to the Bach Invention #8 (Fmaj), which seems to be getting worse as I play it more, not better.

Part of the issue is I’m sore: running this thing just strains the hell out my wrists and [...]