IB CAS
Katerina Chen
Piano
REFLECTIONS:
23rd of December 2015
I have started my first song, List A: Sonata in F Minor (K. 466, L.118) by Domenico Scarlatti. After practicing and attempting to learn the first few bars, i have realised that the complexity of the songs have increased and conquering all the songs for the grading will be a challenge. While i had prior experience with piano, finishing AMEB Grade 5 in 2015 with Honors, I am doubting my abilities as i discover the jump between difficulty levels from Grade 5 to 6. However I understand that this is a new challenge and is an opportunity to develop certain areas of skill. (LO1, LO2)
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12th of January 2016
Currently I am studying the second song, List B: Allegro from Sonata (K. 282) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, alongside with my List A. I am finding it hard to keep the right tempo throughout the different phrases of the song. Long length of song.
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1st of February 2016
Reflection:
I currently have finished learning List A, half way through B and and just chose my List C: Prelyudiya Op. 22 No. 1 by Aleksandr Nikolayevich Skryabin, and attempting to familiarize myself with the first few bars.
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21st of March 2016
My list B song is finished. I am finding my List C is hard. Honestly, it has been the most difficult song so far, even though List A and B have been very long (both songs are six pages long). It was my first 20th Century Style piece, and in this style strong accents and rhythmic pulse is required. Keeping the right rhythm was difficult, especially as the notes spread throughout the clef. However, this challenge will not stop me! I am committing and persevering by practicing this song over and over. (LO4) I have also learnt two new scales: Staccato double 6ths - two octaves, and E flat Dominant seventh.
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10th of April 2016
I am finding it difficult to fluently play the last bars of List C, as the notes are broadly spread on the clef. Need to develop new skills (LO2)
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26st of April 2016
I have finished learning List D but need to practice the last 10 bars to make them more fluent. I am finding that i am losing motivation to keep working, but I know that i need to keep working hard to get the results i want!
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19th of May
Begun to learn my List D: Grasshopper's Wedding by Béla Bartók. Found this song much easier than List A and B. I believe thats because the time signature suits my strengths.
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8th of June
I have the first half of the song learnt and fluent. I am finding the latest bars difficult to as there is an increase of speed when playing those notes. I have asked some friends who are more experienced with music to help me, which has helped me improve immensely. Collaboration is the key to success!
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15th of June
Teacher recommend i perform in the upcoming school concert (September 11th) Had doubts and was hesistant as I was unsure about my playing ability (and last years concert i made a lot of mistakes, loss of confidence). Teacher assured me that it will be good to build my performance skills and practice playing in front of an audience. Also necessary as it will prepare me for my exam at the end of the year. Said that my piano expressions are good, and my technical ability is something which can be improved on with more practice. The thought of the concert still makes me nervous however I am ready to take myself out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.
General Knowledge and Song Analysis:
To complete my AMEB Grade 6 Exam, I will need to:
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Prepare 6 Songs (A song from List A, B, C, D and 2 extra piece songs)
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Musical Theory for Grade 2 Pianoforte exam
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Learn Sixth Grade Scales
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Have an understanding of musical general knowledge and the historical context of each of my songs
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Develop Sight Reading skills
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Develop Oral and Listening Skills
Grade Six Scale List
List A: Sonata F minor K. 466, L. 118 by Domenico Scarlatti
Repertoire:
Repertoire:
General Knowledge and Song Analysis:
List B: Allegro from Sonata K. 282 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
List C: Prelyudiya Op. 22 No.1 by Aleksandr Nikolayevich Skryabin
General Knowledge and Song Analysis:
Repertoire:
List D: Grasshopper's Wedding by Béla Bartók
General Knowledge and Song Analysis:
Repertoire:
Extra Piece #1: Buntes Blatt No 1. From Bunte Blätter Op. 99 by Robert Schumann
Repertoire:
19th of August
While I am working hard perfecting my practice piece song, I am also spreading my focus towards all my other songs. I am working on making my two extra pieces more fluent. My teacher told me that i will have a mock AMEB test soon, to test my abilities and see where i need to improve. I am quite nervous for this as i have not learnt my general knowledge, and have barely practiced sight reading or aural. My aural results are usually quite good but i definitely need to prepare for sight reading and improve my extra piece songs.
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6th September
In my normal lesson time, i completed my mock AMEB grading, it was quite nerve-racking! I passed the mock grading, which has given me some confidence as I'm not fully prepared and still have months until the real thing. As I have not learnt my general knowledge/music theory yet, the examiner skipped that section. While I did not feel prepared enough, I believe it was a good experience as it gives me feedback and experience playing under stressful conditions (with an examiner in the room). I have attached a scan of my results. I have my concert this Sunday, while i am quite nervous, the results from the mock test have given me a much needed confidence boost!
Extra Piece #1: Mazurka op. 7 no.2 by Chopin
11th October
Working really hard to make all songs fluent. Adding expression to all songs and have begun practicing aural and learning my general knowledge. Was quite disappointed at my concert results, however I need to use my poor performance as motivation to do well in my final exams.
15th October
My teacher has helped me increase the speed of my scales as i am currently underspeed. By practicing with the metronome, I have been increasing my speed by increments. I am currently playing my main scales at 138 (2notes per beat) but i need it to be 184 (2 notes/beat) for the exam. My arpeggios need the most work as I keep making mistakes when i try to increase my speed. While this is quite frustrating, i know i need to be patient, persevere and continue working hard.
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Official AMEB Grading Mark Sheet: Passed with a Credit
Scans of my CAS Piano Attendance, signed by my teacher
Piano Theory: Grade 2
January 23rd
I have begun learning piano theory, however i underestimated how difficult the content would be. I am finding it difficult to understand the elements within the Scale section, especially semi-tones and tones and the intervals. However, I am determined to do well, so I will continue to practice this section until i feel comfortable. The satisfaction of mastering a new skill is what encourages me to keep persevering!
February 12th
Finding the 'creative' section and transposition confusing. I consulted my old piano teacher for some advice, i have found that self-learning the theory has made the process much more difficult. However, as with the practical element, perseverance and hard work will produce results.
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March 1st
I believe that my strongest components is the musical terms section, as the terms are all in Italian and it overlaps with my prior knowledge that i have accumulated from studying Italian in school.
