Teammate on most recent team gave me this parting feedback: “I learned a ton, we got lots done, our team dynamics were awesome, and I’ve never felt this kind of team feeling before.”

If your business makes software, I might be good for your business.

https://schmonz.com/snac/schmonz/p/1750949585.435936

Yesterday we had Alkan’s version of western art music’s Baroque style. Today we have his take on Classical (which as a term of art refers to a much narrower period than “classical music”). Like jumping from Bach to Mozart, except it’s one 19th-century guy.

https://youtu.be/yvTQ97PosKE

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108844538946378595

To myself, I usually sound like “guy who loves the piano.” No shame in that. But this time I sound almost like “poorly recorded pianist.”

Not sure I’ve ever heard myself this way. Digging it.

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108841079060539202

Alkan’s apparent naïveté, as mentioned previously, is faux. Here’s an example of how we know what he knows. Prélude Op. 31 #3, “Dans le genre ancien” (“In the old style”): https://youtu.be/Mc9SVAznMzs

#dailypiano #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #baroque #romanticism #piano #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108839229503153140

Here’s another video (less than 20 minutes) of what the #dailypiano learning looks like, showing a bit of deliberate practice followed by a bit of immediate improvement. https://youtu.be/06voBmgnYsg

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108835443528887698

If I were one for morning prayer, I guess I’d need it to be short, optimistic, short, pleasant, short, formulaic, and short. Here’s Alkan’s Prelude Op. 31 #19, “Prière du matin”. https://youtu.be/i2lHLTUJS_Q #piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108833432029854836

Some reflections after nearly three months of daily piano miniatures: https://schmonz.com/2022/08/15/daily-piano-miniatures

#dailypiano #pianominiatures #mindset

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108828396529995716

Based on the name (“I was asleep, but my heart was watching”), this could be my family’s theme song.

I was playing quietly, but my iPad auto-gain was engaging. Imagine this in a concert hall, each chord eking out its tiny sonority atop the last.

https://youtu.be/RlqxC4l1Px4

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108827497677806877

A pivotal moment in schmonzdom: on the merits of this recital I played in hopes of getting some tuition money, uni accepted me as a music major. Problem is, I hadn’t wanted that. I wanted CS classes more than anything and my advisor from the music dept couldn’t get me into those.

I frazzled out at that uni, and almost certainly would have regardless of which courses I took.

8 years later I tried uni again somewhere else, and at that point music WAS what I wanted to study. I graduated at 30 with a bachelor’s in it.

I also graduated with a changed belief.

My belief at the time of this 1997 recital, and at the beginning of the 2005-6 school year: reading music is an aptitude, I lack it, and I compensate well enough by memorizing quickly.

My belief a few years later: sight-reading is a skill. By practicing, I’ll get better at it.

All that seems obvious to me now, and it surely seemed obvious to you well before now. But young-musician-me had been resigned to playing only pieces that others could show me and help me with. I would never have believed a different experience were possible for me.

Lots of lessons in this: for me personally, for how I raise (and praise) my kids, for how I work in and with teams. Most of all: by changing a key belief, I changed how I relate to music. You’ve been seeing and hearing the fruits of that.

How did I get that belief to change? Well, that’s the magic, isn’t it. Lots of things had to change a little bit.

What else changed when I gave myself a more direct relationship to music-making? Another thing I never would have guessed: making more direct relationships with you.

In conclusion, behavior, conditions, beliefs, mindset, behavior, and so on, forever. But mainly, thanks for listening. And I don’t mean about the music. 💖

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108821961326383848

Here’s another sweet, utterly guileless Alkan #pianominiature. The Frenchman wrote other pieces called “Berceuse” so I have no idea why my score says this one’s “Wiegenlied”. It’s also marked Doucement AND Dolce. Simplest explanation: a Swiss conspiracy.

https://youtu.be/JK4pV5TE6hU

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108817382074577626

Occasionally you reach the end of an Alkan piece and realize that not one weird thing happened the whole time. Gotcha! _That’s_ what’s weird.

“Le Temps Qui N’est Plus” (“The Time Which Is No More”), Op. 31 #12 is one of these. Just gorgeous. Imagine if that D flat worked.

https://youtu.be/Bn4jUzXBGF4

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108810629940494978

Today’s weird Alkan (approximately “Song of the Madwoman on the Seashore”) has a bass ostinato of closely spaced chords, begging for better sonics, while also being the longest stretch of music I’ve ever played with my arms this far apart. https://youtu.be/7zSIVtwcoiM #piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108805051064606028

Both Alkans are always weird. Today we get jarring major-minor shifts, unmitigated tritones, oddly emphasized third and seventh scale degrees, the occasional parallel fifth, and two distinct alternating styles (I might dub them “Jewish” and “European”).

https://youtu.be/KUATWYaOrq4

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108799571897006026

I’d need at least a few years’ prep time to acquire the technique to attempt torrential-Alkan, so for #dailypiano #pianominiatures I’ll be playing the other kind. Today’s Alkan is another of the Op. 31 Préludes, this time #4 “Prière Du Soir”.

#pianominiature #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

https://youtu.be/xxxPS8kBrFM

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108793708081858405

This week in #dailypiano #pianominiatures, let’s do some Alkan.

Oversimplifying, there are two Alkans:

1. Torrential, as if Beethoven were a drug and Liszt were high on it
2. Sweetly naïve, or seemingly so

Here’s the first of Alkan’s Op. 31 Préludes:

https://youtu.be/tbazyXVawGk

#pianominiature #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #alkan

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108787709137539323

We complete Schumann’s Kinderszenen today with the enigmatic “Der Dichter Spricht”. New composer coming Monday!

https://youtu.be/7EaxigmfABk

#dailypiano #piano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108776468895756049

@joeyh sweet

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108770766648093565

“Kind im Einschlummern” is our eternal Wunsch für our Kinder. Maybe tonight can be the night.

It’s also the penultimate of Schumann’s Kinderszenen. Let yourself drift off with it.

https://youtu.be/PnP72ZjATYk

#dailypiano #piano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108770764661708489

We’re nearing the end of Schumann’s Kinderszenen, so I’ll have to figure out where our next batch of #dailypiano will come from.

Time enough for one take today. By definition, therefore, it’s good enough. Here’s “Fürchtenmachen” (“Frightening”): https://youtu.be/A4gNzAGnLmE

#piano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108765769469627400

“Fast zu Ernst” was relatively tricky for me to understand, so I worked (relatively) hard to untangle it. I think I finally got the idea. A C-sharp would really help on this one, but your ear will imagine it anyway.

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

https://youtu.be/OacCm8VxnyE

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108759421934730278

Schumann’s Kinderszenen-a-day continues with “Ritter vom Steckenpferd” (“Knight of the Hobby-Horse”). In the second-section repeat you’ll see the moment when I realize I now know the notes and had better watch my hands instead. You’ll hear the difference, too. #piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

https://youtu.be/WhhgSrCR9-g

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108754323448628631

“Am Kamin” is much harder to tame and much less striking to hear. But it’s shorter, so it’s got that going for it. And it’s still Schumann. #dailypiano #pianominiatures #piano #classicalpiano #classicalmusic #romanticism #schumann

https://youtu.be/Wu1dKNrfyaw

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108748593192869635

If you’d previously heard only one #pianominiature from Schumann’s Kinderszenen, it’s surely this one. “Träumerei” is famous in part because it doesn’t need to be played terribly well to sound terribly beautiful. Which comes in handy right about now.

https://youtu.be/-1o91CKEfJo

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108743631396820285

I did not know this was a name I could have. I don’t have it, but I could.

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108733581898403759

Today’s bit of Schumann’s Kinderszenen didn’t take many run-throughs to memorize. It’s “Wichtige Begebenheit”, and its job is to succinctly herald its Important Event and promptly and courteously withdraw.

https://youtu.be/iKZvQUh9WT4

#dailypiano #pianominiatures #schumann

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108731141263468477

A couple days ago, “Hasche-Mann”’s technical details took enough work that I wound up memorizing it. Came close with today’s #pianominiature from Schumann’s Kinderszenen, “Glückes Genug” (“Happy Enough”), a strong contender for the most Germanic sentiment possible.

https://youtu.be/YaGMYiRKPI8

#dailypiano #pianominiatures #classical #piano #classicalmusic #schumann

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108725708084365217

Next up from Schumann’s Kinderszenen: “Bittendes Kind”. #dailypiano #pianominiatures

https://youtu.be/U2H-l59RoUw

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108721543982353625

The next scene in Kinderszenen is even shorter: less than a minute! Here’s my approximation of “Hasche-Mann”. #dailypiano #pianominiatures

https://youtu.be/cDHbwCaqJiA

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108714288734592502

A couple of those Bowen pieces were downright long. We’re on a mission to bring the average track length back down, and thanks to Schumann’s Kinderszenen we’re going to succeed. Here’s the second one, “Kuriose Geschichte”: https://youtu.be/4tNKFgMgM70

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108708643704265585

@senzilla hearing this makes my day almost as much as getting to make a little music. 💜

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108703123516724050

Schumann miniatures like this are all about subtlety. My #dailypiano #pianominiatures are all about at least half the notes being right. Let’s see what a mash we can make of Schumann’s Kinderszenen, shall we?

First one’s free: https://youtu.be/EOgIAawLn9Y

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108699381684801848

Time has been doubly illusory lately, so today’s #dailypiano #pianominiature is extra chunky. Sometimes people say music is what happens between the notes; here the music is happening entirely elsewhere, for which I must apologize (to Medtner and to you). https://youtu.be/1NEw5Uxt5ng

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108693179990851639

Today’s piece reestablishes the miniaturosity to which we’d grown accustomed. It’s by Georgy Catoire, whose music I’ve long enjoyed, but this is likely the only Catoire I’ll be able to manage for #dailypiano #pianominiatures.

“Chant intime”, Op. 2:

https://youtu.be/yjgNkzhgnnY

#dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #catoire #classicalpiano #classical #piano #classicalmusic #lateromantic #lateromanticism #chromatic #chromaticism

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108687522131004457

Also not quite a miniature, but more nearly than yesterday’s.
Also chunky in parts, but many more musical lines to be apprehended.
Wrapping up our visit with York Bowen, here’s his Romance #1 in G flat major.

https://youtu.be/GkSzA0wb0iE

#dailypiano #pianominiatures #yorkbowen

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108680781198084148

Not exactly a miniature.
Not much smooth to listen to.
Not entirely sensible without that C sharp.
But here and there I heard some sounds I needed to hear.
For today, that’s enough.

The slow movement from Bowen’s Piano Sonata #5:

https://youtu.be/sGyd9J8k6k0

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108675229798275012

Here’s one more Bowen Prelude, but from a different set of pieces: his Op. 44 Miniatures, of which Prelude is (fittingly) the first. I haven’t quite understood the middle section, possibly because it turns so heavily on a certain unavailable C sharp.

https://youtu.be/rgS9Dz3vXdQ

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108669984283508208

My lovely production assistant

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108665372270325063

Today’s is the last of Bowen’s 24 Op. 102 Preludes that I can, in short order, get anywhere near. Besides my limited skills, it especially suffers from that D-flat that D-doesn’t. Maybe from here you can imagine how the piece wants to sound.

https://youtu.be/ldl0IBzmE2U

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108663098792712630

In today’s Bowen Prelude (Op. 102, #16 in G minor) we hear:

- A whole lot of half-step walking up and down. Jazztastic!
- Two memorable sequences of completely parallel motion. Reminds me of Debussy.

https://youtu.be/NF2HkMJ0cpg

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108651785915507986

Today’s #dailypiano is another of Bowen’s Op. 102 Preludes, #8 in E flat minor, but watch out: this one switches to E major (!?) for two measures (??!?). Well, it probably listens easier than it reads.

https://youtu.be/3GeDc-R2GXs

#pianominiature #yorkbowen

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108646476168763606

Looking for piano pieces that were composed in 1923. Nice-to-haves: smallish, artful, tonal. Suggestions?

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108642813493491932

More Bowen, a bit less miniature: from the same set of Op. 102 Preludes, #6 in D minor. I can feel my brain expanding.

https://youtu.be/A5_RF_ZB9n0

#dailypiano #pianominiature #yorkbowen

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108640811115985864

We’ll return to more Mompou miniatures.

Today we shift gears to York Bowen, whose complex and colorful harmonies (with more than a little jazz flavor) I’ve never been brave enough to try putting hands to. From his Op. 102 Preludes, here’s #2 in C minor.

https://youtu.be/oYHQiA0H5TM

#piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalpiano #classical #music #yorkbowen

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108629475744126568

Daily, fresh-squeezed Western art music for piano.
42 increments.
Mean duration 2 minutes 18 seconds (from the https://agilein3minut.es guy, guess that tracks).
New composer tomorrow.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkuryjnRFclQJqoIVpk9W9-eIRswejo-R

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108626071182262042

We close out Mompou’s Impressions Íntimes with #9, “Gitano”. Off to the beach!

https://youtu.be/l1detig1lAY

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108618467792625721

After today, there’s one more of Mompou’s Impressions Íntimes, which is too bad, because this one (#8, “Secreto”) is perfect. Nothing left to take away.

I hope I’ll compose something like this someday. Shabbat shalom.

https://youtu.be/Nbvvvjnw164

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108612644232507190

Watching myself a while later, I generally like this.

100% sure the #LearningOutLoud part is a keeper.

I’m quite curious whether/how this works for someone who isn’t (a) me, or at least (b) a music-maker. Am I saying and/or showing enough about how I’m focusing my learning?

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108608857389514642

The next in Mompou’s set of Impressions Íntimes is #7, “Cuna”. The whole piece is underpinned by a very short and obstinately repeated bass figure for a smooth ride from start to finish.

https://youtu.be/09drHc4bnM4

#dailypiano #pianominiature #mompou

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108606900639539929

A month and a half ago I started making daily half-to-3/4-assed recordings of very small, very quickly learned piano pieces.

Before I make today's recording, here's a new thing: what it looks like while I'm doing the learning. 20 minutes. https://youtu.be/Aj6wCkoennw

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108606739839928809

Today, it’s Mompou’s Impressions Íntimes #6, “La barca”. Some chewy harmonies and passing tones, and a bunch of chances to make sense of them. The baby has understood to slow herself down.

https://youtu.be/_20nwn3sd_8

#daily #piano #dailypiano #pianominiature #pianominiatures #classicalmusic #mompou

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108601583649682916

Yesterday, after I lamented my home country having lost far more at its own hand than it ever lost to England, my home town became national news.

Today, more music. The next of Mompou’s Impressions Íntimes — the first w/subtitle — is #5, “Pájaro triste”.

https://youtu.be/HM19JI1cXeM

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/108595813455919711