Author: Hannah Park

Hello, and welcome bace to Captured Moments! This week, I picked Thursday, 28th, as a day to show what I did.

9:30-10:30

I started the day with a test in Music Theory. The test had material had material on seven diminished chords, passing 6/4 chord, pedal 6/4 chord, and cadential 6/4. I found it challenging to differentiate between these chords because they all look and sometimes sound similar, but each chord has a purpose. For example, the seven diminished chord creates tension and acts as a leading tone. Once you hear it in a piece, you can identify them easily because there is a certain quality of sound that you can hear.

12:30-1:30

Next, I had my weekly lesson. I performed Chopin Ballad No.3, and I found some things that I had been practicing on show up seamlessly during my playing. There are still some things, dynamics and flow, that I need to work on, but the progress is going well!

3-4

Then, I have my French class on central. I am learning about superlatives and comparatives. Also, I can start to see some connections between learning French and in classical music. I can pronounce French music pieces that I was not able to before, and I also know some culture that I can incorporate into my playing to evoke certain emotions.

4:30

I had a wellness check up for my hand and hearing. I received very good advice on how to keep my hand in good posture, as well as some stretches to do before and after I practice. I received a hand brace to prevent my wrist from bending while I sleep. I also received earplugs to wear when I am working with large ensembles. The SMTD wellness program is very helpful for musicians like myself!

5

I practiced the rest of the day before I perform at my jury!

Hello! This week I took pictures of my day on Thursday, March 7th, as a piano performance major. 

9:30-10:30

I started the day with my Theory 140- Aural Skills Class. We focused on the Cadential 6/4- chords that usually appear at the end of the music that outlines the dominant scale degree. The dominant of a key is the fifth note, and the cadential 6/4 uses it to lead into the ending (cadence). Additionally, in this class, we sang chord progressions to highlight how each chord resolves. 

12:30-1:30

I then had my weekly lesson with Professor Harding. I continued to work on Chopin Ballade No. 3. This is one of my favorite pieces to play because there is so much intensity and beautiful moments. I also find it amazing how the lessons I learn in my theory classes start to apply to my pieces when I think about chords and notes. 

3:00-4:00

I headed  over to central campus for my French class. I had an exam today about travel preferences. 

4:30-6:30

I went back to the School Of Music to attend studio class, a weekly class featuring performances from other piano performance majors. This week, I was the first one to play. I performed Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in G Minor from Book 1. While I was a little nervous, I am glad with how I performed. 

6:30

I finish my day with practicing. Earlier today, I took a picture of the geese in the water while entering the School of Music. It was raining, but I found this moment so beautiful. When playing my pieces during my practice time, I thought about this image and incorporated the beauty of it to my playing.