Getting better...

Having dusted off my keyboard chops I feel I'm actually starting to get better than I was before my little break. I bought the Grade 2 Scales book and although it was hard work I'm starting to get used to playing the scales over two octaves with both hands together. The tricky fingerings and coordination took some getting used to but a few short bursts of practice took care of things.

I've also started working on a second Grade 2 piece - Carl Reinecke's Allegro Moderato (First Movement from Sonatina in G, Op. 136 No. 2)

The combination of the scales and the new piece have had me practising the way I did when I started in the Summer: verrrry slowly indeed and going a step at a time. It can take a long time just to get a few bars to feel comfortable. I've had to take the same approach with the Bob Mintzer book but it really seems to pay dividends. Working on things that I can barely play forces me to improve. Things normally take shape after a few short sessions so it isn't too disheartening but it IS hard work. The path of most resistance seems to reap the greatest rewards somehow. Now if I can transfer the same approach to my drum practice...

I've been doing quite a bit of in-car listening recently and I still can't get over how phenomenal Steps Ahead Smokin in the Pit is. Listening to that album excites me in a way that only a few other performances ever have. In spite of my initial indifference I am now completely into the latest Yellowjackets CD too. There is some beautiful playing and writing on there.

My latest idle thoughts involve a sax/bass/drums trio to work on some different ideas. I'd really have to play some serious drums then - the path of most resistance indeed!

I think that's a much longer term project. I need to focus on Alter Ego and my quartet idea for now.