A new month, a new Grade and a new piece

I got the Grade 4 books yesterday and started working on the first piece - Allegro assai from the Third movement from Sonata in G by G.Benda.

This morning I spent half an hour working on the first 16 bars at 40bpm. This came together fairly well.

I have neglected my scales and sight reading a little so I intend to build those into my daily routine. In theory I should be comfortable playing the major scale (over two octaves with both hands together) in all keys by now...

I also need to keep working on my sight reading and I really need to break the habit of looking at my hands so much.

Despite these observations I am very happy to be looking at Grade Four material as I enter my fourth month of piano study. The piano playing has helped me in many ways, both musically and otherwise.

I intend to update my blog later on after a bit more practice, however the 'x' and 'w' keys on my laptop are now both playing up so writing is becoming increasingly frustrating!

Update:

10 minutes Grade 1 sight reading ex 1-10
10 minutes scales - C major, G major, D major, A major - I need to start with F major next time.
25 minutes running the three Grade 3 pieces. Bach at 100bpm, Top Cat up to 80 bpm and Study in F up to 54 bpm