Character Piece # 3

Today the last of my three character pieces was performed for the class. I'd like to thank Jon and Andrew for sight reading! You guys did a great job! They will also be the musicians who will be performing my pieces on the recital Saturday night.

I had a lot of trouble this week trying to come up with an idea for this last piece. I was so pleased with last weeks work that I wasn't sure where to go next, so I was suffering from writer's block (or I guess composer's block would be more accurate) Inspiration finally struck when I was listening to one of Jon's regular warm-ups from his daily routine, which I have heard on multiple occaisions. I took the exercise, using the intervals and changed the meter, transpositions, and added or left notes out. This became the tuba line and I created the piano part around it. Anyone who knows Jon and his routine well, would have recognized its connection to the piece. (I highly enjoyed Phils reaction to this) Suprisingly enough the character of this piece was more suited to my original intentions for character piece number two, go figure!

The feedback I recieved was very positive and greatly appreciated!

Some suggestions were:

• adding appropriate dynamics and markings (I basically know what I am doing in this regards, but just didn't get the chance to mark them in before class)
• look at the balance between the piano and tuba (Hopefully with the addition of dynamics, practice and the use of the PC Hall, this might work itself out)
• add more rests and breaks in the tuba line
• perhaps the addition of some piano flourishes (without tuba) would help to unify the piece more

I think this piece turned out pretty well and I'm looking forward to completing this entire character piece assignment. Hopefully when its performed on Saturday night my pieces can measure up to the wonderful works I had the priveledge of hearing on the first recital!

-Jill