Haydn Sonata In B Minor (In Progress)

[echoyjeff222]

Hi all,

I was hoping for some advice on what to practice for this sonata. I've gone through the whole sonata in terms of notes and was going to record each movement and see what parts I could improve. Your feedback is appreciated!   I've been working in particular on the ornaments in the piece, as my fingers sometimes get stuck while trying to do them.

Also, is there any reason why my files are so large? I uploaded a 3 minute recording apprx, and it's already 35.1 mb ... over the limit. Here's a link to my dropbox, but if anyone could let me know how to directly upload and reduce file size without losing quality, it would be much appreciated!

EDIT: Nevermind, I decided to use a free converter to MP3. I don't know if the quality went down or not, but it's a lot smaller now. Anyone know of good ways to convert wav to mp3? I've seen that audacity might work well ..

[awesom_o]

Nice work!

Try to achieve a more vocal quality in the ornaments; more expressive. Don't think of them having to be 'fast' or 'tidy'.

Overall I would like to hear more of a silken quality to your tone. Although many things are commendable in your performance, the sound has a slightly ordinary, sometimes harsh quality to it.

I think all of the voices could sing more expressively together. Don't let any of the parts hog the texture when they sing, but rather let them all dance together joyfully.

You have a fine basic understanding of the style, but I think you could deliver a more nuanced performance.

[echoyjeff222]

Thanks so much for your feedback! I was thinking along the same lines as I listened to it again. You put it perfectly.

How would you suggest making the ornaments more expressive? Right now I dread them and simply hope I play all the notes because I'm afraid of getting "stuck."

I'll get started on those points, though. Thanks!

[awesom_o]

Try singing the spot with the difficult ornament. Try playing the section without the ornament. Try singing the ornament while playing the LH.

Just don't dread them!! Enjoy them! Enjoy the moments around them as well!

[echoyjeff222]

The first part still sounds a little brittle in a few places, I think (e.g. at around 22 seconds?)

[awesom_o]

Very nice. Definitely sounding a bit more graceful. The recording was very quiet though, so I couldn't hear much, even with volume turned all the way up.

[echoyjeff222]

Is this louder? BTW, do you hear that buzzing noise in the background (any idea where it's from?)

i guess i'll continue working smoothing things out (22 seconds, 1:07 the trill ...) any other places? I'm trying to practice more efficiently. I do NOT want to simply play the whole thing through a million times. Trying to get away from that kind of practicing.

[awesom_o]

It's still really quiet. I do hear the buzzing noise. I'm not very knowledgeable about how to deal with that sort of thing.

What are you using to record this?

[echoyjeff222]

That's odd. It sounds a lot louder to me now on that second recording. I'm using a Tascam DR05, same thing I used for the first recording. Did the very first recording sound fine to you?

[awesom_o]

Both recordings had a hissing/buzzing noise. The 2nd recording was louder, but still somewhat quiet.

[echoyjeff222]

Sorry, I've been busy with finals! Finally got time to record ... I fixed the buzzing sound and I think it should be louder! Thoughts?

[awesom_o]

Yes you fixed those things.

I would like a more expressive tone with less superfluous sound. A more intense voice that doesn't have to sing as loudly.

I don't think any single thing in particular stood out as being much too loud, but in general it's a bit on the course side.

You have some nice phrasing developing! You could use more colour though, which is more or less what I'm talking about with the expressive tone.