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Ode to Joy, Days 11 & 12: The Biggest Bang, etc.

In my journey through the Learn New Repertoire Faster Challenge at Piano with Rebecca B, I’ve reached Day 12 of Jonny May’s stride arrangement of Ode to Joy. I recorded a video for Day 11 yesterday but didn't post anything because I was wiped out. So you get to read about two days today!

Day 11 (Yesterday)

Yesterday’s assignments were to continue reviewing Batch 2 (measures 24–31 and 40–47) and start Batch 4 (measures 60–71).

When I sat down to work on Batch 4, I realized I’d already included Passage 1 (measures 60–63) in Batch 3. So Batch 4 is now just eight measures. I briefly considered adding the next section, but decided to keep it as-is and use the extra time on the revisited batches.

Batch 4

These eight measures deliver the biggest bang in the whole arrangement so far: a climbing pattern of diminished chords, leading to syncopated four-note chords, a sparkling downward arpeggio, and then another transition.

The first measure is probably the hardest in the piece—stretchy fingerings, accidentals, syncopation. Thankfully, it follows a pattern, and once I realized that it became easier. Also thankfully, the left hand presents no new variations to what it played previously at this point in the song.

One challenge is that this passage sounds great at tempo but pretty rough when played slowly. It’s very dissonant. I’m starting to hear the logic behind it, though, so it’s not quite as harsh anymore. This video is from when I was first learning it. (Note: I did this after my gig at the assisted living facility was over, so I was on kind of a silly high, which tends to happen whenever I play publicly and manage to do well.)

I didn’t get to the second half of Batch 4 until this morning. The E minor arpeggio itself isn’t hard, but it jumps up a fifth midway through and ends with a bit of chromatic movement, so I spent some focused time there.

Batch 2 Review

Batch 2 is sounding really nice. My former green-to-yellow trouble spot is no longer much trouble and is actually starting to be fun.

Day 12 (Today)

Today was my last day to revisit Batch 2, and I hadn’t done much with the opening measures of the solo A section, so I focused there using interleaved chunks and practicing with eyes closed. I then set the metronome to 60 and worked toward five clean runs. I had to restart a couple of times, but I got there.

At first, 60 felt necessary because my brain was juggling everything—what comes next, the chords, hand placement. By the third or fourth run, the cognitive load had lightened. I wasn’t having to think about every note anymore. My hands started going where they needed to go.

I was still aware of the structure, but I could also feel things settling into place. That is such a great feeling! I was so tempted to move the metronome up to 62 or even 65, but I resisted the temptation because I want my brain have the blueprint of a perfect run. Now it does, and it can chew on that while I'm doing other things.

Where I Am Now

I realized yesterday that much of the remaining piece contains repeated material from earlier. So I am much further along than I thought. That is a good feeling.

I’m excited for tomorrow—more work on Batch 4, while I reintroduce Batch 3 for review!

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