triggering Action Potential

Can it be?

After this morning's practice, I have roughly learned 1/3 of the Godowsky transcription. Is it possible that the Godowsky version is easier than the Chopin's? If one were to look through the scores, one thought comes to mind, "these Godowsky notes are sick as hell!"

I have to keep in mind that these "studies" on Chopin etudes are just that, studies. Pieces that will improve my playing of Chopin etude.

But yeah, I'm very excited that I have 10 more lines to go and got 5 weeks left. Polishing the piece will take the most time, and if I can finish learning the notes soon, I can do just that. and have fun in the mean time!

Challenge: Race against time

It's been set: a public performance in May. Now a new goal emerges. It'll be quite a feat to accomplish. To skip all the suspense, here it is:

to learn Chopin-Godowsky etudes No.44, the transcription to etude nouvelle in F minor. This transcription is for left hand only. Theoretically, it should be easier to learn because there are only half of the notes and only one hand to worry about. One the other, one hand has to create the melody and the illusion of both hands.

There are 15 lines in my score. If I were to learn 2-3 lines a week, then I should get it done by May. That's contigent on the fact that I practice 5 hours a week, every week.

I learned the first line today (not sooo bad), and planning to learn the second one tomorrow. This left hand only etude will really test/strengthen my left hand dexterity and fingering. It should be fun, and that's the really, the only reason why I'm going after the challenge. Because, it is fun!

war, economy, and research.

Most of the times you will hear that war can stimulate a nation's economy. WWII lifted the US out of the Great Depression. War can also lead to scientific progress because of the need to be innovative. But in times of war, where are all the government money going to? Sure, a lot of private companies are cashing in because of government contracts. But in terms of government funding and grants, the budget is less and less. The war on terrorism costs tax payers millions, if not billions, each day. This is for the security of the nation. But to really justify the spending, shouldn't we allocate the money to benefit all human beings?

As I have experienced first-hand, NIH grants are much more difficult to obtain than it was 3-4 years ago. Sure it just means that one needs to come up with radical ideas. Or it could mean that the health-related research is in danger.

And where is the economic boom? I still read about unemployment rates and the trade deficit. I believe we are losing all aspects of this war on terrorism.

It is true then, war is devastating and never a good thing.