Piano lesson note (10/25/05)

Tonic key: the one which has a base quality, creates a sense of resolution
Dominant key: the one which has a leading quality to the tonic, gives a sense of direction
Sub-dominant key: the one which creates a sense of uncertainty

If tonic is noted as 1, then the dominant is typically the 5th, and subdominant is the 4th. That’s why the cadence is typically 1-4-5-1. And in classical works, most of the chords are consisted of 1/4/5’s. But sometimes there can be alternative dominant and sub-dominant keys, such as 1-2-7-1.
Tips on practice: focus in the problematic bar but completing a phrase with the context before and after, repeat and be patient. Don’t let your brain interfere with your hands too much, just listen and trust your body to do the right things after it gets accustomed to the pattern after repetitions. It is about to use your left brain!
Homework:
1) Bethovan Sonatina in G Major, second half
2) Bach Prelude in D Minor, second half