composition by Julian Trienekens
album art by Julian Trienekens

Compositions

Piano Sonata no. 13 in Bb, mvm. I

dedicated to Sophie Gregg
composition by Julian Trienekens
album art by Julian Trienekens

Piano Sonata no. 12 in B minor, "Red Air" - mvm. IV

Piano Sonata no. 12 in B minor, "Red Air" - mvm. III

Piano Sonata no. 12 in B minor, "Red Air" - mvm. II

Piano Sonata no. 12 in B minor, "Red Air" - mvm. I

This an early, rough recording that shows how I used solfege to teach myself how to compose and improvise. This is good old Dannhäuser solfege exercise number 1, and it sounds fairly normal for the first couple bars. Then I improvise a secondary voice. Take the improvisation away, and what you hear is what every French School of Music solfege student heard and sang on day one of their solfege training. Talk about an irresistible gateway drug into the world of learning how to sightread music.

This is also done in response to the countless people I have met who tell me they hear the most extraordinary music in their heads, they just don't know how to write it down. The French School methodology was specifically designed to enable solfege students to achieve this goal. As you can see, at every point in time I know exactly what I am doing, and everyone should be able to do the same, even if they don't develop absolute pitch. Use this recording as a litmus test for evaluating music instructors, courses, and conservatories, to ensure that with their training you will develop the skills to do this.

Using Solfege to Practice Improvisation

Classical pianist/composer whose piano teacher - Mlle. Yvonne Combe - studied at the Paris Conservatory when four famous French composers were alive and Fauré was Director of the Conservatory.

As a child, played in Carnegie Recital Hall nine times (many French School alumni did the same). Eight known alumni back around the 70s went to The Juilliard School, and more attended other conservatories.

Background as a software developer, technical trainer, business analyst, engineering manager, and real estate investor; shifted in 2014 to focus on music composition and capturing French School's efficient and effective solfege and piano practice methodologies so that future generations of music students can have what was once available to Combe's students.

Using Solfege to Practice Improvisation

Eileen Sauer

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