Motion Studies

for piano solo
(2023)

Each one of these studies expresses a different musical character created by a different type of musical motion. It is for this reason that they are called “Motion Studies”.

The first study, “Quiet Comping”, is based on the idea of jazz “comping”, which is the playing of syncopated chords by the pianist during an instrumental solo. There is no instrumental solo here, but the “comping” effect of the pianist’s right hand is obvious. It is an exercise in playing syncopated articulations coordinated between the two hands. The second study, “Falling Gently” is one of quiet open spaces in which a falling gesture often appears. The piano’s natural reverberation creates a feeling of space with shifting harmonic colors. Careful use of pedaling, tempo flexibility and touch are required. The last study features light-hearted rhythmic complexity and uses many meter changes. It is called “Leap of Bass” because the pianist’s left hand plays constant leaping fifths while the right hand plays smoother lines above it.

(Total performance time ca. 8:30)