March 23

My wrist is healing nicely and getting stronger daily, especially now that I'm back at the gym and actually working it. My piano playing is nearly back to normal, I have my stretch back and can play the fast picky stuff without any problems. But I've been having problems with octaves, so much so that I can only stand about 20 minutes of practice before I have to stop.

Needless to say, 20 minutes of practice isn't working very well as I try to prepare the accompaniment to the Handel's Hallelujah Chorus for our Easter Sunday service. I was starting to sweat whether I'd be able to play it or not.

I'm grateful that I checked my older edition of the Messiah. The orchestral reduction in that edition was much more manageable. I love piano-friendly editors. Buh-bye superfluous octaves!