Now that I’ve got some material into the piece, I’m thinking about the larger structure: how many variations? what moods? what contrasts? I identify with the little details and think about the small gestures. So far I’ve been trying to make the details perfect.

But what about something big and grand? I’m not sure my theme can go there. It’s a bit retro, back to the late 20th century, with major 7ths and dissonance, each gesture quickly interrupted by the next. I think I need a final grand variation, but I haven’t found it yet.