Don Meek

Mar. 4, 2005 at 4:31 PM

I find I can understand why, how etc. but it just doesn't quite seem natural as yet.

I am well into the Grade four pieces and my teacher has come up with some fun studies (super studies) that have some great tricks to learn, harmonics string crossing and tricky bowing. Its been good fun learning new stuff all the time, keeps my brain active for sure.

So glad I had the courage to start this so late on.

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Jan. 25, 2005 at 11:54 AM

I did hit a bit of a barrier over Christmas. I think I was just trying too hard. I shot so far ahead, I was playing Meditation by Massenet after 6 weeks, that I began to get overly tense that the sound I was producing was not up to my standards. I had to take a back step and go back to basics.
Thank Heavens, or at Least Prof Sassmannshaus, for www.violinmasterclass.com it is so brilliantly concise and easy to follow that I have been able to have it as reference so many times.

My teacher is at a bit of a loss with me as he hasn't much experience of an adult learner with as much drive methinks. He has been good for me though, leaving me to set my own pace. We work through the grade pieces at lessons and we both see an improvement each week. I am working on my grade four pieces with the plan to take the exam in the Spring. It sets me an aim and it is good to learn to play the pieces well with good dymamics, good intonation and give a reasonable performance. I mean... I can play Meditation after 2 months, but you lot wouldn't want to listen to it LOL !!

The Donsk

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Dec. 9, 2004 at 10:09 AM

I am well into my grade three pieces now and getting things tidied up. I have found that by pushing myself hard, pulling out some of my Flute music and playing through (badly), then going back to the grade three stuff, it seems so much easier.

I am still struggling with certain bowing passages but I realise I simply dont have the strength or "tools" to use just yet. It's just hours in the saddle now.

When I read through my Blog and those early days of not being able to reach over for the Low A and stuff which now seem easy, I know I will master the bowing too. I practice vibrato every day as per ole Prof. Sassy masterclass and even that is getting freer although anything passed double speed ends up very uneven, early days, but at least I am working on it.

As an adult learner I have found it necessary to immerse myself and push myself hard. Whilst being happy to pull off a word perfect "twinkle", when messing around I can play the opening bars of the Tchai's D concerto Andante movement which makes me smile (alot).

Just wish I could give up work and play all day :(

The Donsk

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Nov. 27, 2004 at 4:28 PM

My lesson was quite amusing, firstly the tutor had invited his brother to come see and hear my violin. Ok it's a litte different, it's assymetrical and has rather stylised f holes (www.timsviolins.co.uk ) it may appear avant garde but the sound is fabulous. The bottom is really cello sounding and the top sings without screaching. This lad really knows what he is making !

My teacher is very impressed with the tone. His brother couldn't beleive the volume !!
I played pretty c**p for the teacher, always the way, I was concentrating too hard. Always play better at home when I feel freer to play a little.

Today I played the Sicilienne from the Bach Flute Sonate in Eb. 2 weeks ago I would never have dreamed I would be playing something like that, albeit badly. I was so glad I could finish it in one sitting. I went back to playing my grade 2 and 3 pieces and they seemed so much easier.
My biggest challenge this week is a simple down bow to a minim rest followed by another down bow. Try as I might I always get a sound on that second down bow.. I want it to be smooth as butter... Early days indeed :)
Don

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Nov. 22, 2004 at 10:27 AM

The violinmasterclass.com site has been so helpful in giving me good basic excercises to practice. I enjoyed trying the beginner detaché lessons and the shifting through a scale on one string excercises at the weekend.

It's very handy having all my old flute music to hand. I had to dig out some of my old study books for some simple things to try. Was really helpful trying simple phrases playing legato, although I did run out of bow a few times. Lack of experience so far means that will have to be worked on.

My intonation has been remarkable, amazing how quickly your fingers learn the intervals. I think this is because I played the Guitar and Cello previously, it's kind of an innate sense of how the pitches shift. Vibrato is so, so hard though, I limit my self to playing a few minutes just very slow, high "wobble" :) vibrato on each string with each finger ( I am sure my neighbours are impressed ).

Next lesson on Wednesday.. I think he might be a little surprised teehee....

The Donsk

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Nov. 19, 2004 at 10:24 AM

That the teacher loved my violin was obvious, from hearing him play it for 10 minutes and then loathing to hand it back. Have to say I was a little jealous, MOP-J in the hands of a complete stranger, violins are so fragile, so intense, so personal, I didn't breathe until he handed it back.

We went through holding the bow and the instrument. Noone has actually shown me this, bar the very kind Prof. Sassmannshaus on vm.com :) All in all I hadn't done a bad job, my bowing near the tip needed correcting as I took the easy route and was collapsing a little at the elbow, downward bowing toward my body, which apparently is very common as it is the path with the least resistance.. I mean.. who needs resistance? isn't it hard enough :)

Bless him (the teacher) he had out a little "your first violin" book. So we took a look. I was expecting to be on open strings for a while to be honest, but anyhow we worked through the book from front to back. Pretty decent job of the intonation (courtesy of MOP-J who just makes it so damn easy) although my bow changes were awful, funny they sound smooth at home. I put it down to first date nerves. I have a real thing with C and C#, just hearing them spot on, just seem to be the ones I need to slide into at the moment.

All in all it was a good start. I think the teacher is going to be a little soft with me. I guess it's not a bad thing with an adult student I guess, but I do want to get it right. Early days though.

Don
PS: I have had some nice emails from people on here, thank you, that I have inspired anyone is such an incredible compliment. We can do this together right :) :)

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Nov. 16, 2004 at 10:26 PM

OK.... Like I played for 5 minutes and stopped cos I was afraid for the neighbours.

What was I thinking of. 2 weeks ago I had this fear, this total weird screwball notion that simply taking up the violin was a make or break thing.

I think it was actually the mid life crisis kicking in. Like if I failed at 40 that was it... i might as well pull the rug over my knees and give up.

What can I say.. I struggled for 2 weeks with a Stentor and managed a scale in tune. managed to sight read simple tunes.. managed a nice smooth bowing and nice changes. I was chuffed.. my attempt at vibrato was even lush.

Today I pick up MOP-J for the first time put bow to strings and Woah.... the sound is amazing. The VOLUME is incredible.. ooo my neighbours... couldn't believe that my bowing literally halfed to achieve the same tone NO ONE TELLS YOU THIS !!!!!! The instrument is gorgeous. I played a slow vibrato (vmasterclass.com beginner lesson kicking in) and I literally had tears in my eyes... the sound is awesome AND I MADE IT ! OMG OMG OMG.... I really thought this instrument was unattainable.. heaven knows why... WHY? SO many emotions... Happiness that I can make that sound.. Sadness that I wish I had done this earlier.. Anger almost.... as YOU are all musicians you will understand these emotions.. I only wish I could play the Brahms and pour it all out :) It will have to wait...

Watch this space

Don

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Nov. 16, 2004 at 2:44 PM

Ok Ok... I finally plumped for buying a "new" violin as some of the older ones I tried really did not impress for their price tags eek. Like cos they are "old" and antique doesn't mean they sound good ! A £3000 violin I tried (Italian) sounded like a bucket, my Stentor is sharper crisper and more pleasing.

When I say new.. I mean it was hand made by extraordinary Luthier Tim Phillips in Wales.. ( www.timsviolins.co.uk ) Tim is better known for making professional instruments for fiddlers. This one escaped and will be tuned to the classics LOL. It is stunning, crazy wide flamed Maple back. Cant wait to hear it sing.

Tim has an incredible reputation here for producing an amazing rich tone, although his violins may appear unconventional they sound better than many so called fine violins of yesteryear.

My lesson has been postponed til Thursday so gives me two days to get comfy with MOP-J
Don

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Nov. 14, 2004 at 6:40 PM

My left hand really freed up today. Seemed to fall naturally into place. After a 15 minute warm up my reach was great, felt comfortable. Only coming down to the G string in an easy piece that I found I had slipped a little, which led to having to tense to hit that low A.

I felt so much more loose today that I tried the beginner vibrato lesson on Vmasterclass.com ok I am along way off being ready for this, but it was a huge mental leap for me. I had got into my head that vibrato was going to be beyond me. Just by trying this really slowly with each finger and achieving the effect I am now sure I will master it in good time.

Really glowing today, the improvement in 1 week is astounding. I know the hard times are ahead, my teacher will probably take me along way back this week but somehow I am not so scared of not being able to get where I want to be now. Great day.

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Nov. 12, 2004 at 11:40 PM

Strangely enough I actually get a buzz out of playing the standard issue Twinkle twinkle little star when i hear all clear notes (ie: not hitting other strings) and getting good intonation.

More importantly I have a first lesson with a local teacher that is actually the lead violinist with one of the major Symphony orchestras here... totally out of my league of course but I am hoping he will see me as a challenge.

Also the maker of my violin called to say it will be with me next Tuesday.. hoorah.. how many beginners have a violin made for them eh :) all will be revealed soon!

the Donsk

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