Justin Keck on Violinist.com

When Everything Goes PERFECT!

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:14:54 GMT

& nbsp;Picking up your violin, you wipe the rosin dust of yesterday from the beautifully varnished wood. & nbsp;Upon placing the instrument between your chin and shoulder you pull the bow across the string, to commence to tuning...soon realizing when you're done that you didn't turn a single peg! & nbsp;Perfect way to start the day. & nbsp;From then, you run through scales with ease like a delicately trained athlete, blowing past the competition. & nbsp;Hours have past through the course of three scales, after checking numerous times that the notes you've played are absolutely perfect. & nbsp;Etude's are nearly flawless as your fingers in the right spot repetatively...so you pick up the pace. Soon you're flying across the finger board pounding every note with the strength of Goliath (ok, that's an exaggeration). & nbsp;The vibrato is even and fitting to each etude. & nbsp;From then, you move to your pieces. & nbsp;Two selections from your teacher, two contrasting pieces, and contrasting eras! & nbsp;You're absorbed into the music, more-so than usual. & nbsp;You feel as if you are the music!

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That's what today has felt like to me! & nbsp;Ok...not EVERYTHING was perfect, but it felt like it. & nbsp;I have enjoyed practicing today, much more than I normally do. & nbsp;I haven't practiced my pieces yet :(. & nbsp;But I'm hoping they goes as well as everything else!!!! & nbsp;AND...I've already put it 3 & amp; 1/2 hrs!!!

Can It Be Done?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:53:32 GMT

Ok...something lately has just been getting me to practice. & nbsp; I don't know what it is, but I like it! & nbsp; Maybe it's listening to Janine Jansen's Beethoven Concerto...IDK!! & nbsp; But, along with this practicing, I've been doing lots of research on concertos I & nbsp;don't normally listen to...beethoven, Brahms, Lalo, Mozart No. 5. & nbsp; And I'm just wondering if I could get & quot;started & quot; on one of these by the time I graduate from undergrad. & nbsp; As of right now, I'm working on Biber's & quot;Passacaglia & quot;...and I almost have it done. & nbsp; I don't really know how close it is in difficulty. & nbsp; Judging from ya'lls experience...would it be possible to get started on ONE movement from & nbsp; ONE of these concertos? & nbsp; Given I only have about 4 hours to practice a day.

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Getting Back into It!

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:36:19 GMT

I haven't really taken this semester of college really seriously...I've had many distractions from my academics and my music. & nbsp; Now that Christmas Break is upon our school, I have time to put in as much practice as I want. & nbsp; But there are certain aspects that I want to work on:

Vibrato-my vibrato isn't the greatest. & nbsp; I'm not very good at adjusting my vibrato to the piece. & nbsp; Are there any etudes, or certain exercises that concentrate on vibrato specifically?
Finger Accuracy-I know how to do this for the most part, mainly using sevcik and schraedick. & nbsp; If there are any other books or exercises out there, that would help.
Bow control-any suggestions for exercises to help me with those

My thing is, I want to be at performance major level by the time I come back to school after the summer. & nbsp; if there is a particular path that can lead me there the fastest, but the also the most detailed and helpful, I would love to know it!

I've Wandered off the Track...

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:38:21 GMT

I am currently a college student, and this summer I have slacked...massively!� I feel as if I deserve some type of excruciating beating for doing so.� Though I haven't wandered away from the instrument, I have gotten wrapped up in the Irish-Celtic style of playing.� But that's not what they ask of you in college.

We have also gotten a new violin teacher, so I have also felt that any effort put into my current technique books would be pointless. �Which is part of the reason why I've been pushing practice away.

I guess, I'm�asking for any advice on how to get back into the pattern I was once in.� Back into the 4 hours worth of playing the instrument I love.� Anything to help get me back on the right track would be much appreciated.

Justin

My Repertoire Played (to date)

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:22:04 GMT

Now, before you read the list, remember that I said I just recently took violin seriously...so here's the list:

Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto in A Minor (1st Mvt.)
Carl Bohm - Sarabande in G Minor
G. F. Handel - Sonata #3 in F Major (1 & amp; 2 Mvts.)
Vittorio Monti - Czardas
Freidrich Seitz - Third Pupils Concerto (1st Mvt.)

Currently Working & nbsp;On:

Giovanni Viotti - Concerto No. 23 (1st Mvt.)
Antonin Dvorak - Sonatina in G Major (1st Mvt.)
Fritz Kreisler - Liebesleid