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Natasha Marsalli

September 1, 2005 at 8:31 PM

Phew! I was just asked to play for a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Katrina at the university. The accompanist I had for my last compitition said he'd play with me, so we have our first practice.....tomorrow morning at eleven. I decided to play Corelli's La Folia. That's a good standard rep. piece and quite the crowd pleaser, especially if you whip your bow around. So on September 11th, I shall have church from 8-9, classes from 9-10, drop off my friend's bday present at the Phil before orchestra at the Phil, orchestra from 2-4:20, string ensemble from 4:30-5:20, then this concert from 8-10. Wow.

Hey, do any of you guys get aching knuckles after playing a fast piece? What do you all do?

From Ben Clapton
Posted on September 1, 2005 at 10:34 PM
Just stretch your fingers out. Clenching them then stretching them as far out as possible should help.
Or you can crack your knuckles (discreetly please). Contrary to popular Myth, this does not give you arthritis, it can free up your knuckles, sometimes give the appearence of larger knuckles or longer fingers. But it is an annoying habit, so best to do it discreetly if you are going to do it at all. (One side affect is a loss of grip strength, but this can be countered by hand strenghtening excercises)
From Natasha Marsalli
Posted on September 1, 2005 at 10:51 PM
Great! Thank you much!
From Sydney Menees
Posted on September 2, 2005 at 1:20 AM
Remember: Treat yourself like an athlete. Stretch (remember SE orchestra?) before you play!
From Natasha Marsalli
Posted on September 2, 2005 at 1:23 AM
Haha....it's this dratted La Folia piece though...when I'm done with the hemidemisemiquaver runs, my second finger knuckle feels like little knives are stabbing it. Ouchie!
From Julia S
Posted on September 10, 2005 at 1:44 AM
La Folia is pretty hard. I'm almost done learning it. The chord runs were hard, but after a while (like three months) your fingers start to get it. I want to perform it too soon, it's a great piece.

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