June 2006

Mini Stepping Stones

June 29, 2006 22:19

I told my teacher I have much more time to practice the violin after switching to my new job, but I hardly see any progress. She said that the progression line looks more like a staircase than a a straightline when it comes to learning the violin. When you are advanced to a higher level and are confronted with more difficult pieces and technical works, you look back at what you were struggling and suddenly things seem easier. Things will always be difficult as you progress and play more difficult stuff. Otherwise there's no need for lesson. Also, because I progressed too quickly, I didn't have enough time to get the basics right, and the incorrect habbits started to build up. That's also why things are getting more difficult as I am only fixing the problems now.

My teacher usually give me a lift to the train station if she has no students following my lesson and that the weather is not friendly (it's Winter in Melbourne now). I guess it's her way of showing appreciation for sticking with her even if it means 4 hours of travel time to my lesson and back. In the car, she told me that violin had always been her second instrument after the piano. While at university, she reached a point where it was hurting her so much so had to quit. It was only 12 years ago before she took it up again, did her Grade 8 and AMUS (of the AMEB) with the help of her late violin teacher. My best guess is that she stopped playing for about 15-20 years.I asked her why didn't the professor help her back then at university. She said that there are people who plays the violin and get it instantly. Then there are others who have to struggle before they get it. Because she struggled a great deal, she knows how to help students that struggles... like me. Some teachers who hardly struggle when they learn the violin would probably find it difficult to teach students like her and me.

My discoveries (or re-discoveries) of the week are:

1) The shape of the left hand helps a great deal with intonation. I have been concentrating mostly to get the finger tips at the right spots for the right intonation, make the shape of my left hand auckward and subsequently struggle to play. If the shape is right and comfortable, the wrist is soft, shoulder relaxed, fingers are stood up and relaxed, elbow at the right angle, the finger tips will just fall onto the right spots (with minor adjustments). I'll have to remember this or I'll spend another 3 years struggling with intonation again!

2) If the fingers stand up more, vibrato is easier to execute, including 4th finger vibrato.

3) If I lean the shape of my left hand a bit forward, it is easier to execute thrills. I discovered this after watching on DVD the back-then-14yo Sarah Cheng playing Paganini first concerto.

Time to pen off now.

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Busy Season for Violin and Plan for the next 2 years

June 16, 2006 00:52

After joining the new community orchestra, I'm eager to get the music for the next concert in late August. However, rehearsal only start in mid-July. We'll be performing Don Juan Overture and a woodwind double concerto by R. Strauss and Beethoven's 5th symphony. Many people would think "Not the 5th again!". I've never done it. So at least after this concert I can join the club of those who has and start to say "Not the 5th again!".

I read in the June 06 issue of The Strad with an article on faking in orchestra. In the list of most difficult music written for orchestra violin section, Don Juan Overture is listed. Wish me luck!

Exam date for Grade 7 has yet to be announced, but I have my fingers crossed hoping it will be in September instead of August (clash with concert). At the moment, I'm doing "touch up" with the 4 exam pieces, attempt some sight readings and aural tests during lessons, but mostly concentrating on technical works with double-stops, bowing exercises, and high 3-octave scales & arpeggios. I start all my 3-octaves on G string so as to get used to higher positions... When I get to the top position in the F scale... horrible, horrible sound! Better nail this now or I'll suffer next year when doing 4-octave scales.

For next year's exam, I'll be looking at 2 movements from Bach Partita in D minor (2nd and 4th, don't remember the names), Beethoven's Romance in F (or G), and 2 others I haven't quite decided yet (maybe Mozart's Concerto in G?). In terms of technical works, there'll be bowing exercise with excerpts from Bach's Prelude and Concerto in E, and Paganini's whatever that has to do with sautille bowing. Then there's double-stop in 10th. I reckon 10th is actually quite damaging to the left hand! I can't wait to get Grade 8 under my belt because there won't be any technical requirements beyond Grade 8!

For Associate level, I'm thinking I need to at least do one of the Vivaldi's 4 season concertos (maybe Summer or Winter). People also ask if I can play the 4 season when they find out that I play the violin. Am so thinking that one Beethoven's sonatas would be good for my music diet. Perhaps also one of Sarasate's Spanish dances? One more piece to fill.

That's the plan for now. Can't think/plan any further.

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Where to go from here?

June 8, 2006 20:46

Ok, I took the first step buying a violin and started lessons a few years ago. I spend (or rather, invest) my time and money on classical music CDs and DVDs of great musicians. I took the next step in enrolling for violin exams and practice madly. Then I joined a community orchestra. Now I switched to a better community orchestra (one of those that get broadcasted live on radio).

For the next few years, there will be 2 or 3 more exams (depending where I want to get to) in addition to playing in the community orchestra. After that? What will this lead to, say in 10 or 20 years time? Spend my retiring years still playing in a community orchestra? What other options do non-professional musicians have (except teaching since I don't have the patient)? Anyone else in the same boat?

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More entries: July 2006 • May 2006

June 2006

Mini Stepping Stones

Busy Season for Violin and Plan for the next 2 years

Where to go from here?

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