Bonnie Tindle

Bonnie Tindle is from Springfield, Missouri.

Biography

Archive:
April 2008

Back On The Wagon

I've not been playing quite a year, and this is my first real slump. New job, new husband, crazy family obligations have all been delightful "obstacles" to my practice. I managed for a long time to continue to play and improve, but then I got distracted. The first week I rightfully said it was good to flush some bad habits and start from a fresh perspective. The second and third week just disappeared, and here I am, a month from my last real thoughtful string of practices, lost and unable to get my fingers to obey.

I'd like to swear I will not slack off again, it's just too frustrating to lose all that ground, but it's inevitable that it will sneak up on me again. I know over the span of my lifetime with the violin this will be a forgotten blip, but right now it sure doesn't feel that way. I've humbly returned to scales and will do my penance with double practices over the next month to catch up and then move forward. Discipline has never been my strong suit, but I have never loved anything like I love playing my violin. Guilt from my failure has proven to be the biggest obstacle of all.

In brighter news, my teacher has started me on third position. I'm still well ahead of the game for the length of time I've studied, though I'm only competing with myself. I have some making up to do, then I will be moving forward on to a new challenge. That will get the old juices flowing again.

Those of you who read this: how do you manage to handle those slumps? It all comes down to just getting back into it, but how do you handle those times when you aren't even aware of your slipping until it's too late? I think what bothers me most is that my absence sort of crept up on me. Lesson learned, I will not repeat my mistake, but any advice or input is welcome.

Until next time,

Bon The Geek

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Crowded Music (Learning how to listen)

Last night I went to see David Kim (from the Philadelphia Orchestra) perform with the Springfield Symphony. I've attended several concerts over the years, but this was beyond exceptional. First, Mr. Kim was flawless in his performance. Second, for the first time ever I actually knew what I was looking at. I was able to watch his hands and see things I was unaware of before I began taking lessons. Though I've always appreciated talent, I had to chalk several things up to "magic" because I wasn't sure what was actually causing the sounds and effects that were capturing my interest. I had the fortune of being directly in front of him, less than ten feet away. I was able to study his hands, posture, and track the smallest movements with his bow hand. For experienced players, I'm sure this is old news. But for a beginner, this was very exciting!

I remember an art class from long ago. My teacher explained that novice artists were afraid to leave any open areas in their paintings and the trademark of an amateur was a "crowded" painting. She gave an entire lecture on how empty space can speak as effectively as decorated space. In a writing class even further down the road, our speaker explained that you shouldn't have to explain everything to your audience; the joy of discovery is a reader's pleasure. In other words, what you don't say can be as effective as what you do choose to explain.

Last night, I finally learned just how much that also applies to music. Instead of his moments of silence merely being a pause where he did not play, I was taught the meaning of subtlety, variety and drama. I learned how the tiniest change can have profound meaning, and knowing his every movement was intentional only made it a better experience. I realize I've been playing "crowded" music. In my desire to be heard I was pushing my notes together instead of letting each one speak for itself. It made me think of listening to someone in a foreign language, how their words seem to blend into one long assault on the ears that you eventually tune out. Though planning for the next note is essential, I realized I was neglecting to enjoy the moment I was in, and my sound is suffering because of it.

A wise fellow told me a long time ago that I would never learn to play what I did not hear. I have listened to classical music most of my life, but I did not hear it. Not on the level that I do now, at any rate. My understanding of what goes into playing has added so much to the listening experience that I cannot imagine how I ever managed in the first place. Taking this new knowledge into account, I now get so much more out of what I listen to, and last night drove the lesson home. I came home and applied my theory, and the change was incredible. I could hear the improvement immediately.

These are the insights that give me hope. In one way, kids are blessed in that they don't always know what they SHOULD be sounding like. I am all too aware of what I want to play and how I am falling short of making it. But then I have these epiphanies that bring me closer each time, and I am reminded that every step is one step closer to making my violin sing. There really are a thousand steps between my humble first-position songs and the music I heard last night. But one triumph at a time I get to close the gap.

I think I'll go practice now. My teacher is going to get an earful the next lesson, when I bring all these observations and questions up for him to explain!

Bon

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The Beginning (Introducing Myself)

I'm an adult student, and a beginner though I have a tiny bit of overall music knowledge to work with. I'm 32 now, living in Springfield, MO and not quite through my first year of lessons. I fell in love with my violin the moment I started playing, and I'm hooked on the challenge of learning. My teacher, the brilliant George Williams, is generous and dedicated, and I don't think I could have ever stuck it out this far without him. He's challenged me and inspired me to keep trying, but not be discouraged when I don't get it right the first time. After all, if this was easy then everyone would do it. :)

If anyone wants to read the account of an adult student trying to find her way, welcome to my blog. I'll try to post regularly, but I promise not to write filler junk just for the sake of blogging. I do have a lot to say, so keep checking back. And if anyone wants to contact me outside of here, you are welcome to check out my site, www.bonthegeek.com and learn more about who I am and where I am coming from.

Thanks for reading! I promise to write more soon.

Bon The Geek

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