Comments

Congratulations, Emily. That is downright inspiring. the logical sequence of playing violin 1)this looks like fun
2)wow this is alot of work
3)what was once a work is now a job

People dont think that playing violin is so much work when they start when it is actually a full time job just to play half decently. We progress as musicians in millimeters so you dont notice yourself getting better but over time it becomes noticeable.

We always used to say the best way to get better is to join a band (orchestra) because it forces you to play more and at the best of your ability. Performances are unpredictable and all you can do is practice as much as possible and have mock performances days before the concert.

Regaring mistakes, the majority or the audience never notices.

Kudos to you, youre on track to really growing as a violinist, you have an orchestra pushing you to the limits of your abilities and in time you will grow to levels you never imagined.

many blessings to you and your family

The next time you play one of those Tchaik's, when the music arrives in the mail, you will fear and tremble....but once you get out your violin and metronome and start to work through it, you will be pleased to discover that you really did take something away with you from the concert.

And then you will curse yourself for not photocopying your part to save the time of figuring out your fingerings all over again :).

Sals,
Jennifer

Jennifer, my choice of fingerings has changed so many times in the past three years of study! If I had to go back and play it again, I'd probably choose something different. Fickle on fingerings. Don't you get the feeling that somehow it could always be done better? Well-and entertainingly-put, Emily. Congrats to you, too. "lovingly digging the sharp pointy rowels into the flanks of those who desire to go further"

Ouch. Just reading that makes me hurt. :-)

My personal favorite fingerings are the Emily Grossman trademarked "1 finger fingerings" that involve constant shifting.

Great fun! :)

Excelsior! Mellisa, why use four when you could use just one? Just think, you could do away with fingerings forever. The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A violinist, who bore, 'mid snow and ice,
A banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!

~Longfellow/Grossman

Ride 'em cowgirl!