July 2009

Some people like scales, but they make me sad

July 27, 2009 21:54

I'm reading Natasha's blog about loving scale and I'm so ashame of myself. I went to lesson last week, really stumbling on my C major scale. My fourth finger is weak especially on the last extension (I start with first finger, and my last two notes are played with 4th finger and then 4th extension). My shift on the E string on the really high position (I have no idea how high, 8th?) is really bad. It takes me forever to play the major, harmonic and melodic minor right. And then the arpreggios, broken thirds, chromatic scales, oh no, double stop 6ths.

I'm only a beginner, I wonder if this is overwhelming for me? It's alot easier if I do all this in 2 octaves. But 3 octave is really difficult. I'm feeling alot more comfortable with the scales that doesn't go that high on 3 octaves, e.g. G major, Bb, A etc...C is really making me sad.

I do realize the importance of scales, especially in orchestra, where loads of fast runs are scales of some sort, I just need to figure out how to get better at it!

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Small vs large orchestra experience

July 8, 2009 23:05

My knees were shaking when I was walking from my car to the rehearsal hall. I wanted to turn around so bad, but I thought to myself, I gotta give it a try (for various reasons that I won't bore you with!). This is my first time playing some very difficult music with a community symphony orchestra. I've been playing with a smaller chamber orchestra for a year and enjoyed every minute of it. We have the summer off, so I decided to try playing with a larger group. Just a slight problem, the music is way over my head. Tchaikovsky 6..... I was so scared! But after 5 minutes into the rehearsal, I learned that when you have winds/brass blasting behind you, you can't even hear yourself play!! In my chamber string orchestra group, I was much more exposed, you can't make mistakes, but it's bit more forgiving in a symphonic orch group.

I will, however, try not to fake that much and really try to learn the music and give it my best! I love violin, i love music!

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More entries: June 2009