March 2006

New Strings for my violin

March 18, 2006 14:06

A hour into practice this morning I decided to take a break and buy new strings. I bought a set of dominants, and also bought Evah Pirazzi's. I have only known dominants so I was anxious to try something new. I am really liking my Evahs. My violin sounds like a different instrument - much brighter. I like it. I've read on other boards that some people think Evah's are too bright, and my teacher thinks Evahs aren't as reliable as Dominants, and of course, there's the price - almost $80 for an entire set! It's going to be fun experimenting with different strings to get the best sound from my violin. Of course, I don't intend to become a total gear-head. I'll practice hard too!

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Listening to Perlman's unaccompanied violin suite recording

March 16, 2006 18:53

I have been listening the Perlman's recording of the unaccompanied violin sonatas and partitas a great. The sonata that has been on my mind for about two weeks now is Sonata No. 2, BMV 1003 specifically Andante and Allegro. So beautiful.... As I play more and grow in my knowledge of the violin I hear more nuances and notice things I haven't heard before. Someday I hope to play the unaccompanied violin suites and do them some justice!

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New Shoulder Rest and other little things

March 16, 2006 15:42

After teaching today I thought I would treat myself and visited a violin shop on the upper-west-side. This one is call String and Things and is across the street from the Sony Lincoln Center movie-plex on 68th street and Broadway (for those of you familiar with Manhattan). I have been eyeing the Kun Bravo for sometime and decided to buy it. I thought about picking up Evah Pirazzi strings, but ouch, they are so expensive. I'll live with my dominants for a while longer.

I think I read on this board that it takes 21 days to form a habit. If I practice today, it will be my 6th day of practicing 2+ hours. My routine has been to pick up my violin afterschool. Then I head over to Hunter College practice rooms to play through my pieces and Wohlfhart etudes. There's so much to do..

Today I taught my students the relationship between electricity and magnetism. My students wrapped wire around a long nail, and attached the wires to a battery creating an electromagnet. Of course, the batteries were almost drained so the electromagnets were very weak. They could hardly pick up a clip. Hardly the demonstration I had hoped for, but I hope most of my students picked up the major concepts. Okay, to practice we go!

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More entries: April 2006 • February 2006