October 2007

Dropped Off my Czech Violin to Have New Fittings Put In.

October 27, 2007 18:41

I just dropped off my office violin, an old beat up Czech Violin to have pegs, a finger board, and a chin rest that are inlayed with gypsy like markings, in hopes of creating a "Gypsy Violin" at Bryan Duckworth's Violin Shop in San Antonio.

It was good to see Bryan's shop again. It's an hour drive but well worth it. He's always friendly and helpful. Willing to do great work at a fair price. He stayed an hour past closing to show me several violins and play a bit.

He showed me a nice Texas made violin, that I will likely pick up.

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Back in the Saddle - Learning by Osmosis

October 26, 2007 11:33

I've started to practice again in earnest. We'll see how long it holds up. I haven't played other than for fun for probably 6 months. A lot is going on at work and I just haven't been able to focus on it. I've been playing 5-15 minutes once or twice a week without any music in front of me.

As I pick up the Suzuki Book again, I realize, I have forgotten most of the tunes, but they come more quickly to me. I am able to play more of the complex passages that were difficult for me before.

I can play the advanced solos on my fun pieces,King of the Faires, Rising Sun Blues and St. Jacob's Infirmary or at least plow through the notes and play through them. I can't play them at speed yet, but now I can hit them all slowly.

My mantra just like in Martial Arts is, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."

I believe Osmosis is a large part of the Violinist growing experience. I seem to have advanced with out mechanical practice. More by thinking of playing and listening to music. Music truly is a multi-faceted challenge. I'm tempted to say that I could be done with the Suzuki 1 book with 4 weeks of dedicated practice.

I signed up for lessons with Albertson School of Music, a young teacher named Renee has been assigned to me. I usually don't do well with teachers, they are either excited by how much I've taught myself about Music theory or that I don't have sloppy technique that they push me way too fast. When I get something assigned (like a piece) I want master it before moving to the next.

Renee had me play "Ashokan Farewell" and has suggested that we work on Rhytym timing. I don't count beats when I play, and now I'm focusing on that. I believe this is good thing.

I will be working on counting the beats for Ashokan this week.

I could benefit from some metronome and some ear training.

The itch is stiring and I'm now Eyeing a Code Diamond GSX bow. I'll have to see what people think of them in practice.

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More entries: November 2007 • September 2006