Viol-A-Thon Part 2

December 2, 2008 at 6:25 AM

This is going to be another very busy week. Messiah rehearsal last night, orchestra rehearsal tonight, Quartet rehearsal Wednesday, Lessons Thursday, Concert Friday, Messiah rehearsal Sat am, Concert Sat pm. Whew!!!!!

The Messiah is sounding quite nice. My stand partner & principal violist in my community orchestra conducts at her church. She has many music-friends who all came out to form her orchestra at the church. In dress rehearsal for the orchestra tonight, she told me that the violas sounded "marvelous" - all two of us ;) She seems to be getting a little worn down being principle viola in not just one, but two orchestras, and joked with me about trading seats for one of the concerts or just giving it up for good measure. I'm not certain she was entirely joking or not. If she's not, I may just get one of my dreams to come true.

During break, my former stand partner asked how my 1st finger vibrato was coming along on the lower strings. So I showed her the little bit I was able to accomplish. True to her nature, she cried "No! NO! Don't do it from the wrist, do it with your FINGER!" She then proceded to get up off her chair and take a hold of my hand and force it to move the way she wanted it to move. Lo and behold, it started doing it on it's own a little bit after a few seconds, even on the C string. She made me continue to practice the finger vibrato all during break. Slave Driver!!!! :)

Unfortunately I could not reproduce that vibrato during the last half of rehearsal, but I got something else to try now at home. Or should I say during all the other rehearsals I have this week....

From Drew Lecher
Posted via 64.53.208.254 on December 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Hi Mendy,

"…do it with your FINGER!"

Yes, fingertip and arm. It just flows through the wrist.

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