I had a violin/viola lesson yesterday. We covered some technical things with bowing and worked on some vibrato then worked on the Ysaye sonata a bit. The tenths are starting to finally get more solid. The one thing that drives me nuts about the Ysaye sonata is that when you up play it fast the bowing technicalities are easier, but the really clear intonation and ringing is really hard to do well, and when you slow it down for intonation and ease in shifts the bowing becomes more difficult. This will be a good piece for me to really get good at both bow control and that pure, ringing intonation. After working out some of the little gliches and technical things with my teacher in the Ysaye, it was time to pull out the viola. I haven't really played viola for that long, about a week and a half, but once you get past the clef it's not too hard! The thing I'm finding the hardest about the Schubert sonata is switching back and forth from alto to treble clef. I'm starting to get into gear though and being able to switch. The sound of the viola is just beautiful though! It's a shame not more people play it seriously.
I'm starting back at harmony today or tomorrow. I was hoping to do my Harmony 4 exam in the December session, but I'm thinking it may have to wait until the May exam session, in which case I'll probably do History 4 in December. Either way, I want to complete both of them before attempting my grade 10 violin exam. That way I'm not so far beind when it comes to doing my ARCT. I really hope I can complete all my theory requirements to get my ARCT before I go to university, I'm organising my school scheduel as best I can to hopefully allow myself the ability and opportunity to go and complete my ARCT successfully. I'll take three years if nessecary to complete highschool to do it.
maybe I'll go do some harmony now...
This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
ARIA International Summer Academy
Study with the Elizabeth Faidley Studio
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine