March 2006

Two Lessons In...

March 17, 2006 11:39

Quick shots of my new violin:

I've had two lessons so far -- and I've enjoyed myself thoroughly. They've been incredibly valuable.

First lesson, we spent completely on bow hold and bowing open strings. I then spent a week bowing open strings. Today, he was (mildly) incredulous that I had been playing only a week. I was quite flattered, of course, but then I remembered watching my daughter learn how to use the bow, and working with her at home so extensively (following teacher's instructions), so although it was completely new from a doing standpoint, it wasn't all that new to me, intellectually. Maybe that means something.

I know my work with my daughter has helped with my ear, if not with my left hand. My hand was incredibly tense at first, but he was able to help me a lot -- at least to make a start anyway on getting relaxed enough with thumb, etc. At least my ears are functional and I was able to play a/b/c#, d/e/f#, e/f#/g#, and G/A/B in tune -- or quickly self-correct when wrong. I can hear the intervals okay, and also I was able to grab the note as he played it and stick it in my brain as a reference (heck, I've been doing it for years sitting at my daughter's lessons when she would struggle through some new scale and he'd shout out "SHARP!" or "FLARP" or whatever).

He said I'd made huge progress so far. I don't know about that -- but I'll take it anyway --and I suppose it's true if you consider that I'm coming off a base of zero.

Whatever. Slow progress. Fast progress. I'll take it anyway it comes, as long as it comes...eventually.

I'm digging this.

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Teacher found, violin on its way...all is good

March 7, 2006 07:54

I found a teacher!

Lessons start this Friday at 9AM. (I'll go to work a little late.) He teaches at my daughter's school, and so knows her well, and we're actually acquainted.

I didn't ask my daughter's teacher (who happens to be an amazing violinist and teacher) because she didn't really want me to, and besides it just felt a little weird -- I mean, he's her teacher. (I don't even know if he teaches adults, anyway.)

No matter. I'm quite thrilled with the teacher I have. I met with him on Sunday and we talked a bit, and he agreed to take me on. A nice guy and a great teacher. Everyone loves him at the school.

On a separate note, my recently purchased violin (and bow) has arrived in the States (from Hungary), has been set up, and is now wending its way toward my greedy little hands in Brooklyn. I have the tracking number and I've been obsessively checking it. It's in Chicago now.

I should have it by Thursday!!!

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More entries: April 2006 • February 2006

March 2006

Two Lessons In...

Teacher found, violin on its way...all is good

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