We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:
Printer-friendly version
Natasha Marsalli

October 1, 2005 at 12:11 PM

Well, my lesson didn't go so well.
We started work on the Kabalevsky, which Mr. Neal said is going well, but there were several wrong notes. Which means....
I HAVE TO SING THEM!
Now, you must understand here, I cannot sing. Literally. I have no voice, range, whatever. I swear it's the worst voice in the world.
And Mr. Neal knows that.
I was singing for him for about 15 minutes when I finally broke down and said "Look, I'm paying you to teach me the violin, not singing lessons."
He gave me a disgusted look and said "exCUSE me, but I think I'm the one who decided that."
Smarty pants.

I know he's right though.
Singing is good for me.
I just hate it.
I'm a proud person; anything I can't do well, I don't do.
Ice skating, bowling, and miniature golf fall into this category.
I'm a good-for nothing teen. :-)

From Carley Anderson
Posted on October 1, 2005 at 12:15 PM
No, you're not a good for nothing teen. I think your teacher is right...singing is good for you...but I understand what you're saying, too. (about whatever you can't do well, you don't do. That's why I decided not to practice today...just kidding.)
From Sydney Menees
Posted on October 1, 2005 at 10:35 PM
Yeah, singing helps you find pitches easier, I think. However, I am in tune most of the time, so if I couldn't sing, I would have the same attitude as you: Don't do it.

Post something on here about the dance lessons and see what people have to say about that!

From Diane Lai
Posted on October 3, 2005 at 1:08 AM
Your experience reminds me of my fiance's. His drum teacher made him DANCE during the lesson because he wasn't 'feeling' the beat. I'm not sure which is worse...dancing or singing.
I personally happen to agree that singing is good because all music (esp violin) is meant to mimic the human voice. However, if you feel that your teacher is humiliating you to prove his point, then maybe there are better teachers around. Then again, you could also try to get the notes in the Kabalevsky. haha! Good luck!

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Facebook YouTube Instagram RSS feed Email

Violinist.com is made possible by...

Shar Music
Shar Music

JR Judd Violins
JR Judd Violins

Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases

Pirastro Strings
Pirastro Strings

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic

Violinist.com Shopping Guide
Violinist.com Shopping Guide

Larsen Strings
Larsen Strings

Peter Infeld Strings
Peter Infeld Strings

Bobelock Cases

Violin Lab

Barenreiter

Bay Fine Strings Violin Shop

FiddlerShop

Fiddlerman.com

Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins

Southwest Strings

Metzler Violin Shop

Los Angeles Violin Shop

Violin-strings.com

Nazareth Gevorkian Violins

Subscribe

Laurie's Books

Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine