Beginner's Orchestra Playing Take 2

April 18, 2008 at 6:57 AM

The 2nd time around is much better, since I get to listen to the music, I'm more familiar with it and didn't get so lost (still lost, just not THAT lost!)

We worked on the Haydn piece for 2 hrs and then took a break and work on Carnivals of the Animal. This piece is so much more playable than the Haydn, I feel much better. I just need to make sure i don't play out of tune. The 2nd violin section is quite weak overall, it's harder to play when i can't hear other 2nd violins around me. :(

Next week we will get our chamber music assignments, I'm kinda excited and nervous about that. If I'm the only 2nd violin and I mess up, it will be very ugly.

I really enjoy playing with the group, but the problem is I'm not quite good at this yet, and in order to keep up with the group, I'll have to spend alot of time practicing the orchestra music, that means, less time to practice my lesson's stuff. Will this slow me down?? Should I have my teacher dedicate maybe 15 minutes helping me out with this?

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 8:05 AM

Yes, it will slow you down. Definitely get your teacher's advice on how to divide your time at lessons and in your practice at home.

From janet griffiths
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 8:50 AM

I disagree.Moving laterally may strenghen your overall knowledge, and ability.By all means ask your teachers advice but remember progress is not which page number you have reached in a particular book.I find that my students who do not partake in either orchestral or chamber music activities aqre usually less motivated and progress slower.

From Karin Lin
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 5:44 PM

Whether it will "slow you down" depends completely on how you define your goals. If your goal is to master solo repertoire, then yes, it'll slow you down. (This is one reason I quit my orchestra; I wanted to play major concertos and focus entirely on that for a while) If your goal is to become a well-rounded violinist who is comfortable in a variety of musical environments, then this is absolutely going to help you. By the way, it's quite common for private teachers to help students with music they're working on in orchestras, so I suggest you talk to your teacher and figure out something that makes sense for what you both want.

From Mendy Smith
Posted on April 19, 2008 at 3:45 AM

I don't think this will slow you down as a beginner. In fact, it may help with your learning process. It is hard to ignore rhythm issues, dynamics, counting, etc.. in a group setting.

Definitely bring your orchestra music to lessons. This is an excellent time to learn how all those scales, shifting studies, bowing excercises and etudes help in practicing other music.

From T Netz
Posted on April 19, 2008 at 3:42 AM

Janet, I absolutely agree with you. When I was young and played in school band, the constant competition for first chair made me a better player. I am in a very rural area. There is one community orchestra an hour away which I hope to audition for when my playing improves. I know my progress is slow because I don't have any peers to compare myself with or to play with.

What I have started doing though is finding videos on YouTube of amateur violinists playing what I am working on and then comparing myself to them. It's weird but it is helping me to push harder.

From putch panis
Posted on April 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM

PM, the very reason why you have those lessons is so you can play in orchestra. If you're in the orchestra then you've gotten your foot partly in the goal already, right? The orchestra is THE GAME. It's the playing field where you get tested and show you can be a team player. I understand how you feel about the assignments. I have assignments for my lessons, assignments weekly for Church ministry where I play about 10 pieces every Sunday, and assignments for a concert in December. How to divide the time? I still don't know. But I do what I can whenever I can, and I do move forward.

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Beginner's Orchestra Playing Take 2

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