2012 - The year of harvest!

January 1, 2013 at 4:36 AM

2012 is a harvest year to me. Since 15 months ago (Sept 2011), I took up Violin; the journey has been amazing. Honestly, I never expect that I could pull through. It’s an extremely difficult music instrument to learn. For starter, one has to overcome the awkward position of clamping the Violin, there is no fret on the finger board to indicate if you are pressing onto the correct position to play the note intended and bowing technique…poor bowing technique leads to quirky sound…

Seriously, I don’t know how I overcame these…but for one I can say is diligent practice and having the love for the instrument that keeps me going.

Initially, I gave myself 3 months to find out how I am progressing with the instrument. Praise God! Reality has been very kind to me. At 29 years old, I have relatively flexible fingers and able to differentiate tones. This is especially important when there is no fret on the fingerboard, unlike the guitar. Hence, students have to depend on hearing to identify if the correct note is played.

During last Christmas, I had prepared a Christmas medley to play during friends’ Xmas BBQ. I had memorized all 5 tunes. Played relatively well during practice session. HOWEVER, to perform at the actual event is a different story altogether. It was nerve-racking.

It wasn’t the first time I perform. I used to perform flying kicks, kick planks & stuff during school days as I was in Tae Kwon Do. This is totally different.

Performing action versus playing an instrument, I believe uses different parts of the brain and requires different cognitive process.

Guess what, I forgot the notes which I thought I had engraved it in stone...I am grateful to have encouraging audience…hahha…despite the poor showing, they clapped. Somehow, miraculously, the music notes starts to flow in my head again…Unfortunately, instead of playing a medley which I had planned, I played each tune individually…sad. But never mind, there is 2013 ?

Here, I encourage all the adult violin students to take courage and perform for your family & friends. The experience you can gain is immense. For first time performer, stepping out of your own private practice is nerve racking and be sure you will make mistakes during the performance. But that is fine. You will soon learn how to handle stress & pressure. At the end of it, the appreciation of your audience is an affirmation of the hard work you have put through during your practice. Go for it!

I came across a friend’s posting on Facebook as he was getting ready for Iron Man Triathlon. He posted that he had trained for a year to get his physique in shape. Little social life, little entertainment, careful diet & etc..all to get ready for the Iron Man race day…This is the same for us as an adult violin student. We are the Iron Man in the music genre…haha…

Let’s continue to work hard in 2013 to improve our skill and bring better music to our loved ones….God Bless.

Pictures below were taken during my short 'performance' :)

You may refer to my previous post in May

From Francesca Rizzardi
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 6:20 AM

Yes, good idea suggesting that beginners play for their families. My daughter (beginner trumpet) and I (not-quite beginner violin) played twice for my in-laws in the past year. The first time, I felt it was OK to keep starting over until I felt comfortable and stop screeching. What more can you ask for?

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

2012 - The year of harvest!

Laurie's Books

Subscribe