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June 10, 2005 at 12:00 AM

I have for myself a lifetime resolution: Learn to play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.

Recently, I came to terms with the fact that sitting around thinking, "Gee, I really wish I could play the Tchaikovsky" isn't a particularly effective way of moving toward this goal. I haven't taken lessons regularly in almost 15 years, and haven't even played regularly in six. I've got a decent bowarm but a lousy left hand, and the most advanced work I've ever managed is the Bach A Minor, so getting from where I am to the Tchaik will be no small task. But we've all got to start somewhere...

So, about a month ago, I decided I was going to start taking private lessons again. After a somewhat circuitous path of referrals that seems to characterize the networking process in the world of professional musicians, I found someone by the name of Virginia who seemed very promising. I had my first lesson with her last week, and to my great surprise, I played maybe a grand total of five minutes in the hour-plus-long lesson. Mostly we just talked, talked, and talked. For the first time I feel like I'm beginning to understand why my violin does what it does and how I can make it do what I want. What a difference a good teacher makes!

I'm working on Monti's Csardas now. It was a joyous occasion when, following Virginia's teachings, I realized all that stuff high up on the G string sounded a lot better when I bowed closer to the bridge. Of course! The vibrating portion of the string's so much shorter that the effective midpoint is shifted significantly from where it is on an open string. Now if I can just get a handle on those artificial harmonics...

We'll see what I learn tomorrow.

You're right, the harmonics in the Czardas are a real pain, but if you use a very fast bow speed and touch the string very lightly, it will sound like a bell. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice, George! I keep finding myself wanting to bow lightly since I'm touching the string so lightly with my left hand, but the sound's much better with a little pressure. I'll try a faster bow speed too.