Temporary Teacher

June 13, 2007 at 4:05 AM

My teacher is going to be away for most of the summer doing what he does best - playing viola. He's got a concert with the Pink Martini in Carnegie Hall, the Letterman show, then a month at the Grand Teton Music Festival. So rather than being left lesson-less for the summer (and letting bad habits slip into my playing), he has set me up with one of his colleagues in the symphony for lessons from now until the end of July.

I'm a little nervous building yet another student-teacher bond for the fifth time in the past year or two after moving so often (geographic-wise). It took me several weeks to be able to play in front of Joel without the "shakes" in the bow arm (always happens with somone new). But what the hay - each time I've learned to overcome my "stage fright" playing in front of someone new. The same thing happened when I started in the orchestra and my trio group. This teaching relationship is a known temporary situation to all involved, and who knows, it may build into a good 2 teachers to one student relationship(a viola teaching triangle?). Since they both agreed to this "passing of the student for the summer" strategy, it could be quite interesting learning experience of different playing and teaching style with no bad feelings for anyone.

My last lesson with Joel for the summer was so much fun! My advanced Calculus classes in college for many many years ago finally payed off when I learned to count to 6/8 consistently (with assistance)! We postponed shifting to 4th+ position on the Cing for the summer, and focused our last hour of effort on bowing, dynamics and vibrato. Apparently I got a good vibrato on the Ging without even knowing that I did it! I still have no recollection of accomplishing this amazing feat, though he swears it actually DID happen, so I'll have to take his word on it.

I got back in touch with my teacher I had in California last week. We are going to meet up and have coffee and a one-off lesson when I'm in the Bay Area later this month for the Oracle implementation at my day job. She just got married and is about ready to start her own studio. We are both eager to exchange news from the last year's life and musical events. She is the one who got me motivated to get my new viola and I'm eager to show it off to her!

I'm interested to see what the next few weeks brings my way.

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Temporary Teacher

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