The New Theory of Relativity

March 13, 2008 at 6:42 AM

Slow practice:

Sometimes it makes you think of playing everything at the slowest metronome mark possible to the point of playing one note per bow per beat, without rhythm, dynamics, or other bowing considerations. Just a focus on making the notes, and making them in tune.

Other times, you think that "practicing slowly" means gearing down the tempo to a painfuly slow pace while including rhythm, dynamics, and bowing considerations.

Then there are times, like tonight, where you think you are playing relatively fast, but only a few clicks slower than tempo, just a "little slowly". You think to yourself: "A few weeks should get me up to tempo".

This last thought was the one I left lessons with. That is until I popped in the CD that my teacher loaned me of him playing the Hummel, and started listening to it on my drive home from lessons. 7 minutes later, I realized how FAST the last section of Hummel *REALLY* was. I was floored by the speed of the last section. I couldn't even imagine by bow arm EVER moving that fast.

Practicing slowly is relative. You may think that you are zipping along quite fast, at Mock speeds until you are passed by someone going near light-speed.

On a different note (pun intended). I've decided to go to "Summer Camp" this year. I haven't been to a summer music camp since I was 12, at Sewanee. My teacher helped me find one appropriate for me: a pushing 40 amature violist. I think he was more excited about the idea of me going to a summer camp than I was (if that was at all possible). Unlike the Sewanee music camp, this one is only one week long, but seems packed full of musical experiences. I'm really looking forward to getting away from all the "hub-bub" at work.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on March 13, 2008 at 10:39 PM

Greetings,
I thought everything you said was utterly precise and well informed until you got to the bit about listening to your teacher and thinking the tempo was fast;)
It is not really a question of speed. If you play with precision, elegance and character you will find your tenmpo. Often good palyers only sound fats,. In reality they simply have good control thereby creating the illusion of speed.
Sloppy players use fast tempos and sound like garbage.
Cheers,
Buri

From Mendy Smith
Posted on March 14, 2008 at 5:50 AM

Buri - the last movement of the Hummel (at least how Joel played it) was faster than anything I've ever played or heard before - like 6 notes per beat at about 130-150 bpm.

It was fast, very fast.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on March 14, 2008 at 1:30 PM

What is the name of the camp that you're going to?

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