By 50 Goal

October 8, 2009 at 3:59 AM

It was suggested to me by my former teacher in Oregon that I take on the S&P's for my next musical (by 50 goal). At first I thought 'you're nuts', but then I had to reflect back to when I started on the Cello Suites and I was told that I was 'nuts' considering them. So why not? What can possibly be so difficult that it would take a decade to learn 6 pieces? Guess I'll be finding out in the next year.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on October 8, 2009 at 11:45 AM

But do you really want to spend that much time on violin rather than viola?

From Dottie Case
Posted on October 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM

Hmmm....this makes me think. I am 50 now. I haven't been setting goals like this... wonder if I'd be more focused if I made a list of things that I want to do by 60. While the 'sets' (cello suites, S&P) are convenient because they are sort of self-contained, I suppose that I could as easily say "I want to learn X and Y and Z by ____ time", and set it as a goal. Though, I guess the S&P's themselves are always a lofty goal, and incredibly satisfying.

Well....now I need to think about which things I'd really LOVE to learn. :) Mendy, when you approached the Cello Suites, did you break them down, so as to pace yourself? Or did you just go for steady progress?

From Mendy Smith
Posted on October 8, 2009 at 11:13 PM

Karen - Joel suggested the transcription for VIOLA :) But I thought I'd do one of those parallel things by learning them on both instruments.

Dottie - When I first started learning the Cello Suites it began with the simpler movements that could be played in lower positions, then added the 6th suite which goes up to 9th, and then onto the ones with doublestops and chords. The suite movements I have remaining are those that are almost entirely doublestops and chords :)

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on October 9, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Hmm . . . even though I play both instruments, I don't think I'd want to play the S&P on viola, or the suites on violin. I know there are transcriptions of the suites for violin, but I've tried them and, well, bleah.

I guess there are a few of the S&P's that wouldn't sound bad on the viola, but I'm thinking of the Partita in E, especially the Preludio. In my opinion, that piece just needs an Eing.

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