March 10, 2005 at 9:29 PM

Don't know why I started this, actually.

I suppose that's representative, though, since I don't know why I wanted to start playing the violin.

That was twenty-six years ago. Now I can't live without playing the violin. Okay, slightly melodramatic. But only slightly.

Orchestra has started up again; it's a local community orchestra, which isn't very good but has fun anyway, and the concerts are free so it's good for the community... which is really the point, isn't it?

We're playing good stuff, for the most part. We've got a pretty adventurous director and music committee, so every year we commission a new work -- which is a roll of the dice, really. That's next concert, though, so no worries yet.

This time it's Capriccio Italien, which I was just listening to. Some of those fast spots are a bit tricky; and of course that's the down-side of being the concert master -- you're supposed to get it all right. Not that anyone did. But still. So I've told myself that I'll practice this time.

I already did the bowings for the Haydn piano concerto that we're doing, and am quite proud of myself for doing them right away. :) We've got a fantastic 13-year-old pianist performing it, who is truly remarkable. He has the presence of an adult, and such a wonderful touch on the piano. I'm not a pianist, but I know it takes skill to get real dynamics like that.

But next week is heck week for the choral society -- rehearsals monday, wednesday and friday, and concerts saturday and sunday. But in the middle of that is St. Patrick's Day, which I'm really looking forward to because I've got a real, paying bar gig at a place with really good beer. :) My band has been playing contradances for a little more than a year, and doing sessions (mostly for cheap or free), but I figure that St. Patrick's Day is the most important folk-music day of the year, so I'm psyched.

Because really, folk music is where it's at. My technique has gotten so much better since I started fiddling. Sure, I ain't perfect, but comparing myself against other local professionals, I do the quick stuff better. Though I've always had a good sense of rhythm, I now communicate it better. And, I have to be more coordinated because folk musicians are expected to be able to speak cues and dance while playing. Not easy! But I'm getting there. Besides which, there's nothing more real than music that comes straight out of some random person's heart.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on March 11, 2005 at 6:06 PM

Patty, I like your statement about music that comes straight from a random person's heart. It's so true. Congratulations on getting a paying gig for St. Patrick's Day. I play folk and classical, too, and it's good to hear from msomeone else who plays both.

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March 10, 2005 at 9:29 PM

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