Summary of last nights lesson and other things

March 15, 2007 at 9:17 PM

Hello all,

I was really pleased to hear from so many people! It was very encouraging! Thanks to all for replying.

Last night I had a lesson with Steve, my teacher from Papillion, Nebraska. I am working on Suzuki volume 2, number 9, The Gavotte from "Mignon", by A. Thomas. I only recently mastered the #8 piece, the Paganini piece, the Theme from the "Witches' Dance". I struggled with that one for a while & I have also been struggling with "Mignon". I can play the whole piece through, but some of the parts really tend to throw me a bit, like when you move into measures 43 through 47,48. If I treat each section as a kind of etude, hey, no problem, and I can play it at slow speed, but when I try to play at anything near the speed on the CD, I tend to stumble. Of course, I had a similar issue with Witches Dance, and I practiced that one into submission. Now I can play that one reasonably well (at least, Steve was satisfied enough to tell me to move on). I may try to record that and let you guys judge for me, if I remember to do it. Anyway, I think that Mignon will be similar. I will overcome - someday - and move on.

I had my first experience trying to play in a band of some sort of group a couple weeks ago (I have played in groups through my teacher, but obviously, that was a more controlled learning environment, where we had ample opportunity to practice the pieces that we were going to be playing). My church is trying to get some violin players together for the church ensemble. I went to one practice. I was the only violinist to show up for that practice, though they do have 3-4 players in the group normally. They only use the violins for special songs, situations, etc. The experience was somewhat frustrating. I figured that I would play some kind of second violin accompaniment, which was their intention, but the music that they arranged for the violin part was not obvious to play without practice, and they expected me to sight-read the music & play it in perfect time. Well, with a week of practice, I'm confident that I could have done it, but we really only had 3 days, and that was a busy week for me. There was no way. I felt like I was a marathon runner that had completed 22 of the 26 miles ... I'm getting there, but still a few miles behind everybody else. I admit, I was bit nervous, although everyone was encouraging. However, the whole thing just seemed to be so .... fast. I just couldn't keep up. I think I need more time to hone my skills/technique. I don't feel like I'm that far off - I just need more time to practice and develop as a performer.

I generally find that when I start to play a new piece, that I tend to play it horribly, then I get better and better with each attempt. I guess that's life, isn't it? (Yes, I am a Galactic Master of the Remarkably Obvious [a "GMRO"].)

In addition to the Suzuki books, Steve has started me on exercises in the wohfhart books. I guess these are standard violin exercises.

More later - I suddenly got really busy..... Later on then!

From Anne Horvath
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 10:56 PM

Paul, the Wohlfahrt are the standards to end all standards. Have fun with those!

Also, how does one become a GMRO? I need a little help in that area.

From Paul McCrone
Posted on March 16, 2007 at 3:36 AM

Anne, Thanks for your comments. To become a GMRO, you must realize one profound truth, and I quote one of my professors from college: "That which is obvious, unless stated, is not".

That quote always did irritate me as an undergrad.....he was a good prof though, so I tolerated it.

;-)

From Jesus Contreras Espada
Posted on March 16, 2007 at 6:44 PM

Hi Paul, I don't know what's your experience with Marathon. If you aren't badly injured after 22 miles you'll reach the goal. ...and there will ALWAYS be someone behind you! :D
I started playing in orchestra after 3 years learning and they where playing Brahms #3. It was a nightmare. I had to force myself everytime to attend the rehearsals and not to think that I was wasting my time there, ...but it gets better with each rehearsal. 2.5 years latter I still have to struggle to play my notes.
2nd violin accompaniment can be pretty tough too. :(

From Jesus Contreras Espada
Posted on March 16, 2007 at 6:54 PM

Oh yes, I practiced Wolfahrt too. Op. 45. I used to like those etudes very much :)
Now I'm busy with Kayser but I definitely prefere the Mazas etudes.

From Sarah Montoro
Posted on March 16, 2007 at 8:16 PM

cool! I just finished wolfhart book 1 and now I'm doing kayser and Wolfhart book 2
There is some really nice ones in wolfhart..except for the one that I entitled "going to the hospital" it's reallly really really boring and annoying to the trained musical ear (such as mine :)
but yeah I actually like them..gasp...

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on March 17, 2007 at 1:05 AM

Patience and practice are the keys to success. BTW, I have always hated Wohlfahrt.

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Summary of last nights lesson and other things

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