March 2006

Clam Chowder

March 18, 2006 21:01

How do you all treat "spur of the moment" performances? I always have a horrible time when I'm hanging out with friends or something and somebody just asks me to play. Can you just whip the instrument out and play what you've been working on or just completed? Today, a friend asked me to play and my fingers felt like total clams. I didn't even have the muscle memory for shifting to third or fourth position. Sixteenth notes were out of the question, coordination none existent...I was afraid to touch a very simple student concerto I studied four and a half years ago (I have kept it up - I'm about to record it for a SAA teacher scholarship audition). It's not like I don't know how to play - the Conus Concerto and Wieniawski D min Concertos are not exactly beginners pieces, but this happens whenever people ask me to play...any help? After playing most of my life, these things shouldn't happen. I played Amazing Grace, Brethren We Have Met To Worship (another Christian hymn), one line of Meditation from Thias, and half of the second "mvt" to the Conus concerto (couldn't even get through it!).

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Homework, please

March 10, 2006 10:44

Ok. Midterms are done, spring break is here. :-D I have nothing to do over spring break except learn the Conus cadenza and study a couple of chess strategy books a friend lent me...but the weird thing is, I don't know how to operate without imminent deadlines etc. hanging over my head. Something seems so wrong. hmm. A life without stress and frantically running around seems so...empty. Maybe a nap would help things...

Here are some more quotes...the third one dosen't describe me, but I thought you might get a kick out of it. I hope it dosen't describe you.

“Brain cells create ideas. Stress kills brain cells. Stress is not a good idea.”

“A women under stress is not immediately concerned with finding solutions to her problems but rather seeks relief by expressing herself and being understood.”

“Stress: The confusion created when one's mind overrides the body's basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it”

“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”

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March 7, 2006 19:38

Do you all like quotes and poetry? I have found a few that I really like. I know they are not related to the violin, but if you like them, I may post some more.

“To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.”
William Arthur Ward

“True love doesn't come to you it has to be inside you.”
Julia Roberts

"A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”
Kong Fu Zi

All the best to all of you!

Jenna

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More entries: April 2006 • January 2006

March 2006

Clam Chowder

Homework, please

March 7, 2006 19:38

Laurie's Books

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