December 28, 2004 at 3:20 PM

Perhaps this week is my violin inspiration week. Yesterday I took my violin to the doctor's office because I wanted to get a new, centered chinrest (I have a left-sided Guanieri rest now, but my arms are too short) afterwards. My mother was looking after Nicolá while I had bloodwork done and showed her to a couple of women in the waiting room. When the women saw me again, they both effusively informed me of my violin's beauty. It was nice. I think I have a tendency to take some things for granted, so I need to be reminded of my blessings sometimes.

Yesterday I also picked up a mysterious little book with the title "The Black Violin", a book by Maxence Fermine. It took me mere hours to read, but I found myself enchanted by the romantic and magical premise. I think I might transcribe the book onto my computer so that I can read it again later. It's a mere 133 pages, not all filled with the rather largish type. The prose is remarkable for its bluntness and simplicity. I think the main character was modelled after Paganini in the description of his childhood and I don't think the author knew very much about violins, but the story is charming nonetheless.

I also picked up lots of CDs from the library. I'll have a lot to listen to while I finish sewing my new winter coat.

On the other hand, I feel a little disabled from practicing today. I know I should, but between the bruised inner elbow from yesterday's bloodwork (that's the second time that nurse has left me hurting) and the cuts I sustained on my left hand when the safety pin holding my skirts up popped open while I was dancing last night, I don't feel so good. I'm sure I'm going to have scars from the cuts, and there's one for every finger one presses on a string. That's okay, I'll heal.

Today I want to finish my new winter coat. I'm basically recycling an old winter coat of mine for the outside fabric and lining it with a brocade. I'd like to do some busking someday when I'm good enough, so I want to put gussets or something on the sleeves to allow me the flexibility to play violin with the coat on. Once upon a time I was going to be a fashion designer...

There are lots of buskers in Budapest, particularly around the Basilica and Vörösmarty Tér. I don't think most of them are very good, although I like the one who plays at the lamppost at the Basilica for his personality (He let me try playing his violin once when I asked to see it. I didn't like it very much, I remember thinking, "My god, why goes he have such an expensive case for such a violin?" I think he really enjoys busking though.) There was one guy that I saw busking in the early morning in the underground walkway at Örs Vezer Tér. I thought he was wonderful, but I have not seen him since.

If/When I ever take up busking, I doubt that it will be for money. At the moment I am incredibly shy about my lack of skill (those interested, I think I'm about a Level 3 in the Sassmanhaus system, maybe 3 1/2 if you want to stretch), but I hope that someday I'll be as fluent in playing the violin as I am in singing (I harmonize extemporaneously to Tori Amos and the Cranberries; it drove my Dad crazy when I was a kid because he though I was tone deaf, particularly in harmonizing with the Cranberries because I would imitate the Irish style) and when I am, I want to share it with the whole world. Wouldn't the 24 Caprices or the Solo Partitas and Sonatas be wonderful things to hear in the morning on your way to work? And the acoustics of metro architecture can seriously rival those of some of the best concert halls.

I think it would be fun, but first, the coat and practice.

Unrelated: Does anyone know if Joshua Bell's "Romance of the Violin" is encrypted in a strange way? My computer seems to refuse to play it.

From Ben Clapton
Posted on December 29, 2004 at 2:05 AM

i don't know what the busking scene is like in europe, but in AUstralia, there are a couple of types of buskers.
There's the professional buskers. These are usually the ones that have large shows that they have timed to perfection and know exactly what they are doing. they tend to attract a large crowd and often do rather dangerous acts (swallowing swords, juggling chainsaws, etc)

Then there's the sidewalk buskers, who open up their case, play for the alloted time, then move on to their next spot. These guys are of varying level in ability. You have the little 7 and 8 year olds, playing twinkle twinkle and christmas carols etc, who earn money because they're just so cute. then there's the older ones who have better technique, but no-where near concert hall technique, and then there's the performers getting out there and performing. They could be attracting listeners, trying to sell CD's, or just earning a bit of money for practicing.

The main idea is that you give it a go. You'll get alot of people who'll pass you by, but you will get people who will listen untill you stop your piece, then come over, drop a few coins in your case, and comment on your playing. I always make a point of talking to the violinist buskers, and I always drop a few coins in their case, even when I'm busking. THey usually return the favour later, which I don't expect.

Just get out there. Busking, I feel, is the greatest thing a young performer can do, because in a busy street, you can perform for hundreds of people in half an hour. It's great for over-coming nerves early on.

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December 28, 2004 at 3:20 PM

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