I need some direction

May 16, 2007 at 11:33 AM

I'm feeling a little unfocussed and distracted. Lots of opportunities, not sure what to choose or work on, or where to go next. And I want to hear what *everything* sounds like on my new viola.

I volunteered to play in church again over the summer for a congregation-led service. The person leading the service will be in touch about the music. I don't know if they want violin or viola, classical or folk. I think they'll be happy with whatever I suggest, but the uncertainty is nagging. Then, my Bach-double-suggesting friend seems to have gotten distracted. She's playing viola next Sunday: Rebecca Clarke. I've never heard Rebecca Clarke before, it should be interesting. But she can't think about the Bach double until this is over.

And then there's the Farmers' Market. I thought that some fiddle tunes might be more appropriate than all Bach all the time, so I bought a fiddle book for violists. I'm learning some tunes from Boston, seeing as this is the Boston area: "The Belles of South Boston," and "Boston Fancy." It's fun, but I'm really operating in a vacuum. I don't know any fiddlers and I've never had a fiddling teacher, either.

And there's Wohlfahrt. I'm almost done with Book #1, which was my goal, to be done with it by June. So I've soon got to pick some new etudes, more challenging ones.

And there's the Hook Sonatina. It's easy and fun, but it is the devil to memorize. I'm trying to memorize it and I keep getting stuck. It has a lot of repeated phrases, some are a fifth lower than before, and it circles around back to itself and then has a new variation. I get caught in endless loops, playing the wrong octave, going back to the beginning in the middle, going forward to the end at the beginning. This is a piece that, technically, I could have played in 6th or 7th grade. It has a little 3rd position, but that's it. I don't understand why it's so hard to learn by heart. Bach was easier!

A new family moved in across the street. Our kids love to play with their kids. The husband is a serious trumpet player. He suggested we play together sometime. I'd like that, and I'm flattered to be asked, but I'm nervous. He's serious, he plays in a band, he studied at a conservatory. So, note to self: find some music that sounds nice so I don't embarrass myself. Post the question to v.com discussion. Viola and trumpet?

I've gotten to the point where I actually have a "repertoire" on viola. Yeah, it's limited, but I don't want to lose it. And by the time I play through the things I've memorized (so I don't forget them), I'm almost out of time.

Perhaps a teacher is an obvious solution at this point. But I feel like I need more of a life/organization coach.

From Anne Horvath
Posted on May 16, 2007 at 10:44 PM

OK, I am biased, but Get A Teacher!

Also, Karen, you don't need a life coach. You seem to have it figured out!

Also, viola + Trumpet = A Really Good Joke, that I am not clever enough to make up. I am going to e-mail a trumpet buddy about this...

From Yixi Zhang
Posted on May 17, 2007 at 3:14 AM

I second Anne's on both points. Especially on life/organization coach, as I think you should be one.

You are getting to know your new viola so obviously you want to try everything. What about trying some violin pieces that you've memorized and see how they sound on the new viola? Do you remember Bruch g minor concerto, for instance? The 2nd movement will probably sound good.

If I can play viola, Martinu's Rhapsody Concerto and Reger's 3 suites of solo will be my long-term goal.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on May 17, 2007 at 2:31 PM

Bruch G minor concerto . . . wow . . . that's from the troubled old days of my violin career, the P&A era, the waves of a confused soul beating itself silly. As a teenager, which one of those two pieces did I manage to screw up worse?

But, I still really like to listen to the Bruch. And the idea of the 2nd mvt on the viola is intriguing. I never memorized it, but I still have the music :)

It is so great to be able to talk with others about these pieces in this way. I remember feeling very isolated and discouraged as a teenager when I was trying to learn them the first time. My teacher back then, while a nice man whom I remember fondly, wasn't a lot of help with, well, the confused soul part. Music is really something for bringing back the past, things I thought were long-buried.

And then yesterday Darcy Lewis mentioned my high school stand partner, David Handel, in her News blog. I haven't talked to him in 25 years, since we graduated back in 1982. I knew he'd gone to conservatory and become a conductor, but I looked him up and apparently he's quite accomplished and famous in Bolivia. Wow. I looked at a publicity photo on the web, and yes, it's the same person. Way back when, I think he played the Bruch at a recital in our high school. I played Mozart #3 at the same recital.

I've been hearing snatches of P&A in my head for the past two days, the entire P and then only parts of the A, mostly near the end, the "waves" and the chords. It's a little eerie. And it's not for viola.

Now I'll probably start hearing the Bruch too.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on May 17, 2007 at 5:40 PM

What is the book of fiddle tunes for viola that you got? One of my students would be interested in it.

One of my beginning violin students comes from a family of trumpeters -- brother, sister, and father. I give him credit for sticking with the instrument he loves. I know by experience that reasonable violin-trumpet duets are hard to find. Good luck with that one.

I, too, am having trouble setting goals for myself. Right now I'm reading through material that I haven't played at all or haven't played for a long time, just exploring. Also, a lot depends on the company you keep. I'm no longer playing with a couple of the groups I used to, and I'm starting with some others, so I need to get my bearings.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on May 18, 2007 at 10:44 AM

Pauline, the book is called "Fiddling for Viola, traditional irish and american fiddle tunes arranged for viola," by Michael H. Hoffheimer. It's from Mel Bay publications.

The tunes are written in alto and treble clefs, with the alto clef part transcribed down a fifth. I've been cheating and reading the treble clef lines while pretending my viola is a violin. Not doing much for my alto clef reading! I'm trying to learn a few by heart so it doesn't matter.

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I need some direction

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