Levels of Anxiety

June 5, 2009 at 5:12 PM

I seem to be good at discovering new ways in which anxiety can mess with my violin or viola playing. As a kid, it was always the same: cold, stiff hands, especially the left. I hoped if I could ever get over that, I'd be done with nerves. But then, at my viola recital this year, in a warm room with warm fingers, I discovered the new excitement of having sweaty fingers slipping off the string. Now, thanks to Disney Magic, I've become acquainted with right hand/arm bow shakes.

What's interesting is that I seem to get only one of these at a time, not all 3. I wonder if it's a progression--solve one problem, get a new one to solve. And, I wonder if I'll ever get to the end.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 7:53 PM

Hopefully, you will hit the end at some point. I share your frustration. My problem is really just choking up. I don't have the excitement of different problems like you do. Good luck!

From Anne Horvath
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 9:50 PM

"Disney Magic"? Did you play one of those awkward pops concert mash-ups, or is this just general Disney Anxiety?

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 11:34 PM

Hi Anne,

This is what we're playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KmTpQt7Fg

At 5:14--picture a shorter, slightly blonder, violinist with bow shakes.

But, I do like her bowings (she starts down and I was starting up), and am going to try them. They might help!

From Anne Horvath
Posted on June 6, 2009 at 12:21 AM

Got it, just slow today. I've played that, at some point, somewhere...

Sorry you got shaky. More bananas?

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