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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.

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!

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

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!

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

Sorry you got shaky.  More bananas?