November 2007

Another violin-related novel...

November 30, 2007 05:29

Hi there,

Today on Violin and Books is author Blenda Bligh, who has written a violin-related novel set during the Great Depression. Her answers were a bit to skimpy for my big words appetite, but maybe she was in a hurry....

Read her interview at http://www.violinandbooks.wordpress.com

Thanks!

best,
Mayra

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Your favorite Paganini concerto?

November 24, 2007 07:49

Hi all,

I would like to get my Dad a Paganini concerto in DVD. Do you have any suggestions? Which are your favorite Paganini concertos?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Mayra

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Interview with Former-Violinist-Turned-Author Erica Miner

November 21, 2007 08:38

Hi all,

Erica Miner, former professional violinist later turned author, poet and screenwriter, is my guest at Violin and Books today. Erica’s story is both sad and inspiring. After winning the coveted position of violinist at the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City, Erica had a tragic accident which forced her to say goodbye to her violinist career forever. It was then that she turned to writing. But I won’t say anymore!

You may read the interview on my new blog, http://Violin and Books.

Stop by and leave a comment if you have the time!

Best,
Mayra

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Interview with Erica Miner... coming soon!

November 18, 2007 10:39

Erica Miner, former professional violinist later turned author, poet and screenwriter, has agreed to an interview, which I will be posting here and on Violin and Books soon. Erica’s story is both sad and inspiring. After winning the coveted position of violinist at the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City, Erica had a tragic car accident which forced her to say goodbye to her violinist career forever. It was then that she turned to writing. But I won’t say anymore, as I don’t want to give too much away before her interview!

Her website is http://www.ericaminer.com

Cheers!
Mayra

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my daily routine--is it good?

November 16, 2007 05:35

Hi,

As I mentioned before, I have been playing for almost 5 years (4 1/2 to be exact). My teacher comes once a week to give me a 45 min. lesson, then the rest of the week I work on my own. I try to practice every day but that's not always realistic for a mom with two young kids!

Anyway, I wanted to get your opinion on the routine I'm following. Basically, do you think it's good? Am I missing something? Is there something else I should include in my practice?

Here's a brief description of the books and exercises I'm doing:

Sevcik Violin Studies
Opus 1, Part 1
(left hand/finger exercises or ‘gym’)
I work on only one measure per week. First without legato, then in two's, then in fours, until I do legato with the 8 notes. I repeat this several times.

Sevcik Violin Studies
Opus 2, Part 1
(right hand/bow arm)
I play one etude per week.

Sevcik Violin Studies
Op. 1, Part 2
(2nd and 3rd positions)
I work on one bar per week, repeating each measure twice withour legato and twice with legato.

Arthur Seybold
op. 182
Part 3
(more difficult studies in 1st position)
One etude per 1-2 weeks, depending on level of difficulty or how much I've practiced that week.

Arthur Seybold
op. 182
Part VI
(studies in the first three positions)
Same as above.

I end my practice by playing a musical piece, which changes every few weeks. Right now it’s:

Concertino
in ungarischer Weise
by O. Rieding, Op. 21
Instead of playing the whole concerto at once I go slowly and move in parts. This week I'm working on the first 5-6 bars.

My teacher is wonderful--by this I mean she's firm, demanding and encouraging at the same time --but I'm curious to get your thoughts.

Thanks!

Mayra

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New blog for violin-related fiction books - Violin and Books

November 15, 2007 10:56

Hello Everybody,

I'm excited to be part of this community of bloggers. I'm an author and violin student--have been for almost five years now. The violin has been an incredible challenge for a late starter like myself, and it has immensely inspired my writing.

Today I finally started a blog called Violin and Books (www.violinandbooks.wordpress.com). This had been a dream of mine for a long time. My aim is to put together a lot of information about violin-related fiction books (also nonfiction). I plan to interview authors who have written violin-related books, offer reviews and resources for those people who love both the violin AND books.

If you know of fiction books related to the violin (and that they're not on my site) please let me know so I can add them to my list.

Also, if you would like me to add your personal blog to my blogroll, just send me the link and I'll be happy to do that.

There's not a lot of information on my blog for the moment, as I just started it today--took me the whole day to put that small info together, so this will be a site that will grow with time.

I hope you will visit and let me know what you think.

Thanks!

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