The lesson went well. I started with "Suo Gan " and I was very happy with it. It sounded much better than last week. Laura was happy with it too. Did I get a sticker? No. I'm not done with it yet! Now that I know how to play it and how to get a good sound, I need to learn the correct bow work for it. I noticed the slurs in the music and, although I have been taught what slurs mean, it escaped me as I was learning. The slurs mean the notes that are connected are to be played on the same bow stroke (up-bow or down-bow). Laura said she intentionally did not bring that to my attention. Just quietly I am annoyed I did not notice sooner. But this was all part of Laura's grand design. Had I tried to learn how to play AND how to get the good sound AND worry about bow strokes I would have exploded... and no-one wants to see that. So I tried playing with the slurs. It was difficult because I was used to one bow stroke per note. I will need to practice against the wall because it is important not to move my elbow back (as this affects the straight bow and makes a poor sound). Just before I started writing this, I played through the song, very slowly, with the correct bow strokes. With sufficient practice I am sure I will be able to play it well next week.
Then came "Waltz Of The Lovebirds". This too was a little better than last week, and I still have to work on my timing. I think part of the problem was that I treated the last four bars as two separate sections, when really I should have played all the way through. I still have the tendency to lose my place when I make a mistake. This is something I am working to overcome, since it is hard to play with others if I stop at the first mistake. I need to keep on going and join in as soon as I can. Otherwise it is unfair to the other player (or players). Apart from this last line, I can practice another two bars that are a little less tricky than the last four. Again, I need to take it slow at the start until I get used to doing what I have to do, then get quicker at it.
And that's all we had time for this week. There was no Nathan (the student before me) and no Sarisha (the student after me).As I was packing Laura told me about one of the students she teaches at a school. This young lady has been playing for several years, and Laura has to essentially take her back to basics because she is not getting a good sound. This student had several teachers before Laura and it appears none of them were too concerned about her sound. We were talking about this because I don't want to be like that. Whether I become a professional or play purely for myself, I want to play with a good sound and to play well. I want people to laugh or cry with the music or play and not laugh at how I play or cry because I make their ears hurt. When I eventually go for an exam, I don't want to be worried about whether or not I will pass. I want to know that I will pass. Not only that, I want to be confident enough to go for the highest mark. I am glad that Laura understands this.
I enjoy having music in my life. Sometimes it is hard to express how much I look forward to my practice and my lessons. Music brings me joy. Then there are the intangibles, like helping The Princess with her glockenspiel. Yes, sweetheart, I know where you are up to and whether or not you are playing the right notes, and I more than happy to help you learn and play.
On the way back to work it occurred to me that not only is Laura teaching me to play these pieces, but she is teaching me how to learn new pieces as well. These pieces are challenging, but I know I will get by them, and by doing so will make the pieces that follow (even if it is not Paganini) that little bit easier to learn.
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