Violin Lesson #37

This was a mixed week of practice but on the whole pretty good. One thing I found really hard to do was to play along with a CD. I did not have headphones at the time and I could not hear the CD very well over the sound of the violin.

My lesson was at 430 this week. I can be flexible with my time at work so I really don't mind what time my lesson is on. I've said it before: I would sooner give up a whole lot of other things (including coffee) rather than give up my lessons. Or as I said to my sister-in-law, I would rather lock myself in the car for the day than leave Patience in there all day.

This week's lesson started with Railway Express. After a rough start I played the song well enough to get it stamped. My tone was good. Laura mentioned it is likely a sign that I am becoming more comfortable with Patience and playing to get the best tones from her. I do love to play. As I mentioned previously, I played in a car park the other week much to the chagrin of my dear wife. Laura's opinion was that it was fine to play in a car park =) Then I wondered if I could make that my "gimmick" - I could play concerts in a car park, or launch a CD in  a ca park. But I digress...

Next was the G Major scale. My fingering for this was not quite right and needs a little more practice.I need to keep the fingers down as I go up the scale, but I don't on the way down. My fingers are not used to the stretch required for this fingering pattern so I will have to be more aware of it.

After this was Operation Space Station from Super Studies. This went quite well too, but imagine how embarrassed I was to find out I was playing one of the notes incorrectly ALL WEEK. Yes, about that much. What I played was pretty good, though I need more practice with the third-finger D-string harmonic - it needs such a light touch from the the left hand, and a good amount of bow as well. Trying to get that at the same time is proving to be a little tricky for me.

Finally came Shark Attack. This is the song with the CD accompaniment. After hearing me play, Laura's suggestion was that I was playing too slow, and I was getting out of step with the CD. I remember when I was playing it quicker during practice it did sound better, but then there was a greater chance of mucking up the notes. So Laura clapped out the time as I played on my own and that sounded much better. I believe even the dynamics were good. I was trying very hard in practice to get that aspect right. No sticker this week, but a good effort.

And that's about all we had time for. I do have a new song this week, Barrier Reef, which is the next song of the Sea Suite (following Shark Attack). This song is shorter than Shark Attack and less than half the tempo! It is in the key of G so definitely I will have to watch my fingering as I learn this song (and it is so pretty).

Unfortunately I think I left the CD with Laura. Perhaps that's a good thing because it will take me a little while to get used to that song.