Violin Lesson #45

If it is true that time flies when you are having fun then that would explain why my lessons seem to be over before they start :)

This week the lesson went really well despite what I felt was a lack of practice. Work is still very hectic so I am not even getting the time in the park as much as I did before. Still, it is a matter of priorities, so I do my practice when I can, and try to focus on what I have to do when I actually get time.

I started off with scales and arpeggios. My scales were good. I can now play D-, A- and G-Major scales competently. I still need to work on my G-Major arpeggio. I can't seem to get that consistently (unless you count the times I do it outside of class). I am sure a little more practice will take care of it. My finger push-up exercises still need some more work too.

Today I learned about playing with the whole bow. There are wrist adjustments to be made when playing at the frog end of the bow (where I hold the bow, essentially). This is definitely something that is going to take a fair amount of practice.

I scored an owl sticker for Space Walk! I try hard with that piece because I do like playing on the E string. This was not perfect mind you, but close to it and I will keep playing it when I get time. Now I can move on to Rocking Rowboats from the same book.

I played the French folk song and German folk song. I played the French one with a little flair and not strictly as the music was written. There's nothing wrong with that... at the appropriate time. When I am playing for myself or others, it's okay. If I do that during an exam (and I do plan to take exams) then they will deduct marks. In my defense it did sound pretty good :) The German song was okay except for the timing. Some parts were faster than others. When I slowed down a little and kept to a single temp it sounded a lot better and was a little easier to play. To replace those pieces I have been given Heat Haze. This is one of the pieces Sarisha was playing when I sat in on her lesson. It's a rather pretty piece of music.

And that's about it. There is plenty to keep me occupied, which is just the way I like it.

Oh, and on the way out I borrowed the ABRSM syllabus, just to see what was expected.