According to the practice diary I managed to practice six out of seven days this week. Having the diary helps to keep me focused and motivated. I won't play for my own pleasure unless I have practiced. In the end I wrote down how many times I had to play each piece of music because I didn't always have a metronome handy.
The funniest violin-related issue happened on Monday night. I was finishing my session when my princess asked to read The Floods to me. She has been reading to me for the last few days. I told her I would sit with her to read when I finished my heartbeat exercise. When I finished I felt a little happier than I did when I started the session, so I started playing Irish Washerwoman. I learned this in my accordion days apparently. The tune was familiar but I don't remember learning it specifically. About half ways through the second run I hear a crescendo... "dad, Dad, DAD, DAD!" I stopped. "That's not heartbeats!". So I stopped and went to her room to listen to her read.
The lesson was at 2pm this week. Laura made time for me because I had a dentist appointment in the afternoon and Laura was busy in the evening. We started with heartbeats. Sometimes this went well at practice and other times not so well. I have to keep going for another week and that's fine with me. I need to make sure I go all the way to the heel of the bow and work on the circular arm motion for a cleaner sound.
My double-stops exercise was a little hit and miss too. When it was a hit it sounded pretty sweet. I need to keep the bow straight and level when I play the two strings at once to get a better sound and to make sure I use the whole bow (all the way to the tip).
The sticker sheet came out for Rowboats. It was not a difficult piece technically, but there was plenty to remember. Laura was impressed that I was able to play it without looking especially giving the changing dynamics. Memorising is not something I deliberately try to do, but after playing a piece for a while it just happens. That, and I focus on what I do when I'm practicing. There is always something to work on.
This means I am able to start a new piece this week. It's called Wave Machine. And again, for an exercise it is a pretty enough piece of music. The wave motion relates to the movement of the arm as it crosses strings. Wave motion is also the type of cannon on Space Cruiser Yamato, but I digress. Having said that, the Japanese have some absolutely kick-arse music for their anime and video games (like Final Fantasy).
The Old Fiddler Man was next. Speed is not an issue but sound quality is. Some parts sound great. Others (especially moving off the G string) still need some work. I think I found during practice that when I was not concentrating so much on the start it sounded better. It might be a case of trying too hard? Laura says this piece should be ready to play at the recital on November 24 (a Sunday) but I'm still not sure if I will go, or if I do go whether the family will come with me.
After that was Heat Haze. My daughter learned to play this on her glockenspiel. It sounds so cute. I think she plays better than I do because I still have things to improve. My third finger was out of tune for some reason and the sound on the G and D strings was a little off at times.
Unfortunately we didn't get to Medieval Tale so that will be one of the first pieces to play next week.
I enjoyed my lesson this week. It came at a good time. It was not my best day so taking a break was quite welcome.
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