Not only is this lesson #94 but it is also two years since I started on my violin journey. More on that later...
This week the focus was on the two pieces I am playing for the recital at the end of December. The minuet needs some polish. It does sound pretty sweet, but I am not always getting the second set of pedal notes, and sometimes not the third. Wrist action is very important, especially to get into the third set. I am sure Laura has mentioned the phrase "leading with the wrist" before so I need to pay more attention to that.
While Jumping Jelly Beans is sound it is not up to speed yet. Laura talked a little about speed today. A few things to note: keep the fingers close to the strings during fast passages so they have to travel a shorter distance. The danger in that is the fingers may touch the strings when not required so there is a fine line there. This is something Laura was explaining to Andre before our lesson started. He was playing an etude and it really sounded familiar, so either I have heard it before or something similar is in another piece. Laura also told the story of having practiced an audition piece so well at a slower speed it was almost effortless to play it at almost double speed at the actual audition. I guess part of it is also getting the brain out of the way to let the body do what it knows to do.
Less time this week was devoted to the exercises (the Spock hand and the slide). Laura passed me on the Spock hand as it was so close and there wasn't anything else to add. Perhaps there was some intangible thing but I know that I can play it and it won't be too hard when it comes to a piece that uses those fingerings (like the Balkan / gypsy music of which I am a very big fan). The sliding goes better with closed eyes. I think the signals my eyes give me get in the way of the hands and fingers moving about.
There was also talk about the different grading systems for violin exams. Long story short Laura prefers ABRSM to AMEB. So the Sage hopes, all things being equal, to prepare for and pass Grade 2 level ABRSM next year.
As I said, today marks two years since I started learning from Laura. In some ways it seems so long ago. Starting with hired violin I borrowed one from my dear friend Tina (the one she played at my wedding) and then to my own beloved Patience. It would take quite an effort to write down all of the musical events I have attended since starting. Some were expensive and some were free. I have seen internationally renowned acts and local groups (including the Ady ensemble featuring Laura). And I have met some lovely people. Laura, of course, and Sirisha, who now shares lessons with me, and Greta, from MZAZA (and Deep Blue). I feel like I have learned a lot, yet I am sure it's the tip of the proverbial iceberg. And it feels good to play for myself, and great to play for others. And I plan to keep learning at least until I can do justice to Monti's Czardas =)
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Violin lesson #93
No free concerts and not a lot of practice time this week. I did get Friday off for the G20 summit - a gathering of various political leaders.
There was a request for the Sage to perform at a recital. Oh frabjous day. At the lesson it was decided to perform the Telemann Minuet I recently completed and Jumpin' Jelly Beans by Loreta Fin.
Also this week Sirisha forgot her violin so Patience did double duty. It was kind of weird to hear someone else (other than Laura) play my violin, and I am not sure how it felt for Sirisha, but it sounded pretty good. Her violin is similar to mine so I imagine she felt fairly comfortable.
I played 'Te Deum' first up. This week I learned how to play close to the bridge. I need to play slower and lean into the string more and in return I get a richer sound. Obviously I can't play everything like that, but this is a slow majestic (maestoso) piece so it is appropriate. To my inexperienced ear, I was getting a very similar sound to the sound Laura was playing. I am the first to acknowledge there is a big difference between Patience and her violin, and I am sure there a things I am missing when I try and compare sounds like that, but to me it felt good that I was able to get a sound that I felt was comparable to a professional violin player.
After this there was time to go through Jumpin' Jelly Beans. Here there were tips on how to cross quickly between strings. By keeping my elbow on a level that can easily double stop (play two strings at once) I can keep the elbow steady and change strings with my wrist movements. The tricky part for me is to play fast enough so that my bow and fingers can keep in sync with what they are doing. Also, having so little leeway between the strings means it is easy to miss the string I want and hit the other, or play both at once. So I want to be able to, above all, play this cleanly yet as quickly as possible. It is listed as 140 to 160 beats per minute. The Old Fiddler Man I eventually got to 150 so it is within my range. And since this going to be a recital piece we want it to be extra polished.
Sirisha started learning a new rhythm too, and it was a Carribean one. To me the first part of it sounded like "ency clo pedia" :) Funky. I like it.
Mostly that's it. Short and sweet and lots to do between now and December 20.
There was a request for the Sage to perform at a recital. Oh frabjous day. At the lesson it was decided to perform the Telemann Minuet I recently completed and Jumpin' Jelly Beans by Loreta Fin.
Also this week Sirisha forgot her violin so Patience did double duty. It was kind of weird to hear someone else (other than Laura) play my violin, and I am not sure how it felt for Sirisha, but it sounded pretty good. Her violin is similar to mine so I imagine she felt fairly comfortable.
I played 'Te Deum' first up. This week I learned how to play close to the bridge. I need to play slower and lean into the string more and in return I get a richer sound. Obviously I can't play everything like that, but this is a slow majestic (maestoso) piece so it is appropriate. To my inexperienced ear, I was getting a very similar sound to the sound Laura was playing. I am the first to acknowledge there is a big difference between Patience and her violin, and I am sure there a things I am missing when I try and compare sounds like that, but to me it felt good that I was able to get a sound that I felt was comparable to a professional violin player.
After this there was time to go through Jumpin' Jelly Beans. Here there were tips on how to cross quickly between strings. By keeping my elbow on a level that can easily double stop (play two strings at once) I can keep the elbow steady and change strings with my wrist movements. The tricky part for me is to play fast enough so that my bow and fingers can keep in sync with what they are doing. Also, having so little leeway between the strings means it is easy to miss the string I want and hit the other, or play both at once. So I want to be able to, above all, play this cleanly yet as quickly as possible. It is listed as 140 to 160 beats per minute. The Old Fiddler Man I eventually got to 150 so it is within my range. And since this going to be a recital piece we want it to be extra polished.
Sirisha started learning a new rhythm too, and it was a Carribean one. To me the first part of it sounded like "ency clo pedia" :) Funky. I like it.
Mostly that's it. Short and sweet and lots to do between now and December 20.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Violin lesson #91,#92
It has been a big two weeks musically speaking so I am probably going to ramble a little. Yes, shocking, I know :)
I have been a regular visitor to a different coffee shop these last few weeks. Mostly I go to Paladar Fumior Salon run by a gentleman I have known for a very long time. The visits to this new place - The Establishment - were in most part due to the G20 summit. Unfortunately for Fil his shop was in the forbidden zone. The Establishment is notable for many things: very good coffee, great Italian theme, and knowledgeable and friendly staff. Not only that but two of the staff members play string instruments. One lady played the viola for eight years. Another started on the violin, but her fingers were too small, so she switched to the double bass. Good call =) So if you get a chance, try this place for coffee. My favourite is The Hookup.
I was blessed with three free concerts. The first was a cello recital by Ngaio Toombes on November 5th. She played the Cello Concerto in A major (WQ172) by CPE Bach. In this she was supported by the Ady Ensemble (of which she is a principal player). She also played Five Pieces in Folk Style for cello and piano by R Schumann. This was part of her masters thesis. Before she started I observed three people waiting for her. They were the three teachers who were grading her. I am sure the lady recognised Laura's (my violin teacher and also a principal player and concertmaster of the Ady Ensemble) name because I heard her mention it to one of her colleagues. I am not a professional judge but I think everyone played wonderfully. It was an even bigger deal because that particular Bach Cello Concerto is rarely played, and only one edition of the score could be found in Australia. Did I say rarely played? Ngaio and the rest of the ensemble will be playing this piece again in May 2015. And this is also going to feature in Heroic! - a performance by Camerata of St Johns next month.
The second was a performance in Post Office Square by MZAZA as part of Stamp program on November 7th. I missed the start of the show because I worked back to fix an issue that, in the end, was left until Monday. What kind of person asks me to stay back late on a Friday afternoon when MZAZA are playing, for free? I'm looking at you Jonathan Frame... I knew it was them as soon as I heard Pauline's vocals and the music from the rest of the group. It was a great way to finish the day. I wanted to stick around for Saruzu and another set by MZAZA but I was needed back home, but not before a quick chat with Greta Kelly. I told her perhaps I picked a bad time of life to start learning the violin but she disagreed and encouraged me to keep going. Sometimes it's tough because I feel I can't devote the time to it I would like so her words were welcome. Apparently MZAZA were also playing with Deep Blue over the weekend but I was already busy enough. Speaking of busy, the same night saw two other concerts: Journey Through The Cosmos with the QSO (a show about Einstein and the violin) and Classical Rock Fusion with Attilla Sautov (apparently TWO Phoenix Performer electric violins were being raffled at the show).
The third concert was Broken Glass by the Ady Ensemble on November 8th. Yes, I saw them twice in a week. This concert, in two parts, featured Symphony in A major by CPE Bach, 3rd Symphony by Philip Glass and Jump For My Love by The Pointer Sisters. The second part was St Paul's Suite by Gustav Holst and Thriller by Michael Jackson. A strange mix to be sure, but they all fitted the theme of transformation. The Bach symphony was as beautiful as one would expect from Bach. Glass's symphony was well played too though much more emotional than Bach's judging by the players and the conductor as much as the music itself. Jump For My Love was fun. What would you expect? St Paul's Suite sounded like good fun - a fusion between folk tunes and Eastern music with Greensleeves thrown in. Thriller was very cool too. This concert was in St. Andrew's Uniting Church in the CBD. It is a beautiful church and provided a great setting for the concert. It was great to take my daughter along. She loved it almost as much as I did. We sat with Sirisha and her husband Anand. Part of me felt bad that not more people were there to enjoy such beautiful music.
Yes, I had two lessons as well. Where *do* I find the time? :)
I was proud of myself in the first lesson because Anand turned up with Sirisha. Normally I panic when there are others in the room. It took me long enough to get entirely comfortable playing in front of Sirisha. But this time I didn't feel any of the nerves or doubting thoughts and played as if he was not there at all. I made very good progress with Jumping Jive, which I played through to the end. And Jumping Jelly Beans was also pretty good, though it takes some self restraint not to speed up as the piece goes on. I need to pick one speed and stick to it.
The second lesson was even better since I passed Telemann's Minuet. Sirisha recorded it for me (naturally I felt the nerves and the recording was not quite so good as a previous performance, though when I heard it back I cringed less than I thought I would). No new pieces but there is plenty occupy my precious practise time.
My shifting from first to third to first is going well. I am trying really hard because a) it is a new technique, and b) it is important.The exercise with Spock hand is almost there too. It will be important for the Balkan / Middle Eastern music I want to learn.
Sirisha is learning a few techniques, but one in particular was interesting to me. The sequences on long note - short note. Laura suggested Sirisha group them short-long to help her get the rhythm. She played I've Been Working On The Railroad to demonstrate in a song we might know. I knew it but Sirisha did not. Why this technique interests me is because it will probably help me with some of the songs I have been teaching myself. When I get back to those I might keep in mind what Laura said.
And speaking of songs I have been teaching myself, the confidence I have with the two Greek pieces Laura was gracious enough to transcribe has helped me to learn a number of other old (think 1970s old) Laiko style songs. Part of this came about after playing Psaropoula and drifting off into another song, and partly because of a song that I associated with an uncle in Greece who passed away this month.
In between all of this I learned what was involved in getting through Grade Five for violin. Lots. Lots and lots. Not only playing, obviously, but study of music theory and music evaluation. Do I want to go that far? Not at this stage. I don't think I can afford the time quite frankly even if the desire is there.
When I passed the Minuet I jokingly asked Laura if I would get a sticker for passing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Laura laughed and said I would get to stop having lessons. On a serious note, the student will find the right time to stop regular lessons. Laura confided that when your inner creative voice matches up with the sound you make then that is the time when you can teach yourself [Please forgive me if I mucked up what you said Laura and I'll amend it]. And further, with Tchaikovsky at least, there is a certain amount of tradition. I understand there are ways you play his concerto and ways you do not. Not to worry, Szechuan, for that is in the long-term future for you.
It has taken a while to write this. I really really need to learn to better manage my time to get done all of the things - violin and non-violin - that I want to get done.
I have been a regular visitor to a different coffee shop these last few weeks. Mostly I go to Paladar Fumior Salon run by a gentleman I have known for a very long time. The visits to this new place - The Establishment - were in most part due to the G20 summit. Unfortunately for Fil his shop was in the forbidden zone. The Establishment is notable for many things: very good coffee, great Italian theme, and knowledgeable and friendly staff. Not only that but two of the staff members play string instruments. One lady played the viola for eight years. Another started on the violin, but her fingers were too small, so she switched to the double bass. Good call =) So if you get a chance, try this place for coffee. My favourite is The Hookup.
I was blessed with three free concerts. The first was a cello recital by Ngaio Toombes on November 5th. She played the Cello Concerto in A major (WQ172) by CPE Bach. In this she was supported by the Ady Ensemble (of which she is a principal player). She also played Five Pieces in Folk Style for cello and piano by R Schumann. This was part of her masters thesis. Before she started I observed three people waiting for her. They were the three teachers who were grading her. I am sure the lady recognised Laura's (my violin teacher and also a principal player and concertmaster of the Ady Ensemble) name because I heard her mention it to one of her colleagues. I am not a professional judge but I think everyone played wonderfully. It was an even bigger deal because that particular Bach Cello Concerto is rarely played, and only one edition of the score could be found in Australia. Did I say rarely played? Ngaio and the rest of the ensemble will be playing this piece again in May 2015. And this is also going to feature in Heroic! - a performance by Camerata of St Johns next month.
The second was a performance in Post Office Square by MZAZA as part of Stamp program on November 7th. I missed the start of the show because I worked back to fix an issue that, in the end, was left until Monday. What kind of person asks me to stay back late on a Friday afternoon when MZAZA are playing, for free? I'm looking at you Jonathan Frame... I knew it was them as soon as I heard Pauline's vocals and the music from the rest of the group. It was a great way to finish the day. I wanted to stick around for Saruzu and another set by MZAZA but I was needed back home, but not before a quick chat with Greta Kelly. I told her perhaps I picked a bad time of life to start learning the violin but she disagreed and encouraged me to keep going. Sometimes it's tough because I feel I can't devote the time to it I would like so her words were welcome. Apparently MZAZA were also playing with Deep Blue over the weekend but I was already busy enough. Speaking of busy, the same night saw two other concerts: Journey Through The Cosmos with the QSO (a show about Einstein and the violin) and Classical Rock Fusion with Attilla Sautov (apparently TWO Phoenix Performer electric violins were being raffled at the show).
The third concert was Broken Glass by the Ady Ensemble on November 8th. Yes, I saw them twice in a week. This concert, in two parts, featured Symphony in A major by CPE Bach, 3rd Symphony by Philip Glass and Jump For My Love by The Pointer Sisters. The second part was St Paul's Suite by Gustav Holst and Thriller by Michael Jackson. A strange mix to be sure, but they all fitted the theme of transformation. The Bach symphony was as beautiful as one would expect from Bach. Glass's symphony was well played too though much more emotional than Bach's judging by the players and the conductor as much as the music itself. Jump For My Love was fun. What would you expect? St Paul's Suite sounded like good fun - a fusion between folk tunes and Eastern music with Greensleeves thrown in. Thriller was very cool too. This concert was in St. Andrew's Uniting Church in the CBD. It is a beautiful church and provided a great setting for the concert. It was great to take my daughter along. She loved it almost as much as I did. We sat with Sirisha and her husband Anand. Part of me felt bad that not more people were there to enjoy such beautiful music.
Yes, I had two lessons as well. Where *do* I find the time? :)
I was proud of myself in the first lesson because Anand turned up with Sirisha. Normally I panic when there are others in the room. It took me long enough to get entirely comfortable playing in front of Sirisha. But this time I didn't feel any of the nerves or doubting thoughts and played as if he was not there at all. I made very good progress with Jumping Jive, which I played through to the end. And Jumping Jelly Beans was also pretty good, though it takes some self restraint not to speed up as the piece goes on. I need to pick one speed and stick to it.
The second lesson was even better since I passed Telemann's Minuet. Sirisha recorded it for me (naturally I felt the nerves and the recording was not quite so good as a previous performance, though when I heard it back I cringed less than I thought I would). No new pieces but there is plenty occupy my precious practise time.
My shifting from first to third to first is going well. I am trying really hard because a) it is a new technique, and b) it is important.The exercise with Spock hand is almost there too. It will be important for the Balkan / Middle Eastern music I want to learn.
Sirisha is learning a few techniques, but one in particular was interesting to me. The sequences on long note - short note. Laura suggested Sirisha group them short-long to help her get the rhythm. She played I've Been Working On The Railroad to demonstrate in a song we might know. I knew it but Sirisha did not. Why this technique interests me is because it will probably help me with some of the songs I have been teaching myself. When I get back to those I might keep in mind what Laura said.
And speaking of songs I have been teaching myself, the confidence I have with the two Greek pieces Laura was gracious enough to transcribe has helped me to learn a number of other old (think 1970s old) Laiko style songs. Part of this came about after playing Psaropoula and drifting off into another song, and partly because of a song that I associated with an uncle in Greece who passed away this month.
In between all of this I learned what was involved in getting through Grade Five for violin. Lots. Lots and lots. Not only playing, obviously, but study of music theory and music evaluation. Do I want to go that far? Not at this stage. I don't think I can afford the time quite frankly even if the desire is there.
When I passed the Minuet I jokingly asked Laura if I would get a sticker for passing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Laura laughed and said I would get to stop having lessons. On a serious note, the student will find the right time to stop regular lessons. Laura confided that when your inner creative voice matches up with the sound you make then that is the time when you can teach yourself [Please forgive me if I mucked up what you said Laura and I'll amend it]. And further, with Tchaikovsky at least, there is a certain amount of tradition. I understand there are ways you play his concerto and ways you do not. Not to worry, Szechuan, for that is in the long-term future for you.
It has taken a while to write this. I really really need to learn to better manage my time to get done all of the things - violin and non-violin - that I want to get done.
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