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2012-04-16

This past weekend I updated my listening section with a full array of pieces. Sonatas 5 - 9 are available in full as well as several other pieces. These pieces are sampled through my computer and the Garritan library (i.e. I am not playing my Violin on these pieces). When I have the opportunity to record the pieces live I shall do so. When that time comes, I will be selling those CD's for profit.

Lately, I have been fiddling with the idea of providing music lessons to students. I could teach Violin Performance as well as Music Composition. I would provide individual private instruction as well as group instruction; maybe in the form of two week workshops. Back in the day, I found joy and a feeling of accomplishment in providing music instruction but I also found it quite annoying when students would "no show".

2012-02-07

The conceptual world is the easy part.
Bringing ideas into the physical world is the difficult part.

Violin is the paradox of firm, solid left hand fingers and soft, supple right hand fingers.

Just like agriculture:
cultivate the environment (turn/prepare the soil) (pay attention and train your mind/hands well)
plant the seeds in the soil (program the notes into your mind and fingers)
nurture the soil (always practice toward perfection through repetition)
reap the rewards (perform as you practiced)

2/11/2012

ALWAYS use firm LH finger pressure - be especially conscious during slow arias as gentle, singing music will lure you into subconsciously attempting to match the LH finger pressure to the music and the feel of the RH gentle bow strokes.

Unforunately, the fingers are completely opposite in pressure and must be constantly and consciously monitored and separated yet, kept in perfect timing synchronization. The slow, soft pieces requires much more pre-placement of firm LH fingers to the fingerboard.

Up shifts - learn the portion of the hand which encounters the instrument In my case, 3rd position consists of the heel of the wrist lightly bumping the neck block but only if I slight tilt my hand back and lead with the wrist. 4th position involves the meaty heel of my plam contacting the ribs and lower rim of the instrument.

2/14/2012

Feeling Nervous?
Trigger your inner calm place
Act Calm and Confident, Be Calm and Confident
Breathe deep
Discretely wipe your hands of sweat
Form your notes (LH) boldly
Shift light and agile
Uncorrelate LH and RH finger pressures, but keep timing in perfect sych
Bow with fluidity
Move with good coordination and balance

Build a performance from scratch (especially developmental pieces)
Familiarize yourself with a read through
Identify the desired fingers/alternate fingerings
Work through rough spots very slowly (develop your skills)
Memorize what is necessary
Practice calm and collected (triggering calm breathing)
One note/one measure relaxation method and elaboration (down beat to down beat)
Gradual tempo development across iterations of practice and increased comfort level
Practice Performance (scheduled, play non-stop)