Dawnmc71's new journey...., Has begun! Options

[Sunrise]

OK, not quite, but I have half a day of work left.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

And just found out I have my first violin lesson tomorrow, at my house! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Which is brilliant, as I have all my music there so he might be able to pick something and save me a little money (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I haven't touched the instrument since the consultation, I figured it would only compound the problems!

Soooooooo excited, roll on 10am!! The kids will be banished to their bedroom for the duration (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif)

[Sunrise]

Believe it or not I haven't read that book... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) If I need a 1/2 size I know where to come LOL

Lesson 7 today (is that all?) and he's happy with my progress...

Today he gave me a great exercise to work on both LH and RH together but separately and be able to concentrate on everything together: 1 finger scale of 4 octaves but very very slow:

Start at heel. Get LH in a good position, all fingers curved etc. Place RH, check knuckles, arm relaxed, wrist down etc. Move the bow 5 cm at a time, watching RH position all the time and altering towards point. THEN pause...move 1st finger to next position, check LH position, elbow, fingers etc..then forget LH and concentrate on RH on the up bow, 5 cm at time, bringing hand back to flat position etc.

It was brilliant as it gives time to watch everything. Think it's going to help a lot this week.

2nd exercise was 1 finger scales again (with slides between shifts), but this time quicker at the heel only (10-15 cm bow) to try to smooth up my bow changes. Found out I'm speeding the bow a little at the change and that's what is giving the crunch. So less speed and a little less weight and hey presto! Now just got to practice it in.

Oh and I paid for my violin so she's all mine now! Now what to call her??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Walking with my light case today was fantastic, what a difference!

Next lesson in a week's time...which gives me more time to be able to practice everything else!!

[Dulcet]

For those going "huh?", Scruffy is a book by Paul Gallico, about a barbary ape (tailless macaque really but hey you can't fight tradition) when there was great concern about the rate of decline of the primates during WWII.

Responding (sort of) to your technical post; DS2 hurt his l-h index finger on Monday (sliced off some skin on the pad) so found it painful to play the cello. He did 15 minutes of open strings exercises really focussing on bowing. It helped! I did discover that he couldn't keep his lh properly on the neck without using his first finger, which was interesting. Perhaps we do need that corn plaster for his left thumb.

I did tell my lasping violinist friend about one finger scales to avoid the death grip and preparing for a string change by lifting the elbow - she was quite excited about the idea of one finger scales and thought she'd tell her teacher when she goes back for lessons.

[Roseau]

I did discover that he couldn't keep his lh properly on the neck without using his first finger, which was interesting. Perhaps we do need that corn plaster for his left thumb.

His thumb should be under his 2nd finger not his first (unless he's playing in 4th position).