With the children on half-term now I doubt i will get any practise done - just as i thought it was sort of starting to make sense!

Had a good time yesterday accompanying my daughter on the piano with some of her violin pieces - had thought i could play my viola while she played violin but as we are both beginners trying to stay together is a bit of a challenge!

It's a good challenge though! The sooner you start ensemble playing, the better! There are some great duets in the 'Time Joggers/Runners/Sprinters' series.

Can you not practice when they do? Set a family practice time to be adhered to by all, (unless there's a day out or something)?

We tend to have to practise individually - son ;pays trumpet (loudly) so no one else can hear themselves think. Daughter is only 6 so needs help herself with her practise, then all the time has gone!

Mind you , if i spent less time on here it would probably help........!

I think there are a few of us suffering that problem.....

Got an update from my realtor...supposed to be getting an offer on our home tomorrow morning, so let's hope it sells!

When it sells, then I can buy my viola!!!! YAY!

And pay a teacher!!

All the best with that Horax. I've never sold a house, but estate agents (as realtors are called in the UK) can be an interesting challenge, I hear! Keep us posted.

I will definitely get a teacher for the viola...that is tops on my list once I get one to play!

Thanks for the luck!

Horax - how did it go with the house? Hope you get going with your viola soon - I love mine, even if the reality sounds nothing like what's in my head!

Had a slightly better time with practising today - well, playing anyway. Daughter and I are both working our way through fiddletime/viola runners, and she is stuck on a piece so we just spent time playing it together. I had to concentrate on staying with her, so my technique was shaky to say the least, but at least I got to play, and I think it helped her a bit. Not as good as me practising properly, but probably better than not playing at all - hopefully I can get in some real practise before my lesson on Wednesday.

How is everyone else getting on?

That sounds like a really worthwhile use of playing time, Mum. Ensemble playing is quite hard, but very important. Good to start early and good for your daughter too.

How am I doing? Rubbish, to be honest! Oh well, the only way is up.....

Well, I said the only way was up and I seem to have taken it this evening. I did a good half hour's prac and my slurred scales have improved enormously for doing some simple exercises on slurs from another tutorial book. I even made some sense of my Bach piece, although it still needs some polishing. I'm going to get my little keyboard out tomorrow and play it on there to get a better idea of what I'm meant to be aiming for note and length of note-wise.

Anyway, I think I've recovered some of my enthusiasm.

Just need to get on with my theory now. The exam is 2 weeks today and I haven't looked at my books for a while now. I really need to work through this 'in practise' book as there are a few things I could use some exercises on.... Get on with it, Lizzie!

I've had a difficult couple of weeks and it's really affected my playing, I'm gutted. Had a bereavement in the family this week and I've gone back to being crippled with anxiety about nothing I do being good enough etc etc, I'm furious with myself because I thought I'd conquered this.


So today I'm trying to get myself back on speaking terms with my violin. He's such a beauty it seems unfair to be cross with him, but I think I've just fallen out with playing

Oh IM, bereavement simply knocks you sideways. Don't be too hard on yourself for now - give yourself lots of time.

Try to enjoy playing, but if it doesn't feel right just now, that's OK. Do what you feel happiest with at the mo. Cut yourself a LOT of slack.

Invincible moon - so sorry you are going through a tough time - be kind to yourself. I know when i find life tough playing simple stuff i enjoy (on the piano) helps - but i can't always bring myself to sit there and start - it can be tough to settle to anything. Saying a prayer for you.

I managed about 1/2 hour practise this morning but i feel so stiff it was rather a struggle (not stiff from playing, stiff from being old!) Was pleased to find I hadn't really gone backwards - just not really making any progress - trouble is i want to run before i can walk!

I'm looking forward to my lesson tomorrow, could do with something else to work on I've been playing Ode to joy in the First repertoire book but it's getting a bit... boring

I know what you mean. Mind you, I've got that many books that I can prac for over half an hour and not run through each of the exercises, one-liners, scales etc etc that I want to do in addition to my exam prep piece.

I doubt I'm going to take the exam at the mo, esp. as £$£ is an issue. If we're successful with the Taiwan scholarship application, then we're going to need every spare penny in order to keep things going here whilst we're away and to supplement the £$£ you get to live there. It's only £1000 a month between us and, whilst the cost of living is probably half what it would be here over there, we'd still have to find tuition fees, return air fares and what have you out of it and aren't allowed to work whilst there. Sigh! Anyway, I figured it wouldn't hurt to prepare for the exam - more or less, but I think I'll let E know that it's not likely to happen, (would have problems getting an accompanist anyway), so we can mostly focus on developing general skills.

That's a shame. It's always nice to get a performance opportunity. Not that I'm anywhere near confident to take an exam in viola It does get really expensive though, not just the exam fee but then paying the accompanist as well.

I've been playing (or trying to) play the Bach that you were going to do for the exam, it's a nice piece

I can't honestly say I'm disappointed. I feel like I've got enough hassle at the mo and you're right about extra £$£ for the pianist! Nah, I'll do my Grade 3 theory next week as it's booked and paid for, but after that, no more exams for the foreseeable future and I hardly need them anyway.

Rather hard that Bach piece, isn't it? Still can't get it to sound good, esp. the last line, which sounds way 'out' to me....

Yes, it is. good Luck for you G3. How's the revision?

Yeah OK, thanks. I'm doing 2-4 pages of the 'In Prac' book whenever I can. I've still a lot to work through though, but it's mostly revision now as I learned most of the theory (although I can't say it comes naturally just yet - I still have to really think about almost all of it) whilst I was invigilating last month!

Cool If you ever want any answers checking don't hesitate to ask. I still have my books lying around somewhere...! And there's the theory board anyway, but you're already posting on that. I loved doing my G5

Thanks hun! Perhaps you could PM me your uni e-mail addy!!

OK, signing off now. What I was doing on the computer has gone horribly wrong and I need a break from it. I think I'll spend some time with the next couple of pages of G3 theory and maybe even pick up my viola.

My 4th lesson tomorrow - although I haven't done much practise! I think I'm beginning to sort out my left hand a bit - we shall see what my teacher thinks!

I really feel the need to play some real music - but that is probably rather a long way off - rather than just the superstudies stuff and the viola time stuff (which my 6 year old is also doing on the violin) - anyone have any ideas for really easy but beautiful music i could play (preferably not in a book called something like "very very easy pieces for very little children"!!)

Busy day tomorrow either side of my lesson - i have my daughter's class assembly first so I'm wondering whether to leave my precious viola (in it's huge case) in the boot of the car, or to take it into school with me and look a bit stupid!

I had a great viola lesson tonight

What's really making me laugh though is that I've gone from playing the beautifully delicate 'The Swan' from Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals on the violin... to playing 'The Elephant' on the viola

Have you played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star yet? Before you say it's too childish, listen to this:
(fast forward to 6:25); it's truely beautiful!! And I thought I have mastered twinkle by now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdVWTfzjDCE...re=channel_page

How was your lesson, Mum? I have my first for 3 weeks tomorrow, but I'm a bit rusty and will need to make the most of the 2 opps for prac that I have before then...

Claudia, how are you getting on? How was your lesson this eve, and have you had anymore thoughts on new teacher(s)? I think I may have to give up lesson for a bit after E's departure, but we'll have to see.

And Lottie, I wish I could play that much! Still, I have no background in violin. What does 'La Cyne' sound like on violin? Has it had to be transcribed up a bit at all? I have it on cello on a CD that I think I will listen to as I make tea, (which I had better get on with, or else Sir will be miffed - and very hungry too!! )

C-string, OK!

Lesson was good. I've been given lots of pieces to practise I've got a few in viola time joggers (pieces 37, 28 and 40 I think) and some in first repertoire (pieces 2, 3, and 4.. I think..)

Lots to work on

Oh well, left hand position still not right! Beginning to wish i had taken up bassoon or something (not really - still love my viola) There are just too many things to think about at once. My teacher has given me a book with tunes in it though so I shall have a look at that tomorrow (if i get home from work in time). One of my main problems is being too tense - I shall have to practise being floppy.

Cheered up a bit in daughter's violin lesson when her teacher told me that one of the pieces she is playing (which I have been playing with her) is on the grade 1 viola list - and I can play it !(well, sort of.) She is starting work on her prep test stuff on her new, bigger violin, so i will have to dig out the piano accomp to some of her pieces and practise with her.

Picked up a new case for her violin - think she is more excited by that than the actual violin inside it! - especially as she can carry it on her back!

Not had a chance to listen to "twinkle"yet - will go and do that now, then must go to bed

Please do, everyone here should!! Great inspiration!!

Can i tell you guys a secret? I started violin lesson because I watched TV and this guy had a red fiberglass violin case that looks so cool and I really wanted one, the only problem was that I don't play the violin, so in order to justifying buying a case like that, I decided to learn violin! I didn't get the red case though coz it will look ridiculous in orchestra esp when I'm not that good

When I say my teacher gave me 'The Elephant' that by no means says I can play it... it's got FOUR FLATS!!!! On the violin that wouldn't phase me but I couldn't even work out the first note on the viola NO hope!!!

Yes, La Cyne had been transposed up but sounds quite nice with the piano accompaniment.

Oh my teacher also gave me the CD of the Grade 3 viola music and a sheet of scales... now I'm feeling seriously out of my depth and Agapanthus has gone scuttling back behind the sofa (much to Martha's delight who spent a happy hour playing Bach yesterday (well, trying) )

I've just had a very enjoyable 1/2 hour playing ' Ode to Joy' in little sections. I've discovered three thing going wrong with my left hand - gripping at the base of my first finger, sticking my wrist out, and clenching my jaw (well, that's not my left hand but is sort of related) I find I can get 2 of thoses 3 under control but then discover the 3rd one ha gone again - especially when using 4th finger - so i play up until a 4th ginger, stop, check all 3 things, then carry on tho the next 4th finger. Must sound rather strange!

Am determined to crack all 3 things at the same time before my next lesson (in a fortnight) - wish me luck.

Then went on and sight read my way through more proper tunes - so I'm a happier bunny now

Must go and get the children from school and persuade them both to practise instruments and spelling words - but not at the same time (unless any words only contain the letters a-g, then they could play them - how's that for multi-sensory learning!)

I've not done any of those! I think we didn't go any further than about #25 in 'Joggers' and haven't really done anything in 'First Rep'. I've been doing my main course (Essential String Method) and 'Viola Time Scales' mostly up until doing the exam pieces now.

I've ditched the Bach as I just can't play it and E even says that it 'doesn't sit well under the hand' and isn't suitable for being played in first postion - she would play it in 3rd. Add to that that I just don't like the last few bars and I decided to swap to A2, the Purcell instead, which is a nice jolly tune that I could play reasonably well at sight! We've also started on the B list piece and I like one of the others too, although that, again, is not really best suited to first position and is in G minor (with Bb), which is NOT a grade 1 key, so I don't know what it's doing there!!



I know what you mean with all these. When you first start, there is a great tendancy to be tense and also so many things to remember at once that it seems impossible. Just keep on though and, with increased confidence and just plain getting used to it, you'll loosed up and also manage to get the posture right. It takes time and we notice the whole thing a lot more as adult learners, but try not to rush yourself over much as you'll just get frustrated and want to quite that way!


Which one is this? I'm curious....



You don't have to be a virtuoso to have the equipment you really like! If you like the case and can afford one, get it! Who cares what other people think? And most will probably admire it/you/your confidence for getting one anyway!


Oh tosh! It's just one string over, isn't it? Pretend it's violin and move one over. I do realise that the alto clef may be a bit distracting here though....

Which List B pieces are you looking at? I asked you before but I can't remember

Bruckner's Evening Hymn and whichever one it is by Dvorak (Laghetto from a sonatina, I think), from the 'Time Pieces' collection. The latter is the one in G minor, but E played them both through last night and they were both nice.

The Larghetto is really nice (I have the G1 CD)

Which one is this? I'm curious....



It's "Rocking Horse" from Viola Time Joggers - although I think it's much easier than a couple from First Repertoire that I've looked at. I haven't looked at the ones you have mentioned - I feel a spending spree on music coming on - if only I could find the time to get to a shop. I want to have a good browse at piano music as well as viola, so don't really want to shop on-line.

Can I borrow it sometime?????

Lesson this week was MUCH better than last week and even better than I'd expected- I nearly cancelled because I was so anxious after last week. She was very complimentary about my scales which I'm having way too much fun with, now onto A and D minor as well as C,F, G,D and A major and it's working wonders for my intonation, so yay.

Stress though, is eating away at my shoulder again- all my stress and tension gets held there and I've been having a lot of problems with my left shoulder. 2childmum, I know what you mean about the problems with your left index finger, it's a real problem for me and while it's very slow progress, it is getting a lot better. However when I get tense, it's the first place that clamps up.

It's going well though. Working on some grade 2 pieces (for fun- I'm not doing exams ever ever ever) and the new fiddle is making life so much easier for me now

Glad things are getting better, IM!

After the prac session I've just done with all those 3 note slurs in the 'Evening Hymn', I think I'm going to ditch the exam as well! It's just too stretching for me and it makes it not fun anymore. I think I'd rather come back to all these hard pieces later on.

Crumbs, if I find Grade 1 over-challenging after over 2 years, is there any hope???

Had a very illuminating practise session in front of the long mirror in my bedroom. I had thought my bowing was going in a straight line - at least it looked that way when I gazed down at it, but in the mirror it's all crooked! So now I play one bar of 'Ode to Joy' whilst watching my bow in the mirror, stop, check everything else. play one more bar - this could take a while to master!

I've been meaning to look at this for ages - thanks

Elisabeth I think if its not fun then you're definately doing the right thing by not sitting the exam. I withdrew from 2 exams just because I couldn't handle it, i was too stressed and it wasn't fun.

And yes, there's always hope, you just need to persevere. My lil brother took 3 years to get to grade 1 piano and a total of 7 years to get to grade 3. He also took 4 years to get to grade 2 bassoon, even though he could already read music, rhythms etc.

Grades aren't everything. Fun is the most important thing.

x

Ditto, I thought about taking exams, but I decided against it, I remember in my piano days, I wasted so much time on exam pieces it really didn't help grow my repertoire at all, and most of all, took away the fun.

I've been doing some prac this afternoon and omg my left hand is seriously crampy today. I'm practicing one piece and I can't get through it without needing to stop! I thought it was just me being incredibly tense in my lesson but it seems to be an(other) actual problem.

ugh. anyone wanna smash my hand up and tell it to loosen?

I have just found out that I have my Grade 1 exam on the 27th of this month

Oh you'll do fine. Good luck.. remember to enjoy 'performing'

*lol* I'll try!

GOOD LUCK

Grrr, my pieces are driving me nuts! I'm now at that last minute stage where they sound all wrong and awful and I'm making all sorts of new and interesting mistakes! *lol* I wish it was over already! Even my four year old is humming them around the house - my family must be sick of hearing them over and over again. Please made it stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello

I've just started learning violin, up to my third lesson now. I played guitar for a bit in college but I gave it up as if I had carried on I think I would have failed my A levels - I spent all my time playing it! Plus I became more interested in classical music and lost interest in it a bit, I also think teaching myself didn't work either. I made sure to get a teacher with the violin this time!

I'm just remembering how sore my fingers used to be when I started playing the guitar, they are a bit sore from the violin but at least I don't walk around with red line imprinted into my fingers!

Yayyyy My teacher says I can take grade 3 viola in June

You should have seen her face when I said I wanted to take grade 4 violin at the same time


(I don't think I will .. even though my grade 4 is now 6months overdue I don't think I could cope with the two together!!! )