Thursday 14 May 2009

Lesson 7: 4th Position

My lesson yesterday was great fun once again! I learnt 4th position - comfortable, easy to find. Can't complain! I also got a new book, with loads of new pieces. It is less 'friendly' than my 1st book, but is more aimed at adults, and moves faster and has longer pieces. I have 3 to get going with, which all move between 1st and 4th position. I am also practising G Major with 2 octaves and C Major with 3 octaves. Or something like that, I can't quite remember!

The most interesting thing that I learned in the lesson was how to use the full length of the bow. When you do that it sounds so much better; much less weedy and more confident. It made a huge difference to the sound of the piece and I am looking forward to experimenting with it while I practise.

I was really pleased when my teacher said that the pieces I am playing are Grade 2 standard. I am not bothered about taking exams, but it is nice to know what level you are playing at in a measureable way!

With a whole book to work from, I am really looking forward to getting back into moving through it at my own pace. Having only one piece at a time was good to make me concentrate on what it sounded like, but I like to be able to learn a few things at a time.

Speaking of which, I am off to play!

Wednesday 6 May 2009

lesson 6: extensions

So, today I had my 6th lesson, and although I hadn't done very much practise this week, my teacher seemed surprisingly pleased! He said my ability to play a piece sightreading for the first time was "very promising" - wow, I feel really good! The extensions were fine, although not that easy really, but apparently I will get the hang of them. I am currently finding them awkward and I don't yet feel comfortable moving my hand that much, I feel all lost unless I am in first position!

Also this week I played Phantom of the Opera for the first time. It's so much fun (and really easy)! I haven't yet tried playing along with the CD but i am really looking forward to doing that. I also went to Dave Mann, a music shop about 5 minutes from my house to pick up my cello stand and played about on their double bass. It was so much fun, they are so deep! I am definitely going to get myself one of those when I have a big enough house! But right now I am more than happy with the cello, and have no aspirations beyond learning my piece for next week.

For next week I am doing a piece called Tanz (Bach), and continuing to work on Gavotte and Poloniase from last week. I am enjoying them, but I feel like I could do with a new book so I can move at my own speed. However, as my teacher said, i don't want to get ahead of myself, and it's nice to have a piece you can play well. So that's my plan - play well! Then I can get a new book...

Friday 1 May 2009

Lesson 5: pachelbel and gavotte

I know that I should be writing my essay right about now, so this is going to be a short update of how things have been going. I am much too busy with uni work at the moment to write too much on here which is a shame because lots of fun things have been happening in the world of my cello.

I finally have decided on a name for her, for a start. Ursula it is. Love that name (and Ursula le Guin), and it has started to sound right! Phew, glad that's decided because obviously it is impossible to play an instrument without anthropomorphising it as much as is realistically possible.

I am really enjoying playing Pachelbel at last. It it starting to sound.... presentable?? No, not presentable, but I think if someone knew the piece, and heard me playing it, they would recognise it. I am also enjoying playing Gavotte by Handel, but am finding Poloniase (Bach) Hard Work. It sounded so great when my teacher played it though, so I will perservere.

Bow hold is no longer causing me any pain, but now my left thumb is starting to ache, so I think I need to stop gripping the neck as tight. Also getting pins and needles in my bum all the time from the chair I use and back and neck are aching loads from essay writing. This instrument is slowly killing me, I swear.

However, it is my birthday on Sunday, and for my birthday I am receiving:
  • cello lessons (from parents as I can't afford them)
  • cello stand (from thomas as Ursula doesn't appreciate being leant against a book case)
  • stool (from thom's parents to stop my bum ache)
  • some new music (from a friend)
So it is a cello themed 24th birthday in store for me! yayyy!!