It’s been a month since I got back from SCOR! New England.  I thought I would have written about it immediately upon return, but It is tough to condense an intense week of workshops and making new musical friends into a few paragraphs. OK, it’s not tough for good writers.  But I needed some prompts to get over the writer’s block, and Beth and Kyle were kind enough to provide some:

[Note: I did not discuss the workshops or the Orchestra Practice in this article.  I will address those separately]

Although the message in the adult learning workshop was a consistent “you must accept where you are now”, I really was hoping I would be capable of higher grade pieces by now. Our first attempt at working a quartet piece was hilarious.  We were all lost by measure 3.   The experience of getting four strong personalities to communicate effectively was as satisfying as making the music.  I definitely want more, although I think I’ll make the 3-hour drive to Rochester next year instead of a 6 hour one to Rhode Island.   Still, the people were terrific and the schedule fit a lull in the workplace, so who knows.  It may indeed be RI again.

The other significant experience for me was my private lesson.  I recommend everybody take a yearly private lesson with somebody who is not your regular teacher.  They will notice things that will enhance your playing, and they know not to disrupt your existing pedagogy.  In my case, Carly Fleming pointed out that my tone was too forced, and that I need to let the string ring a little more.

Oh, and book early, especially your hotel.

If there has been one theme in this blog, it has been the continual promise that I’ll get on it someday.  With my upcoming visit to New England SCOR tomorrow, I thought it might be a good chance to get the blog-cogs turning again.  I’ll try not to make it sound like a commercial, but it will be my first experience at an adult music camp, so I’ll try to get in some detailed experiences.

My playing has been taking a beating during a recent intense project.  Hopefully this will help with the ole’ motivation.

Does anybody have some first time stories they’d like to share?  Please comment below!

I will resume normal posts on the stated schedule starting April 29.

This will help keep me predictable with my readers without burdening me with habits I won’t keep.

Second and fourth Sunday of every month.  It’s challenging to practice and blog about it.  An audio or video will be posted on each fourth Sunday.

I was told I was progressing!

Right now though, I’m avoiding practicing because the third octave of G major is proving to be challenging.  I feel lucky if I can get G-A-B right.

Do any scales give you trouble?  Which and where?

Moving up to the current date, my counting is definitely better, although subdividing rhythms remains a challenge.  As for my current lesson, the status looks as follows:

• Scherzo: try memorizing so you can really focus on dynamics.  The dynamics were too level.  Play with bravado, particularly on the sforzando.
• Schroeder: pay attention to drawing a straight bow, particularly on the A string.
• Start practicing more duets!  Today, we worked over a four-voiced holiday song.  My intonation, particularly on the F needs work.  I’m not sure how to manage this sort of thing for a particular note.  I’m supposed to listen for whether a note fit the chords “already in the air”.  It’s still a mystery to me.