The purpose of this blog is to document my practice and my progress in regards to the violin, and perhaps to keep track of my growth as a musician in general.
I am currently a sophomore in college, pursuing B.A.s in music and English.
I my spare time I enjoy reading, drinking tea, play music, writing music, and being lazy with my cats.
Plan for the summer.
I plan to do a new scale every week. This doesn’t mean getting it perfect every week and at a fast tempo- just getting comfortable with the fingerings. I’m going to start from the beginning. This week, I focus on G major, Ab major, and A major. This includes major scale, minor scale, arpeggios, double stops, and harmonics.
I will also do a bit from the Carl Flesch Scale System. This week I will just do the section on the G major scale. Depending on how it goes, I’ll plan it accordingly.
I’m working on a few etudes in the Kreuzter. I’m going to keep working on No. 9 and 11. I’m also going to do various bowings with No. 2. Even though it’s an easy etude, it’s good for developing legato in the left hand. I’m also going to work on the etudes which work on octaves (I forget their numbers). And No. 12.
As for pieces, I’m going to finish Meditation and the Kreisler this week. We’ll see what my teacher gives me!
Once juries are over and the summer begins, I will be making daily posts with weekly or biweekly videos.
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Practice 1/1
G Major scale/arpeggios/double stops: Upped it to quarter note equals 120! I didn’t experience much of a difficulty. My octaves were making me angry today, but I got it right in the end.
Ab Major scale/arpeggios: Much better. Upped it to quarter note equals 72.
A Major scale: Upped it to 69. Needs work.
Bb Major scale: Added this today! Quarter note equals 66. For some reason, I want to shift to third position on the g’ when I should be shifting on d”.
Kreuzter No. 8: I don’t know why, but all of a sudden it sounds in tune. I’m hallucinating. I’m going to go into my lesson on Tuesday and my teacher is going to yell at me.
Kreuzter No. 9: Better. Sounds smoother. Shifts are more in tune.
Schradieck: I haven’t looked at this in a few days. I figured I’d up the tempo to 120 since that’s how I’m doing my G major scale and it really helped me see where I’m having trouble.
Mazas 10: I’m still working on this. I’m having bowing issues, but it’s nothing practicing won’t fix.
Liebesleid: Still need to work on shifting to that last note but I know I’ll be able to do it. Worked on being more expressive today.
Accolay concerto: Better. Tried playing along with a recording. ‘Twas a success, but it was too fast for the moment. I am so very close to completing the first page. So. Close.
Cavatina/Debussy/gig music: I refreshed on a few spots in Cavatina/Debussy for the gig.
***
Over these past few weeks, I’m impressed with myself. I got through a piece. I’m making progress on another. I’m keeping up with my scales. If I keep this things up where I add a scale a week, I can get through all the major scales by the end of the semester, with a few weeks to spare. This would mean I can do my minor scales over the summer. And maybe start my harmonic and melodic scales.
I’m pretty sure the Accolay concerto is going to be one of my jury pieces. I’m certain the Liebesleid will be for performance class. I thought about asking if I can play Debussy’s “Beau Soir” for performance class, but…my followers, I am going to tell you something.
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Practice 12/29
G major scale: I was bad I didn’t do my scales today.
Ab: Yup.
A: WHAT?!
Mazas: Instead of rushing, I’m going to work on ‘em. Just did No. 10 today. Progress was made. I worked a lot on this one.
Kreutzer: I’m scared. No. 8 sounded fine. As did No. 9. I must be hallucinating
Gig music: Went through a few Corelli sonatas just to keep ‘em in shape. Went through Beau Soir to work out and better a few spots.
Leibesled: Better. Could be smoother. The ending is better.
Accolay: Almost done with the first page :).
Orchestra: My friend gave me my part for his orchestra piece so I could get a head start on it. It’s alright. I just looked at the first page today.
I need to look at the piano trio music.
But I have a fantastic practice session today- especially with the Accolay.
12/26
Could not practice today :(. Back is in so much pain. Couldn’t move all day. Stayed in bed.
Tomorrow I crack down.
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Practice 12/24
G major scale/arpeggios/double stops: Better than I expected, especially the double stops! Tomorrow I up the tempo! Yay!
Ab major scale: This was better than I expected, too. Up the tempo tomorrow to…69.
Kreuzter No. 8 & 9: These were better than I expected, as well. I don’t know what it was about today, but everything was going well! I am going to play through them every day, of course, so they’re better in tune. I still want to work a bit more on No. 8 so I feel more confident about it.
Flesch: By god, this was better, too. I’m still focusing on the first one, though. I really want my intonation to be better. I decided to go measure by measure for the thirds. There’s this part where I play up to a 2 line E (I think? Two octaves above middle C) on the G string. I really want it to feel more comfortable. I frickin’ love this book. Instead of trying to rush through this book, I want to take my time with it. I’m rushing through my scales. I am giving them attention to intonation, of course, or else that would defeat the purpose of them. I hope this makes sense.
Liebesleid: I can’t believe how much I’ve progressed with this in the course of a week! I said I would finish it today, and I kind of did. Of course, there is still work to be done. The last two lines could use tweaking, and dynamics could always use improvement. I want to work a bit on it everyday, but I’m really happy with how much I’ve done.
Accolay: I started the first…three or four lines today. Even though that wasn’t planned.
Piano trio music: Look over the first and second movements. Didn’t really work on it.
Gig music: Didn’t look at it. Might later tonight. Might not. Probably will.
Today was a good practice day, I thought. I really felt like I made progress. Which is strange.
Practice 12/22
I just realized I didn’t update yesterday!
Everything was the same as the day before. I only have two lines left to work on for the piano trio music. Scales better, especially the Ab major scale. I worked on my etudes, just No. 9. There’s this small part I just can’t do! This one shift!
I decided that once I finish the Leibseled (sp?) I’m going start into the Accolay, because I really want to work on that before I see her and I haven’t been able to look at the Melodie. I’ll do both this coming week, but my focus will be the Accolay.
I’ll probably end up doing the Leibseled or Melodie for Performance class. I signed up for an earlier slot, February 7th. I wanted an earlier one and my teacher said I should, which is nice because I can get it out of the way now.
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Practice 12/21
G major scale/arpeggios: Fine. Didn’t have difficulty with the tempo. Still going to keep it at 112, though.
Ab major scale: Much better. Intonation was better. I want to keep it at 66 to work more on intonation, though.
Flesch: Much better! It doesn’t sound as squeaky! Going to finish up the first one tomorrow. Already started the second one. The second one is just an octave higher, so I should be able to finish it tomorrow.
Piano trio: Better! I need to work on the last bit of the second movement and getting the last movement up to tempo.
Liebesleid: Much better! I love playing this. It makes me so happy. I’m getting used to the fingerings. They feel great. Intonation is better. I’m constantly playing with the metronome. I have to work a bit more on the last third-ish. I also need to work more on dynamics.
Gig music: Great- or at least better. I went over the Cavatina. I figured I should play it because I already know it and the piano part is easy. I was surprised by how much I remembered, and how well I played the double stops and shifts.
I’m pretty sure I’m playing with the correct rhythm now. Everything just sounds better and feels like it fits more. I really hope it’s right- it would be great to hear my teacher confirm it.
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Practice 12/20
G major scale/arpeggios: Success! More in tune.
Le double stops: Still need to work on the last three octaves.
Ab major scale/arpeggios: The intonation sucks, but it’ll get there.
Flesch: So. Much. Fun.
Time for Noms. Nom break!
Piano trio: Almost done. Still have work to do with the second movement.
Music for gig: Looked over the Corelli sonatas we’re doing. Couldn’t look over the rest. Will look at the Debussy tomorrow.
Liebesleid: Going to look over it, then bed.
EDIT: I got the first half of Liebesleid done! It was easier than I thought. While playing it, I had a “This is why I love music” moment. After the last time I played through it, I had to stop to catch my breath.
I love those moments.
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