2:48 PM Beethoven Success!

I am disappointed to report that practice time for the fiddle these two weeks was Very sparse. Unfortunately, I had a lot of sick cats, and various other house issues which took most of my time away. Then there was an attempt at having a life... However, I was able to get the first two lines of the 4 line assignment memorized and at least sounding Sort of right. So I called that a nice success.

At today's lesson, we progressed to that third line. I was disappointed in myself that I had not practiced to a point of even trying that third line out before my lesson, but it didn't take long for me to pick it up. And the fourth line is the same as the first, so I already had that one down. By the end of the 30 minute lesson, I had the whole thing nearly memorized and I accidentally taught myself how to "slur."

This doesn't exactly mean I sound Good. My tone is apparently ok, but we made some adjustments in how I was holding the violin neck so I could reach the notes, and I received tape markers for a few of the finger positions because I was placing them just a little off naturally. Apparently that's why I didn't like how I sounded at home. Plus apparently my instrument was a little out of tune. It'll be nice when I get to a point where I can recognize what is in and out and do that tuning thing on my own.

As usual, I am absolutely my own worst critic, so I got told to "lighten up!" I have to keep reminding myself that I am just learning and doing well for someone who has only had about 4 lessons. I'm even learning something I'm not supposed to learn because I accidentally taught myself!

So no new songs this week. We just worked on getting Ode to Joy right and readjusting my fingers. I do have a nice new warm-up to replace the horrible made-up scale I was playing, though. And next time I get to bring my Own song in! So I'm looking for sheet music to something celtic. I guess I need to go through my CDs and find something traditional that I like and might be able to get the music easily.

10:52 PM Ah the marvels of progress

About halfway through my fiddle practice tonight I realized that I have the ability to record my practice sessions on my macbook. What a way to truely document progress!!!

I won't be publishing any of those practices until I'm at bit better though. I don't want to ravage anybody's ears. My poor neighbors probably hate me right about now.

3:21 PM Fiddle Lesson upgrade

I had my 2nd fiddle lesson today. And now I have upgraded. I have a Book of Songs! Yes folks, today I learned a few notes and I am on my way to playing Beethoven like a good little violinist.

But wait! Aren't I supposed to be playing Irish Fiddle? What's with this classical stuff? Well, I have to say that for a classical icon, Beethoven sure did compose a very easy, and yet exercising beginner symphony. That's right, I am learning the legandary Ode to Joy. The movement that everybody knows from his 9th symphony. This is also the first piece I ever learned for the flute for 6th grade band. And then when I was a senior in High School, I sang it in a city-wide choir production along with Faure's Requiem. So you see, I'm rather excited about this being my first song to learn because we have a bit of a history. I can't wait to get this piece down. I also want to move on to the next one, but mostly I want to perfect this one.

I still sound terrible, but things are Much improved now that I have new strings and have had my tuning pegs re-fitted. There is hope this week that I have a shot at being pretty decent. Yay!!

3:05 PM New Project - Fiddle lessons

Today I attended my very first fiddle lesson at the Fiddle and Bow Music Company. I was so excited to bring my violin to work and then to spend my lunch learning something new. And even hours after the lesson I am still excited. I made notes on my first day!

It's my understanding that many classical teachers won't allow you to even take your instrument out the early. They make you wait to actually play the instrument. But my instructor believes in doing it the way lessons have been taught since the beginning of music lessons. You learn to play on the first day. Although you can't say I was playing Well.

The first half of my first instruction was spent on the proper bow holding technique. Then I learned the proper bow movement technique. Then I learned how to hold the violin. And lastly, I learned how to draw the bow across the strings to make a sound. I have a lot of work to do practicing my posture and holding techniques. I have a tendency, like many, to press the bow down too hard and I'm not very coordinated in my wrist, but those are things to practice and improve upon.

The funny part of my lessons was my instructor's opinion of the strings that were supplied with my violin. I suppose those are the strings that came with it as I have never changed them and to my knowledge is is practically brand new and never used. He said, "if you can figure out how to get a good tone out of those strings, you can play on Anything!" And later "I may give you another set of strings, because if I have to listen to you..." Then he shook his head. But surprisingly, my super cheap little violin is capable of producing good sound aside from those "beastly" strings. So I am looking forward to practicing my heart out the next two weeks trying to produce a good sound.

My instructor thinks I can pick this instrument up and do well since I've had so much dance, and music in my background. And now that I've had my first lesson, I think I can do well if I make the time to practice. Now I just need to work hard. I have several exercises assigned for my homework and so plenty to keep me challenged until my next lesson.

2:57 PM A day of mourning

Today the world said an official goodbye to Michael Jackson. Like many people, I watched the memorial online from my office. I have not been an actual fan for many years.

Thriller was the first record I ever bought. I was in kindergarten. When I was a little older I remember wearing out the Bad tape. I think that was the first tape I ever actually wore out and couldn't listen to anymore. Over the years after Bad, I always watched MTV with wonder everytime he released a new video, but I never bought another CD and I soon lost touch with his music as a whole. I was going the Heavy Metal route. But watching this memorial today reminded me of much of my childhood and thus I mourned with the rest of the world. I mourned the loss of someone who so greatly influenced popular culture and even my own memories.

For all the accusations over the years, Michael Jackson was one who inspired many people. He was a generous giver and to his fans, a bright light in a world which can sometimes be harsh or cruel. So for today I am choosing to place all of the negativity aside and think only on the positive side of Michael Jackson. And I bestow my blessings on his family, especially his children. May they continue to remember their Daddy as they do now, and may they also be granted reprieve from the harsh media which often turned so horribly on their Daddy.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson. I hope that you now have the peace you searched so longingly for in life.

7:19 PM Favorite Song of the Moment

From that Robert Plant and Alison Krause CD Raising Sand. I love the banjo and the violin as well as the vocals are so haunting. That kind of violin is again a reason I have a desire to learn the instrument.