30 min
Oy, it's been a longer break than I thought, though I did miss recording a couple of very short practices since my last log. The last time I played was at Sunday morning services before Christmas, 12/20. No, I had one of those short practices before my lesson on 12/21, but didn't play at all during that lesson. We discussed the musical map of Breval C in detail and discussed memorization strategies.
Anyway, I'm returning to practicing after a needed holiday layoff, but next week I spring back into a full schedule, including new orchestra music. Today was 30 minutes of relaxed, musical playing, with no work to speak of.
D MAJ, 4 octaves, linked halfs
Then I read through most of Suzuki Bk 4, since I wanted to run through Breval and it was convenient. That would include
Breval Sonata in C, Allegro and Rondo grazioso
Marcello Sonata in e, Adagio and Allegro
Bach Suite I Minuets
Tchaikovsky Chanson Triste
Suzuki Etude for changing strings
Scale in C, commonly used notes in tenor clef
Major scales in 2 octaves, fast half notes, C,G,D,A,E,Ab,Eb,Bb,F
It was a good half hour - I think I'll be ready to play some more tomorrow, and maybe even start working.
Wednesday, December 30
Monday, December 14
50 min
Time for post-recital regrouping. Warmed up with once through the Breval Sonata in C 1st mvmt. Then Tarantella at a fast tempo, followed by Popper #9 twice with as gritty, near-the-bridge physically free bowing as I could stand. ~15 min
Pulled out Haydn C and reviewed the first half of the exposition. It sounds better than the last time I looked at it - thanks Popper and Squire. I'm going to suggest that we do just a phrase or two at a time in lessons, making sure that my technical approach is good and discussing practice, and most importantly going on to the next phrase rather than continuing to start at the beginning. We'll see if that flies.
Alternated Haydn with Breval. I am also going to suggest I memorize and perform the Breval again with my new skill set.
Time for post-recital regrouping. Warmed up with once through the Breval Sonata in C 1st mvmt. Then Tarantella at a fast tempo, followed by Popper #9 twice with as gritty, near-the-bridge physically free bowing as I could stand. ~15 min
Pulled out Haydn C and reviewed the first half of the exposition. It sounds better than the last time I looked at it - thanks Popper and Squire. I'm going to suggest that we do just a phrase or two at a time in lessons, making sure that my technical approach is good and discussing practice, and most importantly going on to the next phrase rather than continuing to start at the beginning. We'll see if that flies.
Alternated Haydn with Breval. I am also going to suggest I memorize and perform the Breval again with my new skill set.
Sunday, December 13
17 min
Working backwards, hit the exposed divisi parts of the 4th mvmt then trouble spots in 4th, 3d, and 2nd mvmts. These aren't as complicated in the practice room, but we will be in a new configuration for the concert. It involves violas outside and cellos inside, which we've done before. However, because of extra equipment brought in (I'm not sure why) cellos may be sitting with a block of 4 in front, 2 on a riser to the side, and 2 behind the basses. Could be pretty bizarre, and will make the multiple divisi parts more tenuous. But here goes.
Working backwards, hit the exposed divisi parts of the 4th mvmt then trouble spots in 4th, 3d, and 2nd mvmts. These aren't as complicated in the practice room, but we will be in a new configuration for the concert. It involves violas outside and cellos inside, which we've done before. However, because of extra equipment brought in (I'm not sure why) cellos may be sitting with a block of 4 in front, 2 on a riser to the side, and 2 behind the basses. Could be pretty bizarre, and will make the multiple divisi parts more tenuous. But here goes.
45 min
Concert starts at 4pm. I'm trying to run the whole piece (Vaughan Williams Symphony #2 "London") just to refresh my memory beforehand, but there were lots of spots in the 1st mvmt where I needed to mark shifts still. Yes, I've been avoiding it until it's too late. Took 45 min to get through the very long first mvmt. We'll see if it proves to have been time well spent later.
Concert starts at 4pm. I'm trying to run the whole piece (Vaughan Williams Symphony #2 "London") just to refresh my memory beforehand, but there were lots of spots in the 1st mvmt where I needed to mark shifts still. Yes, I've been avoiding it until it's too late. Took 45 min to get through the very long first mvmt. We'll see if it proves to have been time well spent later.
25 min
Started with Popper #9, slowly, bow near bridge, exaggerating motions. Found myself noticing the string crossings, and more specifically, where there were NO string crossings. I have a tendency to move the level of the bow at bigger intervals even if they don't result in string change. Played through, omitting second staccato note throughout to hear the skeleton of the etude differently. Spent a few minutes memorizing the first phrase. This is tricky for me, as it involves skips within scale patterns instead of just scales. Started to feel the implied chords by playing double stops wherever it made sense. Relaxing warm up, ~20 min.
Tarantella. Run through from memory with some finger watching. My 2nd finger still collapses on fast passages on 4th position. ~5 min
Started with Popper #9, slowly, bow near bridge, exaggerating motions. Found myself noticing the string crossings, and more specifically, where there were NO string crossings. I have a tendency to move the level of the bow at bigger intervals even if they don't result in string change. Played through, omitting second staccato note throughout to hear the skeleton of the etude differently. Spent a few minutes memorizing the first phrase. This is tricky for me, as it involves skips within scale patterns instead of just scales. Started to feel the implied chords by playing double stops wherever it made sense. Relaxing warm up, ~20 min.
Tarantella. Run through from memory with some finger watching. My 2nd finger still collapses on fast passages on 4th position. ~5 min
Thursday, December 10
33 min
First, I spent 2-3 minutes tuning, as all of Emma's pegs had slipped and they don't stick very well once loosened.
Warmed up, as planned in lesson, with a run through of Tarantella. It's pretty ragged when played off first thing. Spent a little time exploring the desc scale from Bb. ~7 min
Offenbach 4tet Adagio. Changed my fingers for the Vc1 melody yet again. Stopped trying to do the double extension from C#1 to F#4 to B1 all on I. Instead, C#1 shift to F#3 on I over to B# on II, then down from there. We'll see how it sounds in ensemble.
Worked the high treble part. First, the timing trick D- showed me last week in rehearsal works great for geting the first G after the rest. In sum, I move from c chord to G4-I on first beat to G2-I an octave higher on the next beat. The shift is then just an octave shift from 4th finger to 2nd finger, and the beats keep everything organized.
Next I played the 4 patterns on the piano, got it in my ear, noted the intervals, and worked out fingering. It feels much more secure now.
Worked out the little transitional scale G Ab Bb C D and the little fancy 1/16th note flourish near the end.
Stopped when my attention started flagging and took a break to write down what I did.
First, I spent 2-3 minutes tuning, as all of Emma's pegs had slipped and they don't stick very well once loosened.
Warmed up, as planned in lesson, with a run through of Tarantella. It's pretty ragged when played off first thing. Spent a little time exploring the desc scale from Bb. ~7 min
Offenbach 4tet Adagio. Changed my fingers for the Vc1 melody yet again. Stopped trying to do the double extension from C#1 to F#4 to B1 all on I. Instead, C#1 shift to F#3 on I over to B# on II, then down from there. We'll see how it sounds in ensemble.
Worked the high treble part. First, the timing trick D- showed me last week in rehearsal works great for geting the first G after the rest. In sum, I move from c chord to G4-I on first beat to G2-I an octave higher on the next beat. The shift is then just an octave shift from 4th finger to 2nd finger, and the beats keep everything organized.
Next I played the 4 patterns on the piano, got it in my ear, noted the intervals, and worked out fingering. It feels much more secure now.
Worked out the little transitional scale G Ab Bb C D and the little fancy 1/16th note flourish near the end.
Stopped when my attention started flagging and took a break to write down what I did.
Sunday, December 6
20 min
Played in church this morning, but only one service and it didn't seem like we played much. So came home and did a 20 min warmup/refresher in preparation for the recital in a couple of hours.
~5 min Popper #9 twice through, first at moderate dancing tempo and then fast. There are still 2 somewhat chromatic passages that fall apart when I play it fast. Another round of slow work for tomorrow.
~15 min Tarantella. First at slightly faster than I should play it in performance (based on a couple of memory slips and really ragged ascending scale passages). Worked on gesture for the asc. scale, again, in yet another way. This time I did the finger patterns in first position until they became balanced - 1 half 2, 1 whole 2, 1whole 2 3. Then tried the scale focusing on keeping the finger feeling while moving my arm upward as a separate component. Worth spending some more time on after the recital, as I think it's too late to help for today, but useful.
Interesting how every time I play it through something else seems to jump out to become a problem. Nature of the beast, I guess.
Concentrate.
Played in church this morning, but only one service and it didn't seem like we played much. So came home and did a 20 min warmup/refresher in preparation for the recital in a couple of hours.
~5 min Popper #9 twice through, first at moderate dancing tempo and then fast. There are still 2 somewhat chromatic passages that fall apart when I play it fast. Another round of slow work for tomorrow.
~15 min Tarantella. First at slightly faster than I should play it in performance (based on a couple of memory slips and really ragged ascending scale passages). Worked on gesture for the asc. scale, again, in yet another way. This time I did the finger patterns in first position until they became balanced - 1 half 2, 1 whole 2, 1whole 2 3. Then tried the scale focusing on keeping the finger feeling while moving my arm upward as a separate component. Worth spending some more time on after the recital, as I think it's too late to help for today, but useful.
Interesting how every time I play it through something else seems to jump out to become a problem. Nature of the beast, I guess.
Concentrate.
Saturday, December 5
45 min
Last practice before recital.
Warmed up with Popper #9, just a run through. The work on trouble spots is starting to bear fruit. I may be ready to "pass" this at my next lesson. ~5 min.
Tarantella, ~40 min.
Started with a cold performance. A couple of memory trouble spots, bowing in the first phrase. Yikes. Repeated once throughs at the following tempos: dq=60, 80, 100, 120, 140 and finally with the Suzuki recording. Fun, DH had turned off the TV and was listening. His opinion was that it was better fast, but the recording was too fast. Really lost the impact of the melodic B section. Validation! It was very useful to review the bowings at a very slow tempo. The scales are still a little scrambly at performance speeds, but not enough to detract from the overall positive impression, so I plan to go for it tomorrow. I'm feeling confident.
Last practice before recital.
Warmed up with Popper #9, just a run through. The work on trouble spots is starting to bear fruit. I may be ready to "pass" this at my next lesson. ~5 min.
Tarantella, ~40 min.
Started with a cold performance. A couple of memory trouble spots, bowing in the first phrase. Yikes. Repeated once throughs at the following tempos: dq=60, 80, 100, 120, 140 and finally with the Suzuki recording. Fun, DH had turned off the TV and was listening. His opinion was that it was better fast, but the recording was too fast. Really lost the impact of the melodic B section. Validation! It was very useful to review the bowings at a very slow tempo. The scales are still a little scrambly at performance speeds, but not enough to detract from the overall positive impression, so I plan to go for it tomorrow. I'm feeling confident.
Friday, December 4
50 min
Warmed up wth Popper #9. Tried my Squire tactic of alternating playing too slow and too fast, with special attention to m13-16. Also checked intonation on many measures using double stops, open strings, and harmonic check notes. About 10 min.
The remainder (40 min) on Tarantella. Started playing a "performance" cold from memory. Went well. Some work on trouble spots, then with metronome dq=80. Special focus on gestures of scales in slow motion. Next from memory at dq=120. More trouble spots, especially presto at varying tempi. Finally, another run through with the Suzuki CD which is ~dq=220. See, I told you it was ridiculous. Had one memory lapse at that tempo in the B section and lost one of the phrases. At that tempo it's hard to recover more quickly.
Warmed up wth Popper #9. Tried my Squire tactic of alternating playing too slow and too fast, with special attention to m13-16. Also checked intonation on many measures using double stops, open strings, and harmonic check notes. About 10 min.
The remainder (40 min) on Tarantella. Started playing a "performance" cold from memory. Went well. Some work on trouble spots, then with metronome dq=80. Special focus on gestures of scales in slow motion. Next from memory at dq=120. More trouble spots, especially presto at varying tempi. Finally, another run through with the Suzuki CD which is ~dq=220. See, I told you it was ridiculous. Had one memory lapse at that tempo in the B section and lost one of the phrases. At that tempo it's hard to recover more quickly.
Thursday, December 3
Wednesday, December 2
60 min
Start with 11 min of Popper #9, warming up and playing with the patterns. Checking in with right elbow and pinky, left elbow and curved fingers.
Remainder on Tarantella.
Played from memory with metronome dq=100.
Worked the troublesome scales. I think I need to bring my thumb up with the first shift instead of the second.
Played from memory at performance tempo, or slightly faster.
More troublespots.
Played from memory with metronome at dq=80.
Finally, played from memory with the Suzuki accompaniment track. That blistering tempo is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. I did keep up, though, or at least didn't fall apart. I'm starting to feel confident that I can actually perform this from memory.
Start with 11 min of Popper #9, warming up and playing with the patterns. Checking in with right elbow and pinky, left elbow and curved fingers.
Remainder on Tarantella.
Played from memory with metronome dq=100.
Worked the troublesome scales. I think I need to bring my thumb up with the first shift instead of the second.
Played from memory at performance tempo, or slightly faster.
More troublespots.
Played from memory with metronome at dq=80.
Finally, played from memory with the Suzuki accompaniment track. That blistering tempo is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. I did keep up, though, or at least didn't fall apart. I'm starting to feel confident that I can actually perform this from memory.
Tuesday, December 1
Monday, November 30
30 min
Getting ready for lesson with a small slice across my left fingertip. Hurts to play. I put a layer of some super gluish product on it, and it helped.
Warmup with D MAJ and Popper, then on to Tarantella. I'm sure that that is all T4- will be interested in hearing tonight, with the studio class/recital coming up next weeked.
Getting ready for lesson with a small slice across my left fingertip. Hurts to play. I put a layer of some super gluish product on it, and it helped.
Warmup with D MAJ and Popper, then on to Tarantella. I'm sure that that is all T4- will be interested in hearing tonight, with the studio class/recital coming up next weeked.
Friday, November 27
Monday, November 23
Saturday, November 21
15 min
The song for church tomorrow is Not Unto Us by Michael Neal. Usually there are two cellos, and I play the bottom line when there are two lines. Tomorrow there are two lines but only one cello, and the bassoon prefers to play the bottom line of the cello part. So much for all those rehearsals! Since much of the song is in Ab I thought it would be wise to run through it and mark optimal shifts for the top cello line. Now I'm ready for my 7am call, except for the waking up part.
The song for church tomorrow is Not Unto Us by Michael Neal. Usually there are two cellos, and I play the bottom line when there are two lines. Tomorrow there are two lines but only one cello, and the bassoon prefers to play the bottom line of the cello part. So much for all those rehearsals! Since much of the song is in Ab I thought it would be wise to run through it and mark optimal shifts for the top cello line. Now I'm ready for my 7am call, except for the waking up part.
Friday, November 20
60 min
wu ~5 min Feuillard #33, Popper #9
~5 min D MAJ thru 1/8
~20 min Tarantella working on trouble spots. Also read once thumb position exercise in Suzuki 6 just before Squire. Not sure what the purpose of having it there is, but it's useful for other things. Practiced timing of upward shifts on old bow, rolling on and pulling off with LH fingers.
~30 min Handel Chamber Suite in D, read Adagio and fingered Allegro. Adagio will need work at a future session. Preparing Vc1 part to read at next quartet rehearsal in 2 weeks.
wu ~5 min Feuillard #33, Popper #9
~5 min D MAJ thru 1/8
~20 min Tarantella working on trouble spots. Also read once thumb position exercise in Suzuki 6 just before Squire. Not sure what the purpose of having it there is, but it's useful for other things. Practiced timing of upward shifts on old bow, rolling on and pulling off with LH fingers.
~30 min Handel Chamber Suite in D, read Adagio and fingered Allegro. Adagio will need work at a future session. Preparing Vc1 part to read at next quartet rehearsal in 2 weeks.
Thursday, November 19
30 min
Popper #9, 1st page
Bach Fugetta
Dvorak Bagatelles
Remembered I hadn't listened to the recording of the Offenbach Adagio, so did that while I followed the score. Very useful - doesn't seem nearly so impossible. Worked a few minutes on the melodic Vc1 lines.
That's all the time I had, as I needed to label all of the new quartet music I got in th email this week. It was a decent warmup for rehearsal, though.
Popper #9, 1st page
Bach Fugetta
Dvorak Bagatelles
Remembered I hadn't listened to the recording of the Offenbach Adagio, so did that while I followed the score. Very useful - doesn't seem nearly so impossible. Worked a few minutes on the melodic Vc1 lines.
That's all the time I had, as I needed to label all of the new quartet music I got in th email this week. It was a decent warmup for rehearsal, though.
Wednesday, November 18
Sunday, November 15
10 min
Only played one service this morning, and it felt pretty short. This afternoon we're off to celebrate my FIL's birthday, but I had 10 spareminutes, so...
Popper #9 Played through slowly once, paying attention to the short stroke into the slur. Then a second time, stopping to repeat each measure stumbled upon until I played it correctly 3x in a row. Kind of fun.
Only played one service this morning, and it felt pretty short. This afternoon we're off to celebrate my FIL's birthday, but I had 10 spareminutes, so...
Popper #9 Played through slowly once, paying attention to the short stroke into the slur. Then a second time, stopping to repeat each measure stumbled upon until I played it correctly 3x in a row. Kind of fun.
Saturday, November 14
30 min
Warmup 5 min playing through Popper #9 slowly. Concentrating on keeping th eweight the same on staccato strong crossings. Thinking of the second staccato note leading into the slur.
Bach prelude #3 10 min. Really just playing around. Trying varying amounts of rubato, slurs in the opening. Just the first half of the page.
Squire Tarantella 15 min. Started with the Presto, working on the hand balance in the fast notes under the slur, then the elbow opening in the fast down bow. Experimanted a bit with putting them both together, then moved on the the B section. Passage work in a loop, paying attention to finger patterns. Then playing from memory, again focusing on hand balance and good quality of sound.
Moved on to the A secion, working the 2 scale passages that give me the most difficulty in gestures. Finally trying the entire A section from memory.
Warmup 5 min playing through Popper #9 slowly. Concentrating on keeping th eweight the same on staccato strong crossings. Thinking of the second staccato note leading into the slur.
Bach prelude #3 10 min. Really just playing around. Trying varying amounts of rubato, slurs in the opening. Just the first half of the page.
Squire Tarantella 15 min. Started with the Presto, working on the hand balance in the fast notes under the slur, then the elbow opening in the fast down bow. Experimanted a bit with putting them both together, then moved on the the B section. Passage work in a loop, paying attention to finger patterns. Then playing from memory, again focusing on hand balance and good quality of sound.
Moved on to the A secion, working the 2 scale passages that give me the most difficulty in gestures. Finally trying the entire A section from memory.
Friday, November 13
I did think about practicing, but rejected the idea as impossible. Spent the whole afternoon running a kitten adoptathon at my house, with a short break to run up and seal the deal on my new car. Hardly had time to enjoy that when Chester and Charlie were adopted and I was thrust into depression. Didn't have time to work out, either. I know it was a good day, but it will take me a while to get over it.
Thursday, November 12
40 min
Warmup 5 min playing through Popper #9 slowly, focusing on the short note leading into the slur.
Then 35 min trying to figure out the Vc1 part to Offenbach Adagio for cello quartet. I think I'll be OK except for a very high treble clef part in the middle.
Took a short break at 25 min to check all the email coming in, but stopped the timer while I wasn't practicing.
Warmup 5 min playing through Popper #9 slowly, focusing on the short note leading into the slur.
Then 35 min trying to figure out the Vc1 part to Offenbach Adagio for cello quartet. I think I'll be OK except for a very high treble clef part in the middle.
Took a short break at 25 min to check all the email coming in, but stopped the timer while I wasn't practicing.
Tuesday, November 10
Monday, November 9
10 min
Tarantella
Mostly a refresher, with some time spent on the presto. I don't feel like I'm making any progress. Yes, partially because I've been avoiding practicing it, but also partially because I have no idea what to practice to make it better at this point. Just running through it isn't changing anything.
Tarantella
Mostly a refresher, with some time spent on the presto. I don't feel like I'm making any progress. Yes, partially because I've been avoiding practicing it, but also partially because I have no idea what to practice to make it better at this point. Just running through it isn't changing anything.
Monday, November 2
16 min
Jumped right in to Popper #7. I think I would like to cover this tonight in lesson. Worked with metronome, starting at 1/8=120, running whole piece. At dotted quarter = 52 started tripping over wicked string xing section at m 17, so spent last few minutes at dq=52 working those 6 measures. Finished with a run through at proposed performance tempo, which is about dq=60. Definitely improved, plus warmed up, to boot.
Jumped right in to Popper #7. I think I would like to cover this tonight in lesson. Worked with metronome, starting at 1/8=120, running whole piece. At dotted quarter = 52 started tripping over wicked string xing section at m 17, so spent last few minutes at dq=52 working those 6 measures. Finished with a run through at proposed performance tempo, which is about dq=60. Definitely improved, plus warmed up, to boot.
Friday, October 30
17 min
No warmup per se. Just started in, slowly, on the tricky bit of Dvorak Bagatelle #1, near the end. This was a totally slimy practice. I wanted to do something to warm up my fingertips, as they are still raw from yesterday. Cello quartet rehearsal went well, but there are a few parts where I need to solidify fingerings or bring it up to speed. I started 7 minutes before a show I wanted to watch came on, setting my 15 min count down timer. I paused the timer when the show came on, then continued during 3 or 4 commercial breaks. I had a couple of minutes left at the end, so finished the break. Believe it or not, it was productive work, and my fingertips got warm. Should feel good for the concert dress rehearsal tomorrow morning, followed by our concert on Sunday.
11 min Bagatelle #1
6 min Bagatelle #2
No warmup per se. Just started in, slowly, on the tricky bit of Dvorak Bagatelle #1, near the end. This was a totally slimy practice. I wanted to do something to warm up my fingertips, as they are still raw from yesterday. Cello quartet rehearsal went well, but there are a few parts where I need to solidify fingerings or bring it up to speed. I started 7 minutes before a show I wanted to watch came on, setting my 15 min count down timer. I paused the timer when the show came on, then continued during 3 or 4 commercial breaks. I had a couple of minutes left at the end, so finished the break. Believe it or not, it was productive work, and my fingertips got warm. Should feel good for the concert dress rehearsal tomorrow morning, followed by our concert on Sunday.
11 min Bagatelle #1
6 min Bagatelle #2
Thursday, October 29
15 min
Bach Fughetta (I think this is from a Cellobrations volume.)
Worked out tricky fingerings, bariolage with extensions. Also turned out to be a good warmup for thumb position, as one line is best played with thumb on 4th pos'n and hand in WHW shape on both A and D strings.
Main goal for today's practice session is to prevent me from embarassing myself (again) at quartet rehearsal tonight!
Bach Fughetta (I think this is from a Cellobrations volume.)
Worked out tricky fingerings, bariolage with extensions. Also turned out to be a good warmup for thumb position, as one line is best played with thumb on 4th pos'n and hand in WHW shape on both A and D strings.
Main goal for today's practice session is to prevent me from embarassing myself (again) at quartet rehearsal tonight!
Monday, October 26
Wednesday, October 21
30 min
Tabata warmup
Same as Tuesday's
I am beginning to feel progress happening, especially in Feuillard #8 (the slinky hand upward). Even the downward part feels a little less impossible.
I really love this warmup. I think a big advantage is not having to think about what I'm going to do next. The focus on each task seems much more pure.
Tabata warmup
Same as Tuesday's
I am beginning to feel progress happening, especially in Feuillard #8 (the slinky hand upward). Even the downward part feels a little less impossible.
I really love this warmup. I think a big advantage is not having to think about what I'm going to do next. The focus on each task seems much more pure.
Tuesday, October 20
30 min
Tabata warmup
Timer set to 10 reps of 2:40/:20
Tasks
1. Feuillard #33 short detache, L hand peeling, "body commitment"
2. Feuillard #2 var 17 L hand peeling
3. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short down long up bow pattern
4. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short slurred 2 down long up pattern
5. Feuillard #9 var 1 with relaxed shifts on 1
6. Feuillard #8 var 1 upward with slinky hand shifts
7. Feuillard #8 var 1 downward with finger replacement shifts, thumb timing
8. Feuillard #34 var 4 and 34 ud
9. Feuillard #35 with Bach bowing 3 slurred down 1 up on middle note
10. Suzuki Haydn prep Perpetual Motion, no hand blocks
This week there are more than 10 things. Maybe I need to set up a second cycle, and alternate days, or something.
Tabata warmup
Timer set to 10 reps of 2:40/:20
Tasks
1. Feuillard #33 short detache, L hand peeling, "body commitment"
2. Feuillard #2 var 17 L hand peeling
3. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short down long up bow pattern
4. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short slurred 2 down long up pattern
5. Feuillard #9 var 1 with relaxed shifts on 1
6. Feuillard #8 var 1 upward with slinky hand shifts
7. Feuillard #8 var 1 downward with finger replacement shifts, thumb timing
8. Feuillard #34 var 4 and 34 ud
9. Feuillard #35 with Bach bowing 3 slurred down 1 up on middle note
10. Suzuki Haydn prep Perpetual Motion, no hand blocks
This week there are more than 10 things. Maybe I need to set up a second cycle, and alternate days, or something.
Monday, October 19
Sunday, October 18
No, I didn't practice all weekend. Saturday I spent 5 hours at the shelter being a foster interface. Took DH to get fitted for running shoes in the afternoon. Got to see the end of the PSU vs UMN football game (We are... Penn State...). I guess I don't have an excuse (that I remember) for Saturday night. No, wait. I had to go feed D-'s kittens.
Sunday I played one church service, so I did get some cello time in. Fed D-'s kittens again, had a gut-blasting breakfast at TJ's (raspberry french toast fritters - yum) which required a 2 hour nap afterward. Took out screens and put in storm doors, then because the weather was so nice (and they really needed it) washed all the outside windows. Cooked salmon cakes from my new Japanese cookbook (another yum) then went off to S-'s house to give shots to kittens. Came home and gave shot and meds to little Arnie while we were at it, since he was due.
And then I was out of weekend.
Ooh. I just looked and saw I haven't practiced since Wed. Good thing I had some good practices early in the week.
Sunday I played one church service, so I did get some cello time in. Fed D-'s kittens again, had a gut-blasting breakfast at TJ's (raspberry french toast fritters - yum) which required a 2 hour nap afterward. Took out screens and put in storm doors, then because the weather was so nice (and they really needed it) washed all the outside windows. Cooked salmon cakes from my new Japanese cookbook (another yum) then went off to S-'s house to give shots to kittens. Came home and gave shot and meds to little Arnie while we were at it, since he was due.
And then I was out of weekend.
Ooh. I just looked and saw I haven't practiced since Wed. Good thing I had some good practices early in the week.
Wednesday, October 14
15 min
More Cellobratons: Classics for Four Cellos
arr and ed by Rosalyn Heuer and Joan Harrison
My assignment for quartet tomorrow night is to be prepared to play the Vc1 parts in this volume, so this block was dedicated to reading through them. Got exactly half way through, so hopefully that means one more block and I will at least be familiar with them.
Today:
Chopin Cantabile from cello sonata in g
Dvorak Bagatelles #1 and #5
Brahms Finale from Symphony #1
Beethoven Ode to Joy
They're pretty decent arrangements, and not too hard, though a few spots could stand a little fingering attention.
And I just remembered that I need to find my Offenbach quartet and take a look at the 1st movement. That will take more than just a reading. Now, where did I leave that...
More Cellobratons: Classics for Four Cellos
arr and ed by Rosalyn Heuer and Joan Harrison
My assignment for quartet tomorrow night is to be prepared to play the Vc1 parts in this volume, so this block was dedicated to reading through them. Got exactly half way through, so hopefully that means one more block and I will at least be familiar with them.
Today:
Chopin Cantabile from cello sonata in g
Dvorak Bagatelles #1 and #5
Brahms Finale from Symphony #1
Beethoven Ode to Joy
They're pretty decent arrangements, and not too hard, though a few spots could stand a little fingering attention.
And I just remembered that I need to find my Offenbach quartet and take a look at the 1st movement. That will take more than just a reading. Now, where did I leave that...
15 min
Tarantella
Today I am setting the timer in countdown mode, 15 minute blocks. It's a good tactic to get me into a "just do it" mindset.
Playing with physical commitment. Watch bow distribution, make sure the small notes are heard. A little spot procatice on my two scale bugaboos. Memorization is coming along well. Wish I had an accompaniment track. May break down andbuy a Suzuki CD.
Tarantella
Today I am setting the timer in countdown mode, 15 minute blocks. It's a good tactic to get me into a "just do it" mindset.
Playing with physical commitment. Watch bow distribution, make sure the small notes are heard. A little spot procatice on my two scale bugaboos. Memorization is coming along well. Wish I had an accompaniment track. May break down andbuy a Suzuki CD.
30 min
Tabata warmup
Timer set to 10 reps of 2:40/:20
Tasks
1. Feuillard #33 short detache and warm up "body commitment"
2. Feuillard #2 var 17 2nd measure without bow, then big bow
3. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short down long up bow pattern
4. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short slurred 2 down long up pattern
5. Feuillard #8 var 1 with slinky hand shifts
6. Feuillard #34 var 4 and 34 ud
7. Feuillard #35 with Bach bowing 3 slurred down 1 up on middle note
8. Feuillard #36 with expository chords
9. Suzuki Haydn prep Perpetual Motion
10. Suzuki Haydn prep for m40
Modifications and notes:
(3) worked best with a metronome to keep the rhythm honest
(4) took awhile to get into the bowing. For this one, the metronome was a distraction. Looking at the notes helped.
(5) Too much to do in 2.5 min, so ended up repeating the first two hand patterns in a loop.
(8) Icky chords. Ended up just working a C major chord. Need to find a more useful chord progression. (Maybe Duport 7?)
(9) and (10) Ended up slowing way down to work on tone. Must unlock the hand from the frame while playing the notes.
(10) Practiced bowing variations before double stopping.
Learned: 20 sec is not long enough to get up, look at the list on the computer, and turn the page. Next time, need to at least mark the pages for quick page turns, and consider printing out the list.
Also, this is a *great* warmup. So great, I need a little break before I practice!
Stopwatch manual
Tabata warmup
Timer set to 10 reps of 2:40/:20
Tasks
1. Feuillard #33 short detache and warm up "body commitment"
2. Feuillard #2 var 17 2nd measure without bow, then big bow
3. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short down long up bow pattern
4. Feuillard #33 with Haydn short slurred 2 down long up pattern
5. Feuillard #8 var 1 with slinky hand shifts
6. Feuillard #34 var 4 and 34 ud
7. Feuillard #35 with Bach bowing 3 slurred down 1 up on middle note
8. Feuillard #36 with expository chords
9. Suzuki Haydn prep Perpetual Motion
10. Suzuki Haydn prep for m40
Modifications and notes:
(3) worked best with a metronome to keep the rhythm honest
(4) took awhile to get into the bowing. For this one, the metronome was a distraction. Looking at the notes helped.
(5) Too much to do in 2.5 min, so ended up repeating the first two hand patterns in a loop.
(8) Icky chords. Ended up just working a C major chord. Need to find a more useful chord progression. (Maybe Duport 7?)
(9) and (10) Ended up slowing way down to work on tone. Must unlock the hand from the frame while playing the notes.
(10) Practiced bowing variations before double stopping.
Learned: 20 sec is not long enough to get up, look at the list on the computer, and turn the page. Next time, need to at least mark the pages for quick page turns, and consider printing out the list.
Also, this is a *great* warmup. So great, I need a little break before I practice!
Stopwatch manual
Tuesday, October 13
32 min
Warm-up with Feuillard #33 a few times through with short detache at a variety of tempos. Then Feuillard #8, var 1. This is triplets ascending up the A string a step at a time in C MAJ. Exploring the notes with detache bowing.
Moved on to Haydn C exposition. Focus on the little bowing variations, alternating between the phrase and working the bowing in Feuillard #8. After 20 minutes, moved on to the second half of the exposition, learning the notes and fingerings in T4-'s edition. I notice that the Henle ed has different double stops than the other editions I have seen. Wonder what's up with that?
Warm-up with Feuillard #33 a few times through with short detache at a variety of tempos. Then Feuillard #8, var 1. This is triplets ascending up the A string a step at a time in C MAJ. Exploring the notes with detache bowing.
Moved on to Haydn C exposition. Focus on the little bowing variations, alternating between the phrase and working the bowing in Feuillard #8. After 20 minutes, moved on to the second half of the exposition, learning the notes and fingerings in T4-'s edition. I notice that the Henle ed has different double stops than the other editions I have seen. Wonder what's up with that?
Monday, October 12
35 min
Haydn C
Chop wood, carry water.
New edition from T4-. Finally looked at the bowings. Changed one fingering. Practiced the exposition phrase by phrase, 10x each. Tried to play at least the last 3 reps from memory. Focus on kinesthetics of the shifts and bowings. Had some mini gesture building to do within the phrases. Got up to the thumb position scales.
Haydn C
Chop wood, carry water.
New edition from T4-. Finally looked at the bowings. Changed one fingering. Practiced the exposition phrase by phrase, 10x each. Tried to play at least the last 3 reps from memory. Focus on kinesthetics of the shifts and bowings. Had some mini gesture building to do within the phrases. Got up to the thumb position scales.
15 min
Warmup with random notes, then Feuillard #33, followed by a few random chords, then #2 var 17, 1st measure. I am a total spaz, but the coordination is slowly coming. That took about 5 min.
Popper #7
I fear I have forgotton many of the lesson tips about bringing that middle section up to speed. Spent most time there, comparing and contrasting the gestures. Didn't feel very efficient, but think I made some progress.
Warmup with random notes, then Feuillard #33, followed by a few random chords, then #2 var 17, 1st measure. I am a total spaz, but the coordination is slowly coming. That took about 5 min.
Popper #7
I fear I have forgotton many of the lesson tips about bringing that middle section up to speed. Spent most time there, comparing and contrasting the gestures. Didn't feel very efficient, but think I made some progress.
Friday, October 9
12 min
Warmup with Feuillard #33 detache at various tempi then #2 var 17 to get the finger pattern gesture on fingertips thing going.
D MAJ scale, practicing contrary motion with foot presses R on down L on up, linked half notes then 4 slurred quarters then 4 slurred martele quarters. Ridiculous swaying, on purpose. A glass of Kistler helps.
Warmup with Feuillard #33 detache at various tempi then #2 var 17 to get the finger pattern gesture on fingertips thing going.
D MAJ scale, practicing contrary motion with foot presses R on down L on up, linked half notes then 4 slurred quarters then 4 slurred martele quarters. Ridiculous swaying, on purpose. A glass of Kistler helps.
Thursday, October 8
15 min
Bach Air
OK, I'll admit it. I still haven't decided on fingerings and bowings. But it's coming along. I hope not to embarass myself again at quartet rehearsal tonight. Today's practice was spent trying alternates phrase by phrase.
I would have continued longer, but Cricket showed up at the door (where she is not supposed to be) and I had to get up to let her in.
Bach Air
OK, I'll admit it. I still haven't decided on fingerings and bowings. But it's coming along. I hope not to embarass myself again at quartet rehearsal tonight. Today's practice was spent trying alternates phrase by phrase.
I would have continued longer, but Cricket showed up at the door (where she is not supposed to be) and I had to get up to let her in.
30 min
Warmed up with Feuillard, #33-35. Several iterations of 33 and 34 with different bowings, then the 3 Bach bowings on 35 - u2d2 in ds, u2d2 bowed, and d3u1. This is a very good preparation for working in the Bach.
Which is what I did next, focusing 1/3 on m37-44, the d3u1 bowing, and the bulk of this segment on m44-60, those thumb position chords. Within that, my primary focus was on the kinesthetics of moving into each chord change, working only the u2d2 ds bowing. I'm starting to get a feel for the large level changes required of the left elbow to facilitate the transition into and out of thumb position.
Warmed up with Feuillard, #33-35. Several iterations of 33 and 34 with different bowings, then the 3 Bach bowings on 35 - u2d2 in ds, u2d2 bowed, and d3u1. This is a very good preparation for working in the Bach.
Which is what I did next, focusing 1/3 on m37-44, the d3u1 bowing, and the bulk of this segment on m44-60, those thumb position chords. Within that, my primary focus was on the kinesthetics of moving into each chord change, working only the u2d2 ds bowing. I'm starting to get a feel for the large level changes required of the left elbow to facilitate the transition into and out of thumb position.
Sunday, October 4
20 min
Tarantella
Spent most of the time on the three scales. Slow, then bits in gestures. Down from Bb is still the worst. Feel like I'm making progress on the others.
Attempted to play from memory at a slow speed- dotted quarter =92. Amazing how much of my memory is in the gestures now. Have a hard time playing slow from memory. Probably worth some more time.
I'm beginning ot wonder if I am going to make much more progress at this piece this time around. May be time to perform it where it's at and go on.
Tarantella
Spent most of the time on the three scales. Slow, then bits in gestures. Down from Bb is still the worst. Feel like I'm making progress on the others.
Attempted to play from memory at a slow speed- dotted quarter =92. Amazing how much of my memory is in the gestures now. Have a hard time playing slow from memory. Probably worth some more time.
I'm beginning ot wonder if I am going to make much more progress at this piece this time around. May be time to perform it where it's at and go on.
I took 2 days off for no very good reason, so figured I had better practice today. It was a short morning in church - only one service, and other than being there an hour early for rehearsal that took only 20 minutes.
24 min
Started with a Feuillard warmup. Did a #33 detache, then slurred bowings on #34. After about 4 min jumped into the Bach chord section. Finally realized that the "Bach bowing" I have been doing on #34 (up/down over 2 strings) is not going to do it for an alternative, since Bach is actually over 3 strings. Spent some time learning the chords to Feuillard #35, which is 3-note chords, and did some "Bach bowing" there. The again ran through most of the rest of the prelude.
I still feel like this isn't very good practice, as I am not absolutely committed to the bowings that I have chosen. I suppose I should just commit and then really practice.
24 min
Started with a Feuillard warmup. Did a #33 detache, then slurred bowings on #34. After about 4 min jumped into the Bach chord section. Finally realized that the "Bach bowing" I have been doing on #34 (up/down over 2 strings) is not going to do it for an alternative, since Bach is actually over 3 strings. Spent some time learning the chords to Feuillard #35, which is 3-note chords, and did some "Bach bowing" there. The again ran through most of the rest of the prelude.
I still feel like this isn't very good practice, as I am not absolutely committed to the bowings that I have chosen. I suppose I should just commit and then really practice.
Friday, October 2
Thursday, October 1
25 min
Do not feel like practicing. It's been raining all day and my cello is a big wolfy, buzzing mess.
Nevertheless, I started wit Feuillard warmup, first detache #33 the a couple of chord variaitions on #34. About 4 min.
Jumped into Bach prelude. The chord section seemed too much to deal with today, so I focused on the first phrase. Used my new bow hold and pedal assistance to try to make a C MAJ scale as clean as possible. Not easy tonight.
A few forays through the rest of the piece which were not very productive, and intermittant detache cleanups on Feuillard.
At least I did something, I suppose.
Do not feel like practicing. It's been raining all day and my cello is a big wolfy, buzzing mess.
Nevertheless, I started wit Feuillard warmup, first detache #33 the a couple of chord variaitions on #34. About 4 min.
Jumped into Bach prelude. The chord section seemed too much to deal with today, so I focused on the first phrase. Used my new bow hold and pedal assistance to try to make a C MAJ scale as clean as possible. Not easy tonight.
A few forays through the rest of the piece which were not very productive, and intermittant detache cleanups on Feuillard.
At least I did something, I suppose.
Wednesday, September 30
20 min
Started with false harmonics ala Iberia.
Feuillard #33 gooey detache at a variety of speeds. This really is a pretty good warm up.
Bach Air is not good to get the fingers moving, but is great afterward as a whole body warmup. Worked the phrases, playing with the balance from the feet. I think I need to change a few of T4-'s recommended bowings. But the little thumb position section is coming along well.
Playing Emma today - Petra is still packed from orch last night, and I decided to just leave it to take to church tonight. G and C really dead - need to replace these old Helicores.
Started with false harmonics ala Iberia.
Feuillard #33 gooey detache at a variety of speeds. This really is a pretty good warm up.
Bach Air is not good to get the fingers moving, but is great afterward as a whole body warmup. Worked the phrases, playing with the balance from the feet. I think I need to change a few of T4-'s recommended bowings. But the little thumb position section is coming along well.
Playing Emma today - Petra is still packed from orch last night, and I decided to just leave it to take to church tonight. G and C really dead - need to replace these old Helicores.
Tuesday, September 29
56 min
WU with Feuillard #33, trying for that gooey detache. Working with bow hold, trying to reproduce what we came up with at lesson last night: 1 on top, 2 hooked under, 3 in curve of frog pushing down on ferrule, 4 curved into frog where it meets the stick. "Allowing" arm weight.
New feet placement, making sure I am not internally rotated at the hips, using feet to push against floor to give more support. Rt foot pushes on downbow.
Bach Air.
Working on the new shifts. Lots of old finger shifts. New bowings, too. Appreciate T4- taking the time to work out recommendations. Supination to hook the string, start long notes with a phhhht instead of a kkkkkk. Spent about 45 min.
Finish with another 5 min of Feuillard, Emily's martele 4 and 8 to a bow. That was fun!
Index finger feels good today. Must be aware and not damage it again on Wed night.
WU with Feuillard #33, trying for that gooey detache. Working with bow hold, trying to reproduce what we came up with at lesson last night: 1 on top, 2 hooked under, 3 in curve of frog pushing down on ferrule, 4 curved into frog where it meets the stick. "Allowing" arm weight.
New feet placement, making sure I am not internally rotated at the hips, using feet to push against floor to give more support. Rt foot pushes on downbow.
Bach Air.
Working on the new shifts. Lots of old finger shifts. New bowings, too. Appreciate T4- taking the time to work out recommendations. Supination to hook the string, start long notes with a phhhht instead of a kkkkkk. Spent about 45 min.
Finish with another 5 min of Feuillard, Emily's martele 4 and 8 to a bow. That was fun!
Index finger feels good today. Must be aware and not damage it again on Wed night.
Monday, September 28
11 min
Haydn C
Played through 1.5 pages. (Waiting for recommended beginning bowings & fingerings from T4-, so I'm not wanting to do much cementing in muscle memory yet.) Went back to the prep exercises for 8 min. Then back to the piece to ID trouble spots. Worst is the detache scale up to A - because of the fast shifts.
Haydn C
Played through 1.5 pages. (Waiting for recommended beginning bowings & fingerings from T4-, so I'm not wanting to do much cementing in muscle memory yet.) Went back to the prep exercises for 8 min. Then back to the piece to ID trouble spots. Worst is the detache scale up to A - because of the fast shifts.
Sunday, September 27
Got up at 5:45am to play in church. Finished at 11:15. Realized where my index finger pain is coming from - pressing too hard while being the rhythm section in the rock music. Lots of III-A and IV-D's. Payed attention to pressing lightly while playing loudly this morning, and at least didn't aggravate the pain further. But didn't feel like practicing after 4 hours of work in the morning.
Saturday, September 26
16 min
Left fingertip is *still* sore, but I'm doing a little practice just to keep my mental facilities in the game for next week. Warmed up on and ran through Dvorak New World Symphony 4th mvmt fingering issues. Why do I recall some nonexistant passage work in this movement?
Tried to work on Debussy Iberia 2nd mvmt, but it's like it's written in code. It didn't seem that obtuse at rehearsal on Tuesday.
Left fingertip is *still* sore, but I'm doing a little practice just to keep my mental facilities in the game for next week. Warmed up on and ran through Dvorak New World Symphony 4th mvmt fingering issues. Why do I recall some nonexistant passage work in this movement?
Tried to work on Debussy Iberia 2nd mvmt, but it's like it's written in code. It didn't seem that obtuse at rehearsal on Tuesday.
Friday, September 25
Thursday, September 24
Wednesday, September 23
Tuesday, September 22
33 min
Haydn C
Alternated back and forth between prep ex (Perpetual Motion with thumb on mid harmonic II-III or 3d pos'n I-II, and chord prep for m40). P1 focus was on keeping the bow near the balance point. P2 focus was hand patterns for scales in various thumb positions. Keep 4th finger relaxed while playing thumb + 3.
Must stop now so my fingers won't be too raw for rehearsal tonight.
Haydn C
Alternated back and forth between prep ex (Perpetual Motion with thumb on mid harmonic II-III or 3d pos'n I-II, and chord prep for m40). P1 focus was on keeping the bow near the balance point. P2 focus was hand patterns for scales in various thumb positions. Keep 4th finger relaxed while playing thumb + 3.
Must stop now so my fingers won't be too raw for rehearsal tonight.
30 min
Orchestra prep
Spent 10 minutes with excerpts from Dvorak 9 in Rose, then dug out CDs of sheet music for Dvorak 9 and Debussy Iberia. (Symphony is a piece of cake compared to Iberia!) The third piece on the next Civic program is a mandolin concerto by Griffith, which I'm sure I don't have music for.
After printing, 20 more min going through Dvorak 1st mvmt marking in key fingerings.
Took a break to look up Iberia on line. I'm not going to invest in a recording until I know for sure I'll be playing this concert, but I'm getting a feel for the piece by listening to 104 mp3 excerpts on Amazon. :-)
Orchestra prep
Spent 10 minutes with excerpts from Dvorak 9 in Rose, then dug out CDs of sheet music for Dvorak 9 and Debussy Iberia. (Symphony is a piece of cake compared to Iberia!) The third piece on the next Civic program is a mandolin concerto by Griffith, which I'm sure I don't have music for.
After printing, 20 more min going through Dvorak 1st mvmt marking in key fingerings.
Took a break to look up Iberia on line. I'm not going to invest in a recording until I know for sure I'll be playing this concert, but I'm getting a feel for the piece by listening to 104 mp3 excerpts on Amazon. :-)
10 min
Mini warm-up with open strings, D tonalization and arpeggio, Cossmann on G without bow. Focus on left hand loose and gooey. My fingertips are a little sore today.
Feuillard #33
Back and forth between detache and legato 8/bow. Trying to maintain the same suppleness of left hand with both bowings, easier with slurs. A few passes with left hand only. Would be interesting to video without sound to look at left hand. Memory is good - didn't need to pull out the music today.
Feuillard #34
Just worked the Bach chord bowing (uddu).
Mini warm-up with open strings, D tonalization and arpeggio, Cossmann on G without bow. Focus on left hand loose and gooey. My fingertips are a little sore today.
Feuillard #33
Back and forth between detache and legato 8/bow. Trying to maintain the same suppleness of left hand with both bowings, easier with slurs. A few passes with left hand only. Would be interesting to video without sound to look at left hand. Memory is good - didn't need to pull out the music today.
Feuillard #34
Just worked the Bach chord bowing (uddu).
Monday, September 21
17 min
Tarantella
Alas, I don't have a recording of the accompaniment. I wonder if there is one on the Suzuki CD?
Ran the piece several times, evaluating memorization level. 80%, maybe, rather remarkable since that has not been a focus.
Need to discuss:
Tempos (choices)
Bow distribution in m40-47 and similar spots
Best way to practice to bring the entire piece reliably up to tempo
Any other ideas for that desc. scale from Bb
Tarantella
Alas, I don't have a recording of the accompaniment. I wonder if there is one on the Suzuki CD?
Ran the piece several times, evaluating memorization level. 80%, maybe, rather remarkable since that has not been a focus.
Need to discuss:
Tempos (choices)
Bow distribution in m40-47 and similar spots
Best way to practice to bring the entire piece reliably up to tempo
Any other ideas for that desc. scale from Bb
Questions for lesson.
One benefit of this practice blog format? It's easy to look back through the week's work and organize a list of questions to cover at today's lesson. I considered keeping an open post and adding to it through the week, but it's just as easy, and probably more beneficial, to review my week's work just before my lesson.
Two ways to review: list by week from the archives, or click through by pieces using the tags. I'm using the latter method, with a "New Post" box in one window and a second copy of the blog in another.
Feuillard
small hand circles on fast detache?
focus for next week?
Bach Air from Orch Suite #3
optimum fingerings - have I chosen well?
Popper Op 76 I No 7
ways to practice awkward string crossings in m19-22
Squire
Tempos (choices)
Bow distribution in m40-47 and similar spots
Best way to practice to bring the entire piece reliably up to tempo
Any other ideas for that desc. scale from Bb
Haydn C
Suzuki prep exercises-what to focus on?
Fingering m37 vs m38
Beethoven Symph #5 excerpts
fingering?
One benefit of this practice blog format? It's easy to look back through the week's work and organize a list of questions to cover at today's lesson. I considered keeping an open post and adding to it through the week, but it's just as easy, and probably more beneficial, to review my week's work just before my lesson.
Two ways to review: list by week from the archives, or click through by pieces using the tags. I'm using the latter method, with a "New Post" box in one window and a second copy of the blog in another.
Feuillard
small hand circles on fast detache?
focus for next week?
Bach Air from Orch Suite #3
optimum fingerings - have I chosen well?
Popper Op 76 I No 7
ways to practice awkward string crossings in m19-22
Squire
Tempos (choices)
Bow distribution in m40-47 and similar spots
Best way to practice to bring the entire piece reliably up to tempo
Any other ideas for that desc. scale from Bb
Haydn C
Suzuki prep exercises-what to focus on?
Fingering m37 vs m38
Beethoven Symph #5 excerpts
fingering?
20 min
Popper #7 focus on m17-40
Changed [F] m17-27 so shift to C nat/A is always 2/4. Marked in shift locations - usually I just mark F on shifts, but there were so many extra [F] marked in this Barenreiter ed. that I noted the shifts by arrows underneath the note so that I can see them more quickly when I am reading.
Tried the slow workup method, starting mm 1/8=96. Stopped at 112 to work on a couple of gestures.
m33 originally changed the [F] to 1-3, but then worked out timing on m32. Usually I keep 4 down on G to reduce poppage going to open A, but the timing seemed smoother at tempo to release 4 while simultaneously extending 1 backward for D# while playing the open A.
String crossings in m19-22 are still problematic.
Popper #7 focus on m17-40
Changed [F] m17-27 so shift to C nat/A is always 2/4. Marked in shift locations - usually I just mark F on shifts, but there were so many extra [F] marked in this Barenreiter ed. that I noted the shifts by arrows underneath the note so that I can see them more quickly when I am reading.
Tried the slow workup method, starting mm 1/8=96. Stopped at 112 to work on a couple of gestures.
m33 originally changed the [F] to 1-3, but then worked out timing on m32. Usually I keep 4 down on G to reduce poppage going to open A, but the timing seemed smoother at tempo to release 4 while simultaneously extending 1 backward for D# while playing the open A.
String crossings in m19-22 are still problematic.
You'll notice that my practice segments have longer stretches of time in between them today, during which I am doing laundry and assorted chores, eating lunch, and working on other projects. Is this better, worse, or about the same as doing all my practice in a block and being done with it for the day?
21 min
Haydn C
Started by looking at the prep exercises in Suzuki Book 9. I should take these to my lesson to discuss practice goals.
Worked on opening up to thumb G in m40.
Tone, bow distribution, ornaments as gestures, awkward fast scale fingering in m34. Omitted chords for now. Need to ask about fingering of m37 vs m38.
Haydn C
Started by looking at the prep exercises in Suzuki Book 9. I should take these to my lesson to discuss practice goals.
Worked on opening up to thumb G in m40.
Tone, bow distribution, ornaments as gestures, awkward fast scale fingering in m34. Omitted chords for now. Need to ask about fingering of m37 vs m38.
18 min
Progr subd on ds D-G. Feeling the small hand circles on the 1/16 notes.
C tonalization
Cossmann x1 down C string
Feuillard #34
Continue wu with 1st 4 bowings, progr faster on 4, more hand circles.
Feuillard #33
Memory is pretty secure with detache.
Played "start anywhere" game. Six measures, number 1-6. First note is C for 1st 5m-mid, high, high, low, mid (here, "high" is middle C, I2, "mid" is III4 and "low" is IVo). m6 starts with F on I. Didn't have a die handy, so randomly picked measure number to start on, or did patterns like 246135.
Found mm with fastest secure, regular 1/16 notes=68 (up from 1/8=96).
Progr subd on ds D-G. Feeling the small hand circles on the 1/16 notes.
C tonalization
Cossmann x1 down C string
Feuillard #34
Continue wu with 1st 4 bowings, progr faster on 4, more hand circles.
Feuillard #33
Memory is pretty secure with detache.
Played "start anywhere" game. Six measures, number 1-6. First note is C for 1st 5m-mid, high, high, low, mid (here, "high" is middle C, I2, "mid" is III4 and "low" is IVo). m6 starts with F on I. Didn't have a die handy, so randomly picked measure number to start on, or did patterns like 246135.
Found mm with fastest secure, regular 1/16 notes=68 (up from 1/8=96).
Sunday, September 20
23 min
Tarantella. Started by working the presto in gestures, one m at a time. (1 fast down, 5 legato up.) Bow has to be in the string at the start of the up bow.
More time on that descending scale from Bb. Gestures again. For the shifts, focused on 3-Bb 4-F 3-C. Then did lower half (1st pos'n u-d-u). Getting better.
Brief review of other scales in A sections.
B section - started playing from memory. Realize for some reason I have neglected that.
I wonder if I have a recording of the accompaniment to try this with tomorrow?
Tarantella. Started by working the presto in gestures, one m at a time. (1 fast down, 5 legato up.) Bow has to be in the string at the start of the up bow.
More time on that descending scale from Bb. Gestures again. For the shifts, focused on 3-Bb 4-F 3-C. Then did lower half (1st pos'n u-d-u). Getting better.
Brief review of other scales in A sections.
B section - started playing from memory. Realize for some reason I have neglected that.
I wonder if I have a recording of the accompaniment to try this with tomorrow?
24 min
Bach Air (fr. Orch Suite No. 3)
This piece was stuck in my head between services today, so I had to practice it early to hopefully eradicate the ear worm. Ran it several times, evaluating fingerings. m2 and m16 are the biggest challenges. The 9 count up bow F# at the beginning is a killer, too. I think I am ready to lock in on these and do some measure-by-measuring shifting practice. Perhaps I'll run it by T4- if there is time tomorrow night.
Bach Air (fr. Orch Suite No. 3)
This piece was stuck in my head between services today, so I had to practice it early to hopefully eradicate the ear worm. Ran it several times, evaluating fingerings. m2 and m16 are the biggest challenges. The 9 count up bow F# at the beginning is a killer, too. I think I am ready to lock in on these and do some measure-by-measuring shifting practice. Perhaps I'll run it by T4- if there is time tomorrow night.
16 min
Both Feuillard #34 and #33 are sticking pretty well in memory, especially considering I didn't look at them yesterday.
#33 Spent a few minutes reviewing the chords using bowings 9, 3, then 4 at accelerating speeds.
#34 got the notes down at tempo I was practicing earlier, mm 1/8=96. Not completely stable at faster speed. Had fun trying out different bowing variations - not so hard looking at the notes, but the uneven ones really screw with the note memory.
Both Feuillard #34 and #33 are sticking pretty well in memory, especially considering I didn't look at them yesterday.
#33 Spent a few minutes reviewing the chords using bowings 9, 3, then 4 at accelerating speeds.
#34 got the notes down at tempo I was practicing earlier, mm 1/8=96. Not completely stable at faster speed. Had fun trying out different bowing variations - not so hard looking at the notes, but the uneven ones really screw with the note memory.
The good news is that it was all congregational music this morning. The bad news is that second hour was a rock service, and my ears are still ringing. Having the road map change during the songs is kinda fun - keeps us string players on our toes.
After 1.5 hours of rehearsal and 2 hours of playing, I'm all warmed up. Exhausted, but warmed up, so I'm jumping right into a little practice.
After 1.5 hours of rehearsal and 2 hours of playing, I'm all warmed up. Exhausted, but warmed up, so I'm jumping right into a little practice.
Saturday, September 19
Today was an adoption event, and though I decided not to take the Brightons because of their bleary eyes and snotty noses, I went. I didn't get home until after 4pm, hungry and tired after missing lunch. Sushi and a nice glass of Kistler for what turned out to be dinner, then I fell asleep on the floor with Chauncey purring on my chest. I took a look at the church web site and couldn't figure out what we are playing tomorrow beginning at 6:57am, so took a nice bath, ate dessert, and am now heading to bed. Without practicing. I think this falls in the general catchall of "too tired."
Friday, September 18
13 min
wu: open string subdiv to 1/16 on D. Felt the outer hand kick in and the 1/16 notes felt like small circles today. I think that is improving.
C Maj tonalization
Cossmann down D string
Feuillard #34
Have chords pretty well memorized, but not automatic yet.
var 1-9, 34 d/u. The last felt like chicken wings.
wu: open string subdiv to 1/16 on D. Felt the outer hand kick in and the 1/16 notes felt like small circles today. I think that is improving.
C Maj tonalization
Cossmann down D string
Feuillard #34
Have chords pretty well memorized, but not automatic yet.
var 1-9, 34 d/u. The last felt like chicken wings.
Thursday, September 17
Second day of twitter logging.
I deleted the time stamps because they are "x hour ago," not very useful.
My cello is sounding good this week. Is it because I'm practicing more, recent tech changes are starting to work, or just the weather?
40 min: Fingering Vc1 part to Bach Air from 3d Orch Suite. First line "too hard" so started bkwd from the end. Good trick. #cellopractice
27 min: selected and prepared piece to play Vc1 on at cello quartet tonight: Palestrina's Ave Regina Coelorum (arr. Finckel) #cellopractice
Oops, that was 17 min on Feuillard 33. Timer is counting down, not up. Math challenged today.
21 min: Feuillard 33, 10 tries to get 3x in a row 3m mem yesterday (good!) then repeated process for 2nd line 3 meas. Put together tomorrow.
11 min: wu progr detache, C tonalization; Feuillard 34. Chord mem 80%, most time on var34 start up, elbow circles for Bach +/-
I deleted the time stamps because they are "x hour ago," not very useful.
My cello is sounding good this week. Is it because I'm practicing more, recent tech changes are starting to work, or just the weather?
40 min: Fingering Vc1 part to Bach Air from 3d Orch Suite. First line "too hard" so started bkwd from the end. Good trick. #cellopractice
27 min: selected and prepared piece to play Vc1 on at cello quartet tonight: Palestrina's Ave Regina Coelorum (arr. Finckel) #cellopractice
Oops, that was 17 min on Feuillard 33. Timer is counting down, not up. Math challenged today.
21 min: Feuillard 33, 10 tries to get 3x in a row 3m mem yesterday (good!) then repeated process for 2nd line 3 meas. Put together tomorrow.
11 min: wu progr detache, C tonalization; Feuillard 34. Chord mem 80%, most time on var34 start up, elbow circles for Bach +/-
Wednesday, September 16
Twitter log for 9/16.
The downside of the blog format is that you have t read from the bottom up.
According to tweets, 65 min over 1.5 hours. Turned timer off for 2 phone calls and quick bfast. No cheating! #cellopractice
12:26 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
8 min: fun part of the hour. Play through Bach Prelude #3. Bow hand is working really well today. #cellopractice
12:24 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
32 min: Bach Prelude#3 m44-60 chords in in ds u2/d2 for intonation, doubleminting the shifts. Fing m56-8. Freq stretches. #cellopractice
12:23 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
13 min: Feuillard #33. Mem 1st line (3m). mm 1/8=96. Build each fragment or meas until 3x right, until all 3m. Short detache. #cellopractice
11:31 AM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
12 min: wu w/progr subdiv open strings, C MAJ tonalization. Feuillard #34 mem chords, bow patterns 1,2,3,4,9,13. More 4 later #cellopractice
What am I thinking? It's practice time. Tweeting morning practice for @catepolacek, Stay tuned. #cellopractice
10:54 AM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
The downside of the blog format is that you have t read from the bottom up.
According to tweets, 65 min over 1.5 hours. Turned timer off for 2 phone calls and quick bfast. No cheating! #cellopractice
12:26 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
8 min: fun part of the hour. Play through Bach Prelude #3. Bow hand is working really well today. #cellopractice
12:24 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
32 min: Bach Prelude#3 m44-60 chords in in ds u2/d2 for intonation, doubleminting the shifts. Fing m56-8. Freq stretches. #cellopractice
12:23 PM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
13 min: Feuillard #33. Mem 1st line (3m). mm 1/8=96. Build each fragment or meas until 3x right, until all 3m. Short detache. #cellopractice
11:31 AM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
12 min: wu w/progr subdiv open strings, C MAJ tonalization. Feuillard #34 mem chords, bow patterns 1,2,3,4,9,13. More 4 later #cellopractice
What am I thinking? It's practice time. Tweeting morning practice for @catepolacek, Stay tuned. #cellopractice
10:54 AM Sep 16th from TweetDeck
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