Wed 35 min

C MAJ scale, broken 3ds, I and IV arps, inverted arps, thumb scales.

Slurps on D and G.

Prelude #1 1st 6 measures. Alternating chords with slurps. Checking intonation.

The "not a 1-legged stool" thumb position is starting to feel more comfortable. Still working on forearm initiating downward shifts, "dragging" the shifting finger along.

Tue 40 min

C MAJ and Eb MAJ
Scales, arps, inverted triads, thirds.

Slurps on D and G, and a little on A and D.
The first couple of measures of Bach Prelude #1.
Watching the bow trajectory with the mirror at 10 o'clock.

First three chords of Popper HS #9.

Thu 30 min

15 min Suzuki Bk 1 and Webster Scherzo

15 min C MAJ scale, broken thirds, ds thirds, and triad inversions. The triads are really coming along well. also seems to help to turn my thumb backward a little more so I am more on the nail really high up.

I wasn't going to practice tonight, but managed to talk myself into "just 15 min" which I managed to turn into "just a half hour." Just like I have been able to keep a daily running schedule of "just 15 min" for the past month. I'm taking the a little bit often is better than a lot occasionally message to heart.

Wed 40 min

10 min Suzuki Bk 1 and Webster Scherzo

30 min scales, thirds, arps (C MAJ ex 1-7), then TP 1 octave scales and a bit of 10ths.

While not good, every exercise is showing progress, especially the 4 note arpeggio patterns. The key was learning the finger pattern for arps in root position and 1st and 2nd inversions. In addition to strengthening my fingers and improving my coordination, this summer is going to be a nice exercise in theory applied to a strnged instrument tuned in fifths.

Wow, it's been almost a month since my last entry. I think my practices just got so repetitive I stopped being interested in writing about them. This mas my routine:

Warm up with Suzuki Book 1, 10-20 minutes
Divide the rest of the time between Webster (Sz Bk 3) and cello quartet music, with a few sessions that included 3-4 measures of Haydn C at a time.
After the quartet recital on 6/4, I spent the rest of the time just reading stuff.

I practiced 4x/week, for 30-60 minutes (usually an hour).

At my lessons we have been focused on the short detache bowing of Webster and Perpetual Motion variations, and last week made another major change in my bow hold. Fascinating how each small change this year has facilitated the next a few weeks later. I finally have a relaxed, curved thumb and a wrist that is more straight than dropped. So far I haven't aggravated my right elbow tendinosis. I'm persisting in spite of the fact that I am not so fond of the big, edgy sound I am getting now. T4- assures me it will grow on me.

Yesterday I decided it was time to jump into my summer Yampolsky project, so I spent an hour on C MAJ scale, ds, and arpeggio variations. I set the timer for 4 min and moved to the next variation at each beep. Most of these I can't actually play, so I am working very slowly, back and forth, paying attention to intonation and shifting. Had enough pain in my left elbow last night that I iced for the first time in awhile. An hour on Day 1 was probably not so smart.

Today I practiced for 1.25 hrs, but I started by warming up with Suzuki for about 15 minutes. Then I did 24 min of 4 min blocks on C MAJ, and used my new 20-sided die to select which variation to play in each block. Started off with 10ths - brutal! For 10ths and octaves I am mostly getting my hand shaped. Each time I landed on an octave variation I played scales in thumb position to establish the shape of the hand and start to build strength.

After a 5 min break I spent the rest of the time reading Popper easy etudes and Suzuki Bk 4. Tomorrow I am playing cello duets with one of my quartet partners at a local winery. Just sight reading. I think if we stick to easy Offenbach, Boismortier, and such we'll be fine, and my arms seem to be in pretty good order.