Saturday, October 13, 2007

Encouraging thoughts on cello progress

I've been reading The Spanish Bow (Romano-Lax), though am not too far into it yet. The main character does not begin studying the cello until the age of 14 (almost an adult beginner!), and, at the point where I am now, he is 16, and discouraged:
"The more I played, the less happy I felt with my playing. My ear was improving faster than my hands, my expectations rising ahead of my abilities. It was not pleasant to spend so many hours along [practicing]."
At this point he is practicing 10-12 hours a day and still not happy with his sound. Eventually, of course, his sound improves. Mine will too. It's just that I have the same problem with my ear and expectations. Back to practicing.

6 comments:

CelloGirl said...

So true!! Well said!

CelloGeek said...

That is encouraging, to always want to improve one's sound. I would like to have more occasions when I'm happy with my cello sound, though...

cellodonna said...

The facts: practicing never ends; we always want to sound better than we do.

Maricello said...

It is interesting that, over on the drawing forum, the discussions are much the same--people always wanting to do better, especially as they see what can be done.

There, like here, in cellobloggerland, it is so helpful to know that you are not struggling alone, that others know what you are going through, and that they appreciate your efforts, and you theirs!

Anonymous said...

Hi M.

Always glad to read your blog,it is encouraging and inspirational. Keep play the cello, keep drawing and yes write that novel.
I look forward to reading it. Above all enjoy the finer things in life, because in the end they count for a lot too!

Maricello said...

Hi Bunny, so good to see you here! Hope you have had time to enjoy some of those finer things too. That fiddle festival sounded wonderful!

As for my novel, I had decided that the only way I could write it was to assume no one would read it! I may have to rethink this.