"From the Top" radio concert

My sister and I attended a fun concert in beautiful Music Hall, in Cincinnati tonight. It was a taping for the National Public Radio show, "From the Top." The show features young people who play classical music. Through interviews with the kids and humor, they present classical music, and the kids who play it, as cool. My sister's daughter was one of the cool kids--she sang in the choir.

One of the performers was a 17-year old cellist. He had recently recovered from a nearly two-year bout with tendinitis. During the time he was unable to play the cello, so took up the harmonica. I actually liked his blues harmonica playing better than his cello playing. On the cello, he played "Prayer" by Ernest Bloch. He also works with autistic kids--a very well-rounded young man.

The harmonica--another solution to practicing without a cello.

A very enjoyable evening, and evidence of the power of music. This show airs April 21, if you are interested in listening to it.

If I worked for Suzuki... (part 1)

I like the Suzuki method. It seems to work for me. I generally like the pieces. I supplement the Suzuki method with lots of other music and etudes, but I sometimes wonder why the Suzuki folks don't increase their product line. Well, I tend to buy a lot of music and related items, and perhaps others might. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Information on the composers and works included in the Suzuki books. Some of the pieces are excerpts from longer works, and it would be nice to have more understanding of the pieces.
2. Learing CDs with music played at speeds closer to the student's learning and performance speeds. (this seems to be available for violin)

3. More and better ensemble music, not just the same pieces with all the melody in part 1, or with 2nd and 3rd parts that are more difficult.

4. An adult-beginner oriented guide, perhaps with practice tips, memorizing tips, chamber music ideas, setting goals, etc.

(more tomorrow, as it is late)I would love to hear ideas from others.

Cello-less practicing

I finally arrived in Cincinnati, a 32-hour trip. Both planes were late. All three airports were jam-packed with people. In Providence, I was told that the airport usually handled 5-6,000 people a day; that day there were over 9,000. In Philadelphia and Cincinnati, it seemed to me there were 9,000 people in each hallway. People, whole families, were sitting in the floor, camped out eating their lunches, working on their laptops in makeshift offices, making friends, sharing tales of missed connections and long delays. I expected to see chickens hopping in and around the suitcases.

But, I am here. The doctors are still trying to figure out the problem, but it looks like my mother is improving. It is good to be with my sister and her family.

I did bring my flute, so, I am not without music, but I do miss the cello. I am mentally practicing my working piece in my head, trying to remember all the bowings, though not for more than a few minutes at a time, as it stresses my poor brain. It would be nice to have a travel cello.

Cello-less in Cincinnati

Well, almost Cincinnati. My flight was cancelled, and, after a few hours at the airport, I decided to rent a hotel room, where I am enjoying a cozy evening, resting up, working, waiting for my morning flight. My mother is in the hospital, and it is frustrating not being able to get there any faster. I did consider a bus (finding air travel so wearying these days), but it was a 25-hour trip from Cape Cod, and I just couldn't stand the thought of it. This trip will probably be over 30 hours--if my two flights and the 3-hour Philadelphia layover go well.

I will miss practicing for a few days, perhaps a week, perhaps longer. I will also miss the Denise Djoric cello concert that I was so looking forward to seeing, and reviewing. Fortunately, my dear friend and fellow cellist, Barbara, has agreed to write the review. Thank you! Hope you enjoy the concert.

I had to cancel a fiddle session, miss an early music session, and forgo a day in the string shop, where I work occasionally. Fortunately, my main work is portable, if not music-related.

I am looking forward to seeing my mother and sister and being of some help in Cincinnati. Everyone I have talked to about this trip, and most of the people I have encountered along the way, have been so wonderfully supportive and helpful. It warms those cockles of my heart! Thank you!

Cello choir, flute choir

Cello choir went well tonight. I had no trouble with that tricky part that gave me such trouble last week. There is much to be said for careful practice.

We canceled flute choir practice tomorrow because of Valentine's Day (and because a big snowstorm is predicted). I play both flute and cello in the flute choir, sometimes transposing the bass flute part for cello, sometimes using music with a written cello part. We are a small flute choir, currently only five members. We have an alto flute player, but no bass flute.

We have decided to do a St. Patrick's Day concert at the nursing home: cheerful Irish music, with potential for sing-alongs. One of our members will tell a few jokes, in his droll manner. We will bring refreshments. We're trying to make it entertaining and to encourage participation.

Improvisation

My teacher is planning a series of group lessons. I am looking forward to them, as I enjoy playing with others and listening to others play. One workshop will feature contemporary-style cellist Eugene Friesen, who has done several improvisation workshops for us in the past. He also usually has a concert in town, always outstanding.

Workshops are usually held in the Woods Hole community center, a rustic building perched over the water in the exceedingly picturesque town of the same name. In one workshop, a few years ago, about 16 students were arranged in a large circle from youngest to oldest (me). After a few improvisation tips, demonstrations, and examples, Eugene took one of three chairs in the center of the room. The two youngest cellists joined him and the three began to improvise together, using notes from a pentatonic scale. After a minute or so, one of the young cellists was replaced by the next one in line. The music kept going, beautifully, effortlessly, as cellists were signaled to join and leave the performance in the center of the room. Themes were introduced, copied, embellished upon. I was very impressed--and both eager and nervous about playing.

Finally, it was my turn, and I joined the group in the center. My nervousness evaporated, as the music continued, and I was part of it, sometimes following, sometimes leading. Finally, we all ended together, somewhat reluctantly on my part.

I haven't done much with improvisation since, except to occasionally improvise on my own, or, at the last fiddle session, to fiddle tunes. I am looking forward to Eugene's return visit this year!

Practicing with a timer

I was excited about Gottagopractice's use of a timer and a stopwatch in her practicing because I tend to lack discipline in my practicing, and sometimes completely forget to include important elements. I work at home, and often work extends into the evenings. I sometimes avoid practicing on busy days because I tend to fall into a practicing trance and I lose track of time. If I could say, "today, only 30 minutes," I might get more accomplished than skipping practice altogether.

I took only a few of Gottagopractice's good ideas. For today (a non-deadline work day), I decided:

3 min., warmups
15 min., scales
15 min., exercises
30 min., current Suzuki piece
30 min., 3 others pieces for my upcoming recital
15 min., cello choir pieces
15 min., fiddle music

Since I only have a stopwatch, not a timer that rings, I went over time in all the 15 minute categories and ended up playing 2.5 hours. I also play in two other ensembles (early music and flute choir), but did not include music for those groups tonight. That will have to rotate with the cello choir and fiddle music. 15 min. isn't much for these groups, but better than ignoring them entirely, as sometimes happens.

I am feeling more organized. I will try to keep doing this, even on the days when I only have a few minutes to practice. Thanks, GGP.