Saturday No Practice!

Well, it looks like this week I will only get in 5 of the 7 days! I will practice tomorrow. I had to rest today due to my back being out and extremely sore! Had to give it rest today. I'm looking forward to practicing tomorrow. I did do some homework in listening to different violinists on Youtube to see how they are playing some of the pieces I'm learning. It was very helpful.

Spent time with my family today as well. Was a great day despite the fact that I was having a back issue! :-)
I'm still watching bits and pieces of the Royal Wedding on Fox News. It is truly beautiful and Kate is a beautiful bride!! :-)

Friday, No Practice!

I'm letting today be my day of rest! I will practice tomorrow and Sunday. I am physically tired tonight and I know the weekend will be good to practice!

Wonderful day! Watched a little, very little of the Royal wedding today! Was lovely!

Thursday 2 hours of Practice!

It was very late when I started to practice. I started at 11pm. I was so tired but I pushed myself to practice and stopped at 1:04 am. I was a little discouraged because my shifts sounded out of tune and the bow was bouncy when I wanted it to be smooth. But as I got past the first hour things started to loosen up for me. I recorded myself with my phone but the speaker is so bad so it was more discouraging listening to it back. I have to get a better recorder. Recording is so helpful!!

I did my usual practice Winter, Rondo, Scales and Schradieck. I still have to go slow. I have to go slow on all the shifts to make sure they are in tune!

Anyways, it was a great day except for all the political drama going on in the world! These are crazy times! Just got to keep working hard. Keep our heads held high and may God watch over us!

Wed 1 hour 45 minutes!

Wasn't as long but still got some in! Yeah!

Tuesday, 2 hours and 45 Minutes of Practice!

Yeah! I was able to go longer today! I am so happy! It feels so good. I practiced the Rondo and the Winter 4 Seasons, all movements! I did an hour of warmups (3 octave scales and Schradieck! I am learning how to use this new bow of mine and realize that it responds best with less intensity on pressure. I am so used to my old bow that required lots of pressure to make a decent sound. I am loving my new bow everyday!


Great day! Got a lot done including school and playtime with my daughter! :-)

Monday, 2 hours and 20 minutes of Practice

Yeah! I'm back on track! Did the same routine! It feels so good to be back on schedule! Yeah!!!

Easter Sunday, No Practice!

I get the Holiday off! :-)

Saturday Practice 20 Minutes

This was a bad day for me to practice. I taught all day and ran around town getting ready for Easter. Was up till 2am and woke up the next morning at 7:45 to finish baking and wrapping Easter baskets for all the kids. So, I decided to take the day off after my 20 minutes. :-(

Friday, No Practice! ;-(

Couldn't practice Friday. Was planning on it but I had a serious emergency that ended well but left no time to practice! It was completely out of my hands! Oh well! At least I'll still be able to get 5 days this week in maybe six if I practice both Saturday and Sunday.
I will resume tomorrow. Maybe I can do 3 hours, well maybe not, it being Easter weekend might be a bit tough. If I get in my normal amount I'll be happy.

Good night!

Thursday, Practiced 2 hours!

I got 2 hours in today! Yeah!! I went to the Violin Shop today to help a student of mine pick out a new violin. I picked up a new shoulder pad for myself. It is an Everest with wood detail. I tried it out today and boy did it make a difference. I had been playing on an old shoulder pad that was falling apart and the legs were getting loose. My sound was different and I had more control and even my bow sounded better. Amazing! Who would think a shoulder pad would have that much affect on my violin sound! I am so happy I finally got it. I practiced 40 minutes today on Scales and technique and the rest of the time on the Rondo (Saint Saens). It sounded better. The last page is improving! I practiced with metronome. Last page at 60 is getting easier but I'm still going to keep it there until its very solid. My shifts are a little better today. I noticed if I use less pressure on the spicatto up bow, it is easier on the first page.

Wonderful day! I am thankful!! Yeah!

Yesterday (Wed) Practiced 2 hours!

It was a rough day because I got to bed at 2am and woke up early. I was bushed tired!! I didn't feel like practicing, I just wanted to nap and relax but I pushed myself to practice and I did. Because I was so tired nothing seemed to work right but I just kept going and had to tell myself over and over "Don't quit, Keep going, stay focused!" I am glad I did. I got 2 hours in!

Tuesday 2 hours and 30 minutes!!!

Yes, I went past 2 hours! It was an awesome feeling. I actually got to practice a little of the Winter 4 Seasons today, all three movements of it (30 minutes). I warmed up with technique for an hour playing my 3 octave scales as usual, same as yesterdays. Practiced the Schradieck same way. I added page 4 to it this time. I then started the Rondo Capriccioso. I was able to practice all six page drilling the difficult sections. It is sounding better and my shifts are getting better but I still have a long ways to go before ever performing this piece. I'm enjoying my practice tremendously. It's never felt so good. I think its because of my new bow. It really makes a huge difference. It makes my violin sound so good.

I ask God for his guidance in my practice since I'm without a teacher right now. He is my inspiration! I am thankful to him for he has opened up time for me to practice, he helped me get my bow and I believe he will guide me every step of the way to reach my goal and to fulfill my mission, whatever it may be, I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing! I love it!! :-)

Monday 2 hours and 15 minutes

Yeah, I went over 2 hours! It felt so good! I practiced an hour of technique. I do the usual 3 octaves scales. I do (G,D,C,A,E, F, Bb, Eb) Then I turn to the C Major page and do all the exercises up to number 8. Then I skip to the artificial harmonics #11. I go very slow on everything. I want to master it! Then I went to Schradieck and practiced the first 2 pages at m=110 and the 3rd page at m=100.

I practiced all pages of the Rondo Capriccioso drilling all the difficult sections. It is getting better. Some things are sounding good but having a few trouble with the shifting. I'm trying to get it perfectly in tune. The up bow staccatto is tough. I'm experiencing with my new bow where it sounds best. So far its in the upper middle of bow. The last page I'm between m=60/70. It's supposed to be m=120 and that is insanely fast but sounds awesome and technical! Its a great grandiosso ending!

I didn't practice the other pieces but I will tomorrow.

I'm thankful for a wonderful day of family, students and PRACTICE!! Woo Hoo!!! :-)

Saturday (1 hour and 45 minutes!)

Yes, I got my practice time in today. It feels wonderful! I love love love to practice! I'm still loving my new bow! It's taking a little time to learn it's capabilities. The Rondo is getting better. I didn't do Schradieck today but I will tomorrow. I added a new 3 octave scale (Bb Major). I am listening to a few of my favorite violinists performing the Rondo Capriccioso and so far my favorite interpretation is Itzhak Perlman! There is another violinist that I like and her name is Janine Jensen. I also like David Oistrak. I didn't like Joshua Bell's interpretation which I'm shocked because I loved his playing on the Red Violin. He is a great violinist but on the Rondo I wasn't impressed!

Today I tried practicing the sections by memory to see what I know. I went very slow. I was happy that I was able to play most of it by memory however, I'm still learning the fingerings and bowings. The last page I'm practicing very slowly and still have a long ways to go. I can play all of the last page but only slow, I'm mean super slow because as soon as I speed up it gets out of tune on the high parts and the bow gets out of control and I loose my tone. Over all it was a good day!

I always feel complete when I've practiced my violin!

No Practice Today

It was a challenging day! I didn't get any practice on violin but I did do 30 mins on piano. I have a few accompaniment pieces to learn for my students upcoming recital. I didn't practice because I didn't want to but I decided that this would be my day off. I will practice 5 to 6 days out of the week. My hands actually needed a rest today. I'll be back to my schedule tomorrow.

Good Day!!

Thursday 2 hrs & 15 minutes

Yes, I got past 2 hours today! Spent the morning at school and the rest of the day played with my daughter Chloe until it was nap time. It feels good to be back on a practice routine. It really shows when the practice is consecutive. I'm still doing the scales up to # 8 in the Carl Flesch System ( I love this book!). The thirds are actually getting smoother but still have a long ways to go. Schradieck is amazing. I notice a major difference in my left hand! I'm only doing the first 3 pages. The 3rd page is difficult to play fast so I'm at met=70 whereas the first two pages met=110.

The first page of the Rondo is difficult. I'm still struggling with the spiccato section of the first page. I have a long ways to go still. I really have to practice SLOWLY because when I speed it up the shifting gets a little out of tune which means I'm not ready to speed it up yet. The last page is super fast met=120, I could only do 80. It is a lot of fun to play. I can't wait till it's ready to perform. It is a dream of mine to be able to perform this piece. The Winter is getting better. It is difficult to get in tune and to sound clean because it is so fast! It's easy to get a stiff right arm when playing the fast staccato and fast runs. I have to remember to stay relaxed I love it! I'm taking it slow, slow, slow, slow etc!!!!

I got to remember to be patient! It is easy to get discouraged because I want to it to be perfect already but I have to remember that I've only been working on the Rondo for 2 weeks plus I've only been back into practice since last October. Also when we moved in November I had to stop my practicing because of my move. So really my serious practice only started a few months ago. I think it might take me a 3 or 4 years to get to a concert level. Maybe sooner, we'll see! I will start performing sooner, but only small performances. It's exciting!!!

Wed Practice 1 hr 45 Mins!

I'm holding myself accountable by posting my daily practice. It helps me see what I'm doing throughout the week!
I almost got 2 hours in. I would do more of course but when Chloe wakes up I'm done! I am thankful for the practice! It felt easier today. The Rondo is improving. I have to relax my bow arm for the spiccato and it works better. I did manage to practice Vivaldi's Winter today. I discovered a few things today with the bowing. On the last movement of Winter last page where the open G plus 3 d string notes section, I was getting a spiccatto bow sound but I want a clean smooth legato sound but naturally the bow started bouncing because of the bow cross to the G string. Well, I tried it in the upper half of the bow, YES, PROBLEM SOLVED! I was so happy!

Wed 1 hour and 45 minute Practice Today

I was able to get in 1 hour and 45 minutes worth of violin practice today. I wanted to do more but had to work. I did the same routine as yesterday. I only worked on the Rondo Capriccioso today as well as the scales and Schradieck. I was having trouble today with the spiccatto bowing on the Rondo. I discovered that by loosening the hair it made the bow more flexible and easier on the up bow spicatto and sound controlled, not out of control like it was when I first started. I didn't think I had it tight before but strangely enough it was too tight for this particular bow. I'm learning! I'm still having trouble keeping the violin still while I move up on the G string to 5th and 6th position. Maybe I should take off the chinrest and see how it feels.

It feels so good to be practicing again. It's amazing how my other bow was holding me back. Since I got my new bow my level of playing has improved every day since I've had it. I'm in love with my new bow!!!

It was a good day!

Monday 2 hour Practice!

Today I am happy that I was able to get in 2 hours of practicing. My 4:30 student didn't show up so it gave me some extra time to practice. I've been noticing quicker results now that I have my nice bow! The up bow staccato on the Rondo Capriccioso is getting more controlled, cleaner and easier. The first page (2 slur, 2 spicatto up strokes) is better then yesterday but still too difficult to play up to tempo. I have to resist the temptation of playing through the piece without practicing slowly and drilling and focusing on sections at a time. I forced myself to do this today. My slides and shifts are a little bit better. I did my 3 octave scales (C, G, D, A, E, F) . I also included the 3rds, Octaves, 6ths, up a 3rd down a second run. I did 3 pages of Schradieck. I noticed more strength in my left hand already. I used a metronome on this at quarter note=105/110 . Im having a bit of trouble keeping my violin secure under my chin. That will be my next task! I might need to hold my violin differently or get a different chin rest and shoulder pad. I absolutely love practicing the Rondo! It is truly an inspiring piece of music, it's just brilliant!!

My husband Mark noticed that my run on the Winter 1st page at the bottom (Vivaldi's 4 Seasons) is getting faster, smoother and cleaner. It was nice to hear that because sometimes it is very difficult to hear my own improvement. I didn't have time to run through the Bach or Weinawski. I might have to put those two on hold for a couple of weeks.

My goal is to work up to 4 hours. I can't right now because I'm taking care of my daughter which I love and I have to work! God has helped me this far so I know the door will open when it's time to up the practice!

Music I am Learning Right Now!

I warm up with 3 octave scales. I go in order of the Circle of 5ths. I practice slowly then I increase the speed gradually but I don't play fast unless its clean and the shifts are in tune. The shifts/slides are difficult to keep in tune so they must be practiced slowly. I sometimes do other exercises in the Carl Flesch Scale System Book like Octaves, 10ths and 3rds. I find it hard to do the 3rds smoothly. This is one of my weaknesses because I haven't spent a lot of time with them. But thats changing! :-)

I just started again the excersises in the Schradieck Book. Love this one. It really gets the left hand fingers in shape. I'm focusing on the first 2 pages right now. I am really out of shape and that is why right now I am reviewing basic training exercises to build up strength.

Here is a list of pieces I am attempting to learn:
1. Introduction to Rondo and Capriccioso by Saint Saens
2. Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22, by the Polish violin virtuoso, Henryk Wieniawski
3. Bach Partita in E Major 1st three movements.
4. 4 Seasons "Winter" by Vivaldi

I think this is a big enough repertoire to start with! Wish me luck!

My Performance Goal for 2011

I just started practicing seriously again after years of neglect. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to teach music to many wonderful children and adults throughout the years. I am a violin, piano, cello and guitar teacher living in the beautiful state of California. My focus and attention has been driven towards helping my students fulfill their dreams as musicians. Having a few health issues that held me back I also directed my attention on becoming a mommy to a wonderful daughter. Being a mommy is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I am truly thankful in making the decision to be a mom!

One of my lifetime goals is to become a concert violinist. I was starting to lose hope on ever fulling this dream of mine. I have had many set backs after my college years, I won't share them right now if I don't have to, I say that with a smile and a chuckle. They are in the past! I look at the past as experiences that has led me back to God. So yes, I am thankful for that as well! I believe God wanted me to teach but I now also believe that he wants me to fulfill my calling as a performer. I believe that there is something out there I'm supposed to be doing with my violin and music. I don't know where I'll end up but I'm letting God be the driver and I'm waddling along beside him going where he wants me to go. Yes some may say I'm crazy starting this goal so late in my life (I'm 37) but they have always said this to me from day one. The day that I uttered the words (in High School), "I want to be a Concert Violinist", I had so much negative attention placed upon me. Someday when I have the time I will share a few stories that might be entertaining to some of you reading this and could be helpful to those who are or have gone through similar situations as me.

I am excited about my journey. Nothing can stop be but God. My life is being turned over to my Creator. This is where I am most truly happy. I have tried it foolishly on my own and through that experience I now understand the power of God and how without him I am nothing!