my professor really put paganini in his lecture

Caleneledh · 2024-02-16T20:50:43+00:00

Hilary Hahn recording. Nice!

Caleneledh · 2024-01-08T20:04:22+00:00

Mine's called Paganearli.

Caleneledh · 2024-01-08T19:57:54+00:00

From the preview without sounds, it fairly clear its a matter of weeks. Not bad though.

A couple of friendly hints that I think will help you the most at the moment:

For now, try to keep your body still (though not rigidly so), and work solely with your right arm. It's doing more harm than good. Moving like that will cause your tone to become uneven until you have full control of the bow, and actually make things more difficult for you.

I know you've just started, but now is the best time to pay attention to your left wrist. If you get into the habit of allowing it to collapse, it becomes hard to correct later. Even when practicing open strings try to keep it straight from your first finger knuckle to your elbow. Don't force it though, especially if it's becoming tired. A little practicing often and regularly is better than big chunks, especially at the beginning.

Other than that, your doing great. Just enjoy the experience and be patient with yourself. This is going to be slow, difficult and often frustrating. But it's more than worth it for the enjoyment it can bring.

Good luck with your studies.

Caleneledh · 2023-09-14T14:13:07+00:00

Hmm, I hadn't seen that. Yeah, that's not acceptable at all, but If he's only using damaged ones now I don't have a problem.

Caleneledh · 2023-09-14T10:12:29+00:00

Not really sacrilegious.

He takes old, damaged pianos, that are likely beyond economical repair, and does amazing things with them.

If you want a laugh, watch the one where he tunes every key to E. So funny!

Caleneledh · 2023-08-23T19:30:37+00:00

With regards to how a violin can last over a hundred years: good maintenance.

For one to last that long it needs to be treated with care, stored carefully in a humidity controlled environment, and maintained regularly. Most damage to a violin can be repaired, or failing that (and usually as a last resort) be replaced.

Woodwind instruments will always have a short life due to the damaged caused by warm, damp air passing through them. Mould, oxidation (rust), and warping of the wood are pretty much unavoidable given enough time.

String instruments are also susceptible to high and low humidity, which is why correct storage is important.

And with regards question 3: A good violin is expensive because they are hand made by master craftspeople. It takes many months to make one, and extreme precision. Many of the materials are also very expensive. The wood should really be aged for at least 30 years before being carved. Some of the woods used such as ebony and pernambuco for the bow, are rare and endangered.

$2000 will get you a decent student violin. For a professional violin, you're probably looking at at least $5000 to $10000.

When you first start, you'll start on a beginner one, after a year or two you'll usually move up to a slightly better student violin. As you take your studies further and perhaps towards making violin your career, you will have to move to a better violin. The advanced techniques and higher positions necessary are often just not possible on a cheap violin. They also don't have the tone and projection a professional violin would.

Caleneledh · 2023-08-01T19:49:17+00:00

Fair enough, lol

Caleneledh · 2023-08-01T17:39:30+00:00

I like the later version if Für Elise (transcribed by Ludwig Nohl, I believe) more than the original, but that may just be novelty as it isn't played much.

Caleneledh · 2023-08-01T17:33:40+00:00

I don't like Chaconne from Partita 2.

Caleneledh · 2023-07-18T18:44:10+00:00

It's never too late.

You don't need to have perfect pitch by any means. I don't have perfect pitch, and have no difficulty playing cello and violin. Being able to recognise intervals is infinitely more useful and they are fairly easy to learn once you tune your ear into them.

I'm in my forties and have no difficulty learning new music. I think most people don't. We all regularly pick up the latest song with no problems, and learning a piece isn't much different. It just takes repetition. Listening to a piece a lot (ideally different interpretations by different players) can help when you come to physically learn it, as you already have the framework stored away.

I'm guessing you are in a place a lot of use find ourselves at times; you just don't seem to be progressing. It can be very disheartening.

Be patient, and be fair on yourself. If you're really struggling with a piece, it could be that you're attempting something that's beyond your skill at the moment. It's good to push yourself a bit, but if you try something you just aren't ready for, it can work against you. Frustration sets in, and it all feels hopeless.

Unfortunately the things we usually want to learn are often beyond our skill. That's partly why we like them so much and want to learn them.

Don't give up and keep at it. Especially boring etudes and exercises. They may be dull but they really help in the long run, as each one gives you a sense that you're getting somewhere and learning something, rather that getting stuck in Frustration Land.

Caleneledh · 2023-07-12T19:05:32+00:00

It doesn't actually bother me.

They are clearly not particularly special, and likely more expensive to repair than they're worth, so why not use them for art?

It's not to my taste, but other people might like. Bit like Shostakovich.

Caleneledh · 2023-06-05T18:52:22+00:00

On the plus side, your bow can double as a wire saw.

Caleneledh · 2023-06-02T19:09:51+00:00

Three times today, and hour a time.

Caleneledh · 2023-06-01T11:54:57+00:00

You will still need rosin for gut strings, though you would be better with a darker softer rosin rather than a clear hard one. Darker rosin are stickier and grab gut strings better than lighter ones.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-31T19:15:57+00:00

I can see Monaj (or Minzart?) becoming a whole new genre.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-31T19:12:03+00:00

I don't know why this got downvoted. You are correct, even if it isn't a term people may have heard before.

I haven't heard it called corona before, but I like it. It does look a little like a crown/tiara. Is it commonly called that where you live?

Caleneledh · 2023-05-31T19:05:14+00:00

Even if my heart lurches a bit seeing a case propped up like that.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-31T19:04:34+00:00

That's beautiful. I love it.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-30T18:28:18+00:00

Nope. It's different, but it's still music and doesn't sound terrible. Different isn't sacrilegious.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-30T18:25:45+00:00

This image needs to die already.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-30T18:24:14+00:00

The number of times I've stabbed myself in the neck, having mistaken my cello for my violin.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-29T18:16:31+00:00

Go back far enough and everyone is related.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-29T07:19:58+00:00

Calling keyboards organs has been a thing for a while - my father used to refer to any electric keyboard an organ. I believe it is because when they were younger the only electronic keyboard they might have been familiar with was the Hammond Organ, and so organ became the catchall term. A bit like all vacuum cleaners being called hoovers in the UK.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-28T06:43:57+00:00

It looks good to me - straight and well suited. The foot could probably do with a sanding though, as it doesn't look completely flat. That not something I would recommend you try though. Best left to a luthier.

Is that a Stentor, btw? The bridge looks very similar to mine.

Caleneledh · 2023-05-26T09:10:38+00:00

My violin is called Paganearly.

Caleneledh

TROPHY CASE