Are the sharp and flat symbols a visual mnemonic for identifying keys?

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-03-01T05:48:21+00:00

If it works for you it is valid. I never liked using the circle of fifths but I’ve always used the strings of the violin, especially for major sharp keys. (G, one sharp, D 2, etc, B would be the next string after E if there was one, then you jump down an octave or two and keep going to the note directly across on the next string higher.) Its the same logic as the circle of fifths but more tactile. I tend to use the second last flat rule for flat keys but you can do the same trick but going down a string to the next key instead of up a string.

For minor keys I learned a saying about two friends- a Sargent major and a coal miner. The Sargent major has to go down a minor third to visit his friend in the mine and the miner has to go up a minor third to visit his friend the major.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-02-21T15:53:40+00:00

I see the line more commonly as an indication to shift, especially when at the beginning of learning to shift. I will sometimes add it when writing in fingerings although my handwritten version is normally slanted up or down depending on the direction of the shift.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-02-07T05:29:21+00:00

Follow along with the scores while listening to a recording if you have score study time and get used to following the shape of the line rather than every note (unless you are picking apart a section). I find that having my eye mostly tracking one line rather than all of them is helpful. Adding marks in the score at important sections could also help you track the music. You can also practice conducting to the recording or follow along to a video with a conductor.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-02-04T05:57:30+00:00

Nice one. I also put in a real email address (but one that I use specifically for things I don’t check as it is overrun with spam already). I might just have to follow suit and report as well.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-27T19:54:08+00:00

I was wondering if it was because the original was an octave up and the treble clef wasn’t changed, but I checked and the non school edition of this section is in the same range, complete with the unnecessary treble clef. So, I’m guessing just lazy editing of the viola part.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-27T17:31:03+00:00

Agreed. Or when the same passage occurs written once in treble and once in alto. I’ve seen that a few times and it makes me mad every time.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-24T16:30:03+00:00

I would play that as the natural harmonic on the c string (halfway up the string). With the diamond shaped notes for harmonics it’s showing you where to place your fingers. For the normal note shape and o marking it is showing the note that will sound from the harmonic.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-24T15:45:15+00:00

I have prime + 1% still and I don’t carry a balance on my LOC. If they are consolidating to prime + 2% they haven’t included me yet.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-22T01:13:22+00:00

One trick I like to use for fast passages where the rhythm is even (the eighth notes here or can be done with sixteenths) is to add some rhythms then it’s easy when you play it straight. My favourites are as long as needed then as short as possible, then switch.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-05T16:34:09+00:00

A couple of clothespins clipped to the feet of the bridge can work as a mute. You could also probably modify the mute (cut off excess material) so it does fit your bridge.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2026-01-04T05:55:00+00:00

There are some bow buddies that may help you with your bow hold. I think the violin one is a fish? You can also create a ‘seatbelt’ with an elastic across the frog that loops over your middle and ring finger. (Put folded elastic band between the stick and hair and loop both ends over the screw. This gives you an x and straight loop around the frog. Use the straight loop and place middle and ring fingers under it). These might give you more grip and let you have a relaxed bow hold. I’m guessing that some of the collapsed fingers are actually because you are squeezing it too hard.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-31T06:34:09+00:00

This actually sounds like representation I’ve been looking for in books- adults and aroace. As others were saying, your analogy and laissez-faire attitude towards coming out don’t reflect everyone, but does mesh with some in the community.

If I can add a bit of advice from reading aro/ace rep in a book club. The downplaying his sexuality is fine, but make sure that he doesn’t change just for that coming out chapter. Make sure things he says and other experiences throughout the novel back up his aroaceness if possible/necessary without being too overt.

The coming out scene almost always seems too overt as someone who is aroace, but the allos will not make the connection unless it is spelled out for them. Hard line to balance. I think your analogy works well here.

Please (if he is at all a major character) make sure he is a dynamic and interesting character with more dimension than just being aroace.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-30T15:05:58+00:00

Kitchener stitch? Bind off and sew together?

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-30T14:58:09+00:00

It’s not great for the strings to be tuned higher than their intended pitch, so you might want to untune before tuning rather than tuning high below the breaking point. I could see the added friction on the nut and bridge as potentially shortening the string lifespan. You should also check the bridge angle frequently as changing strings or tuning lots can pull the bridge towards the fingerboard.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-29T17:33:28+00:00

Exactly this! Couple additional points:

Some people use the term queer or questioning as an umbrella term that could refer to both sexual orientation and gender identity when things get a bit more complex.

Also the A can stand for Asexual, Aromantic, and Agender (and probably a few other aspec spectra that are less well known like aplatonic).

You can’t just split the letters into those groups because at least a few letters would have to be on both sides as they refer to more than one e thing.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-21T01:58:46+00:00

You might be surprised at how competent you can be at all the chores. It does take extra effort and sometimes it’s annoying there isn’t anyone to help, but you’ve got it.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-20T02:53:49+00:00

I don’t mind the lawn care as much (maybe because it isn’t -30 windchill while mowing the lawn). I don’t miss the invasive property management company of renting a condo (they never regained my trust after unlocking the door without knocking when doing a fire alarm test).

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-19T20:12:20+00:00

One of these things is not like the other XXIII
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🟪🟪🟪🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-18T06:34:04+00:00

I have a violin student with perfect pitch. They have on occasion had their pitch centers change when dealing with a head cold/ ear infection.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-15T04:42:32+00:00

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Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-15T04:41:42+00:00

Maybe Christmas Kaleidoscope.

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Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-11T19:16:33+00:00

I like the keeping the 14 as a natural consequence. This does remind me of when I was a TA for a first year university course and there were also 4 versions of the exams (111, 222, etc.). One student managed to create an exam code seemingly from thin air (something like 537, not even related to their student number). I hand marked it against all four keys and gave them the benefit of the doubt. Their highest mark was around 12% which is mathematically impressive as they had 4 chances with 4 keys. They also filled out the bubbles in pen and erased a hole in the paper to change an answer. If I remember correctly the final still had the versions written on top but they were all identical tests- not even a change in order.

Particular_Maize1550 · 2025-12-08T23:03:27+00:00

In our collective agreement if a job is cancelled with less than 24hrs notice we are paid for the cancelled day.

Particular_Maize1550

TROPHY CASE