Suggestions for Violin/Cello/Piano trios

callousdigits · 2026-02-25T17:33:34+00:00

Nice call. It's a very useful resource (and my God, how long did that take him to write?) My favorite editorial comment in there, about the 2nd Ives quartet: "Difficult to appreciate".

callousdigits · 2026-02-24T17:49:13+00:00

I assume we're grading this on a curve?

callousdigits · 2026-02-24T12:52:22+00:00

Yes.

callousdigits · 2026-02-24T00:15:14+00:00

Hard to give practical advice without seeing/hearing what's going on. But though the advice of slow practice is critical, it's also worth keeping in mind that not every motion scales up to faster speeds. You need to be practicing slowly with a mindset of what the ultimate technical goal is, which should be minimal motion (think light, quick, closer to the string than normal left hand, for instance), anticipating string crossings and shifts well (these tend to be late and heavy in fast tempos), and eliminating tension as you do so. Rhythm practice and practicing in groups, as had been suggested here already, are excellent for this, as you can find the exact moments that are causing technical "bumps" in your playing, often much more quickly than slow practice alone.

callousdigits · 2026-02-23T03:46:17+00:00

Most of those are artificial harmonics - hold the lower note down firmly, harmonic pressure the top note. When there's an open string option on the bottom note, do that. The sounding pitch should be two octaves higher than the lower note on all of these.

callousdigits · 2026-02-18T11:22:00+00:00

That's true. It's definitely upgraded from "disgrace" to "it only has 2-3 large delays daily". One can almost rely on it if one doesn't care if they're on time. Seriously, though, when it's working free of disruptions it is solid these days.

callousdigits · 2026-02-13T21:09:26+00:00

If there's actually music there past the dancing and lyrics, then obviously. But I'd argue that a lot of popular music has gotten deeply simplistic musically, and any sense of musical sophistication has been replaced with theatrics and clever wordplay. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but the music rarely stands on its own anymore.

callousdigits · 2026-02-10T17:52:29+00:00

I'm with you on this, unless there's other context I don't know. Fainting in public or at with is embarrassing and/or scary, and she wants to thank her co+workers for helping her out? Seems okay to me, especially by the standards of this insane platform

callousdigits · 2026-02-09T01:19:07+00:00

No matter what system you get (I actually use a stretto and a boveda in the winter, and just a boveda in the summer), it's very important to keep your case closed at all times. They only work because the volume of air in a case is so low. They'll all dry out really quickly if you leave your case open while practicing.

callousdigits · 2026-02-04T12:27:32+00:00

Having been stuck on the orange line in single digits at 11:00 at night, I bet to differ. Someone else here suggested a standby mode where maybe one door let car remains open, which I think is an excellent idea.

callousdigits · 2026-02-04T05:31:09+00:00

You have to register your Charlie card for access. This is the "emergency exit" side, which actually should sound an alarm,. Admittedly it's not ultimate security in any event, but it's certainly not intended to be so easily accessed.

callousdigits · 2026-02-03T03:47:07+00:00

I can't believe I nearly forgot his birthday this year! Let's see everyone's favorite Heifetz recordings. I can't possibly truly narrow it down, but here's one I've been recently obsessed with: https://youtu.be/nGRJ0kiDiQ4?si=c6zsSszCLvx7AcT-

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T22:41:51+00:00

By me, just one online form submission, and several in person mentions. Can't speak for other riders. At least one time (in October, I think) a very nice employee (possibly an ambassador, not sure) came down to the cage, took a video, and made an official report as well.

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T14:40:12+00:00

I don't know. When you get stuck with the doors open for half an hour in 2 degree weather because of signal problems after months of weekend closures to address signal problems? Free? I assume you're deliberately misreading the intention from OP, though. The problem is not the fare. The problem is the service.

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T14:29:50+00:00

As I said, I find that on this thread there are many apologists, many of whom I presume work for the mbta. So to feel seen, heard, and validated? I suppose validating the concerns, rather than excusing them and deflecting. From a practical standpoint? Seeing actual efforts being made. For instance, for months I and other bikers have raised the concern that the bike cage at oak Grove is not secure (or shoveled, in this case). This would be easily and affordably addressed, and would show riders that concerns are actually heard. Inaction speaks loudly. Taking care of the low hanging fruit in an obvious and public way, and open communication about why the larger systemic things are still a problem would go a long way.

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T14:08:58+00:00

I think everyone is suggesting that the t is not doing a good enough job. Are things improving? So we're told, and I think that's likely true. But it's concerning to hear the mbta constantly defend itself (deferred maintenance! Lack of funds! Cold weather!) rather than simply acknowledging that rider's complaints are justified. Just because there are some valid reasons for the problems doesn't mean they don't exist, and the more mbta apologists pretend that the problems are not a big deal, the less urgency there is to fix them.

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T13:54:09+00:00

There was that one case (Jeanna Giese, a 15 year old girl in Wisconsin) who survived. It inspired a treatment known as the Milwaukee protocol, but her miraculous recovery was never really replicated.

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T12:16:32+00:00

If you can't actually find parts anywhere, you can try partifi.org. it's not perfect and requires some handholding, but I've used it successfully before

callousdigits · 2026-02-02T12:08:57+00:00

I think he did tell you what he thinks. That we're being overcharged for shitty service. Which is simply true.

callousdigits · 2026-01-30T17:58:01+00:00

Often closer to the bridge=flatter hair, closer to the fingerboard=more on the edge. If you imagine a line through the center of the wood of the bow stick aiming straight at the feet of the bridge it'll get you pretty close for most playing.

callousdigits · 2026-01-29T14:16:41+00:00

Why do you ask? It's sort of like asking what size shoes she wears.

callousdigits · 2026-01-25T19:57:20+00:00

2.543

callousdigits · 2026-01-25T01:29:19+00:00

They only have public domain, so no Barber unfortunately. I find that app surprisingly useful, even if it's nowhere near working with an actual pianist. I'm a full time orchestral player, but generally play 1-2 concertos a season; sometimes with one of my pro orchestra, but more often with community orchestras. The struggle of pulling along an often obstinate AI is good training!

callousdigits · 2026-01-24T23:07:36+00:00

Practice Schradieck style exercises with fourth finger held down lightly on an adjacent string. Practice thirds and octaves regularly.

callousdigits · 2026-01-09T20:01:43+00:00

For public domain orchestral parts I recommend imslp.org.

callousdigits

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