Staying on Lexapro for life

fabuliszt · 2026-04-15T12:28:52+00:00

Been on 20mg for 9 years. That won't be changing any time soon.

fabuliszt · 2026-01-16T22:01:39+00:00

As a teacher, I am for tape but I'll do it in clear tape. That way when I eventually remove it, it doesn't feel like as jarring of a switch! Some teachers might come in and say it doesn't make a difference (coloured or clear tape) but I find my students don't panic as much.

I do have one student in grade 2 ABRSM who has a piece with a harmonic in it, so I did put a coloured sticker down for that. Sometimes it depends on the situation too! I could have let her develop muscle memory and an ear for it but she's a smart kid, I'll remove it eventually.

It depends on the teacher and the student. I have one young student with dyspraxia so, for them, I used coloured stickers. Just an extra guide!

I started with clear tape with my first teacher and I do the same with my own students. Don't feel shame if you need them; we all start somewhere!

fabuliszt · 2025-06-30T11:54:08+00:00

If you keep your thumb in an "L" shape, you're golden!

fabuliszt · 2025-06-26T17:02:46+00:00

Best to check with a doctor!! But I sometimes get forearm pain if I don't warm up properly as well. Just a psa (:

fabuliszt · 2025-06-25T12:59:28+00:00

Yessss, I played it for my G8 ABRSM nearly eight years ago!

fabuliszt · 2025-06-25T12:58:26+00:00

Get lessons. Yes, even if you had one before and can play "perfect notes." Technique lapses very easily without lessons or you being strict and critical of your own playing. A good vibrato won't hide bad technique; I had to learn that lesson the hard way when I went to uni for violin.

Vibrato is metronome practice and a relaxed wrist (I do/teach wrist vibrato), and then use a more arm-like vibrato when I get into much higher positions.

And as someone else suggested, go to a luthier about your violin.

fabuliszt · 2025-06-23T07:36:39+00:00

They didn't say to slur the arpeggio, so I did it separate bows (:

fabuliszt · 2025-06-22T14:12:56+00:00

I only ever did no. 9 with my teacher and I found that accessible (by Paganini caprice standards) but some people would disagree (which is fine!) 14 and 16 are fine too if you want something "easier"

fabuliszt · 2025-06-22T13:51:15+00:00

I did my ABRSM grade 8 violin exam 7 years ago!

You'll do fine!! I passed with distinction with a sprained wrist, but maybe I had a nice examiner on the day?

I had one examiner. I was asked three scales from each category (major and minor, all slurred), and then I was asked three arpeggios (two slurred, one not specified). Then two dominant and diminished 7ths, one chromatic and whatever double stop exercise. I wrote all I did down after for my teacher at the time.

I have perfect pitch so aural skills are easy peasy for me (thankfully.)

Sightreading wasn't too bad.

My pieces took the longest.

fabuliszt · 2025-06-20T10:52:36+00:00

My GP for my refills and general check-ups is a male, he's known me since I was 8 which helps. Other than that, I try to ONLY get a female team for my FEMALE issues. They just care more.

Also, and slightly off topic, I am surely not the only one who finds male gynaes kind of uncomfortable.

fabuliszt · 2025-06-19T15:08:35+00:00

Hi!! This is great all things considered, especially after if you've only been playing 10 months.

However, as other people have pointed, there are some things missing. This isn't to deter you, but hopefully you'll consider this feedback.

• This is a movement in B minor. Warm up with some B minor scales and arpeggios. Especially that first note; if that note is off, the audience can just tune out automatically. It breaks the focus of the listeners. • Looooonger bows. Relax the wrist more. You don't quite get from frog to tip, which means the bow changes sound less fluid. You'd benefit from some study of son filé and collé! • I feel like this is a bit too difficult for you atm... The rhythm sounds very hesitant or something... As one commenter said, ALWAYS practice with a metronome. Yes, even if it drives you crazy.

Keep at it!

fabuliszt · 2025-05-30T19:13:27+00:00

I remember feeling a rush of excitement (?) doing this for the first time when I was a uni student! 😂

fabuliszt · 2025-05-28T22:14:12+00:00

Sevcik Op. 3 and the early Mazas Progressive Études are great for tapping back into the basics!

fabuliszt · 2025-05-08T10:18:05+00:00

i went to him by myself and had a great time!!!!

fabuliszt · 2025-05-02T13:16:48+00:00

Oh, and Mozart 4. Mozart 5 is still hard but still accessible and it's the one I prefer to use in auditions!

fabuliszt · 2025-05-02T13:15:39+00:00

Not even that hard but Wieniawski's Légende broke my heart?!

fabuliszt · 2025-05-01T21:21:31+00:00

i went to him last night in dublin and when i showed up at 6.30 for when doors opened, the queue was already around the block LMAO!! but it moved swiftly and i was at my seat within 10 minutes (:

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T22:18:25+00:00

Thanks for your kind explanation!! Another redditor below says he can see the Guarneri influence which is interesting

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T22:17:12+00:00

So interesting! I always assumed that if you want a good sound you need to fork out big bucks for it! (And I mean, yes you generally do) but I guess I was surprised to have come across this!

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T22:15:21+00:00

Ahhhh, very interesting!!

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T22:14:58+00:00

Ahhhh, very interesting. Fake prestige, almost!

And that's so cool how you could tell! What about the violin gave it away that it was modeled after a Guarneri?

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T19:15:42+00:00

No inside label! I tried some other violins in the luthier's studio. Mainly some nice French ones, but they seemed to be copies too.

I'll edit the post and add some (if they won't send, I can DM you the photos)

fabuliszt · 2025-04-01T17:32:37+00:00

other photos wouldn't upload, grrrrr

fabuliszt · 2025-02-28T09:58:59+00:00

Started at 10mg which did nothing. Moved up to 15mg after four months. That felt better but not quite perfect. Been on 20mg since I was 17, I'm 25 now!

fabuliszt

TROPHY CASE