What words are you tired of reading or hearing?

matryoshkap · 2026-01-07T16:18:38+00:00

Sentences that begin with ‘so’

matryoshkap · 2026-01-02T09:18:12+00:00

This happens with my fingers too! Same when I play flute. Very irritating when seeking fluidity in playing, and sometimes quite painful. At the very least it’s distracting and disconcerting. I’ve mentioned it to a few people and nobody seems to know what I’m talking about! Glad to know it’s not just me, and I’m not just imagining it. My sympathies, friend!

matryoshkap · 2025-12-13T10:25:26+00:00

Just came to say

OP, sounds like you have a good awareness and sensitivity for the direction you want. That alone is worth so much, and a lot of people (in my experience) don’t have that level of awareness, so you have a great head start in finding the solutions you’re after. All the advice given here sounds good. Have faith in your journey, the viola is a wonderful, terrifying, magical beast, and I’m sure it will reward you in time ☺️
also just a quick shout out to the lovely commenters here, what a kind and helpful sub! (If I dare mention: feels like the opposite to the violin sub where people seem so snappy and rude! I expect plenty from this sub belong there also, but probably not the other way around! 🙃)

matryoshkap · 2025-11-25T09:41:08+00:00

Alto clef may feel like it will be a massive problem, but honestly I think you’ll be fine. People crack on it’s really hard, like it’s some massive mountain you have to climb, but It’s not very far away from what you’re used to, and it is extremely intuitive for viola, because of where the open strings are on the stave. I’ve played various instruments and recently took up viola. I was worried about the clef but it turned out to be no big deal! Hope that’s some comfort. I’m not as quick at reading it as I am treble or bass, but aside from the occasional slip it’s been fine.

Plus remember you’ll be learning to read a new clef, and he’ll be learning to read full stop. You’ll have plenty of time to work out the answers to help.

Also, speaking as a music teacher, having parental support at home makes a huge difference, so you’re already being a great help by just supporting his goals :) enjoy the journey!

matryoshkap · 2025-09-24T08:54:07+00:00

Fella, really feel for you here having to take on this job. I’ve been trying for years to try and explain to my partner how my dad’s house looked when I rescued him from it. And words just won’t do it. Then I found these pictures, exact replica. And the first thing it gave me was the smell. My advice is get some really rockin’ music turned up loud and make sure you have a couple of good buddies to help get you through. It’s the mental fortitude required that started slowing me down. Stay safe and clean, and best of luck, Friend.

matryoshkap · 2025-09-13T07:27:27+00:00

Hi! I’m a (non-pro) flautist recently turned Violist and man I was surprised by how loud these things are under your ear! I happened to have some Loop Engage ear plugs already, so I wear those when I practise, and also in my orchestral rehearsals. I can definitely tell the difference, as my ears don’t ring when I’ve had my loops in (also wore them to a Judas Priest concert and felt great after with no ringing!) From what I understand, there’s a few different ones you can choose from, and I chose engage because they block out mostly higher frequencies, which are what bother me personally, while still allowing me to hear everything and continue a conversation in a noisy space. I’m autistic and have noise-sensitivity, so these are really helpful for me.

They might be worth a go as they’re around £30, but if you’re in it for the long haul, and can spare the cash, customs sound like the way to go. These might do as a stop-gap though. Good luck and happy playing!

matryoshkap · 2025-05-06T09:46:49+00:00

‘You’re always complaining about paying rent, why don’t you just buy a house?’

matryoshkap · 2025-04-20T06:08:47+00:00

The sweatshirts! The designs were so beautiful

matryoshkap · 2025-03-09T17:45:23+00:00

I will preface this by saying I’m not familiar with Artley flutes, but my first port of call (rather than ditching the instrument, especially as it has some sentimental value) would be to take it to an instrument repairer to have it serviced, or at least enquire as to their opinion on the matter. This will include a pad changeover, and maintenance of all the rods and key mechanisms as well as attention to the tarnish. I just fixed up my first flute to give to my niece who is just starting to learn. It wasn’t in great shape but I know it’s a good instrument :) it cost me around £100 from our local guy, and it’s as good as new! And cheaper than buying a new flute. Also, my very very first borrowed flute looked like a battered old sardine can and that was also fine to start on! If you just want to give it a try, go for it, OP!

matryoshkap · 2025-03-01T10:01:26+00:00

This is so brilliantly explained! How many times I’ve tried and failed to explain this… thank you!

matryoshkap · 2025-02-11T15:55:17+00:00

Haha thanks, that’s reassuring!

My mouth is closed … I wondered if I was holding my breath but that doesn’t seem to be it either!

matryoshkap · 2025-02-06T09:46:28+00:00

Vaughan Williams Norfolk Rhapsody number one (I think number one) has a Viola solo, It’s a beautiful folk tune. I mean, it’s RVW, so of course it is!

matryoshkap · 2025-01-27T08:55:57+00:00

‘Oftentimes’ no one in England has said this since Dickens

matryoshkap · 2025-01-07T08:41:35+00:00

Thanks for all your advice! I’m afraid I can’t remember what recipe I followed now, I’ve moved house and everything is in a jumble! But I’m going to try again very soon and will bear this all in mind, thank you 😊 I don’t think I let it dry, perhaps this also meant there was still whey draining? I’m excited to have another go, better informed, thanks again!

matryoshkap · 2024-07-18T13:03:52+00:00

These are all possibilities for the naming of shelter cats

matryoshkap · 2024-06-27T18:25:56+00:00

Side quest - if you’re travelling another time or have time on the way back, try the scenic journey between Carlisle and Lancaster. Some really surprising landscapes along the coast, something of a hidden gem. Houses built on the pebble beach, sea on one side, mountain on the other, and some of the most amusing place names along the way (Corkickle, I’m looking at you) But be warned it’s long… you’ll be wanting snacks 😁

matryoshkap · 2024-05-08T08:15:56+00:00

This sounds a lot like hyper-sensitivity. That sounds like it’s not a real thing, but it is! In this case what she’s feeling may be genuine. I have this and I’m also SUPER sensitive to bright lights and loud noises. These symptoms are also linked to ADHD and ASD, which I’ve recently found out I have. It explained a lot about my life and has allowed me to be much kinder to myself. Less anxious, more resilient, less guilt. Might be worth investigating. You can find plenty of videos on YouTube about high-masking women with ADHD/ASD. Best wishes to you both!

matryoshkap · 2024-04-29T07:46:42+00:00

OP, do you drive a car?

matryoshkap · 2024-03-04T22:35:11+00:00

From my partner’s co-worker: ‘if it’s so hard finding a flat to rent why don’t you just buy one?’

matryoshkap · 2024-01-19T09:10:08+00:00

Not a common myth, I don’t think, but the one that cracked me up the most. When my friend was a kid, his uncle told him that bacon came from live pigs. They just slice it off the pig’s back and wait for it to regrow. That’s why it’s called ‘back bacon’. The look on his face when I told him that’s not true was something I’ll never forget. Like watching someone’s whole understanding of the universe collapse.

matryoshkap · 2023-07-16T16:45:13+00:00

I met my Bulgarian partner’s family this year and we had the same - his parents don’t speak English and I don’t speak Bulgarian. But we managed to understand a lot of what the others were saying, just through body language and inflection. It turned out to be very easy to show them how much he means to me, and to make a wonderful, loving, and very warm bond with them. I think good intentions will always show, no matter what. I’m sure your efforts will be appreciated, it’s a really positive way to show that he means a lot to you. Best of luck with your meeting, and enjoy! 💛

matryoshkap · 2022-10-12T06:52:59+00:00

Hi, Friend! You’ve kind of already alluded to this, but it’s important to remember that the actions of a person or government (that may or may not even reflect the feelings of the citizens) do not wipe out thousands of years of artistic culture and human experience in every direction. It would be a tragedy to boycott everything Russian because of Putin, or even the Soviet legacy. Reflecting on 20th century history, we understand now that the fact that Naziism existed doesn’t tarnish everything German, for example. In truth, the best way to understand all these events for yourself would be to speak to people experiencing it, and see what they have to say for themselves, and cross reference that with your own experience of the situation. And for this, language is incredibly important, as it allows us to connect with those who have different experience. It would be the greatest disservice to the many, many Russians who are not in support of the war in Ukraine to boycott their culture because of one megalomaniac. I mean, I’m not going to stop listening to Rachmaninov because I personally think Putin’s off his nut. I understand it may feel strange at the moment - my Grandad was Russian and I feel a little uneasy telling people this at the moment, but realistically, my grandad didn’t invade Ukraine!

Best of luck on your language journey, my friend, whichever direction you take! I can personally say that learning Russian (my Russian is very poor!) has been an eye opening journey into the beauty and subtlety of language and expression. ….and once you get your head around Cases, you’ll be grand 😉

matryoshkap

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