Viola day 22 - Peter and the Wolf
It's been 3 weeks since I bought this viola and work has been getting somewhat busier so it's a little frustrating that I am getting less time than I'd like to practice at work, one time not even bringing it in! Imagine not being able to pursue your hobby at work!!
Anyway, this was a request by @erh.germany and I have indeed delivered. Before you listen though, just be appreciative of how difficult this was. It's a very short excerpt - the main recognizable leitmotif, but I had to practice a LOT more than the previous tracks and learnt a LOT more.
The first thing you might notice is that my bowing hand still looks like a calcified monkey paw. I'm getting the fluid movement in isolation, but in performance, it's just not practical yet.
The second thing you might think is that my ability seems to have gone down since before. Maybe that's how it sounds to you. The reality is, everything I played before comes to me much, much more easily now and sounds much better, but in this particular track, i wanted to try and implement 'Staccato'.
Staccato is basically short, sharp, or bounces of notes. 'ip dip dip... my blue ship' that kinda thing.
I couldn't figure it out on my own so after a while, I had to go to youtube and found there are actually three methods of doing this, each with a slightly different sound, but you should generally just go with the one that feels right first when trying all three. They all involve jolting the wrist rather than the arm, and this made an immediately improved difference from my scratchy attempts.
The man in the video then said 'It's simple, just practice staccato for 3 minutes a day for TWO YEARS and you'll have a good staccato'.
Right. The first thing I yelled at my computer is f**k you, I'll do it in a week.
Well, the point is I'm trying a technique which is not expected to be easy or accomplished after an hour of practice. I didn't get all the notes I wanted to in this video but I hit some of them. The mummified monkey paw goes against this ability so it's more important than ever for me to loosen up - the same goes for the dreaded vibrato.
Anyway, here is the longest 20 seconds of my Viola career so far - Prokofiev's 'Peter and the Wolf' theme (part of):
wow, you're a toddler ? :p
Other than the sax maybe one of the most difficult instruments ? No frets or nothing like youd have on a guitar, but ofcourse, technics does not come with inspiration .. Peter and the wolf sure takes me back , my parents bought me this whole series of records as a kid, all with fairy tales backed with music. This was one of them ..
anyway, if you take requests ...
play viol, u should probably know the girl .. i hear she has a habit of bouncing off the walls when shes not huddling behind the castle walls ...
It's pretty overdone to point out how young I look =P I'm actually 32, and mentally in my 50's =)
I got one more request to do before anything else, but you're second in line! (Assuming I can play it at all)
You do look very young. But I also agree that you show a matured mind (mostly - LOL!).
To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
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Long-distance high five. ♥
It’s not an easy one to play, good for you!
Maybe a little more presure with the bow at the begining of the notes and play a little more closer to the bridge will give you a more consistent sound. But I’m sure you are aware of it and trying to do. Staccatto is really hard with a “calcified monkey pawn”
Replying about your other comment here too - seems you're a multi-instrumentalist yourself! I'm not actually a performer by any count on anything, I'm more the composer/producer type, but I enjoy the learning experience a lot. I'm not actually aware of where and how the bow should and shouldn't go and be so this is a handy little tidbit!
Growing with the challenges, aren't we? LOL
Thanks for fulfilling my wish. I knew it would be hard with the violin. I love the melody a lot and probably it never will leave me in my entire life. Funny, how sound and smell (and touch) sticks to the memory while thought is so much fleeting.
I appreciate the effort. Good idea to ask for pieces of music so you are "forced" to practise. :D