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Starting the "21 days of practice" challenge
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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 19, 2017 - 5:34 am
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In which I take on the first movement of the Clarke viola sonata.

This is the first time I've ever played an entire movement of a piece from start to finish on camera, and it shows in the form of rushing and some shaky intonation... (Hopefully this improves with more time on camera. At least my bow isn't shaking all the time any more any more.)

Also the camera angle is awful as it hides both of my hands most of the time. (Might need to rearrange lighting for taking video after sunset.) Still, I think there's plenty of material to critique, and I'll continue posting videos over the next three weeks as I practice this piece.

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 20, 2017 - 4:41 am
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And I'm on Instagram too now! Posting daily practice clips there.

https://www.instagram.com/andrewhcit/

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Mark
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November 20, 2017 - 8:36 pm
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Andrew, 

I commend you and everyone on the forum who video tapes them self for review, I know to, I'm just a bit lazy to take the time from my practice time to set up and do it. Have some down time coming up next month maybe I'll work on setting up and do a video squeaks and all.

Well done all,

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 22, 2017 - 6:41 am
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Day 3:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbybrBMlu8u/

There's a shift I'm finding rather difficult to place accurately: a downward shift from a natural 5th position to a flat 5th position (2nd finger on F# to 1st finger on Eb on the G string). If anyone has tips on that shift, I'd like to know, because I often go an entire half-step flat there.

The full progression of notes before and after is (all on the G string):

Eb --- E G F# Eb F Eb D - C -

Yes, I have tried putting my 1st finger on Eb on the way up and keeping it there, and the notes are playable that way, but I'd greatly prefer 3rd finger vibrato over 4th finger vibrato on the G at the top of that phrase (and there will be more vibrato when it's closer to performance-ready).

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Charles
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November 23, 2017 - 9:31 am
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Andrew, your skill level is enough above mine that I'm only going to be able to make limited suggestions, but for the specific problem you mentioned:

I'm assuming the G in that is above the E, rather than the open string.

If that's the case, if you keep your hand shape the same as you shift from G to F#, your 1st finger will naturally shift to the Eb.

Since the interval between half steps is tighter higher on the fingerboard, that might make your Eb a tad sharp, but since you're saying you're having the opposite problem right now, I'm guessing that stretching the forefinger a hair back will be doable.

Hope it helps

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 24, 2017 - 3:18 am
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Hmm, 3rd finger on G to 3rd finger on F#? It's at least worth trying.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 24, 2017 - 10:13 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Congratulations on coming this far and welcome to the forum.

Just a couple of tips to start with.

When you play fast notes, 16th notes, etc., you should use less bow. It's slowing those notes down and they become unclear.

Also, try playing while consciously leaving your fingers much closer to the fingerboard. You have a tendency to lift them more than necessary.

You get a critique video badge. :)

Keep up the great work.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 24, 2017 - 11:19 am
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Thanks!

 

Lately I'd been consciously trying to use more bow on the fast notes after seeing videos of the same piece. I may be overdoing it.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 24, 2017 - 2:52 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I understand. Yes, you probably went from one extreme to another. Try it, I'm sure that you will feel more comfortable.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 25, 2017 - 2:12 pm
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hello Andrew H.  I have enjoyed watching your videos on the 21 day challenge. BRAVO.

I know that commitment to practice is a 100% sure way to achieve success. It works every single time.

Nice to see you here on that forum.  I think you might be the member on the forum closest to me.

Cheers and thank you for the thread and all the good sharing.

I have missed a lot of posts and I don't know If I ever said hello or not. 

Toni

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 26, 2017 - 1:15 am
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7 days in, getting a lot cleaner now!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb8c7AZF_PY/

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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November 28, 2017 - 5:43 am
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I recorded the entire movement as a progress check on Day 8, giving myself only one shot at it. The video shows short clips from each day of practice first, before going into the Day 8 "performance."

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
November 28, 2017 - 9:28 am
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My goodness - that looks difficult !

Well done @AndrewH thumbs-up, I'm sure you must feel you are making progress !

I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - guntohead.JPG

Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

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Ferenc Simon
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November 28, 2017 - 1:08 pm
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Wow Andrew! That's amazing :D  

I agree with Billy :) There are some really intense parts in that.

Nice work!

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