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Next Personal Challenge
Said yes to participating in the Washington State Music Teachers Association Chapter Adjudications. Excited but a bit freaked out about it too.
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KitsapFG
Poulsbo, Washington
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December 13, 2014 - 11:43 am
Member Since: November 15, 2014
Forum Posts: 18
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Part of my own personal journey to get better at playing this instrument has been to seize opportunities to play and get as much experience as I can.   Last summer I attended the Cascadia Irish Music Week (CIMW) which was an intense week of learning Irish fiddle tunes (all by ear) and learning/playing with some fine fiddlers from Ireland and from all over the US as well.   This fall I joined my local community orchestra which really has been pushing me forward as well (and which I am going to continue doing because it is so much fun and I am learning so much).   And now, another opportunity has presented itself.

Thursday night, at my regularly weekly lesson with my violin instructor, I agreed  to participate in the Washington State Music Teachers Association Chapter Adjudications that will take place March 6th and 7th. I will be performing two pieces from memory (as polished as I can get them between now and then) with a piano accompanist. I will then receive written and oral feedback from the adjudicators - and my violin teacher will also receive feedback. My teacher does this every year and takes a large group of students. This is the first time she has asked me to do it.

We decided that I would perform the Vivaldi Concerto in A Minor, Op. 3, No. 6, 1st mvt. and Dvorak Humoresque. The Vivaldi being my "challenge" piece and the Dvorak being my "I love it and it is a little easier for me" piece.

I said yes because March seems so far away at the moment and I am not one to turn down a challenge. I suspicion I may be kicking myself when the day actually does come that I have to stand on my own on stage and play these two pieces well enough to do honor to my great teacher. (She really IS great.)    The good news is, is that my ear training at CIMW is really helping me with memorizing the pieces.   As of this morning (Saturday), I already have much of Humoresque memorized.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 13, 2014 - 9:27 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I find that repetition takes care of the memory playing. Usually if you play a piece often enough you can eventually play it by memory.

I believe you are doing a good thing by pushing yourself and by accepting your teachers request.

Good luck with the preparation.

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

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KitsapFG
Poulsbo, Washington
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December 14, 2014 - 10:08 am
Member Since: November 15, 2014
Forum Posts: 18
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Fiddlerman said
I find that repetition takes care of the memory playing. Usually if you play a piece often enough you can eventually play it by memory.
I believe you are doing a good thing by pushing yourself and by accepting your teachers request.
Good luck with the preparation.

Thanks Fiddlerman!   Every experience does add up to great skill and confidence.  Playing for others where I am not part of a group (to hide in!) has always been a challenge for me.

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
December 14, 2014 - 2:31 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
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Sounds like an amazing challenge.  Good luck and keep us posted!  I love the songs!

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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Georganne
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December 15, 2014 - 10:56 pm
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Wow how exciting!  Keep us posted and good luck!

 

Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

 

Alaska, the Madness; Bloggity Stories of the North Country

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
December 16, 2014 - 1:54 am
Member Since: March 22, 2014
Forum Posts: 3744
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Excellent!   Although I know I wouldn't be anywhere like competent enough to do anything like that yet, nonetheless I'm green with envy !

Practice the pieces until you "absolutely own them" and you'll do great !

Good luck, 

Bill

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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KitsapFG
Poulsbo, Washington
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December 27, 2014 - 10:25 pm
Member Since: November 15, 2014
Forum Posts: 18
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Thanks everyone for your support.  This is scaring me, but sometimes doing things that are hard for us - pushes us to that next level (or over the cliff edge, but I choose not to think about that outcome! LOL!)

 

@Bill - Your advice is really good.  I intend to play these until I am doing them in my sleep and "own them".  

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