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Mouse’s Cubby Hole
Mouse's meanderings about learning, playing, etc.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (91 votes) 
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Mouse
March 25, 2023 - 8:21 am
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I prefer sheet music, so buying it, if I can find it, is fine. Even with my knitting machine, which has digital pattern instructions after you input the measurements, I print them off. The digital versions on the site are just used as reference. I am old fashioned, I guess, I need the hard copy, I didn't take up acoustic cello, violin and viola to be looking at a digital screen, and tohave to be charging devices or be hooked by a cable.

I have a lot of books. I am pretty sure that I can find one with some songs that I have CD's for. I just haven't been able to concentrate and devote the time to it this month. I actually found a few viola books that I forgot I had later last night. Fiddle Viola, pop, movies, etc. There will be something in one of those. I bought them because of the songs in them, 😁. 

I was playing the viola for quite a while yesterday evening, but the same ol', same ol', but it felt good. 

Well, coffee is done, time to toast my bagel.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
March 25, 2023 - 12:43 pm
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Well, I think Imhave found my viola song. I just have to tweak it a little, maybe.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
March 29, 2023 - 8:46 am
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Trying to figure out which fingering works best for me for my viola song. Will figure it out. I realized this morning that I need to get comfortable with the progression of notes and not worry about the smoothness right now. I can't do it smoothly because I am not remembering the progression of notes yet. So, I am not worrying about anything but fingering the notes and the progression, right now. 

I have not picked a violin piece yet. I think that I have this same book in violin form. I do that some times. I buy the cello, viola and violin versions. I think that this is one that I did that with. If that is the case, I will see how I like it on violin. 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
March 31, 2023 - 6:36 pm
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I had to buy a D'Addario mini viola tuner because I do not know what the notes are supposed to sound like, tin ear, I guess. It arrived yesterday, along with a set of spare viola strings. They arrived yesterday, from Fiddlershop.

I did my viola this afternoon. I am doing better with the song that I have chosen for my viola. The tuner has helped. I know when I am off, and am learning what the notes should be sounding like. Much better. I was able to continue when it automatically stopped. Eventually, however, I did have to turn it back on when I started being off by too much and couldn't find my way back. The good news was that I knew I was off. I need the tuner to keep me in course, for now.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 8, 2023 - 3:56 pm
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I worked on my viola song today. It is coming along. I decided to work on the first 16 measures. There is a natural break there, so a good place to stop. That is helping out a lot. The tuner is helping me be a le to recognize what these notes should sound like. It doesn't keep me from drifting, but it does help me know I am, and helps me drift back.

Sometimes I think that I should have bought a 15 inch viola, I don't need a lot of projection. I think it would be easier in my arms. Wait! I think the one we bought at the pawn shop, viola rescue, is a 15 inch. It turns out that it has a really nice sound. I will give that a try the next time. 

I have a new piece for my cello. My former cello instructor sent it to me. He said it is well within my capabilities. He was spot on. It has so much to teach me about dynamics, shifting on the A string, and string crossings. It is exactly the type of piece I like to play. 👍

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The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 11, 2023 - 2:01 pm
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I received my new cello strings today. Cannot wait to try them but, but I have to wait a couple days.

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The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 12, 2023 - 11:17 am
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This is absolutely beautiful. My former cello instructor sent me a link for My Fanwy. He is going to be playing it at a recital with a couple of other cellists, soon. He said it is well within my range. I have added this to my other cello piece for my "lessons".

There is so much to learn from this piece. It sounds simple and the sheet music looks simple. But there re so many ways to shift and add dynamics to this piece. I love it.

This is quite possibly the best cello song that I have ever heard.

Here is a link to it being aung. It shows the Welsh nd English words.

My Fanwy Sung by the Neath Choir

 

Here is the YouTube link as perfomed by Sheku Kanneh Mason

My Fanwy Played by Sheku Kanneh-Mason - arranged for solo cello

🐭

 

 

 

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 12, 2023 - 11:34 am
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As a note to the above post, #267, I really find the link of Sheku Kanneh-Mason playing extremely helpful because it shows a lot of his fingering and blowing. It is a slow piece, so this is helpful. I can see his shifting. I would bot have thought of using the G string, but I see that he is. I was only shifting on the A string, and I see shifting on the D string, also, which makes a lot of sense.

If I can get this sounding even 1/8 of the way Mr Kanneh-Mason is playing, I will be more than thrilled.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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ABitRusty
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April 12, 2023 - 7:38 pm
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The Sheku Kanneh-Mason video is extremely good.  The setting and way he plays that...cant get any better.  great find mouse..really like that.  Happy you found your tune to work on.

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Mark
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April 13, 2023 - 12:02 am
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Mouse 

That is a pretty piece, have fun learning it.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Mouse
April 13, 2023 - 9:19 am
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Thanks, @ABitRusty and @Mark. I can do it if I don't do it with the shifting on the D string, although not very smoothly, just the basics ie learning the melody and where dynamics fit in. It is within, and stretching a little because of shifting, from where I was when lessons stopped. So, now I am working on the shifting to play it the way Sheku does it. It is a much better way, I just need to get used to shifting. My bowing is so scratchy, though. I will figure it out. Learning this song, should help me figure it out.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Mouse
April 17, 2023 - 9:21 am
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My former instructor performed My Fanwy at a recital as backup for another musician. He sent me the link to view it. The musician giving the recital had him and another cellist do the 2nd and 3rd cello parts. She did the first cello part on an alto sax. It was nice, but, it sounds so much sweeter on cello. My instructor did the third part. It is all a light, pizzicato. It was great to see it performed.

The pizzicato was such a pretty little back drop addition. It was like standing in a wooded area and hearing a little creek trickling somewhere just within earshot. You can hear the pretty light sounding pizzicato notes in the air mixed in with the songs of the birds and rustling branches in the breeze. But, it was great to see the pizzicato part being played, and hearing the 2nd and 3rd cello parts, evennthiugh the first oart was an alto sax. With the camera angle,I was able to see how the pizzicato was fingered and how the right hand gently plucked the notes. I did a screen recording of it, so I have a copy for reference.

I am continuing to watch Shenu Kanneh-Mason play it to get the fingering for shifting, and dynamics in my head. I have a lot to chip away at.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 17, 2023 - 7:56 pm
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Actually, I am not watching a lot of videos. Normally, they do not help. My instructor's playing was a live stream concert. Don't get too happy. I am not going to be sitting around watching video after video, slowing them down, etc. It is not something I enjoy or normally benefit from. I only paid attention because I was watching my former instructor. Sorry to disappoint, 😂😂😂😂😂😂 If I had known it was going to cause anyone to think I am watching videos as habit to learn now, I would not have mentioned it. 

He is actually performing with three other cellists right now but whomever at the college is supposed to do the broadcasting end seems to be asleep at the wheel, 😁, or they have technical difficulties. Bummer. Hopefully, it is being recorded, just not broadcast live, and will be posted on the college site later. 🤞

No, I am sorry, they do not help me with intonation, etc. It is just the way it is. Most people - yes, me - no. Watching Sheku Kanneh Mason perform My Fanwy was helpful, but a rare instance.  Not wasting my time finding them to watch with hopes they made it helpful. That is just the way it is for me. I cannot sit and watch and rewatch them. 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
April 26, 2023 - 11:01 am
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Just finished my cello. I put some Obligato strings on it about a week and a half, or so, ago. I absolutely love them on my Fiddlershop Master Cello. Wow. I have my sweet E on the A string back. For some reason, I love that note on my cello when it has strings that really suit that cello. If that note sounds sweet, I can be pretty sure the rest of the strings will have a lovely sound. They do. 

I played My Fanwy and Handel's Bourrée. I also did a 2 octave G scale. That on the Obligto A string is also sweet. 😁

I am only working the first 8 measures and the B in the 9th measure of MyFanwy. I am working in the shifts. Going pretty good.

I am working on the first few measures of then Bourrée, also.

I was concerned with the Obligato strings because they are similar to gut, and supposedly harder to play on. I did have a hard time with them on a violin when I was just starting. I really like them on this cello. They are holding their tune quite well, and, so far, suit the way I bow.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
May 4, 2023 - 12:41 pm
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I have got to get back into the swing of things. I was doing pretty good and actually feeling like I was progressing when I had to get busy with other things. I am now having trouble getting back to my cello playing. I have been taking a violin or viola down once in a while, but my main focus right now is my cello. There is a reason for that, that I am not getting in to. 

I love the Obligatos on the cello. I love playing it, I am just having a hard time getting back to it. Weird. It might be because my husband is puttering around the house getting things done and I feel a little guilty that I cannot help, just a little! I really think that that might be it. I have let my machine knitting nd watercolor painting slip, too. I have, however been making a few cards, But, the card making was because I needed a few. I think that is why I did that.

I did rearrange the card making/sewing room. The card making side of the table was in front of the window with the A/C unit. I can't sit there with the A/C on because it is too cold. So, last night I moved the sewing machine to that side and the cre making items to the other side of the table. I like that better, anyway. I like the drawers and pull out corner pieces on that side.I was doing the cards in that side to begin with. We will see how long that other side holds up with the heavy sewing/embroidery machine on it. 

I do have a few more cards to make. May and June are busy months, but not as busy as Sept/Oct/Nov. Waiting for my glue dots to arrive for the Magic Iris cards. I used double sided tape yesterday for my first one. Instructions say glue dots are best. I think they will be easier. They are out for delivery.

Since my husband needs the area where I do my cello, I can't do that right now. This particular area is roomy enough for the cello and my bowing arm, and not too confining for me. I will have to wait, again. I dod steum it as I walked by it, does that count? 😁

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
May 8, 2023 - 4:39 pm
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Imhad a very good cello session. It has been a while. I went through the Bourrée, MyFanwy, and What A Wonderful World a number of times, paying close attention to what I was doing. 

First, the Obligato strings needed just a little tweaking. They seem to have settled in pretty quickly. I still have a wolf tine to deal with. I am thinking if getting the magnet eliminator that I had on Mikey G. It is easier to use than the string attached ones. I think it was Kretz or something like that. The cello came with a string one and I did move it a little, and it helped. So I am good for now.

My intonation was greatly improved. I used the voice memo app to check. So handy.

I am using What a Wonderful World to work on my dynamics and bowing, and fine tune intonation. I have played this for a few years and I know the notes, know the shifting, and am comfortable with it. It makes it a good candidate for using it to strengthen my many weaknesses. I figured this out on my own and put shifting in where appropriate. My shifting has improved, so I was able to add a section for shifting today. I have wanted it there for a while, but moving my fingers and hand up and down the fingerboard has been an issue. I am so stiff and tight with my hand, Today, I was, surprisingly, looser. This is another reason for redoing this song. Because I am comfortable with it, I can use it to make myself loosen up. 

The Bourrée and Myfanwy were so much better today. They are really coming along.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
May 9, 2023 - 2:48 pm
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Another go round with the cello today. Not as good as yesterday, but still better than in the past. I tried to hard, plus, I was trying new fingering to see what worked best. I have always had issues with my 4th finger. It is super weak and I think I just have to work around it and forget it is there and adjust for three fingers. Sometimes, things just are not going to get better. It has been about 6 years trying to work with it. Time to move on.  We do what we need to do. 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
May 22, 2023 - 9:31 am
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Geeze, Ms Blog, has it really been 13 days? Let me bring you up to steam. My bowing rm is slowing loosening up. The affect, from what I can tell, is that it helps my intonation as well. Strange.

I am still in love with those Obligato strings on my Fiddlerman Master Cello. @Fiddlerman should take note that these strings, albeit rather pricey, really give this cello a nicer rounder, fuller sound. It alway had that with the strings it came with, but these add more. Since I am not playing as much or as hard on my cello as professionals, these strings should, and probably will, last quite a while. So, it is not like I will be shelling this out more than twice a year. If they go on sale, I might get a backup. I might try these on my viola, but I do have a set of green label Evahs for it, for when I need to change them. 

Speaking of my viola, I am thinking that I actually should have gone for the 15" rather than the 15 1/2". I think it would have been a better fit. Maybe, my "fit" has changed? I can still play it, but I sense the 15" would be better. Not buying another, though.

Oh, I think I have a 15" pawn shop save viola that I can check this thinking of the 15" viola with. It is a nice sounding viola, not nearly as good as my Fiddlershop one, but good enough for me. I shall try it. 

The violin is coming along, also. It seems to progress at the same speed as my viola. Kind of makes sense. 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

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Mouse
May 22, 2023 - 11:25 pm
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I don't normally play at night, but things are a bit topsy turvy right now. I just finished playing my cello. Myfanwy and the Bourreé are coming along nicely. I just feel different when playing my cello. I do have a wolf tone to deal with. I have been unsuccessful so far. I might buy a magnetic one like I had in the Mikey G, the one I gave to my former instructor. 

I also played my Fiddlershop viola today. I did pretty good on that today, also. Can I Xerox today? 

I even got started in 3D two flower pot cards. I have the pots assembled and leaves cut. I have to layer stamp the posies and then die cut them. Then I can fill the flower pots. I will mail one to my daughter's mother-in-law. They make her smile. I should out a smiley face in it, too. She likes my smiley stamps and dies. 

It was a very productive day.

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Mouse
May 23, 2023 - 4:01 pm
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Interesting, I grabbed my Fiddlershop viola off the wall rack earlier. I believe I played ir better than ever. A really odd thing was that I did not put am shoulder rest on it, I didn't mean to play it for long. I am busy with other things and grabbed it in between tasks.

I went through my regular songs and for some reason, it was the best I ever played them. So strange! 

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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