Week Four: Getting Somewhere

Entry number four! 
This week was both short and sweet and I was able to make quite a bit of progress. Needless to say, I'm very happy about this and feel both refreshed and encouraged to keep plugging away!   

     For starters, I didn't really have a 'low point' this week, which is awesome! The only regret I have is that I wasn't able to work on my playing as much as I would have liked. Between homework, extracurriculars and get togethers I was able to squeeze in three practice sessions including my lesson. Even though I am beyond satisfied with my progress this week, I think I would have improved more if I had made more time for practicing. However, one can only do so much and, as you may have figured out already, I have a tendency to believe I am Wonder Woman and fully capable of everything. 

     My lesson yesterday was excellent! Piotr was thrilled with my hand positioning, resonance, bow traction and posture. He was also able to accompany me on the piano as I played my scales and my Russian Dance Tune song. After playing the song a few times, we moved on to to bigger and better adventures! My new challenge is Lightly Row. Piotr and I both agreed that it is a much simpler song to play than Russian Dance Tune, so I haven't been struggling with it nearly as much. In order to make it more challenging we agreed that I would start playing with fourth position. 

Violin Positions

     On the violin, each string has three set positions. Conveniently, when you play fourth position it produces the same note as the next open adjacent string. The only real difference between the two notes is that the open string often gives a bolder sound and is easier to play because it does not require any positioning from the left hand. When you begin to play in fourth position, it requires a different stretch from your left hand so it takes some practice to get the right pitch. This is my next project. 

     Without a doubt, my lesson was the highlight of my week, especially after not making very much progress the week before. It is exciting to be moving on and to have a new technique to practice. 

     Moving into next week I will be working on Lightly Row and my fourth position playing. Hopefully I will be able to improve my pitch for that note! 

     Lastly, as owed, here is a quick recording of Russian Dance Tune. No, it isn't mistake-free, but my left hand positioning is very much improved and my E string struggles seem to be fading away fast!