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Offbeats . . . . blushing.
But don't be too impressed. I'm master of none of those skills.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 3, 2007 at 7:09 PM
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Janes
Good for you..I didn't know you were learning cello...that can't be easy eh? Wow, you play the piano too. You're very talented lady, but I am not surprised by that!!!
posted by
Offy
on January 3, 2007 at 6:08 PM
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TAPS what a great quote from Casals. And what a fantastic
repertoire of knowledge you have. I never cease to be bored or amazed with your literary abilities. Thank you for such kind words!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 2, 2007 at 6:24 PM
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Nautikos, that's the nice thing about music, eh?
Even if you don't have a great ear, it is still possible to receive such enjoyment from it. In fact, I sometimes think others might enjoy listening more than I do since I tend to hear the mistakes, the off pitch notes . . . . Something not easily "turned off" if you know what I mean!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 2, 2007 at 6:23 PM
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JanesOpinion
Pablo would have been taken with you and your playing. When Piatigorsky thought he had done a terrible job playing for him, Casals told him, "leave it to the ignorant and stupid who judge by counting only the faults. I can be grateful, and so must you be, for even one note, one wonderful phrase." I'll just bet you already have quite a few of those under your belt.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 2, 2007 at 5:30 PM
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Jane,
I just know you'll do well and have fun doing it! And I envy you a little, since, although I come from a musical family, I ended up with the musically 'dysfunctional' genes. But I do like to listen to good music, especially sopranos singing
bel canto...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 2, 2007 at 4:58 PM
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Ody, yes, it is challenging and fun and very rewarding!
I'm hoping, when summer rolls around, that I will be good enough to practice with my windows open (without embarrassment). Don't want to scare the neighbors though . . . .
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 1, 2007 at 6:31 PM
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Thanks shellyb! Someday perhaps I will sound like
Jacqueline du pre . . . (har har har). Actually, my goal is to be able to join my church orchestra and perhaps down the road the local symphony. That would be nice! Oh yes, and play ensembles with my nieces and nephews!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 1, 2007 at 6:30 PM
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babe_rocks, you have a fascinating history. May I just say that?
Imagine switching from cello to trombone -- although I guess there are some similar techniques -- for example, you pretty much have to do (as my teacher calls it) muscle memory for the cello and I would assume the trombone, too. That is, your muscles eventually remember the exact placement on the cello to get the right note since there are no frets or other markings.
I'm never bored with your stories!!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 1, 2007 at 6:29 PM
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Justi, what other stringed instruments does George play?
I'm impressed! Does he also play cello???? My niece plays violin and it seems like she screeched for many years. She is sounding really good now and I love listening to her. Such an instrument certainly requires discipline, eh?
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 1, 2007 at 6:26 PM
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All of you, thanks for all the great comments below! I am grateful.
bel regarding your comment, thanks for the reminder. I know it WILL come with time but it sure is hard being patient. I am pretty disciplined with practice, though, so I know that helps.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on January 1, 2007 at 6:25 PM
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What a great hobby to have.
I would think that would be an exceptionally fulfilling pastime.
posted by
telemachus
on January 1, 2007 at 4:40 PM
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Yes I've heard of Pablo Casals and I know he lived to be 97. In the last community band my grandfather directed, the era was wrong for committed band instrument players so he had to take who he could get, and sometimes that was cellists and violinists. I transposed a lot of music for him (now it is done with computer software). The cellos played the countermelody in dance and band music, along with the trombones. We had one man who had cut off his fingers in a sawmill accidnet so he was more or less forced to take up the trombone. He read treble clef only and refused to learn to read bass clefd
posted by
babe_rocks
on January 1, 2007 at 4:19 PM
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Janes
He did enjoy it. This is what he had to say: I fully understand her bow challenge. I thought I would never get past the 'two cats in heat in my violin'. He also said he had not heard of Casal and thought Yo Yo Ma (hope i spelled that right) was the best cellist of the 20th century. He sends his blessings and said to keep it up and enjoy it to the fullest.
posted by
Justi
on January 1, 2007 at 3:44 PM
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Take your time. You'll be playing like a professional in no time!
posted by
shelly_b
on January 1, 2007 at 3:15 PM
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Jane's
George will relish this post. He plays just about every stringed instrument I can think of but he has been working on the Violin for a year and gets so discouraged. He says a bow is a curse that brings about beauty of screaming depending on many things. I think it is so wonderful that you are playing this beautiful and difficult instrument.
posted by
Justi
on January 1, 2007 at 3:11 PM
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Just enjoy what you are doing and don't worry about the rest
it will come in time.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 1, 2007 at 2:04 PM
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