 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-03-16 10:55
Sorry i know this is not related to clarinet but i need some advice.i couldnt find an active violin forum...
I'm in a strings ensemble now... and unfortunately i'm one the weakest violinist in my section.
Generally, the violinist in my ensemble is around grade 8 standard.Me... grade 5 standard only.
There is vast difference in the level of playing between me and them.
I'm already practising my violin like 2 hours a day
I feel that my contribution to the ensemble is not acknowledged... just feel that noone is looking up to me at all.
I just want to improve my skills really fast...
Currently, i have violin teacher who's studying in a conservatory.She's a fine teacher but i want someone more experienced, able to push me,strict....
I'm thinking of getting a teacher from a local professional orchestra.
I'm now in a dilemma.. i feel bad if i just fire her like that...because its not that she's a lousy teacher..
moreover, she's been my teacher for a few months....( abt 6 months )
what should i do?
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2007-03-16 11:44
Well, Dennis, there are just certain things that can't be fast-tracked, and in my experience, mastering (note I said "mastering," rather than just "learning") a musical instrument is one of those things.
If you feel your teacher is not being rigorous enough with you, why not talk to her about what you want to achieve, and ask her to help you do that?
From my standpoint, learning your scales and arpeggios backwards and forwards with a variety of articulations, in every key, would certainly give you the technical leg up that you are seeking. I'm sure there are abundant method books that would assist you in doing that.
But that is going to take time, too. It's not "instant pudding".
Susan
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-03-16 12:08
I feel your pain. (although my section is 9 clarinets so I got plenty of backs to hide behind).
First of all, as Susan has pointed out, there's no hyper bypass around "doing time" on the instrument. Our muscles learn at their own pace. There's not much point grieving over that.
Then - my ensemble's repertoire is 3/4 "old stuff" and everyone except me already knows how to play it. So I concentrate on the 1/4 new ones and try to master them as good as I can, trying to sneak in with the other pieces.
You mention that you feel that your contribution to the ensemble is not acknowledged. Is that just a gut feeling or did you get reactions that support this impression? How supportive are the folks in your section? I ask that because "joy" is a far better motivator than "fear".
Re your teacher: Do talk about your ensemble and your worries and about your subjective lack of progress. Maybe it'd help to divide the lesson, with one half for the etudes and the other half working on a difficult section in one of the repertoire pieces? You don't need a teacher to drill your scales and all that, but you do need one to guide you along the tricky bits in a piece, like an intense rehearsal.
And, stop worrying. It's supposed to be fun.
--
Ben
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Author: saintmoritz
Date: 2007-03-16 13:39
Dennis,
I agree with the others. First of all, you shouldn't expect more experienced players to "look up" to you - you should look up to them (if they're good). I restarted clarinet as an adult (I'm primarily a pianist) and so my music ability is way better than my technique. I find playing 2nd clarinet in orchestra or octets to be wonderful because the part is not too hard and I can participate with others who are better than me but be good enough not to drag them down. I think the same should be true for string players - play in tune, drop parts that you can't play so as to avoid wrong notes, and count like crazy!
Ensemble playing should supplement your lessons. You should bring your parts to the lesson and have your teacher help you with them. And when you are ready for a top grade teacher your current teacher should help you find one and not be offended.
Good luck!
Mike M
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-03-16 14:05
Suggestion:
Tell your current teacher that you are "curious" about other teachers' methods. Then, go see a couple of other teachers. There is a world of difference between teachers.
My current teacher sees/hears flaws in my technique that others have ignored or not seen; he has solutions to all my problems --most take me a hard effort; he breaks the bad habits I've ingrained into my playing over many years; and he inspires me to be just critical as hell over my own playing.
It is more fun when you're making rewarding progress.
Bob Phillips
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Author: ginny
Date: 2007-03-16 14:13
" Currently, i have violin teacher who's studying in a conservatory.She's a fine teacher but i want someone more experienced, able to push me,strict...."
I am doubtful of the ability of an inexperienced teacher, are they currently studying at the conservatory or did they graduate. If you are studying with a student ask the players you admire for their teachers names and info. and look into studying with them. You'll push yourself.
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-03-16 17:30
Thanks for the replies, really appreciate it.
i try to talk to my teacher the next lesson about it.
See what she does... if not i will probably change for a more experienced professional teacher.
i'm super impatient , desperate, .........
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Author: gwie
Date: 2007-03-17 08:43
As a teacher of violin and viola I have to say that if you are speaking primarily of keeping up with the advanced players in your chamber group, you are focusing on skills that they possess that you notice you don't have, correct?
The part that is difficult about improving on a string instrument is identifying the areas in which you need work. Are you having a hard time with intonation and vibrato (left hand issues), or articulation and tone (right hand issues)? Have you mastered the basic versions of required unique bow strokes (i.e., martele, sautille, spiccato, colle, loure, stacatto, etc.)? How is your rhythmic accuracy?
These things are worked out in basics and scales...and a good teacher will show you ways to approach these playing problems and solve them efficiently (regardless of whether they are conservatory students or world-famous players/teachers).
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-03-17 09:01
Yup, qwie you're right. I notice the techniques they have are much better than me. For example, when we play the same part of the piece, they play much better than me.
Anyway, i not facing much problems for the 2 pieces my ensemble is playing for the competition .
My intonation is alright although it has the tendency to go off pitch in third position...
My vibrato is alright except my fourth finger which produces rather weak vibrato.. are there any excercises i can do to improve on it?
i know my bow stroke techniques are not good.... my teacher does'nt teach me much on it.
I still have the habit of playing by ears instead of counting....
My sight reading is pretty bad too.
Post Edited (2007-03-17 09:19)
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