learn to play the violin

It’s been a while since I’ve updated, but I’m still playing! In the interim I’ve gotten through Suzuki books 1 and 2 and am 3 songs into Book 3. Haven’t started vibrato or shifting yet, but it’s coming up soon. I’ve also continued with the string ensemble – we’re tackling Elgar’s Serenades for Strings right now – and have picked up a bit of Newfoundland fiddle from visits to the local “slow” session. Looking forward to the Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute next month, where I’ll get five solid days of coaching in a quartet/chamber group.

Finishing Book 1 is taking longer than I thought, not because I’m slacking off (well, not too much) but because the pieces are hard! I’m working on the last piece (Gossec’s Gavotte) and have been since Christmas; I hope to master it by the end of February, then I can have my graduation recital and start Book 2. Daughter #1 is catching up to me, working on Bach’s Minuet II, three pieces behind me, and she’s starting to take real pride in her ability to play.

I’ve joined a small string ensemble with a few parents of my daughter’s friends… it’s great to play with other people!

When my daughter started violin in the fall of 2004, I, as a dutiful parent, picked up an instrument of my own, and found that I LOVED to play! I never had much luck with or inclination to the piano, but having sung soprano in choirs for 25+ years, I found the violin very familiar, both in pitch range and the idea of one melody line (well, usually) instead of chords. In nine months of short but daily practice I’ve gotten most of the way through Book 1, and have picked my way through a bunch of simple folk songs and hymns that were already in my head.

I don’t think I’ll ever “finish” this goal – when do I go from being a “violin student” to “violinist”? – but I may be able start Book 2 and play with an ensemble in the fall, which would be a great milestone!