Practice Blog 2
In Orion and the Scorpion I practiced measures 252 to the end because of the different time signature changes. Once I began practicing I realized it wasn’t that hard to follow the key changes, as long as I counted carefully. I also listened to the recording to help me understand the rhythm better. I also practiced 105-117 because I of the bow changes from D to G. For the most part, this part was easy to get a handle of because the rhythm is fairly easy, but I just needed to practice the bow changes slowly first before being able to speed it up.
Practice Blog 1
In Ruslan and Lyudmila, I practiced measures 46-52 because of the high shifts and I have a lot of difficulty playing in tune when shifting up on the E string. To begin, I used a tuner app on my phone to help me tune each note. I played one note at a time for about two measure (51-52) so that I could get them in tune. Then after that, I played the notes without the tuner to see if I could play them in tune without the tuner. Then, I sped up the rhythm to be closer to the concert tempo. I still am not perfect with this part, but I’ve gotten better through practice. I also practiced measures 157-167 because of the string changes and high shifting. To practice this I also started by slowing it down and doing the string changes slowly, before speeding it up.
Blog 1
My name is Lena and I am in 12th grade. I have played the violin for 7 years. I didn't practice at all over the summer but I'm ready to get back into playing. This year I am looking forward to getting to know the new underclassmen in symphony orchestra and hearing the strong second violin section play this year. One thing you may need to know is that I have Lupus so some days my joints will hurt a bit or I'll be super tired, especially during a flare up, and I'll have some difficulty playing my instrument, but I'll let you know if/when that happens.
12th Grade
Practice Reflection
In the Holberg Suite, one spot I practiced was measures 39-41. I chose this spot because there is a lot of sifting, and as I have mentioned a lot before I am still very uncomfortable with shifting. Usually, I need to write down the position and fingerings, but this time I tried to play without writing them down because I wanted to get used to shifting without needing to write it down. first, I played each note separately using a tuner to make sure they were in tune and then sped it up without playing the rhythm yet. After I was satisfied I applied the written rhythm and the slurs. i still need to practice this more, but I had a good start. In The Ground, I also practiced part B because it had shifting. I went through the same process of playing notes separately without writing them down with a tuner and then applying the written rhythm to the notes. I may play the bottom part, but I still wanted to practice shifting and the correct rhythm. In Romanian Folk Dance, I practiced 29-34 so i could practice the reoccurring rhythm so that I could know the rhythm for the rest of the song. for the faster sixteenth notes, I played the notes in different rhythms which made it easier to play the correct rhythm. I also practiced the transition to the left handed pizzicato because I had not practiced left handed pizzicato in a long time. Lastly, for the Concerto I just played through because the rhythms and notes are pretty easy and simple.
Holberg Suite Playing Test
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14W5Oh5_nXJjKYfCU_LNgajMj9Qf5zeFc/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14W5Oh5_nXJjKYfCU_LNgajMj9Qf5zeFc/view?usp=sharing
11th GRADE
Introduction
My name is Lena and I am in 11th grade. I have played the violin for 6 years. I didn't really practice much over the summer but I'm ready to get back into playing :) This year I am looking forward to getting to know the new group of people in symphony as well as being a first violin so I can challenge myself and improve my shifting skills. I have Lupus so some days my joints will hurt a bit and I'll have some difficulty playing my instrument, but I'll let you know if/when that happens.
10th GRADE
Full Orchestra Practice Reflection 4
The full orchestra rehearsals will be starting again and I believe I have made some good progress on the pieces. In the piece Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I continued to practice measures such as 69-77 that had fast moving parts and notes. I also listened to the recording so I could hear what the parts sounded like together. Then I used a metronome so that I wouldn't slow down or speed up and was aware of my tempo and took the metronome away once I had gotten the tempo. In Jupiter-Bringer of Jollity, I focused mainly on counting and dynamics so that could stay in tempo. I practiced transitioning from the previous measure so that when I shifted it would be better in tune.. I listened to the recording in order to obtain the style and bowing that helped make the piece more musical, and also used a metronome in order to help me get the right tempo. In measures 115-118, I first begin playing the notes without the slurs and then added them when I became more comfortable. I made sure my bowing was correct in order to match the rest of my ensemble as well.
Full Orchestra Practice Reflection 3
I am still practicing the full orchestra pieces we received and I still have a lot to work on. In the piece Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I practiced measures 134 - 149 because of the very long slurs, bow crossings, and fast rhythm. To practice this, I slowed down the tempo tremendously and practiced the notes without the slurs, finding the sections where the repetition changed. I also experimented with shifting in order to eliminate some bow crossings and make playing the notes smoother and easier. After I became more confident with my notes without the slurs, I added them back and also sped up the tempo. In the piece Jupiter-Bringer of Jollity I practiced measures 75-102 because of the many flats in the changing key signature. I first marked the notes that changed from the previous key to make them easier to recognize for me. I played those notes over and over to put them into my muscle memory. I did this while slowing down the tempo as well so that I could become more confident in the notes I was playing before attempting to bring it up to speed.
Full Orchestra Practice Reflection 2
I have continued to practice the new full orchestra pieces at home since Chicago rehearsals are still ongoing. In Jupiter-Bringer of Jollity, I practiced measures 34-42 for phrasing and dynamics since I noticed that there were no marked dynamic changes. Although there were no marked dynamics, this is a slower section of a piece that could use some variation musicality. I marked crescendos and decrescendos to fit the phrasing, getting louder when notes got higher and softer when the notes got lower. I applied this to other sections of the piece as well, such as measures 110-127. In the piece Star Wars, I practiced measures 158-180 in order to become familiar with the tempo changes and the fast. At first, I didn't play on my violin and instead just counted out loud. I then clapped the rhythms while I counted out loud, and gradually progressed by playing certain rhythms of this section on a single open string while still counting out loud. After I was comfortable with the rhythms I attempted to add the notes as well as speed up my practice tempo a little bit.
Full Orchestra Practice Reflection 1
The full orchestra rehearsals have been cancelled for a while due to Chicago rehearsals, and as a result I am practicing the new full orchestra music individually at home. When I first sight read the piece Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I marked numerous sections and apsects of the new music that I needed to work on, including accidentals. I practiced measures 69-77 especially because of the numerous accidentals and confusing rhythms to go along with them. I broke this section into smaller pieces and slowed down the tempo in order to learn and master the accidentals. The piece Jupiter- Bringer of Jollity is a little easier than Star Wars. In this piece I practiced measures 1-18 due to the quick sixteenth notes and quick note changes. At first I changed the notes to eighth notes until I learned the notes well enough. I then added the sixteenth notes while also slowing down the tempo a little. Once I felt confident with the slow tempo, I gradually sped it up. I am still practicing this part and have not gotten it yet up to tempo.
2nd Entry - Practice Reflection
In the first movement of Suite for Strings, I practiced section D-E because I had difficulty finding and playing my part while my stand partner was playing the other. First I highlighted my part so it was easier to see. I also listened to the recording so I could hear what the parts sounded like together. Then I used a metronome so that I wouldn't slow down, since I was playing half notes a lot, and took the metronome away once I had gotten the tempo. I also practiced measure 205-end. Although I did practice the notes, I focused mainly on counting and dynamics so that could stay in tempo with the ensemble and create the right effect. In the second movement, I practiced my trills. Before, I was trilling to the note below it, so I needed to change what I practiced to the note above. I also practiced the first 4 measures of section A. I practiced transitioning from the previous measure so that when I shifted it would be better in tune. This is important because in this part the 2nd violins have the melody. In the third movement, I payed more attention to dynamics in my practice in order to balance the melody and the rest of the ensemble. In the fourth movement, I practiced I-end because I wasn't playing as quickly as it was supposed to go. I listened to the recording and also used a metronome in order to help me get the right tempo. In of Glorious Plumage, I practiced measures 55-64. Although this isn't the melody, it is still a moving line that is well heard in this part. I first begin playing the notes without the slurs and then added them when I became more comfortable. I made sure my bowing was correct to match the rest of my ensemble.
9th GRADE
12th Entry - Practice Reflection
In Wisp, I worked on phrasing and dynamics, since I noticed those things weren't very apparent in the recording of ourselves that we had listened to in class. I payed extra attention to the dynamic markings, including crescendos and decrescendos. I also payed attention to the starts and end of phrases and tried a little bit of my own dynamics in there. In Irish Tune from County Derry, I also worked on dynamics. There are a lot of dynamic changed and markings which make the piece more musical and interesting and they were also not very apparent in the recording. In Mantras, I practiced the slow section, measures 50-88. I practiced these measures because there are a lot of scale changes and I had trouble counting correctly. To help me, I used a metronome and also counted out loud until I was confident and could play without any audible help.
11th Entry - Practice Reflection
In the piece Wisp, I practiced measures that were similar to measure 9. I practiced these measures because I noticed I was accenting the third note, or at least playing it louder, because of the slur. I adjusted the amount of bow I used, the position of my bow, and the amount of weight I was applying in order to soften the note and made sure I was not accenting where it was not needed. In Irish Tune from County Derry, I practiced measures where there was a divisi part. For these measures, I used a tuner on a couple measures to make sure they were in tune. I knew the top part would be listening to the lower parts in order to stay better in tune, so I wanted to make sure I was playing it correctly. In Mantras, I practiced the pizzicato section. The first thing I did was listen to the recording so I knew what it sounded like. Then I played the notes with my bow until I was comfortable before changing to pizzicato.
10th Entry - Tuner Exercise
For this exercise I chose measures 61-69 in Wisp. I chose these measures because they include a lot of shifting, and although this part was already tested for chair spots, I always have trouble with intonation in shifting areas. For the first few measures, the tuner was pretty helpful, especially when the position shifted higher. It allowed me to listen to the correct note so that I knew what the note should sound like every time I played the note without a tuner. However, after using this method for a few more measures, it became very frustrating. The actions of playing a note and making sure it was perfectly in tune became repetitive and annoying, since I was not satisfied until the note rested perfectly on the line. I might use this method again in the future, but I may only use it on measures where I feel I absolutely need to.
9th Entry - Playing Test
Mantras
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cua1monal2tztcy/Mantras.m4a?dl=0
Wisp
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o4nya3toaqn7rfd/Wisp.m4a?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cua1monal2tztcy/Mantras.m4a?dl=0
Wisp
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o4nya3toaqn7rfd/Wisp.m4a?dl=0
8th Entry - Practice Reflection
Inverno:
I practiced measures 47-60 because of the speed and the numerous note and string changes. I first turned the sixteenth notes into eighth notes, while also slowing down the part until I was comfortable playing it as eighth notes. I then played it with the sixteenth notes, but continued to play it slowly, gradually picking up the speed as I became more comfortable.
Troika:
I practiced measures 73-81. These measures were difficult for me because I was not used to playing offbeat. The first step I took was using a metronome. I started the metronome off very slow in order to get comfortable playing on the offbeats. I then started playing the part faster and faster until I was up to tempo, but was still accurately playing offbeat.
The Odyssey:
In the Odyssey I practiced measures 94 and 95 because of the accidentals. The first thing I did was turn the sixteenth notes into eighth notes. I played the part slowly to get all the correct notes and accidentals. I sped up the eighth notes until I was comfortable. Then I turned the eighth notes into sixteenth notes and gradually increased the speed until I was up to tempo.
I practiced measures 47-60 because of the speed and the numerous note and string changes. I first turned the sixteenth notes into eighth notes, while also slowing down the part until I was comfortable playing it as eighth notes. I then played it with the sixteenth notes, but continued to play it slowly, gradually picking up the speed as I became more comfortable.
Troika:
I practiced measures 73-81. These measures were difficult for me because I was not used to playing offbeat. The first step I took was using a metronome. I started the metronome off very slow in order to get comfortable playing on the offbeats. I then started playing the part faster and faster until I was up to tempo, but was still accurately playing offbeat.
The Odyssey:
In the Odyssey I practiced measures 94 and 95 because of the accidentals. The first thing I did was turn the sixteenth notes into eighth notes. I played the part slowly to get all the correct notes and accidentals. I sped up the eighth notes until I was comfortable. Then I turned the eighth notes into sixteenth notes and gradually increased the speed until I was up to tempo.
7th Entry - Practice Reflection
Inverno:
I practiced measures 39-47 because of the speed and multiple note changes. The first step I took was turning the sixteenth notes into eighth notes until i could play the eighth notes well. I then changed them to sixteenth notes, but played them slowly at first. I also separated each measure and threaded them together once I could play the separate measures well. Once I could play the notes and rhythm correctly, I gradually sped up.
Troika:
A part that was difficult for me were measures 69- 73 because of the many string crossings in addition to the notes. The first thing I did was take out the notes, and only played the open strings associated with the notes. I started out slowly at first and gradually sped up. Then I added the notes, and increased my speed as I got more comfortable with the spot.
The Odyssey:
A section that was difficult for me were measures 70-90 because of the high shifts involved with the notes. The first step I took was to write down the shifting positions and fingers that I would need to put down. I then practiced with a tuner so I could make sure that I was in tune, since I am often not when shifting. Once I was comfortable with the shifts, I played the part up to tempo.
I practiced measures 39-47 because of the speed and multiple note changes. The first step I took was turning the sixteenth notes into eighth notes until i could play the eighth notes well. I then changed them to sixteenth notes, but played them slowly at first. I also separated each measure and threaded them together once I could play the separate measures well. Once I could play the notes and rhythm correctly, I gradually sped up.
Troika:
A part that was difficult for me were measures 69- 73 because of the many string crossings in addition to the notes. The first thing I did was take out the notes, and only played the open strings associated with the notes. I started out slowly at first and gradually sped up. Then I added the notes, and increased my speed as I got more comfortable with the spot.
The Odyssey:
A section that was difficult for me were measures 70-90 because of the high shifts involved with the notes. The first step I took was to write down the shifting positions and fingers that I would need to put down. I then practiced with a tuner so I could make sure that I was in tune, since I am often not when shifting. Once I was comfortable with the shifts, I played the part up to tempo.
6th Entry - Test Spots
The Odyssey
https://www.dropbox.com/s/930gndnvosuinj7/Video%20Nov%2009%2C%207%2035%2004%20PM.mov?dl=0
Troika
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2qinhpcpwaplmj1/Video%20Nov%2010%2C%206%2038%2045%20PM.mov?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/930gndnvosuinj7/Video%20Nov%2009%2C%207%2035%2004%20PM.mov?dl=0
Troika
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2qinhpcpwaplmj1/Video%20Nov%2010%2C%206%2038%2045%20PM.mov?dl=0
5th Entry - Practice Reflection
Greensleeves Fantasy:
Measures 51-64 was a difficult spot for me because of the time signature changes and the counting. The first step I took was counting out loud without playing the notes The next step was counting out loud and also clapping the notes. I then played the rhythm on an open string while still counting out loud repetitively. After that I added in the correct notes and played the measures before and after to fit it into the song.
Legend of the Phantom Pirates:
A spot that I had trouble on was measures 91 to the end. I had trouble with this spot because of the bowing. My first step was slowing down the rhythm. Then I played the bowing and rhythm on an open string repeatedly until I was comfortable. I then added the notes into the measures and played that slowly. I sped up as I got more comfortable with the notes.
Sanseneon:
A spot that I had practiced was measures 69-84. I practiced these measures because of the speed, and I did not know how it fit into the melody. One step that I took was listening to the recording on jwpepper.com. I did this multiple times for all three of our concert songs. Another thing I did was slowing it down until I was comfortable with the notes and the rhythm and the notes of the section. I also counted out loud for some parts to make sure I was resting on the right notes.
Measures 51-64 was a difficult spot for me because of the time signature changes and the counting. The first step I took was counting out loud without playing the notes The next step was counting out loud and also clapping the notes. I then played the rhythm on an open string while still counting out loud repetitively. After that I added in the correct notes and played the measures before and after to fit it into the song.
Legend of the Phantom Pirates:
A spot that I had trouble on was measures 91 to the end. I had trouble with this spot because of the bowing. My first step was slowing down the rhythm. Then I played the bowing and rhythm on an open string repeatedly until I was comfortable. I then added the notes into the measures and played that slowly. I sped up as I got more comfortable with the notes.
Sanseneon:
A spot that I had practiced was measures 69-84. I practiced these measures because of the speed, and I did not know how it fit into the melody. One step that I took was listening to the recording on jwpepper.com. I did this multiple times for all three of our concert songs. Another thing I did was slowing it down until I was comfortable with the notes and the rhythm and the notes of the section. I also counted out loud for some parts to make sure I was resting on the right notes.
4th Entry - Practice Reflection
Greensleeves Fantasy:
One spot that I practiced was measures 69-73. i worked on this part of the piece because of the shift. First, I used a tuner to make sure the notes I was shifting to and from were in tune. Then, I slowed the shift down at the pace that I could hit it correctly. I slid my finger back and forth between the two notes over and over, and sped up my pace as I got more comfortable with the shift. The I added the measures before and after the shifting measures to fit it into the song.
Legend of the Phantom Pirates:
In this song, one part I focused on was measures 48. I practiced this measure because of the accidentals and the speed of the 16th notes. For this spot I also used a tuner to make sure my notes were correct. The first step I took was eliminating the slur. Once I was comfortable with the notes, I tried playing them in different rhythms, something that my middle school teacher taught me. I then picked up the speed, and eventually added the slur back into the measure.
Sanseneon:
One spot I had a lot of trouble on was measures 16-19. I worked on these measures because of the numerous note changes. My first step was to split this part into sections of one or two measures. For each section, I started by playing them as eighth notes. Then I added the sixteenth notes and played the measures slowly. I went through each section of measures with this process until I could play the sections well. Then I pieced all of the sections together.
One spot that I practiced was measures 69-73. i worked on this part of the piece because of the shift. First, I used a tuner to make sure the notes I was shifting to and from were in tune. Then, I slowed the shift down at the pace that I could hit it correctly. I slid my finger back and forth between the two notes over and over, and sped up my pace as I got more comfortable with the shift. The I added the measures before and after the shifting measures to fit it into the song.
Legend of the Phantom Pirates:
In this song, one part I focused on was measures 48. I practiced this measure because of the accidentals and the speed of the 16th notes. For this spot I also used a tuner to make sure my notes were correct. The first step I took was eliminating the slur. Once I was comfortable with the notes, I tried playing them in different rhythms, something that my middle school teacher taught me. I then picked up the speed, and eventually added the slur back into the measure.
Sanseneon:
One spot I had a lot of trouble on was measures 16-19. I worked on these measures because of the numerous note changes. My first step was to split this part into sections of one or two measures. For each section, I started by playing them as eighth notes. Then I added the sixteenth notes and played the measures slowly. I went through each section of measures with this process until I could play the sections well. Then I pieced all of the sections together.
3rd Entry - Practice Reflection
We received three new pieces called Sanseneon, Greensleeves Fantasy, and The Legend of the Phantom Pirates. I listened to all three pieces multiple times to help me with my practice. In Sansaneon, I looked for note patterns in the rhythms, especially in the 16th notes. I also payed attention to the accidentals and the dynamic changes. In Greensleeves Fantasy, I worked on the 8th note rhythms throughout the piece and also worked on counting ties and working out slurs. In Phantom Pirates, I worked on 16th notes (the screams) because of the many accidentals and the speed.
2nd Entry - Chair Test Spot
Audio Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9etue8a51pr3utc/Video%20Aug%2031%2C%206%2031%2009%20PM.mov?dl=0
Three things I did well:
1. I think I had a good tone from my violin
2. I felt my rhythm was good
3. I tried to insert a small amount of dynamics
Three things to improve:
1. Fix my intonation, especially on the 4th fingers
2. Cleaner transitions between the slurs and notes
3. More dynamic contrast
Three things I did well:
1. I think I had a good tone from my violin
2. I felt my rhythm was good
3. I tried to insert a small amount of dynamics
Three things to improve:
1. Fix my intonation, especially on the 4th fingers
2. Cleaner transitions between the slurs and notes
3. More dynamic contrast
1st Entry - Introduction