rssHe felt for the first time the dull and angry helplessness which is the first warning stroke of the triumph of mutability. - D.L. Sayers
Daily Practice
2005, April 21
Melody - Notes and Silence
Thoughts on melody from Glenn Gould and Ralph Kirkpatrick
…the mental imagery involved with pianistic tactilia is not related to the striking of individual keys but rather to the rites of passage between notes.—Glenn Gould
The vocal sense…is…probably the most important factor in the hearing of polyphony. One hears counterpoint far less in terms of its component notes than in terms of the transitions between these notes.—Ralph Kirkpatrick
It is not the notes themselves but the intervals between them that constitute a melody.—Ralph Kirkpatrick
It is the measurement of an interval that creates its significance, not its component notes.—Ralph Kirkpatrick
…the greatest playing is done as much between as on the notes.—Ralph Kirkpatrick
Great playing plays the right notes, but it also plays what connects those notes, what gives those notes meaning.—Ralph Kirkpatrick
2005, April 17
New Microphone
Practice for the computer
In the spirit of Elizabeth Perry's daily sketches, I set up a microphone to my computer so I can record some of my practicing. Unlike Elizabeth, I will not post the files to the web because there is nothing worse than listening to a beginner practice the violin, especially when self-conscious about a new microphone. But I will be able to hear my progress as time goes on, and not just have to take the teacher's word for it.
Perhaps when the sound is tolerable I will post a little file.
So I am not following Elizabeth's precept of "not to criticize". But I am going to practice daily. I really am.
2005, March 31
David Lloyd Rivinus, luthier
More pictures, information at Rivinus instruments.
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Salvidore Dali? Radically distorted? I don't think so. I would love to see one, in the flesh and try it out. After much hand pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, a student longs for a more humane instrument. Here is a designer concerned with the human side of the equation. Fingers, arms, shoulders, neck, are all considered.
I especially appreciate his drawings and the discussion of design on his website. And, he is interested in materials that spare endangered species and decrease the weight of the instruments (also sparing the player).
From David Rivinus by email March 7, 2005
The name David Lloyd is from his mother's Welsh side of the family.
His father's side was German, with the name Bachmann (man of the stream) which was latinized to Rivinus, a common practice in academic circles.
Quote:
"If you have a listing of Bach works, look up his cantata BWV 36b "Die Freude Reget Sich" and then look at the dedication. You'll get quite a surprise! My family was prominent in Leipzig in the 18th century. Several of my ancestors were professors and administrators at the university and had close ties to the Bach family. One of them was even the Trustee of Bach's will. Another was the godfather of Johann Christian Bach. And a third was Johann Birnbaum who publicly defended Bach from the attacks being leveled at him in the Leipzig press. As a musician and instrument maker, this has been a lot of fun for me!"
BWV 36b Die Freude reget sich
Congratulatory Cantata for the Leipzig scholar Johann Florens Rivinus (probably for his inauguration as Rector of the University).
