One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being. -May Sarton, 1912-1995
2005, April 10
Violin lesson one
"A full lovely forte", that of which dreams are made.
This year I once again started music lessons. I've done this before and given up.
This time, starting out again, I have had the good fortune to find a teacher who combines physical therapy, violin technique and musicianship. Emily Onderdonk, violist, violinist and teacher, with keyboard skills to accompany her students, looks at the music not note by note as I have experienced before, but from the standpoint of the character of the whole piece.
This has changed the focus of awareness from the left hand and all those fingering problems to the right hand, the bow and its travels over the strings. Strangely, this has made the experience of the music and the violin completely different.
I am so thankful to have found such a wonderful teacher at this time of my life.
