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02/11/2007
The Mystery of Mr. Ricochet
So like I mentioned in my previous blog entry, we just had a couple of concerts this weekend, and one of the pieces we played was the Rodrigo guitar concerto, with soloist Daniel Bolshoy. I really like that music, but the only problem is that getting that trademark "dum du-du-dum dum du-du-dum" rhythm is usually done with ricochet bowing. In other words, that last "du-du-dum" is not three separate bows, but rather three bounces of the bow, all in the same direction. This requires, ahem, being able to control a bouncing bow, and not only that, but making sure it's actually bouncing at the same rate that the "du-du-dum" should be going at. Some people found it easy somehow, but for me, it's easier said than done!
So, I practiced it for a while, and I managed to get a reasonable facsimile of a ricochet bowing going. That was, until I got to the rehearsal and it was supposed to go about three times faster than what I was doing. Doh! So, as always when I get into nice tight spots like this, I do what any sensible person would: fake it.
Then, at the dress rehearsal for the concert, I was so busy faking it that I barely noticed when I actually discovered that when I wasn't paying attention to getting it right, it started coming to me. Yay! Not that I would base my career right now on a faultless ricochet bowstroke, but hey, I'm not as hopeless as I thought!
21:22 Posted in Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
Yes, I've been AWOL...
Sorry I haven't had much time to update this blog. I'm hoping once I manage to get into a steady state with my job, it'll be easier to get things done in my own personal time. Right now I'm away from home 12 hours a day 5 days a week, so once you factor in sleeping, eating, getting ready, and all that, there's not much time to spare. I really do wish I lived closer to work, and that the commute wasn't an hour and a half each way, but I'm going to try to hang on for a while at least, to build up a bit of a nest egg before I move out of my parents' place again.
To make things worse, this weekend and next weekend are both concert weekends, so my precious free weekends have been more or less blitzed away by the concerts. I like the music we're playing, but I kind of wish I had more time of my own to do the things I want to do (mainly talking to and/or hanging out with friends, practicing more cello, and the like). But like I said, we'll see how long I last with this commute. Maybe I'm just a wuss, but I really do miss the days back in Victoria where I could walk 10 minutes to a bus stop, ride the bus for 15 minutes, and be at the school. Ah, the good old days!
So, for those of you who've contacted me in the last couple of weeks, I haven't forgotten about you, and thank you all for your encouragement. I'm just trying to catch up with my own life at the moment!
In the meantime, Dad has lent me his iPod, so I am busy downloading music to the thing, to help entertain myself during those long bus rides. Next up: learn how to use the thing...
21:12 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this