Recital Blues

I made it through recital last Sunday.  I actually did OK, but I would have preferred to perform better.  I knew those pieces of music so well, but nerves got the best of me, and well -- you can follow that path yourself!

My goal for 2011 is to work on performance anxiety, and to continue to strive to play my best.  I am committed to working hard this year, and to focus on getting better at reading music (especially when nervous).  I will do fine, I know -- I just need to work on relaxing more, and enjoying the group experience.

Plans for 2011

I have taken a good long break over the Christmas and New Year's holiday, and I am now getting ready to start the next semester with gusto.  I have purchased some new material to work on with my teacher, and I have set some goals out to accomplish by the end of 2011.

I bought three new books for my studies, and will continue to work through Shroeder's Foundation Study book.  This book along with a nice selection of pieces should keep me well in hand for most of the year.  Add to this mix, my work with the Chamber Ensemble group, and I think I have a good mixture of easy to learn, easy to play pieces along with some more challenging classical works.

• Jazz Wizard Junior -- picked this up on clearance online and will work on this to learn how to improvise a bit on the cello.  Sweet.
• Solos for Young Cellists, Volume 1 -- this book is actually a bit easy for me, but in looking over Volume 2, I decided I would rather play pieces I can easily sight read and learn, than struggle through like in Suzuki Book 3.
• Favorite Hymn Instrumentals, Level 2-3 -- this is a nice book with traditional hymns for cello. It comes with the piano accompainment so I should be able to play some duets with my son.  These tunes are favorites, and for the most part easy to play.  WOW!  After learning Vivaldi, Bach, and some more challenging classical pieces for Chamber, I can actually look at this music and say, "Oh, easy!"

I have also decided to purchase a new cello as soon as I get FT work.  Southwest Strings has a payment program, and while I wanted to purchase my cello from Linda West, I think payments are the way to go for me now.  They have some nice cello outfits, and I think for the first time out, this is my best option.

My goals for 2011 (Year 2 of Cello Study) include:

• Greater comfort in playing in groups and in front of people
• Confidence in my ability to sight read and then play with a group
• Expression and fluidity in my bowing
• More study in position, especially 3-5th
• Generally working on playmanship, playing so that I sound better -- no matter the style or level of music
• Lastly, overall enjoyment of the cello.  Less pressure to perform, more effort to enjoy and be moved by the instrument and the beauty of its voice.