Celtic Bowing

Since I have been working on Celtic tunes on the violin, I think I have some of the ornamentation down.  I've learned to flick my left-hand fingertips quickly to get the desired sound.  Now I am watching lots of videos on youtube to try to get the bowing style down.  The faster stuff seems to be in the upper half of the bow.  Now if only I could play as fast as some of those fiddlers!

Steal Away

Yesterday I took advantage of a totally free afternoon and evening to arrange, for string quartet, the spiritual, Steal Away to Jesus.  I made it through an entire 3 minute plus arrangement in about two sittings which is rare for me.  Today I will probably go through and add dynamics and other helpful markings which always takes longer than I think it should.

Love Notes

As the school year has wound down, I got a pile of thank you letters from my 3rd grade recorder students.  I just love reading these missives and would like to share some of my favorite parts (as written).

from Ethan: thank you for teaching us music. my favorite part about music is when you let us play the drums. My favorite song is ode to joy.  My favorite note is E.  my hardest song is Rondo.

from Jabob: Thank you for teaching us music.  It was super fun.  My favorite song is the trains off the track.  The hardest song for me is Ode to Joy.  My favorite note is G.

Hmm...I wonder what MY favorite note is?

from Patrick: My favorite song is when the saints.  I went up to brown belt.  I would of got my black belt but it was so hard.

from Jacqueline: I like when you teach us new songs.  I think I have talent on music even thoghe I didn't finish my belts.  I think you worked so hard for us to learn a lot of music.  You are the best music teacher in the world.

from Bella: Thank you for Helping me pass all the recorder test.  The music that you taught us really spoke to me.  Your really helped me to read notes again.  you really helpe me improve. So thank you for all the great times.