Friday 18th November 2016 - an old post that didn't seem to get published

Today was just instrumental teaching, a day in which I proved conclusively

I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard  

https://thecellocompanion.info/2011/01/15/developing-cello-technique-part-1/

Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and also for reading viola clef at sight

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160518628/hand-painted-alto-clef-plaque-viola

You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXclw49Oc6I

Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!

https://ifunny.co/fun/JVe3oCK32

Friday 18th November - Nearly the weekend

Made it nearly to the end of the week!

Today was just instrumental teaching, a day in which I proved conclusively

I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard    

https://thecellocompanion.info/2011/01/15/developing-cello-technique-part-1/

Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and particularly reading viola clef at sight  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160518628/hand-painted-alto-clef-plaque-viola

You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXclw49Oc6I

(Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!)

https://ifunny.co/fun/JVe3oCK32

Apart from that, everything was more or less fine, until I got home, sat down, and decided to cancel the final two private piano lessons of the day because my eyes were closing, the energy meter was dropping to zero.

Just tomorrow morning to go, ( two piano lessons, two keyboard groups) and the week ends, the weekend begins. Easy peasy (ish)

Thursday 10th November - Viola Lesson

Today a colleague came and gave me a quick viola lesson.

I actually prefer playing it to a violin, even though this one is too big for me. She took a couple of pictures to help me when (If) I practise.

Apparently this is a good wrist position:

And this is me "accessing my back muscles" to support the viola on my shoulder.

I have to say it Really, Really makes my arm and shoulder ache, but I think that is more to do with having a lurgy, and lugging heavy bags, and knocking into a door frame the other day than to do with playing the viola.  

This is the same colleague (and one of my very many line managers) who just about collapsed with laughter that time she came across me demonstrating how (very difficult it is) to play a trumpet to my horrified and awestruck early years class a few years back.