It's been a while. I can't say that I've been busy playing the cello, because I haven't. I've been busy with work and volunteering for Smith and Big Sister and Project Literacy, and writing classes, and health issues, and National Novel Writing Month (November), during which I wrote 50,000 words of the first draft of a novel. Every Tuesday night, I attended cello class and stumbled along with my patient classmates, all of whom are better players than I. Needless to say, I did not perform well at the final recital.
Now my group cello classes have ended, and I did not sign up for the next session. It's December in New England, and in order to get both of us (my cello's name is Hana) to our class in one piece, I would have to brave poorly shoveled cobblestone sidewalks, and small mountains of blackened ice, and people who forget how to drive when they see snowflakes. I am not willing to risk breaking my cello and possibly my arm in an attempt to get to a late-night cello class.
Fortunately, all is not lost. My wonderful, incredibly patient cello teacher has offered to give me private lessons, for which I am eternally grateful. But if my teacher is willing to give me private lessons, I have to make practicing the cello a priority again, even if that means only practicing a few minutes a day. My progress is slow and frustrating, and even when I have the time, it's easy to find other things to do. Although my bow hold has improved and I'm no longer in excruciating pain when I play, my wrist movement is still not as fluid as it should be when I'm playing, and my left hand still lacks the coordination and dexterity needed to play properly. Due to the spasticity in my legs, I have difficulty holding the cello in the appropriate position. But I'm sticking with it, because there's no other instrument I'd rather play.
My first cello goal for this winter is to master Adeste Fidelis, which is my favorite Christmas carol. My second goal is to master all of the songs from class that I neglected to master in October and November. My third goal is to be more consistent with this blog, because amazingly enough, people keep asking about it. Thank you for all of your support during this adventure with my cello.
Now my group cello classes have ended, and I did not sign up for the next session. It's December in New England, and in order to get both of us (my cello's name is Hana) to our class in one piece, I would have to brave poorly shoveled cobblestone sidewalks, and small mountains of blackened ice, and people who forget how to drive when they see snowflakes. I am not willing to risk breaking my cello and possibly my arm in an attempt to get to a late-night cello class.
Fortunately, all is not lost. My wonderful, incredibly patient cello teacher has offered to give me private lessons, for which I am eternally grateful. But if my teacher is willing to give me private lessons, I have to make practicing the cello a priority again, even if that means only practicing a few minutes a day. My progress is slow and frustrating, and even when I have the time, it's easy to find other things to do. Although my bow hold has improved and I'm no longer in excruciating pain when I play, my wrist movement is still not as fluid as it should be when I'm playing, and my left hand still lacks the coordination and dexterity needed to play properly. Due to the spasticity in my legs, I have difficulty holding the cello in the appropriate position. But I'm sticking with it, because there's no other instrument I'd rather play.
My first cello goal for this winter is to master Adeste Fidelis, which is my favorite Christmas carol. My second goal is to master all of the songs from class that I neglected to master in October and November. My third goal is to be more consistent with this blog, because amazingly enough, people keep asking about it. Thank you for all of your support during this adventure with my cello.
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