Celloing via Skype

GGP - This afternoon we tried your experiment. Skyped a friend in another county and hooked in the video. However since Skype is not full duplex, we had to rely on a telephone connection for one side of the audio.

We tried a violin/cello duet experiment. Sound quality was fairly poor on my end as I was hearing the violin through a telephone headset but we did manage to play together despite a slight noticeable audio delay. We just played really slowly.

The video teleconference worked better as a coaching session. I'd play a few measures and then receive advice on how to play them better. I think for the next experiment I'll try to get a 2mm to 3mm adapter for my phone so I can hook it into my speakers and not have to wear a headset.

Rules for Ensemble Playing

This has been around a long time...but thought I'd post it anyway :)
RULES FOR PLAYING MUSIC IN AN ENSEMBLE

1. Everyone should play the same piece.
2. Observe the repeat signs only if what you just played was interesting.
3. If you play a wrong note, glare at one of the other players.
4. Carefully tune your instrument before playing. Then if you play out of tune, you can at least do it with a clear conscience.
5. The right note, at the wrong time, is a wrong note. (And vice-versa.)
6. A wrong note, played timidly, is a wrong note.
7. A wrong note, played with authority, is simply your interpretation of the phrase.
8. If everyone gets lost except you, follow the ones who are lost.
9. Strive always to play the maximum notes per second. This will intimidate the weaker players and gain you the admiration of the ignorant.
10. Markings for slurs, dynamics, and accidentals should be completely ignored. They are only there to make the score look more complicated.
11. If a passage is difficult, slow down. If it is easy, speed up. Everything will even itself out in the end.
12. You have achieved a true interpretation when, in the end, you have not played one note of the original piece.
13. If whilst playing you find yourself suddenly and irretrievably lost, you should stop the others declaring it’s time to tune again.
14. When everyone else stops playing, you should stop also. Do not play any notes you may have left over.
15. Blessed are those without perfect pitch, for the kingdom of music is theirs.

Another Pet Flick

Other than the birds and the fish, we have two degus who are brothers from the same litter. Forgot to mention in the video that they are desert animals and therefore very clean. Also, if attacked, their tail will fall off so they can escape. The tail does not grow back. I forgot to show you his bright orange teeth.

More Fish

Meet Mr & Mrs Pierre Betta. Thought maybe they would do a mating dance for the camera, but no...

New Toy

Don't know why I got this new toy, other than it was on sale for $40 (normally $99).

The Logitech 9000 webcam has a Carl Zeiss lens so the image is pretty crisp.

Maybe I'll try doing some celloing via Skype.

Here's some fish coverage since the birds usually get all the billing.

Post Recital Blues

Well, the recital was just fine according to my husband. I nailed the Corelli run during rehearsal but did it a tad too fast and fumbly for the actual performance. Anyway, no more chamber music classes now until September.

Went to the OK rehearsal last Saturday to find another violist had shown up. Figured I was too much of a third wheel and left. Three people trying to read from the same stand is not fun.

Yesterday, my sister-in-law told me she'd like to hike the Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail with me next month. 41 miles in 4 days. That sounds nice and exhausting. Another we'll see.

Balkan Camp

The cousins have convinced us to join them for Balkan Camp this year at Iroquois Springs, NY in August. Sounds like fun! I've never gone to camp before and this year I'll get to go to TWO.

Oklahoma, Redux

Teacher needed a confident violinist for Oklahoma so we managed to strong arm my hubby into helping out. Since Earl will have to go to rehearsals, etc., I thought maybe I should sign up to play also. Teach went over the options with me: cello, guitar, banjo, etc. Finally decided on viola II. I should be able to hide well in that position.

The Ugly Duckling - Phase V

The pianist spoke to me before class and wondered if I would be *disappointed* if we didn't play the piece. I'm good. Teacher was preoccupied with getting a group together for Oklahoma, fine-tuning a piano duet, and our Corelli Sonata; I didn't remind him of his threat.

The Ugly Duckling - Phase IV

Not looking good folks. The pianist is playing very slowly and still can't play the last few measures. Next week is the final rehearsal. I told teacher on the side that I didn't have a good feeling about this.

Bad News

Last night I experienced a toothache ... not sure what caused it ... the beef jerky or the tostitos. Took some aspirin and it was still aching in the morning, so thought I'd better ring up the dentist. Dentist took some x-rays; she didn't see anything wrong. However, she noted that I had some "pockets" in my gums and I should come back for some "deep cleaning". That does not sound good and I'm betting it's expensive. This procedure is also scheduled for the day before I have to take the Florida Certificated Teacher Exam for Math and English. Lovely.