Tag Archives: Violinlab

My violin teacher is sponsoring a workshop this week which has brought adult beginners like me from, literally, around the world. Most them of showed up last night for a reception, with buffet, and an ensemble practice of the Pachelbel’s Canon for a concert on Thursday evening.

The folks who’ve been playing for more than my six months carried it off while us short-timers played the same four measures over and over, an accepted form of cheating dignified with a fancy Italian name: Ostinato. The Canadian woman beside me, who was trying to keep up with the whole piece, finally quit. “I’m lost,” she said. “That’s why we’re in the back,” I replied.

This morning we start beginner’s music theory, followed by more practice on various things, such as Ashokan Farewell and a cool Celtic number called Bonnie Doon. Only hassle is we have to start at 8 a.m. But that’s what happens when you have only four days. Last night was fun. The rest will be, too, I’m sure.