The summer of 2006 represented the first time in my life where I’ve had a block of time entirely devoid of organized activities. For two and a half months, I was left to my own devices — to write my Extended Essay (which I did), to recover from junior year (accomplished with aplomb), and to otherwise keep myself in check (eh). And after the grueling third year of high school, it was more than necessary and I’m glad that I fought the relevant battles and got my way.
The only problem comes with my cello playing. Cello has been an inseparable part of my life since I was a little shy of the age of four, and while my routine of practicing and weeky lessons tends to be eased over the summer (while my teacher goes to music festivals and workshops and other exciting things), this summer was something new: I opened my cello case once in over two months. I occasionally felt bad, but for one reason or another never did anything about it. And while I’ve started practicing regularly again this week, I feel.. unsurprisingly out of form.
One conversation I had been dreading, though, was the one that would come when my teacher inevitably called; according to a memo on my dad’s Treo, he’s beek back in town since the second week of August and for all that time, we hadn’t called him. About five minutes before I started drafting this post, he called. The most poignant bit of the conversation was:
Ross: Are you still interested in studying the cello?
Me: Yes! I’ve been getting back into my routine, but with school starting and all of that, I’m still getting adjusted.
Ross: Well, when would you want to start lessons again?
Given that I’ve only resumed my practicing for three days, I opted for next weekend. But it was decidedly an awful situation. It’s a weird loop: playing my cello is unpleasant because it needs new strings, making passages in high positions sound terrible, but my mother is reluctant to spend close to $150 on a new set of strings when I haven’t been practicing, nor is she purchasing the sheet music that I’ve needed for months already. So I’m stuck, my playing is stuck, my teacher has no idea what’s going on, and all I’m left to do is whine on LiveJournal. Score.
I have been in a similar situation, but switched around. During the summer, I was keeping up with my playing, having attended Brevard for two years. But once I got back home, and school starts, my practice time dwindled to almost nothing. This presents a problem with college auditions, which I’m hoping to take in January-March.
It sucks trying to get back into a routine and get music learned after a lull in playing, especially at a time like this.
Fuck IB and all the time it takes up. Same with band, and any other extracurricular activities, hah.
The best of luck to you my man.
Oh, and I’ve decided not to do Ars Flores this year. I’m going to take advantage of that New World Mentor Program (FREE!) instead and try to get things done at the expense of not making any money. Oh well, haha.
While familiar mostly with just the fretted string instruments, I can recognize the amount of decay that would take place in two months without so much as looking at the thing.
I have a parallel issue with my clarinet, though only because I don’t own or have any need to rent any saxes or a bass/contrabass clarinent, or god forbid a bassoon *shudder*. If I did have any of those readibly available, I suspect that the case would be the same regardless. It seems like I haven’t played in forever, and I suppose that’s true; I haven’t played in well over a year, and am incredibly guilty as well, yet don’t make much of an effort to rectify it for some reason. It makes sense you’ll feel out of form, but if you’re anything like my experiences with long breaks between playing certain instruments, you’ll rebound pretty quick. I dunno, I’ve never liked practicing much (how I managed a level that judges, peers, and directors all commended I don’t know, I’ve never thought I was all that talented), but I loved rehearsing. I could rehearse 40 hours a week. I haven’t been in a proper rehearsal since the ’03-’04 school year. How depressing.
I can identify with your dilemma, though I’m not sure if there is a short-term solution. Although you’re certain that you want to continue playing cello, I’m not surprised our mother is understandably skeptical. She’ll need some convincing, namely through daily practicing even if your cello sounds like crap for now. Sorry…
All I can say is, keep this lesson in mind when you go to college. With scheduling totally in your hands, you’ll be tempted to give up music for more-immediate-gratification and less-lonely pursuits like hanging out with friends… or WoW. That’s what happened to me with piano and violin (not the WoW part of course), and I really regret it now. I’ve kept my piano skills in decent shape, but I haven’t played violin in years. It’s really sad.
Private lessons may be hard to manage once you’re in university (especially weekly and especially if you have a heavy courseload during some semesters), but you should at least continue with orchestra (for non-music majors) or chamber music. It’s more social, and then you won’t have to experience the tragic gradual loss of your skills. It would be such a shame — you’re exceptionally talented, your cello playing is absolutely beautiful, and if you maintain it will be a wonderful emotional / mental outlet for you throughout life.
I know exactly what you mean. After having not played the horn for a full 6 months, I’ve nearly sunk into a depression over it. I even have dreams where I still play the instrument. I’d like to start again, but I don’t really want to hear how much I’ve lost. Unlike you, playing the horn for me has, since I started, been almost entirely dependent on daily band/orchestra class. Without it, I have no incentive.
On that note, however, Ars Flores just sent me their contract for the new season. I’m unsure if I should sign up or not… I suppose an envelope full of music would be plenty of incentive to get started again, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to manage the most simplistic arrangements.
Our astrological sign no longer has a mother planet.
Maybe that’s why you’re so discombobulated.
Hmmm what you really need is a spare cat. Like… a cat-drifter.
To make Cello strings out of