So, the last day of Cellomas: 2009 Failtacular is a little short (I’m writing with 1.5 hands after the surgery) but such is life. The ninth day was a warning to choose your source of self-estimation carefully. Look out for…
For those of you who aren’t doing the whole Twitter thing, a quick hello from ulnar recovery 2009! Right after the surgery, I could feel more of my pinky and ring fingers than I had in years. Still swollen and…
My teacher told to me: Stay the course. Too often, aspiring musicians of all ages and echelons are swayed by things other people tell them. Various powerful people convince us that we’re worthless, or unpopular, out of sync, or nearly…
My teacher told to me: This one’s for the college bound youngsters, from my own experience and witnessing others. You never know who’s watching. Oh, musicians. We have our personality knobs turned up to 11, don’t we? Everywhere I turn,…
My teacher told to me: Never EVER leave your instrument in your car. For any reason. Aside from superheating /freezing our delicate wooden boxes to the point of strings popping, bridges falling, seams opening and general archaic misbehavior, theft is…
My teacher told to me: Don’t ignore any pain, especially pain that playing seems to make worse. My left arm started acting up when I was about 11, and I have a feeling that the doctors and my parents thought…
Back for more, are you? Last year’s 12 days of Cellomas focused on practice habits, and looking back on them, they’re pretty good! This year, I’ve collected some stories and will share some of my own complete and utter, wish-you-could-turn-back-time,…
Unlike many self-assured USC fans, this season’s rocky ride was not a surprise to me. Nor was it as horrifying or depressing for me as it seemed to be for other fans. I think the secret to my success and…
Well, it is cold here. I’m finding it more bracing than debilitating, but I’m sure my adrenaline and excitement could be affecting me. Yesterday was a big day. Mimi had an itinerary for me that initially had me occupied from…
Rules to Live By! Patty Mitchell’s blog is great. Upon reading this list of Do’s and Don’ts, I cringed just a little bit. It’s been a while since I was truly immersed in the symphonic world, and the memories of…