Expect the unexpected because it's inevitable.

Not everything will always go according to plan.

Playing an instrument is a journey from the moment you pick the instrument up until the last note you’ll ever play.  Keep the word “journey” in mind.  It’s like everyday life:  although you can make plans ahead of time, not everything will always go according to plan no matter how organized and responsible you are. 

You don’t expect the weather to be a thunderstorm the same day  the weather man tells you there’s not going to be a cloud in the sky.  You don’t expect the car accident a half a mile up the street will delay traffic by a half an hour.  You don’t expect to get food poisoning after going to your favorite fast food restaurant that you’ve been to 100 times previously. 

 Sometimes situations beyond your control occur in a way you didn’t foresee and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.  Ultimately, rolling with life’s punches makes you a stronger person and each time life throws you for a loop, you’ll get better at handling it. I think that’s where the expression “older and wiser” comes in.  As you grow older, every day you have more life experience under your belt than you did the day before, and that shapes who you become.  Do you notice a lot of times when people are older (such as grandparents) they tend to not worry about little things that we worry about so much?  They are overall more content, mellow, and confident.  Now, of course I can’t stereotype all elderly people; we all know the cranky old man who lives down the street.

Perhaps my theory is incorrect.  Who knows.  I think you understand what I’m trying to say though. 

With the journey of the violin, I've had to face the same hurdles.  It’s inevitable.  The trick is to figure out how to deal with it and then focus on the silver lining of the situation!   I know it's easier said than done, and it might not make complete sense at the moment, but in the big picture, it won't be a big deal.  I promise.  In the interim, find that silver lining because IT IS THERE.  But only YOU can find it.  

 

There will be different judges for different auditions.  One might think the world of your playing and another might be more focused on what you lack.  This goes for everyone INCLUDING professionals.  When I went to see Sarah Chang perform I thought the concert was great. Her playing is absolutely beautiful, and if you don't believe me, see for yourself:

   

Told you!


Anyways, a couple weeks after the concert, I read an article negatively critiquing her playing during that tour.  I was shocked.  Even Sarah Chang has to face criticism!  It happens to the best of us.  Take a look at those singing competition shows such as X Factor (I know I reference that show often, but it works with a lot of my posts): There are MANY times judges completely disagree with each other in terms of who sang well and who didn't.  THE SAME GOES WITH VIOLIN OR WHATEVER INSTRUMENT YOU PLAY.  YOU WILL NEVER PLEASE EVERYONE. EVER. EVER. EVER. 

You should aim high but always be prepared for something unexpected to happen.  You might not get the seat in the orchestra you were positive you were going to get, but hey: next year when you do get that seat you'll appreciate it that much more!  If it were easy, everyone would be able to get it.  There's no better feeling than achieving a good challenge, even if it's a year later.  

 You might think your audition went well only to find out your score was mediocre.  So, you'll learn what you lack and focus on it.  Or maybe the seat you land in the orchestra from that audition will give you a lifelong friend you met as stand partners.  You just never know. 

This has happened to me plenty of times: I would prepare for my recital performances and nerves would get the best of me which interfered with my playing.  Then I'd scratch, squeak, and my hands would sweat and shake during my piece.  

Now I can say I've gotten over that stage fright (for the most part...it definitely still kicks in now and then. )  If I haven't gone through that, I wouldn't be the confident player I'd like to say I am today.  That's helped me in other areas of my life, too, such as public speaking.

Not all scenarios  are that serious.  True story: In an orchestra I was in, while we were in the middle of a piece, the conductor puked everywhere! And let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.  Being fortunate enough to land the concertmaster role at the time, I really didn’t know what to do...a bunch of options were running through my mind.  Should I stop playing? Should I get up and conduct? Should I pinch myself to make sure this isn't some weird, twisted dream?  Should I point and laugh at his face? (Just kidding on the last one...I wouldn't consider that!  I'm not that mean...)

I decided to just continue playing.  I played extra loud when it was happening so the orchestra would follow my lead and just keep going.  I guess you could say I took "the show must go on" approach. A minute later the orchestra assistant came and conducted the rest of the piece as our conductor went offstage (and probably went directly to his car and drove far, far away).  

Thankfully, I dodged the puke.  I was about 5 inches clear of it.  Thank God.  Silver lining? Now I have a hilarious memory that I'll never forget.  And if the situation ever happens again, I'll be ready for it.  Haha.  I'm sure it won't.  

 As for the silver lining for the conductor? (After all, he's going through his own musical journey.)  He knows after that nothing he ever does will be as embarrassing for him as that day.  I don't even need to know what else he's done in his life because nothing could top that.  It was bad. Really bad. And I'm pretty sure he learned a lesson: don't risk conducting a concert in front of hundreds of people when you have stomach issues.  Ever. Again. Ick. 

~Regina

Don't be a fool-use the summer time wisely!

Many parents assume they will "save money" by stopping music lessons for the summer. 

This is actually quite a short-sighted decision.  If you take summers off, it's a fact that actually will set the student back at least two months.  Therefore, during the entire fall period, the student would spend having to re-learn old concepts.   If a student has to spend time learn something TWICE, then the parents have wasted their money.

There are so many elements of learning the violin...technique, notes, rhythm, posture...it takes a long time to develop these things. It's exactly like learning a language:  if you take a second language throughout the school year, then decide to drop it for the summer, you will forget a lot.  Same with exercising...if you have a strict exercise routine during the year then take the summer off, your body will not be in the same shape as it was once you decide to resume your workout.  

During the school year, it's more difficult to practice consistently and be prepared every week for lessons because of school and other extracurricular activities.  So don't be a fool-use the summer time WISELY! Use this time to get ahead and blossom in your music career!

As a violinist, I progressed the most during the summer.  I enrolled in private lessons once a week AND weekly group lessons.  Many summers I also enrolled in an over night, full week string camp at Fredonia University, and it was fun!   It was nice not having the stress of school to distract me and that allowed me to get ahead and focus on my violin lessons. It also made my violin lessons during the summer much more enjoyable since I didn't have to worry about anything else.  By the time I went back to school, I was that much more ahead than the other students who did not take lessons over the summer.  Growing up, I have seen other students in my orchestra majorly regress because they did not enroll in any type of lessons during the summer time.  

I do believe summer time should be a time to relax, lounge around, and simply enjoy the sun!  Don't worry, you'll have time for that too and when fall rolls around you'll be learning, not re-learning!


~Regina

You'll always have violin to play your entire life...can you say that about everything?

In this day and age...many kids are so involved in multiple activities.  The top two that come to my mind are sports and dancing, both of which I did as a child.  I've done it all: ice-skating, soccer, softball, ballet, tap, jazz, Spanish dancing, swimming lessons, tennis lessons...you name it, I've done it.  At one point, I went to dance class five days a week!

All of these extracurricular activities were very beneficial and taught me a great deal about teamwork, practicing to achieve a goal, enhancing skills, etc.  I will never regret all of the activities I've done and I'm grateful I got a taste of it all!

So, in this article, I'm not taking away anything from being involved in these things. However, I do want to make a point: once I hit college, I didn't continue any of them.  In most colleges you have to be a top notch sports player or dancer to continue it in the school.  I would guess 99% of kids who are involved in these things will not be the next Michael Jordan or the next prima ballerina.

Now, the same could be said about violin: maybe you won't become a music major.  Perhaps you just took on the violin for another skill to add to your list.  That's fine!  However, YOU'LL ALWAYS be able to pick up your violin and play it, no matter how old you get.  You will always have the option to perform for family or friends as well.  Can you say that about soccer? Or even dance?





It's important to think about the big picture.  After it's all said and done, the violin (or whatever musical instrument you play) will always be there for you.  With that said, don't let other activities take over your music lessons.  It's not worth the sacrifice.     

And hey...maybe you will be the next Michael Jordan.  But you'd STILL have the violin to play your entire life!  What if Michael Jordan could play the violin or piano? Wouldn't that be neat.  Think twice before quitting.  Remember, long term, you'll be happy you stuck it out!!!!!


~Regina

It's not about what book you're in...it's about how you play.

A good violinist can make the simplest piece, such as Twinkle, sound like a beautiful and amazing piece by producing a gorgeous sound that the audience will never forget!  It's not so important what you play, it's how you play it!  

I remember in my middle school orchestra my stand partner was excited about a new, long, and advanced piece she learned.  When she played the piece for me, it didn't do her any justice as far as showing off her violin skills and it put her in a dim light. If it was the first time I heard her play, I would have thought she was a very average player (and that was not the case about her-she simply chose to learn a song that she wasn't ready for.)  Her sound wasn't how it usually is and it just seemed messy with many rhythmic errors.  Afterwards, she played a simple, two page piece we were learning in our orchestra, and to this day I remember how gorgeous she made it sound. What's the moral of the story? Go for quality, not quantity.  

Think of it this way:  If you listen to an instrument recording, would you rather hear a mediocre sounding, advanced level piece, or a level one piece that sounds absolutely beautiful? 

 This situation reminds me of an X Factor episode.  One (very talented) performer went over the top with their dancing, stage effects, costume, high notes, etc.  The other performer wore a simple dress and it was only her singing while playing a guitar.  Simon Cowell said although they were close to equal as far as singing ability, the second performer was much more pleasant to listen to because she stayed within her range and focused on what was most important: the sound of her voice!

When you are performing a piece, do any of the audience members know what level it is or what book you're in? Other than your teacher and possibly your parents, of course not.  

Practice and experience are the best ways to eventually have both, and if you work hard, you'll be able to play beautifully at an advanced level!  But until then, relax.  Of course once in awhile you should do a challenge piece and there should be deadlines and goals for level advancements, but it should be done at the right pace.  After all, what's the main point of playing an instrument? To produce a beautiful sound!  

~Regina

Your teachers know when you practice

We've all done it, myself included: lie to our teachers about practicing. I've came to my lessons, absolutely had no idea what I was doing and tried to "wing it", then tried to sell the fact that I "practiced."  Looking back, knowing what I know (and seeing my own students do it) now, I would never try to lie about practicing to my teachers.  All that did was make me look more stupid than I already looked and it also made me a liar.  Not good.  There are always going to be times you think you can just sight-read the material, but no matter how easy it is or how well you think you pulled it off-your teacher will be able to tell if you're sight-reading it.  

Here's the thing: YOUR TEACHERS AREN'T STUPID!! If they ask you if you've practiced, that basically means: "I know you didn't practice, now I'm just seeing if you will tell the truth."


Some of my personal favorite situations:

-When a student leaves their book behind all week and they say they practiced their lesson material.  

-When a student doesn't even know what page or even book their lesson material is for the week.  

Listen, if you have an off week, as long as it doesn't happen too often, your teachers will understand. After all, us music teachers are human beings (despite what you may think!)   Just BE HONEST!  BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW! When students are honest with me, I'm disappointed they didn't practice what was expected of them, but I do appreciate that they have enough respect not to lie to my face.

Think of it this way:  When you say you practiced (after the teacher already asked, which means she knows you didn't), this is basically what happens to you in a teacher's mind in the lesson room: 

So, the moral of this article is-don't lie about practicing.  We know when you practice, and we have a pretty good idea of how often you practice, and we know when you simply don't practice at all.  Don't try to pull a "I'm going to just sight-read through my lesson and I'll be fine."  Even if you sight-read something easy and it's 90% good, we will STILL know you didn't practice, because odds are, if it's easy, it should be 100% good if you practiced the way you were supposed to.  

After reading this, are you starting to feel guilty? Don't worry...

A message for all the guilty Pinocchio's out there:  

Now, if you're like me and have made the mistake of lying to your teachers and now you realize they know you lied to them, don't panic.  It's not like we hold it against you because we've done it ourselves to our own teachers growing up.  However, now that you know this:  don't let it happen again!  If you've had an off-week, then just explain to your teachers why.  Don't lie.  Lying won't make your lesson any better, and it certainly won't make your relationship with your teacher any better.  Better yet, just practice to avoid all of this headache!!! Your nose will also appreciate it ;)  



~Regina

Follow Me!

Introduction to my blog site!

Hi everyone!

My name's Regina. I've always loved writing and I have always loved the violin...so I am going to start a musician's blog.  I'm going to share my personal experiences, stories, advice, and tips that I have acquired over the years of my violin career.  Some of the stories I'll share I had to learn the hard way, unfortunately. These are the things I wish I would've known growing up...so take advantage of all my knowledge!! 

 The people I hope to help in writing this blog aren't necessarily only directed towards violinists, but any musician really.  It will also be useful for parents of young musicians to follow me so they can relay what I say to their own aspiring musicians.  

Figured for those of you who don't know me-here's a face to match the name!  

So...hello, welcome to my blog, and you'll get to know me and my story as we get into more stories!  I'm excited and I hope you are too :)   I think you'll find some of my blogs interesting and helpful. It's all based on my own personal experience.  

See you soon!

Regina, AKA...Givi Girl!