Author: karenmewes

Poco a Poco – Little by Little

Another tick at the end of a piece, well end of the movement.  This is the Khachaturian trio, which I love, but looking back I can see it has taken me a year to reach this point.  It really has been Poco a Poco, little by little, just keep working away and at last another milestone is reached. Really thought I had over extended myself with this one.

Khachaturian Trio, Clarinet.

Khachaturian Trio, end of 1st mvt, clarinet part.

I have now started on a Sonata by Brahms, slower, beautiful and hopefully won’t take me so long to learn (come back in a year and check on that!).

 

Mid-Winter trip to Brighton

Fishing boats by Brighton Beach

Fishing boats by Brighton Beach

A cold, wet, windy, mid-winter day, maybe not everyone’s idea of the perfect time for a day trip to the beach.

See England Page or click here to read how it went.

End in Sight

It has taken 2 years of work but that little tick at the end of the page means I have finally reached the end of all 3 movements (8 pages) of the Weber Grand Duo Concertant.Weber Grand Duo Concertant

Still not up to speed and plenty to work on but it feels so good to see that final bar.

 

Hard slog

Ok so I haven’t uncovered some hidden musical talent.  This is about hard slog, working on something, repeating and repeating it only to have a fit of nerves in the lesson and stuff it up.  However looking back I can see progress. Slow maybe but progress. I can play 3 movements of the Weber  Grand Duo except for the last page….yeah well I’m not actually up to speed on the rest of it and that last page is crazy.

Khachaturian Trio just seems to get harder and harder, there were all those groups of 9 to fit into one beat and then you get groups of 10 and groups of 11 oh and lets throw in a 6 or a 4 just to keep you on your toes. Love the piece and determinded to keep plugging away at it. More hard slog but when I think how far I have come it is so worth it. I even feel I can say I play clarinet, I used to say I am learning clarinet, of course I am still learning but now I think If I can tackle pieces like these then I can say I play clarinet. 

Half Speed Khachaturian

A  lot of hard work on just a few small sections of the music,  going over and over those triplets, working with the dreaded metronome (it never keeps in time with me properly, must be faulty).   Continue reading “Half Speed Khachaturian”

A little tune by Khachaturian

 

Trio for clarinet, violin & piano, Khatchurian.
Trio for clarinet, violin & piano – Khachaturian.

A sample of the new piece I am trying to learn.  I should have known that Khachaturian wouldn’t write something easy!

Those 9s mean playing 3 triplets or 9 notes in the space of one beat (I think) …er right…who’s idea was it to play this?

This may take a while!

 

Squeak fixed, Karen sick

My clever teacher was able to fix Squeak, had to take one of the keys off and bend it slighty, still needs a service but she is working.  Got some new music and all inspired to work hard at it …..then I got flu. Continue reading “Squeak fixed, Karen sick”

Squeak is sick

imageSqueak the clarinet is sick. I was playing my pieces, thinking it wasn’t going too badly and my teacher will be pleased this week.  Then is started to sound very bad.  First rule of learning an instrument is blame your equipment.  Gave Squeak a hard stare.  Fiddled with the reed, tried different reed. No good.  On closer inspection I found one of the keys isn’t closing properly.  So if I can find a spare finger to hold that key down…hmm not enough fingers.  “Siobhan can you hold this key down until I say release” .    Well that worked…. sort of.  I can see getting through the Weber Grand Duo like that is going to be tricky.  Tried adjusting the tiny screws but think Squeak need professional help.   Poor Squeak.

Clarinet lesson update

Some years after taking up the clarinet as an adult I am still persevering.  Terrorising the neighbours & local wildlife with the strange sounds emitted from the bedroom (I’m just practising clarinet – honest). Continue reading “Clarinet lesson update”

New Zealand and back again

Survived 3 weeks in a campervan with my family!

 

See New Zealand Road Trip page.