Finally!

Finally, I had some time to practise on the double bass this evening. I didn't feel quite well the evening. Somehow, my stomach felt cranky. I hope I would feel better soon enough.

Despite not feeling well, it was a pleasure to be practising on the double bass. Knowing that my health wasn't at the best, I had to be mindful not to push myself too hard.

Most of the practice this evening focused on playing Keyper's Romance and Rondo. I don't quite understand why the harmonics are positioned where they are. I guess this is one question that I would have to ask my tutor soon. Right now, I am basically playing by ear whenever I come to the section where I need to play the harmonics.

I think I have some performance anxiety that I need to learn to manage. After Keyper's Romance and Rondo, I tried starting to play Dragonetti's Solo in e minor, but I found myself feeling put down after seeing the endless strings of running notes.

But I realised that during one of the recent lessons when I had heard my tutor play the Dragonetti's solo, I was able to be more confident to play those notes. I could simply work things out by playing by ear. The notes seemed difficult on the score, but they did not sound as difficult when I heard them. Maybe my anxieties were imagined ones?

But it looks like I am still quite behind my target when it comes to my practice on the double bass. I need to find more time to practise on the double bass. Some many other commitments seem to be competing with my dear double bass for my time! I need to make sure my actions and choices are in line with my priorities.

There seems to be so many choices to make in life. I wish my internal guide would serve me well.

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Meantime, for the double bass lovers, there are a few interesting articles on Jason Heath's Bass Page to check out:

- Advice for aspiring music performance majors

- Chicago Philharmonic this Sunday - 11/12/06 (I love the fact that there's video recordings of Brahms' Symphony No. 2!)