Week 31 of year 2007 on the double bass

29 Jul 2007, Sun: I sight-read Vernon Elliott's Odd Man Out. It sounded like a humourous piece of music. Afterwhich, I spent some time practising the first and fourth movement of Marcello's Sonata in G major using my rehaired bow.

1 Aug 2007, Wed: Before the orchestra rehearsals began, I attempted to sight-read some works. Subsequently, orchestra rehearsals began. We rehearsed several works that will be performed during an upcoming performance held on 15 Sep 2007, 3 p.m. at NLB Plaza. More details will be provided at a much later date.

We played selected passages from The King and I. The tunes felt cheerful but I did not feel connected to them. I was more in the mood to play sorrowful music, but there was hardly any sorrowful tunes to be rehearsed for the rehearsal.

During the break, I took some time to practise Keyper's Romance and Rondo and Faure's Sicilienne. I am beginning to love playing on my boyfriend, the double bass that I use at the orchestra. I love its mellow yet deep sound, and it feels relatively easy to play certain passages on it than my husband, my own personal double bass.



2 Aug 2007, Thu: The day became more bearable because of the thought that I would have double bass lesson after the work-day. Hoping to have more time to practise Faure's Sicilienne and Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro before I play it for lesson, I decided to work on Marcello's Sonata in G major and Keyper's Romance and Rondo.

But before these, I asked for some time to do quick-studies of three excerpts from orchestral works. I have learnt that when it comes to sight-reading, having a steady sense of pulse will be important.

4 Aug 2007, Sat: I am trying to catch up on time to practise. For the day, I spent at least an hour practising Faure's Sicilienne, concentrating to get the rhythm right. After that was done, time was spent practising Rachmaninov's Vocalise and Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro.

Thankfully, I had some time to write programme notes. Once I am done with this task, I would need to find some help to have the programme notes proof-read.

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For this week, I have managed to achieve my goal of practising at least four days per week, at least 15 minutes per day.

Please wish me lots of good luck meantime.