Week 35 of year 2007 on the double bass

26 Aug 2007, Sun: Practised some scales and arpeggios in the late morning and afternoon.

Afterwhich, I played Marcello's Sonata in g minor. I had played this work about a year ago for my last music exams. I felt good that my playing has improved.

29 Aug 2007, Wed: Prior to the orchestra rehearsal, I tried to play some parts from Marcello's Sonata in G minor and Faure's Sicilienne from memory.

During the orchestra rehearsal in the evening, we rehearsed selected sections from Gounod's Faust, Selections from King and I and Selections from Phantom of the Opera. Before I knew it, I had played for more than an hour of rehearsal.

30 Aug 2007, Thu: During the double bass lesson, my tutor, MJ, listened to me sight-reading several pieces. I need to work on sight-reading the not-so-common rhythms with greater ease.

Other than working on sight-reading, time was spent working on Marcello's Sonata in G major, and I played a bit of Faure's Sicilienne.

31 Aug 2007, Fri: I took some time to play through the 3rd movement of Capuzzi's Concerto in D major so as to work on sight-reading skills. Afterwhich, time was spent playing selected sections of the 2nd movement of Keyper's Romance and Rondo at the original tempo, and also at a moderately slow tempo.

I wonder when my finger would heal completely? Psychologically, I have a nagging fear of overstraining it, and that isn't helping me to play freely.

1 Sep 2007, Sat: This morning, my friend, J so generously put aside time to practise with me for my examinations (Diploma in Music Performance, Double Bass). She accompanied me on the piano. We spent time working on Berkeley's Introduction and Allegrio, Faure's Sicilienne and Keyper's Romance and Rondo. I am glad that J could correct my mistakes when I make them during the session.

When my tutor, MJ, came in the afternoon, we rehearsed Faure's Sicilienne and Keyper's Romance and Rondo. J told me that my rendition of Faure's Sicilienne sounded much better with the presence of my tutor and his cues. Possibly like J said, I play better when I seem more confident. Looks like I would need to build up my confidence in playing.

Many thanks to J again.

**
Time flies, it is Week 35 of the year already. I have been on track with practising at least four days per week, at least 15 minutes each of the days. Sometimes I wish I could have more time to practise.