I didn't play for a few weeks what with flute exams and such, so I'm rather out of practice

On the plus side, the problems I was having with aching hands from playing too much when I first got the thing seem to have gone away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbHW1HzXi8 - The Elephant (List B)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGZkvwvqqs - Allemande (List A)

Will post the others when they've done "processing".

Can't get far enough away to be able to see both bowing and LH at the same time... may try and do some recordings to show what's happening with my left hand later or another day.

Had a run through with the piano yesterday, makes life so much easier but then I figure if I can get the pieces reasonable without the piano, then they'll be good with it!

May manage to fit in a lesson with a cello-playing friend, we'll see.

At any rate, help most welcome...

edit: this one just "processed" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTO6eHLZItc - Skye Boat Song (List C) - this I think probably the poorest but I gave up trying to record a good version.

and scales: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syZkK0fecRo you can tell where I got confused, and I know my arpeggios are a bit dire...

Can see the videos but there's no sound ?
Other You tube clips play OK so I don't think it's my computer....

No sound here either.

Oh! That's not helpful then. It didn't occur to me to check that - d'oh.

Probably managed to pull the mic out or something...

Gah.

Back to the drawing board - will post links as I manage to make new ones - with sound...

Any luck Sarah?

Nope... it seems my mic is broken

Soon as I have some way of recording myself, I'll try again!

If anyone has the expertise to give feedback without sound.......

The cello looked very shiny.... Well done, a well polished cello will impress the exmainer I'm sure... Keep up the good work.

Aww, pity about the mic! In the meantime, all I can say is your pieces looked good from here.

Thanks for the giggle, you guys

Do you think so?? Must polish my cello before I do my grade 6!

I think so... I passed my FRSM triangle exam purely because I had spent so long polishing it the night before.


I don't think I could make my cello shiny... its unpolished...

Now I know why I passed my FRSM tambourine!

*goes to polish cello*

I'll make sure to polish my cello the day of the exam!!

Good idea Sarah!

I'll need to - it's currently covered in rosin!

OK, I have been loaned a couple of bows to choose between which are rather better than the one that came with the cello, Naturally I jumped at the chance to use a better bow for my exam, but over the weekend I've been busy and exhausted so haven't managed to work out which I prefer.

Anyone help me out here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdU-gd-fVaE

C major 2 octaves x2
Skye Boat song opening phrase x2
Skye boat song final phrase x2

Each time, round bow first, octagonal bow second.

I appreciate it may not be very easy to work out how much of the sound is the bow and how much is my dreadful playing but...

I keep deciding "ooh, actually, this one is far easier to play with, it'll have to be this one", then changing my mind two minutes later!

The posher one of the two says "E Bernard" on the stick.

I'll keep playing. Exam is tomorrow. I haven't practised properly for weeks. Argh.

When I decide on a bow I may put up a couple of last-minute vids of my pieces for any last minute help you can give. Was supposed to being having a mini-lesson with a friend today but one way and another it hasn't happened. So, all help appreciated....!

PS it may take a while to process...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJr14eJ5oMA

This bow seems harder to control on the A string, either that or I'm doing something really wrong...

Allemande again but with the octagonal bow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZHsrpz5qs

The Elephant - octagonal bow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPC_YOxd6TM
Skye Boat Song - round bow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7uvzuEZgY0

I'm leaning toward the octagonal one, the other one is too hard to control. Which is weird because it looks and feels like a more expensive bow somehow. But I think unless the other one grows on me hugely in the next 20 hours, it's going to be the octagonal one.

Might try and do some "proper" recordings, if anyone is around to give constructive feedback???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pbhaSUmrAE - elephant - round bow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcEtJSfCSqo - Skye boat song, octagonal bow

I'd go with the octagonal one - it seems to have a mellower sound.

Your bow hold looks tons better, by the way!

Good luck for the exam tomorrrow.

Allan

Glad it's not just me then I have a feeling it may be more to do with me than the bow, but seeing as my exam is tomorrow I really need one I can cope with!

Thank you - good good - and thanks for the good luck too - I feel like I'll need it

Unfortunately my exam is at a quarter past 5 so I have all day to think about it.........

Good Luck Sarah! Didn't realise your exam was so soon!

Yes, it somewhat escaped my attention too...! thanks!

Good Luck - enjoy it

Thanks! I'll try to!

My little finger on my LH is getting really painful - serves me right for leaving myself to do panic practise the last few days before the exam. Ahh well...

I don't think I'm going to make too much of a fool of myself at any rate, even if I don't exactly play like a genius!

Well??? How did you get on Sarah?

OK, I think - about as good as could be expected, and better than I imagined after some of my play-throughs today!!!

Pieces... 1st one my A wasn't quite in tune but besides that it was OK, 2nd one I think went pretty well, third one some of my playing on the A string was a bit harsh but think it was OK. Tuning reasonable throughout, I think.

Scales: pretty good I think, & I could have sworn I saw a 21 as I was leaving on that section but think I may have been imagining things as I wouldn't have thought they'd be quite worth full marks...

Sight-reading, OK I think - thinking about it, that could've been the 21, but again am dubious as I wouldn't have given myself that!

Aural - fine. I'm pretty sure the extract in the first bit was a Beethoven symphony!

Kicking myself for not sneaking a better peek at the marksheet, as, unusually, she appeared to have written in most of the scores in ink before I left the room, but I didn't notice till too late!!!

Well done. Sounds like you've done well! Hope you don't have to wait too long for your result!

Thanks! Not holding my breath for a fast result though but you never know... I may get lynched if it comes back quickly though!

Results and their appearance never cease to amaze me.

Yeah.

Danger... I have to give this cello back... but have just been offered another on loan... oh dear!!

Is that a problem? You'll need a cello if you're going to do grade 2......

I'm just wondering where I'm going to find time and brainpower to keep this all up! Allan also sent me some music - there is some sort of conspiracy to keep me playing the cello!!

Just been looking at some G2 pieces this morning............. I like the Weber!!!