Here are a few pictures of Steelers Country in the fall.
During my walks I have seen a number of Steelers Pumpkins.
A Steelers pumpkin flag waves proudly from a porch.
Perhaps you like the Steelers vignette better.
Or are interested in painted pumpkins with individual players numbers.
Do you have a team celebrated in your area?
I returned to Fellows for the Pumpkin Walk again this year. Last years event inspired a book.
Today’s walk was at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown, OH. Last year’s event inspired the Pumpkin Walk book.
Early in our time at the park a wild deer galloped through the parking lot. He was as surprised as the people in the parking lot.
This year, in addition to the pumpkins, the park was having an exhibit called “Beads For Trees.” The public was invited to make strands of beads to be displayed in the park.
The beads added a different kind of sparkle to the event.
We saw pumpkins carved like bats,
This year there were some unique faces on display.
These two used some special plastic accessories.
Have you ever seen a pumpkin blow a bubble?
I found this pumpkin creepy. It reminded me of a shrunken head.
This pumpkin’s face was amazingly detailed.
There were also patriotic pumpkins.
The flag and eagle and presidents were all displayed in…
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This gallery contains 64 photos.
This gallery contains 15 photos.
A gallery of some images from a walk at Riverside Park and around Greenville, PA.
It is a beautiful day for a walk today. I’m enjoying fall.
One of the 213 pumpkins I saw today.
Join me! Go for a walk and see how many pumpkins you can find.
What is the difference between the violin and the viola?
The violin and the viola are very similar instruments. The violin is smaller than the viola and tends to play higher. The viola, with its slightly larger size, can play a little bit lower than the violin. If you were looking at the instruments from a distance, it may be difficult to tell them apart.
Side by side it is easier to tell. The violin is on the left. Would you like to listen?
The String Instrument Demo Video was made after a series of demonstrations for elementary school students. The music was chosen to showcase what could be possible with about a year of study on each of the instruments.
Should I always use the printed bowings? The answer may vary depending on the situation.
When playing in an orchestra it is acceptable practice to use the printed bowings. However, the printed bowings maybe superseded by the principal player of the section, the concert master, or the conductor. The norm is that all of the players are bowing the same direction at the same time. The same direction bows create visual unity as well as a more uniform sound.
If you are the only player, the answer to the bowing question is a lot more relaxed. The purpose is to express the music in the best way. So the printed bowing becomes a guide. For example, if you are performing with a choir, and are asked to play more loudly or softly, changing the bowings is an efficient way to produce the sound that has been requested.
Sometimes you may be asked to play from a piano part. The phrase marks in piano music do not always work well as string bowings. Judgement is required to rebow the music to execute the phrase.
Other times you may be handed music that has no bowings at all. Once again experience is needed to determine the best course of action.
So as a general rule, when playing in a group, bow like the group. When playing alone, bow to make music.
“The cello has no frets! How do you know where to put your fingers?”
Finger placement uses multiple senses. Primarily I use my ears to place my hands on the fingerboard. However there is a kinesthetic aspect to playing. I remember what a note feels like and what the distance between notes feels like. So I use touch to acclimate myself on different pitches. Additionally as I move closer to the bridge, I will occasionally check in with my eyes to see if the finger is in the right place. However, trying to look at my hand when it is closer to the scroll, is not helpful. It skews all the notes because the physical approach to the cello changes.
Using a combination of hearing, feeling, and seeing, and a memory reference of the note, I can know where to put my fingers. It truly is easier to do than it is to describe!
One of the most common questions for students and student parents. How much time should I practice? Like anything else, learning to play an instrument directly reflects the effort you put into the endeavor. So the answer to the practice question varies.
Suppose you are 3, 4, 5 years old. An ideal practice situation would be 5 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day. The goal is musical discovery and joy. Make it easy to repeat skills and have fun. The parent will play musical games as well. You want to help your child have an appreciation for music for a lifetime. It is important to listen to music in the car or around the house.
Perhaps you are in third or fourth grade. You have started an instrument with your school music program or are taking private lessons. Ideally you would begin practicing daily for 20 minutes. Once your muscles are more developed, it will be easy to practice for 30 minutes at a time. However, if you are becoming fatigued, it is better to practice twice a day for shorter periods of time.
As you hit junior high and high school, 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes a day would be a decent amount of practice time. It would allow you to keep up with your school program. Daily practice would help you to be a competent musical hobbyist. If you wanted to become a professional musician, then look to practice 2 to 6 hours a day.
Think about it, how much time to you devote to a junior high or high school sport? Two and a half hours a day for five days a week. So thirteen hours a week before going to any games or meets. Can you imagine how much you would improve at your instrument to devote that kind of time to practice?
Practicing has seasons. Getting ready for an audition, recital, contest, or a music festival will require much more practice. In many cases, it is not the best player to take the chair, it is the most prepared. Once you play at a competent level, separations are a matter of degrees.
So as a general rule, 30 minutes a day will keep your mind and fingers limber. If you are looking for a minimum number, that is a place to start. If you are working toward excellence, the more practice the better.
No matter what, the most important part of practicing, is to begin!
12/8/12 and 12/21/12
Miriam Troxler 