Thursday turns up regardless.

 My last post went down well.

Did you know that the band Led Zeppelin spelt the first word in their name that way because they didn't want it to sound like their band was all about lead (guitar) breaks?

Well, I guess that the lack of any comments about my last post means that it was a success.

Moving right along.

Obviously there will be some violin practice happening this morning. I'll try to squeeze in some double bass practice too. Metronome practice is important. I was reminded of this at a string group practice at one of my schools yesterday. One violinist was playing quite loudly and racing. A good time feel is very important. Playing along with a backing track is a fun way to get in 'metronome' time. Personally, I think I need to put in some good time on 'Take me home again, Kathleen'. This song is in my Irish medley and I need to memorise it. I think it's a good song. Why have I included an Irish medley in my repertoire? Well, one reason is that I have a good friend who is Irish. Often, when we are together, I get asked to play some tunes. Obviously, he really enjoys Irish tunes. So it is good to have a few up my sleeve. It also makes for a bit of variety, as do my Neapolitan tunes and the OBS. 

I see that quite a lot of musicians are replacing AI with AG because there is no 'I' in the musical alphabet. AG is what we call a minor 7th. In jazz it sounds good to play C & G over Am7. As I've said before, I think it is very important to be able to play your violin like a singer. Do you want to do this? Just think of a song you know and play it without music. That's what we do when we sing. Singers don't need to know that there is a major 6th. here or an octave there, they just sing. Also, don't stick to your safest key. Hey, there are only four fingerings for a major scale - learn them! Remember that minor scales and the dominant 7th. scale are just modes of the major scale. Yes, yes, I know that people like to add an accidental to the 7th. note of a minor scale, and sometimes to the 6th. No big deal! Just do it!

As I've said in posts before,
this would be a big deal.

I hope that this post is as successful as my last and nobody sees anything that needs questioning.

Sii gentile, but don't buy into shit.

Ciao.