ad libitum

My new, slightly used cello

2009-12-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

The cello I bought on eBay arrived this week and it's everything that the seller promised it would be. For a cheap cello (that being under $1000, but even still under $500), it has a very good sound. I took it to the local violin shop for inspection, and the owner/operator, Jim, told me that I essentially won the round of russian roulette that is buying laminated construction instruments. It only needed two things adjusted and they were minor. The nut and bridge are being adjusted to make it play easier, lowering the action of the finger board & strings, and trimming down the bridge, which was too thick and tall.

My goal with this cello is keep myself in lessons and playing while saving up for a good cello. I figure in about two to three years I will be ready to lay down the money necessary, but also by then I will actually have formed an educated opinion on what I want and need from a cello. Too, by then my ears will be trained enough to be able to find the sound and tone I want.

I'm considering naming my first cello Pauper or Tramp, but I'm always open to suggestions.

I would love to see this guy tour with Tom Waits

2009-12-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

Sion, singing "If I Have Sake."

Violin... No! Cello!

2009-12-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

I completely failed at blogging. I learned a lot of things about the violin and managed through sheer laziness to not share a single bit of it. I plan on rectifying that now, nearly a full year later. But some things have changed...

About one year into learning the violin, I discovered that the pain I was experiencing in my arm was not common pain associated with using new muscles, but a repetitive stress type pain that got worse and worse. In the end, the contortionism required to play the violin did not agree with me. reluctantly I had to give it up. I was loathe to give up string instruments, however, so I started looking into more ergonomic alternatives and came to the cello. Mind you, I'm no stranger to bass instruments having played electric bass as a teenager, so it's only natural that I come full circle.

I'm currently two months into cello lessons and I've puchased my first cello via ebay just the other day. Once it arrives I'll be sure to post about it. I'm not expecting anything noteworthy. I wanted an introductory grade instrument to keep me playing until I have the money and skill to get a quality cello. After all, if I can play a bad one, a good one will be pure joy.

Define

2009-01-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

ad libitum: Indication that gives the performer the liberty to omit a section or to improvise.

So says the Essentials of Music glossary.

This will be my journal of a beginning violin student. When I take an interest in something I like to learn as much as I can about it, from as many different angles as I can find. I may never become a good violinist, but I can rest assured knowing that I will learn a great deal about the instrument and classical music along the way. With luck it will be interesting to anyone reading this blog.