1. always memorize everything possible, it speeds up the learning process so much. To memorize something you don't just have to remember the notes, you have to remember the music. So, in a short amount of time, as part of the memorization process you end up doing harmonic analysis, motivic analysis, structural analysis...

I'm learning so many new things that my brain is on total overload - and, as usual, I feel like I have so many good idea floating around I have no way of remembering them or writing them down, and certainly no way to follow through on any of them.

I got schooled a bit by the good professors, in preparation for our concert of the Dohnanyi Piano Quintet this Sunday. Bad for the ego, great for the learning process and long term development. I was just reminded how it's really awesome to get direct feedback. And how you can either get unnerved by it or use it for your benefit. I'm choosing the latter. 

There are also some really great reminders going on facebook. One of my favorites is a poster reminding to practice not until you get it right, but until you can't get it wrong. The only problem is, who's got time for that? I'm getting so wrapped up in practicing that I forget everything else. In theory this is very good for my soul and also for my playing, but not so good for the family, the students, the house or the job. It's kind of hard to work on the work/life balance when work is also a major part of the "life" to which that refers. Somebody let me know when you figure it out, please...    

First chamber music experience with the Silvestre after having really mapped out the fingerboard...Dohnanyi Piano Quintet with the Michigan Chamber Players, couldn't be better! To be honest, it's a little overwhelming to have all the choices I didn't have before.  I never had the choice of crossing strings whenever I want - to those who don't speak cello, what I mean is there are 4, sometimes 5 ways of fingering a note on a given string. Those were always available on the Hubicka, of course. For some notes, you can also play them on 3 or 4 different strings - and so the possibilities on fingering a passage are too many to count! The strings on the new cello are so well matched that I can cross strings whenever I want/need. I feel a little bit like a kid in a candy store - too many good choices and I can't commit, after all you only get to play a passage once! 

The Popper challenge is good for me. The Popper challenge is good for me. The Popper challenge is good for me...