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My viola went much better this morning. Still needs a ton of work, but much better than when I played on Monday.

I played my viola for about 30 minutes. I actually did 15 minutes on my Fiddlerman and another 15 minutes on my other viola. Wasn't too bad. I really don't have very good finger placement memory, so I might have to add tapes back on. This is for my pleasure and tapes do not bother me. I don't enjoy sliding around to try to find a note. I can't really learn that way.

Yes, I just heard all the screeching tires stopping, or squeaking bows as they go crazy on the strings upon reading this statement. ?????? But, I need to enjoy myself, and not be concerned about what others think of taping. I am not playing in front of an audience, I am playing for the enjoyment of one, Mouse. I do understand why those with the hopes of ever becoming proficient, and/or playing in front of others are so anti-tapes, but I am not in that group. Plus, we each learn in our own way. 

Hmmm, maybe I am a rebel MOUSE! 

@JohnG Love it.

It has been too long since my last visit. 

I am doing well on my cello and viola. That is not to say I am any good, I am making progress. I think what I am doing is working. I think it will be a little while before I advance further into my Cassia Harvey book. I want to get what I have learned up to now natural, first. 

I am studying the Berceuse and the Bourrée. I play songs that I know at the end, to unwind and remind myself that I will get to a point where I can actually play a piece. 

Still working on my cello and viola. I am trying to pay more attention to my bowing so I can get a better sound and then move on from there.

I have been working on my bowing and intonation before moving on to more complicated sheet music. I have also been playing with different speeds of vibrato.

I will be playing my cello later today. I played my violin yesterday. For some reason, I always think it is more comfortable doing the cello. I feel like a contortionist when doing my viola and violin .

So, it has been a week. I have been updating the challenge. On Violaman's sister site, Fiddlerman, I found Fiddlerman's 35 Day Challenge and have been doing that with my violin and added my cello. 

It is going well.

My violin seems to be improving. Since it needs a lot, that is not saying it is "good playing", it is improved.

My cello is doing well. I am finding the new strings working for me much better. I think this set needed a longer breaking in period than the green label Evahs needed. The green label Evahs seemed to be set at the get go.

The new strings that we put on my cello when it got its checkup, had a long break in period, and were very difficult to play. It is getting better, as mentioned above. I was thinking that maybe they required a bowing skill above what I am able to do ... at the moment.

What does all of this mean? I am enjoying my instruments more. I can feel like I am actually getting somewhere. Does this mean I won't go back to feeling that is is not working for me? Nah. I tend to get that defeated feeling quite easily. I think it is because I feel like I am racing the clock. How much longer will my joints allow me to do this?

I have not been able to do much worh my challenge. We have things moved around in the house, temporarily. I lost my cello space for a little bit. It is calling to me. More like yelling.

On an up note, I have played my viola more and it is getting better. A viola does not need nearly s much space as my cello to play in.

Yes, @wtw, my cello needs to learn patience. It must have some patience. It has put up with me for a few years. It could have pulled out its peg leg and hobbled out. But, no, it sits proudly on its stand and lets me lightly brush it strings with my finger tips as I walk by. Good ol' Mikey G.

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