I wrote in an earlier post about how my 'system' had been impacted by Covid-19. While many aspects have been impacted negatively (eg not being able to meet in person) there have been some that have been some positive impacts and some new aspects introduced which would never have happened without Covid and its associated lockdowns and restrictions.
In what feels like another lifetime I would meet a friend (Joan) every week and we would enjoy playing music together. Tea and chat were also involved. And then the first lockdown happened and it stopped. Then Joan dropped me a note to say that Trish who ran the cello workshops at Glasgow Fiddle Workshop was running some informal zoom classes - would I be interested? I jumped at the chance - I'd looked at the classes GFW ran on many occasions but living in central Scotland and working in London meant evening classes in Glasgow had never been an option. But virtual classes and working at home meant that it suddenly became feasible. So I signed up.
The Monday night classes quickly became the highlight of my week. Meeting and seeing people, chatting, learning new tunes and playing with others who love traditional Scottish music was eagerly anticipated. Something to look forward to in the middle of the pandemic became not just a morale boost but a solid anchor for my mental health and wellbeing. And I got to learn too!
Three things in particular stand out:
- learning by ear
- the video
- Christmas party with tune bingo
I've played music for most of my life learning piano in primary and branching out into woodwind and choirs at secondary. When my son tried to learn violin I joined in to help - he gave up but I stuck with it. Playing trad tunes with other people is much easier on the violin than the clarinet. And then someone let me try the viola. That was it - I was enraptured - hook line and everything. I had found MY instrument. All of this experience was rooted in the classical tradition and I struggled hugely to learn by ear in spite of many attempts. But in this class I finally found a teacher who has succeeded in helping me to learn by ear. Most of the time I more or less manage the tune but need promting with the music after a coupe of days. But there are a couple of tunes that I have really learned by year (Leaping Lulu being my first success) and actually prefer not to have the music. Finally 50 years of classical training being supplemented by a aural tradition.
The third highlight of the year was our Christmas bingo night. The winner of the bingo (unfortunately not me) won a free music lesson with Trish's son. He joined us that night to play a couple of tunes - suddenly I was playing along with two other people. The first time in nearly a year that I'd done more than a duet. The feeling of playing in that trio was indescribable.
Looking ahead - it would be great if I could continue to play with the cello class even when my working life in London resumes.
