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Olivia Kilmartin's avatar

I’m in! Thanks for the challenge. A sort of New Year’s resolution. Can you recommend any amateur orchestras in London for a grade 8 cellist? Something to aim for…

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Ariane Todes's avatar

Excellent - well done! I'm afraid I don't really know that bit of the scene, but you could check out Making Music, which does great work and has a list:

https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/resources/find-a-group-list

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John Leman Riley's avatar

I’ve recently taken up piano and manage to practice on most days (probably 5/7). I’m enjoying it hugely despite the utterly excruciating noises I’m producing. Whether I’ll ever be even passable, I don’t know but the process is hugely rewarding as is the sense of achievement in those few moments when I produce something approximating music.

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Ariane Todes's avatar

5/7 is very diligent! For me it’s all about the process - orchestra concerts notwithstanding, although obviously it does improve my performance in those. Somehow that takes the pressure off being ‘perfect’. Progress is a by-product. I’m sure you’re improving incrementally. Rachel Baron Pine suggested recording oneself over an interval of a month or so – not to judge the performance but to prove how far one has improved, objectively, without the negative self-talk. I might try that!

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John Leman Riley's avatar

I think the difference is that you have a bass level of competence. If I ever get remotely in that vicinity I might not need 5/7 but at the moment I’m afraid that any relatively long break would end up with me back at square one!

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Mariechristine Lopez's avatar

This is so meaningful to read while practicing!✨Thank you for highlighting the (often overlooked) rewarding parts of the process. It’s different, to practice savoring them.🎻🎶

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