December 2020
There are no more lessons from now on. Neither piano nor flute lessons. The numbers of people infected or ill with Corona and those in quarantine are increasing from week to week.
We had all experienced this situation during spring, but it's not like I've got used to it. It really annoys me now not to be able to take part in any instrumental lessons. Especially when playing the flute, there is a particularly lively turbulence in the air. This is almost impossible to control in a face-to-face lesson and could be dangerous in case of infection. Very unfortunate for me.
The lessons were a wonderful sources of strength for me, which makes my job as a nurse easier. Especially in these times when many people are nervous and anxious to read and interpret the statistics and charts.
There would be the possibility to participate in online classes. But I don't have an internet connection in my flat, so this option is out of the question for me. So I have to practise on my own and hope that I don't forget everything or get it wrong.
After my last open-air practice I was actually approached by someone. It was a young woman. I was just about to stop when she came. I thought she wanted to sit down on the bench that I had filled with my things. But no, she asked me where I get my lessons. She had received a used flute as a gift and was now looking for a teacher. I was able to tell her that I am very happy with my teacher and passed on the contact.
She is also a beginner and I rejoiced a little. I hope that I have found a companion who can accompany me on the way in learning and playing. In all my three music schools, there is always a second voice in each of the pieces.
Three music schools? Yes! I bought another flute booklet for beginners, and then actually found my daughter's old music book, hidden away in her school documents. This gives me the opportunity to continue practising independently in at least three alternativ books during the lockdown period when I don't have any lessons.
It is now December. I can pass on my experience with low temperatures when practising outside. At 5° Celsius and sunshine: you can practise wonderfully. Good shoes and stockings are an advantage because the cold creeps into the feet and legs first.
At 2° Celsius you will voluntarily disassemble the flute after 15 minutes of practising and then dry it at home. Because it doesn't matter how good your shoes are, your fingers can't stand the cold metal for long. Just in case one or the other reader of my flute blog "a-flute-rookie" might be interested in that fact.
I can't write a proper review of the year with this blog post. The few months in which I had lessons have passed quickly. Perhaps I started this blog too early and with too much enthusiasm. And I am now running out of material to write about.
That's just the way it is at the moment, it will certainly be different next year. Hopefully by then I'll have learned more notes and be through all the octaves.
So far it hasn't been difficult for me and I'm carefully muddling my way through the other two books. I've taught myself the "f sharp", the "a sharp", the high "C" and next the "D" and also the legato.
The D is really difficult for me, I have to leave the treble key with my little left finger. Up to now, this finger should press down the key with every note and it requires very concentrated attention not to do that all of a sudden. It's quite challenging when I've got the "D" right and also blown it and then want to go back to the "C".
Well, as they say, practice helps. Unfortunately. Or thank God so.