weskid123-blog

[weskid123-blog]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wesley Robert Rodriguez-Sanchez (@weskid123)

#100daysofpractice Day 5. I’m sightreading more music today with the metronome. Have to get this music ready already. (at Spring Valley, California)

[weskid123-blog]

me: why do so many violin concertos fall into obscurity?

me again because I don’t talk to other people: it’s because only two people alive are skilled enough to play them, and they’re both hilary hahn

[weskid123-blog]

Hand and Wrist Exercises for Musicians

I realized the other day that, in my 7 years of playing the violin, I was never told to/how to stretch my wrists. I found that after doing these exercises, my wrists are stronger, looser, and free of pain during long practice sessions. These are quick and easy and great for practice breaks! 

Praying Position Stretches

While standing, place palms together in a praying position. Have your elbows touch each other. Your hands should be in front of your face. Your arms should be touching each other from the tips of your fingers to your elbows.

With your palms pressed together, slowly spread your elbows apart. Do this while lowering your hands to waist height. Stop when your hands are in front of your belly button or you feel the stretch.

Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds, then repeat.

Extended Arm

·        Extend one arm in front of you at shoulder height.

·        Keep your palm down, facing the floor

·        Release your wrist so that your fingers point downward.

·        With your free hand, gently grasp your fingers and pull them back toward your body.

·        Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

To stretch in the opposite direction:

·        Extend your arm with your palm facing toward the ceiling.

·        With your free hand, gently press your fingers down toward the floor.

·        Gently pull your fingers back toward your body.

·        Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

Repeat both stretches with the other arm. You should cycle through stretches two or three times with each arm.

Clenched Fists

While seated, place your open hands on your thighs with palms up.

·        Close your hands slowly into fists. Do not clench too tightly.

·        With your forearms touching your legs, raise your fists off of your legs and back toward your body, bending at the wrist.

·        Hold for 10 seconds.

·        Lower your fists and slowly open your fingers wide.

·        Repeat 10 times.

Building Hand and Wrist Strength | Building Strength

Building wrist strength can also help you prevent injury. There are several exercises you can use to build strength—whether you’re at home or in the office.

Desk Press

·        While seated, place palms face up under a desk or table.

·        Press upwards against the bottom of the desk.

·        Hold for five to 10 seconds.

This exercise builds strength in the muscles that run from your wrists to your inner elbows.

Tennis Ball Squeeze

Squeeze a tennis ball or stress ball firmly for five to 10 seconds.

This should not be painful. However, it should allow you to strengthen your wrist.

Thumb Work

Push exercise:

·        Make a fist and point your thumb up, as if you’re giving a thumbs-up sign.

·        Create resistance with your thumb and hand muscles to keep your thumb from moving.

·        Gently pull back on your thumb with your free hand.

·        Hold and repeat.

Pull exercise:

·        Make a fist and point your thumb up.

·        Create resistance with your thumb and hand muscles to try and keep your thumb pointing up toward the ceiling.

·        Use your free hand to gently push the thumb forward.

·        Hold and repeat.

Figure Eights

·        Interlace your fingers in front of your body.

·        Keeping your elbows tucked into your sides, move your interlaced hands in a figure eight motion.

·        Allow your wrists to rotate fully so that each hand is alternately on top of the other.

·        Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 seconds.

·        Rest, and then repeat.

Overhead Reach

·        While seated, lift your arms over your head and interlace your fingers with palms together.

·        With your fingers interlaced, turn palms up until they are facing the ceiling. You can keep your arms slightly bent or straighten them.

·        Hold the stretch.

·        Bring your arms down, and then repeat.

This exercise stretches the muscles in the forearms and hands. It also increases flexibility and boosts circulation.

Eagle Arms

This exercise is adapted from eagle pose.

·        Extend your arms forward, parallel to the floor.

·        Cross your right arm over your left, with the right arm on top.

·        Bend your elbows.

·        Place your right elbow into the crook of the left. The backs of your hands should be touching.

·        Move your right arm right and your left arm left. The thumb of your right hand should pass by the little finger of your left. Your palms should be facing each other.

·        Press your palms together, lift your elbows up, and stretch the fingers. They should be pointed toward the ceiling.

·        Resist the urge to lift your shoulders as you lift your arms.

·        Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.

·        Repeat on the other side

[weskid123-blog]

For more posts like these, go to @mypsychology​

[weskid123-blog]

The first time I tried bassoon, my band director told 16 year-old me, without ever having heard it played, that it sounded like a well-tuned fart. I still stick by him.

Opinions on the sound of a bassoon? 🤔🤔

it’s a good wholesome instrument and it sounds kind of sad and lonely and it adds a lot to orchestral textures

[weskid123-blog]

What is this witchcraft? I WANT!

This is the coolest use of Microsoft’s new Surface Pen.

[weskid123-blog]

Just 2. No more, no less.

2.

[weskid123-blog]

This is so beautiful.

Jascha Heifetz playing Wieniawski’s Scherzo Tarantella 

Fingers in 8X slow motion vs fingers as we perceived by naked eye. 

[weskid123-blog]

G major is the happiest key out there. Like, it just makes you want to dance. And then there’s D minor, which is the saddest, and just makes you want to crawl into a hole and eat Cheeze-its.

my music theory professor on the happiest and saddest sounding keys (via thingsmymusicprofessorssay)

[weskid123-blog]

Why is this a thing? I’m dead. xD

[weskid123-blog]

reasons to be nice to composers

they can make your life hell, and they don’t care if you “can’t” do something

play it in tune, bitch

play it at this tempo

you better play it loud

make sure you get those trills

accent the notes exactly as written

oh but I’ll be nice and you won’t have to use your bow

fuck you figure it out it’s not my problem 

[weskid123-blog]

Another original I came across from years ago on my computer. It was originally for a music theory project, but I never turned it in. Or maybe I did. I really don’t remember. I plan on coming out with lyrics for it later on. If you like it, go to YouTube and give it a thumbs up! Also, be sure to subscribe!

[weskid123-blog]

My Life Story: The Road from Failure

Hey! I found this note I wrote to Facebook a couple of years back. I feel like it’s pretty self explanatory and random. I’m so sorry if I offend anyone. I was definitely not politically correct back in high school like how I am now. No regrets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a story once told long ago in my fifth semester of Japanese class, and was later read aloud to the entire class . . . in Japanese. After finishing, it was translated to my peers in English, and after hearing the greatness of this novel, many of them began doubting their own existence, and thus, became clinically insane, committing suicide in their next class periods. I have decided to retell this story in both languages, but dim the brightness of my glory as to prevent another episode like the one previous from breaking out. This is that tale, told for the very first time in months . . .

Long, long ago, a miracle happend; waves ceased crashing upon the beach; storm clouds gathered with no wind. In a quiet wood, a group of hippies gathered, awating the delivery of a prophecy which would fortell the arrival of their future leader. From the sky came a white dove, a single peice of parchment attatched to it's leg. Written on it were the words: Wesley Desu. In a joyful bliss, they ritually sacrificed their hippie leader, as well as a 1979 edition "Barbie Bikini Beach Party" doll.

At age five, I entered the public school system and immediately took a liking to sports - mixed martial arts was my calling. Within the span of a month and a half, I had become the heavy-weight champion of the entire continental U.S. Everywhere, people trembled in fear, offering me gifts of expendable pinky fingers. But alas, my greatness was destined to be cut short by the heavy-weight champion of Asia, Europe, and Africa - a girl named Deirdre Bringas. For every one offered pinky I had, she had sixteen, as well as a matching thumb. But foolish I was, for I did not heed others' warnings of inevitable defeat. Foolish, I was.

Met we in the area, like glaiators from the age of Rome, looks in our eyes ready for the kill. The crowd cheered, the bell rang out, but where was I? The floor, already. Deirdre had gotten me with her lighting-fast left jab. I stood again, ready this time, watching.

Bang!

Dodge, dodge, CRACK!

Darkness . . .

I woke up the next morning in a car, five states away from where the bout had taken place, broken nose and all. Where were the people who before had been so willing to sacrifice for me? I was no one. A failure. A washed-up has-been. I had never been to, or even seen rock bottom, but for some strange reason, I had the feeling I would get acquainted with it all too well.

For years I soul-searched, near and high for a purpose. What was I to do if I was no longer of any use. I found haven in the music of the N*SYNC. Their music so perfectly described my life. My favorite at first was JC Chasez because he was from the Mickey Mouse Club, but later switched to Joey Fatone for personal reasons. You can imagine my heartbreak when I heard that they had gone on a "temporary hiatus". Never again would I have the pleasure of singing along with them at one of their concerts. I cried for weeks and my tears became the Colorado River. Alas, I was forced to join the darkside; The Backstreet Boys. Luckily, I found in their music what I had found in N*SYNC's. Then once again, tradgedy struck; Kevin Richardson left the band. Once more, I cried, but not as much as I had for N*SYNC. I decided it was time to reenter the public school system.

Years I lived a happy life, a care-free student. Forgotten was my past to me. But, like all my other times of joy before this, it too ended in anguish. In my Japanese class, I came face to face with the start of my downward spiral - Deirdre. By this time, she had gone from heavey-weight champion of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the continental U.S. to the heavy-weight champion of the world. She had even set records in Russia for the fastest knock-out. I knew what I had to do. I needed to face her in the ring once more.

It was the first time I had put that uniform on in years. The crowd was roaring once again. In the ring I saw her, her stare still petrifying. But this time was different. I had gone and found myself. I had friends now and people who loved me. This would be it. My time finally.

Bang.

Crack.

Darckness . . .

I woke up in a crate, hands tied, my nose broken. I was out at sea, the waves taking me at their leisure.

I found my way to land. Again I failed so terribly that even Fukuda Sensei would have declared shame. Broken, I went to Deirdre in peace, asking for her to take mercy on me. Fate must have been with me that day, for she, in a good mood, was looking for someone to complete a three man team of sorts. I immedeately accepted. Thus, the Powerpuff Girls were born, and using their ultra super power, Deirdre, Wesley and Kimberly dedicated their lives to fighting crime, and the forces of evil.

日本語：

むかし、むかし、Hippiesでした。わるいヒッピズ、ばかヒッピズ、しんでくださいヒッピズ、Die。ウエすりは、はいです。おはようございますディーさま。お元気ですか。はい、はい、ぼくも元気ですよ。アイアムファイン。イエス、アイアムスピキングインイングレシ、RituallySacrificeバビー！

デイドラさま。あなたははいです。ねこがすきです。かめがすきです。キミさんはKwanzaaですけれど、かのじょはとてもばかです。アイアムベリボルッド。ヘイ、ユウノウワッツファニー？サッムピップルメイシンクダトアイアムリリ＝スピキングジャパニズ。ハハハハ。アイアムベリースリッピー。HippieDouchbagウェンアルユウリビングフォアコレージ？アイアムゴイングタミスユウインジャパニズクラス。ユウワーエイグドフレンド。：（

ユウウィルカムアンドビジット、ライット？ドントゴウアンドリッブミヒアアロウンウィスきよしさん。ヒイズエイハンドフウル。：（　リメムバーウェンアイSarahJessicaParkerロウトディスストーリー？ウェル、イトワズツウディーフォレントストーリズ、バットアイワンテドツライトゼムソーユーウィルオルウェズリメムバーミHeaveyWeightChampion.

オーーーー！ワトイフアイスタトクライング？ウィルユーパンチミ？ハハ。アイハッブガッテングッドアトフェイククライング。アイシュードRuPaulビカッムアンアックター！ウードユーゴシマイフィルムズ？

アイアムボード。アンドイトイズアルレディミッドナイト。ザレストウィルビランダムスタッフ。金部リーさんはねこがすきですが、かめもすきですよ。きよしさんはじゃまですよね！いつもしつもんがあるんだ。ぜったいにきかないよ、かれは。らいねん、きみさんもいなくなるよ！どうしよう、ぼくは？らいねんだれにもはなせない！きよしさんしかはなさない。それに、JCChasez(ジェジー シャゼー)よりJoeyFatone (ジョーイ　ファトワン)のほうがもっとすきですよ。ぼくはとてもねむい。Lipsにいきましょう！：D

はいはいです。Failでしたが、ぼくはまだねむいです。せんせいはきびしいです。ディドラさまはピアノをひくことができます！かちあかたわぱうPowerPuffGirlsがらがらはきりいいなさいよな！

[weskid123-blog]

:D Omg, how cool to have all of these terms put together like this!

Kind of music 🎶

詠唱(えいしょう) : Aria 間奏曲(かんそうきょく) : Interlude 器楽曲(きがくきょく) : Instrumental 序奏(じょそう) : Introduction 練習曲(れんしゅうきょく) : Etude 挽歌(ばんか) : Elegy 序曲(じょきょく) : Overture 追復曲(ついふくきょく) : Canon 協奏曲(きょうそうきょく) : Concerto 交響曲(こうきょうきょく) : Symphony 組曲(くみきょく) : Suite 諧謔曲(かいぎゃくきょく) : Scherzo 小夜曲(さよきょく) : Serenade 奏鳴曲(そうめいきょく) : Sonata 夜想曲(やそうきょく) : Nocturne 幻想曲(げんそうきょく) : Fantasia 遁走曲(とんそうきょく) : Fugue 前奏曲(ぜんそうきょく) : Prelude 後奏曲(こうそうきょく) : Postlude 行進曲(こうしんきょく) : March 狂詩曲(きょうしきょく) : Rhapsody 鎮魂歌(ちんこんか) : Requiem 輪舞曲(りんぶきょく) : Rondo 円舞曲(えんぶきょく) : Waltz

[weskid123-blog]

Jajaja. OMG. Me muero de riza. 😂

This is the last composition that Beethoven ever wrote. I don’t even like classical music and I tear up every single time I hear this. Thanks, whomever posted this, it really made my night. 

[weskid123-blog]

My Practice Overview

I try to practice everyday. Usually two hours a day, at least.Now, I admit, I’ve been pretty bad these couple days. I’ve been trying to set up all my social media accounts and have kind of put practicing off to the side. But not for much longer!

I’m going to share with all of you my practice room regime!

First off, I keep a practice journal. It is so helpful for keeping myself accountable! If you don’t have one, regardless of if you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, I highly recommend you all consider investing your energy into one! It has streamlined my sessions.

Obviously, all practice time and how you dedicate it depends entirely on what you need to practice and when you need it accomplished by. For me, I like to break my practice sessions into Warm up, scales, etudes, and repertoire. 

The foundation for any successful playing session is a good warm up. My warm ups usually consist of long bows, vibrato, and trills, however in actuality, I spend very little time on the later two. Long tones are so indispensable; they should be your time to meditate, breathe, and focus your mind on the core of the beauty of your music: your tone! I’ll explain in a later post how I go about my long tone exercises.

Other things I work on during my warm up times are shifts and bowings. There are a couple exercises I work on. I don’t do every single one every day. While I do have certain ones I focus on, using my journal I rotate and keep track of my progress with each one!

After that, I focus on my scales. I’m currently doing B Major, focusing on no vibrato or shaking and smooth shifts. I try to work on just one scale a week, and sometimes when I get bored, I’ll work on another. But one will always be my priority! Scales, and long bows for that matter, should ALWAYS be done with a metronome. The object of the game is to play them not only in tune, but even more important, smoothly, in time, as relaxed as possible, and with minimal glissando in between shifts. Scales can be done in many different ways, so have fun with it! Make it fun!!! 

Etudes are little golden beauties of wisdom. If you’ve never heard of them, they’re basically songs that are exercises that work on specific aspects of technique. Think of if a scale and a song had a baby. Or, at least, that’s how i see them. Now, you can work on specific aspects of technique with exercises alone, but working on etudes allows you to work on those aspects in context. So ingenious. The types of etudes you work on completely depend on your level, and it should also be said that one does not need to play every etude. You’d practice until the end of time. Just select etudes which help you with your fundamental technique or which mirror the techniques you’re working on in your repertoire.I’m working out of the Kreutzer book, currently on No. 9.

Repertoire. The reason we slave in the practice room (my own practice room is a bathroom.What’s yours?) Repertoire should be something you want to play. Right now, I’m working on two pieces. One is Schön Rosmarin, a relatively simple piece. It has a lot of good bow work to keep me busy, since my bow hand is currently awkward. My other piece is Chaconne by Vitali. This one is definitely a long term project. I feel like I’ve spend a good deal of time on it and haven’t come any closer to performing it. 

To that, I want to add that repertoire should be something slightly out of your reach, but achievable. If you are still barely learning your first scales and shifting to third position, you’re probably better off waiting to play a Shostakovich concerto. Obviously that’s a bit of an exaggerated example, but use your own discretion. If you feel that you’ve chosen a piece too difficult to do, don’t be afraid to put it on the back burner for a while. When you come back to it, your technique will have improved and playing the piece will be noticeably easier. 

I realize I didn’t go too far into detail with this post, but I’ll probably come out with some more pretty soon on each aspect individually. 

Thanks for taking the time to read!

[weskid123-blog]