An Eye for Music

An Eye for Music

The quest for perfect quavers…

 

Amongst the many shortcomings of my violin playing, the one that currently frustrates me the most is the seemingly increasing inability to play a long series of short and fast notes without faltering.

 

I have practiced studies for hours, but still hesitate and stumble.

 

I have tried gradually increasing the speed of the metronome.

 

I have really tried hard to look ahead without forgetting where I’m up to.

 

I have quizzed my proficient orchestra colleagues who claim to be looking a good two bars ahead.

 

I have raised my concerns with my teacher who assured me that if I move the bow at the right speed and use the correct part and amount of the bow, my fingers will keep up.

 

I have tried concentrating really hard (a novel idea).

 

But still the problem remains.

 

Then last week I realised that I had difficulty distinguishing between notes. By the time I had decided whether a note was a ‘b’ or a ‘d’ the moment had passed.

 

I phoned for an appointment with the optician.

 

“You’re on a two year call-back. Is there any reason why you want an appointment now?” asked the receptionist. “Yes, I can’t see properly.” I explained. This seemed to be a good enough reason and along I went for my appointment.

 

First was the peripheral vision test. I was instructed to focus on the little black square and click the aptly named ‘clicker’ whenever I saw groups of lines.

 

I clicked away when I saw little groups of lines. Then the black square moved around and both sides of the image shimmered with long black wavy lines.

 

“Am I supposed to click at these big lines down the sides?” I asked.

 

“Yes, that’s right. Just click whenever you see lines.”

 

“Oh, the whole thing is flashing now.” I said.

 

“Can you see lines?” She asked.

 

“Er… oh. Yes… no…. oh, everything’s gone black.”

 

“You’re not epileptic are you?” she said as she rushed round to look through the viewer “Oh, not again. This thing’s on its last legs. Would you like to come over to this one?”

 

The other testing machine was in perfect working order, as apparently is my peripheral vision.

 

The rest of the testing went without a hitch other than the horrible eye-puffing machine, not a nice experience for someone of a nervous disposition.

 

Apparently my eyesight has deteriorated and my existing glasses are no good for either close or intermediate distances.

 

I perused the frames and decided on the pair that reminded me of Gareth Malone – he knows a thing or two about music so I trust his choice of frame shape.

 

My new glasses should be ready for Saturday’s orchestra rehearsal. I’m expecting great things.