Time, Weather, and Gravity...

                This will be my last blog entry. I will be answering the required questions BELOW.

1. What was your favorite part of the topic you chose?
         My favorite part of my topic was getting to learn an instrument that I had wanted to play, but not as much as the cello. I never had the time, but this project gave me the time.

2. What was your least favorite part of the topic you chose?
         My least favorite part was practicing. I am not very fond of practicing anything (cello, piano, viola, etc.) and the viola was no different.

3. What do you like the best about Genius Hour research?
        Knowing the secrets and tricks music teachers use comes in handy. It showed me that being a teacher requires a lot of observation of students and how they learn.

4. What do you like the least about Genius Hour research?
        I didn't like going through the music and writing notes and planning lessons. I twas fun at first, but it became very annoying and boring very fast.

5. What was the most important thing you learned about yourself, how you learn, or research in general as a result of this work?
          I learned that scheduling and planning is very important, and should be the first thing I do when working with others. I also discovered that the best resources can be teachers and other adults.


            This project had many issues along the way, but it still worked out pretty well in the end. Weather, gravity, and time were not our friends during the time we had to do this project, but those are things we cannot control. Thank you for reading my final blog entry! GOODBYE!!☺

Practice makes Perfect!

                 This week, Alyssa and I made time during school to practice. We have both made progress, and we are now working on choosing a piece to preform with our presentation, I just need to convince Alyssa to actually play.
                This project has not been a complete fail, but it hasn't been a complete success either. April and May are busy months. With all of the events we had, we only had time for 1 lesson, but we hope to continue this the lessons outside of our project.
               Alyssa cut her nails down to an acceptable length, so that will help her play the cello better. I also spent the week working on posture and how I hold the viola. We have both helped and corrected each other throughout the week, which kept us from developing bad habits.
                Once we have selected a piece to preform (and I have convinced Alyssa), we will practice it and play it for the class. This is the plan, but as we have learned from this project, the plan may change! Practice, practice, practice is all we can do for now!

Lesson 1

                   Today, Alyssa and I had our first lesson. We were very successful and we both have our own homework. The lesson felt very short, but we managed to accomplish our goals for that lesson.
                    I taught Alyssa how to correctly hold the cello and the bow. She is still having trouble correcting habits formed from 3 years of playing the viola, but that was expected. She can successfully play a 1 octave D major scale relatively in tune. Though I feel that the next lesson will be much more difficult, considering what I have planned, I believe we will be able to succeed.
                    For the second part of our video, Alyssa was teaching me how to play the viola. I had expected the viola to be easier. It is actually very different from the cello, but I have Alyssa to teach me, so I don't need to worry. I had trouble with finger placement and bow hold, so that is my homework.
                   We took the time to take two videos showing most of our progress and teaching. Those are here:--------->
PART 1

PART 2

 

Problems...

                   Hello everyone! This week, we were supposed to start our lessons on the cello and viola, but because of scheduling issues we were not able to. I am also sorry to say that I will not be able to fully learn the viola.
                  On April 17, I broke my wrist. I will not be able to play with a bow, so Alyssa and I will adapt accordingly. Our project may come out to be unsuccessful, but it also might teach us how to cope with accidents and scheduling issues. So far, we have worked on our lessons for a little amount of time.
                With my broken wrist, I may not be able to teach Alyssa as well as I had hoped to. I will have to cope with only explaining how to do certain things, but I am hoping that I will be able to show her. The outcome of our project depends on what the orthopedic doctor says about the fracture in my wrist. The last thing I want to do is make it worse!

Here is the video that goes with my first entry. Sorry it's so late! We had to figure out why blogger doesn't like my wifi.... or me! :)

Can I Teach the Cello and Learn the Viola?

              Hello and welcome to my blog! ☺ In my English class we are working on our Genius Hour project. Genius Hour is a project in which the teacher allows the student to take time in class to work on a project they find interesting. I chose to learn the viola and teach someone how to play the cello. I will be working with my friend, Alyssa. she will be teaching me how to play the viola and teach her how to play the cello.

            My inspiration for wanting to learn the viola is my goal of playing 5 instruments. I would also like to be able to play the viola alongside my friend. The viola will be easier to learn than the violin because it is in closer in relation to the cello (the instrument I play☺). They have the same strings and relatively the same finger patterns. Violas are like the cellos' cousins.

             My reason for wanting to teach someone how to play the cello, is because I like teaching. I like to teach others and later see them succeed or enjoy it.
             I hope that our project goes well and that we both get something out of it.