I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I am a violinist. No wait, that sounds too professional. Okay, I play the violin. Anyway, I had my violin lesson yesterday and my teacher and I started working on this song:
First of all, it does not sound that good when I play it. Not even close. But I just love this song.
So me and my teacher were going through the music, deciding the fingerings and when I should shift into a higher position. All that fun stuff. But as I was watching/listening to Sarah Chang (the girl in the video) play it, I realized my fingering was different than hers.
Instead of playing a certain note on a certain string, I was playing the same note on a different string. Confusing, right? On the violin, there's more than one way to play the same melody and make it sound just as good or better.
Hmm. Sound familiar?
Playing the violin is a lot like writing. Writing (specifically fiction writing), is all about saying something someone's already said before and making it yours. Without the inspiration of other stories, I'm not sure we'd have as many ideas. And without previous stories, our WiP's probably wouldn't be what they are today.
We're all playing the same song but we're all playing it differently, in our own creative way. So maybe I really do play this song better than Sarah Chang... (I wish :/ ) LOL.
Like the fingering or bow direction I decide for myself while playing the violin, the special ingredient you add to your writing is what makes it yours. That's what makes it special in the first place!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
--Jess
First of all, it does not sound that good when I play it. Not even close. But I just love this song.
So me and my teacher were going through the music, deciding the fingerings and when I should shift into a higher position. All that fun stuff. But as I was watching/listening to Sarah Chang (the girl in the video) play it, I realized my fingering was different than hers.
Instead of playing a certain note on a certain string, I was playing the same note on a different string. Confusing, right? On the violin, there's more than one way to play the same melody and make it sound just as good or better.
Hmm. Sound familiar?
Playing the violin is a lot like writing. Writing (specifically fiction writing), is all about saying something someone's already said before and making it yours. Without the inspiration of other stories, I'm not sure we'd have as many ideas. And without previous stories, our WiP's probably wouldn't be what they are today.
We're all playing the same song but we're all playing it differently, in our own creative way. So maybe I really do play this song better than Sarah Chang... (I wish :/ ) LOL.
Like the fingering or bow direction I decide for myself while playing the violin, the special ingredient you add to your writing is what makes it yours. That's what makes it special in the first place!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
--Jess
28 comments:
Wow, that's impressive. And I like how you compare writing to playing.
And I'm so glad you left a comment on my blog. There's no link to your blog in your follower's profile, so unless you comment people can't find you to follow back. I think you just need to go into your profile and allow the blog link to be seen.
Nice to meet you!
What an interesting observation -- and lovely music. Thanks for sharing them both!
Very good example. And one of my kids wants to play the violin. Showed her the video and she loves it.
I can't thank you enough for that link. I've been playing it straight for 30 minutes. I'm in tears - stunning music. Please post your performance when you're ready.
I know nothing about the violin except when played well, it could rip your heart out, like Ms. Chang just did. But you're right when you say there are many ways to say something while writing. The key is developing your unique and enthralling voice. This way, your fans will crave your stories and buy your books for decades.
Nice, and if you're ever in a position to play a violin piano duel, might I recommend Piano fantasy?
Well you might not sound as good as Ms. Chang yet, but I still love hearing you play! :)
So when I pushed the play button, I told myself I wouldn't cry. I would not cry. Although I can't play an instrument to save my life nor could I tell one concerto from another, I adore listening to classical music. So by minute 4 it was a completely fail lol!! That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing. And I love your comparison of differences in playing styles to differences in writing. Adding that special ingredient is important, truly makes it your own, no matter how many times the actually "tale" has been told.
Nice metapohor ;) And that sounds like a hard song! Good luck with it.
Wonderful comparison. We all tell the same stories, just in our unique ways. Good luck with both our WIP and your song in progress.
No problem :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah, it is lol :D
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jess! It's nice to meet you. I came over from Lynda Young's blog as part of the BBQ. I'm an aspiring YA author. Best of luck with your novel writing and your violin playing!
So when is the concert? Can't wait to hear it. :)
Wonderful comparisons between writing stories and playing music!
For a piece of music to reach our souls the way this one (Meditation de Thais) does, Jules Massenet must have experienced a tragic heartache at some point in his life – much like the story behind the composer of the Amazing Grace, John Newton.
Your blog inspired me to SCHEDULE practicing the piano accompaniment on Monday evenings – so as to be ready for our Thanksgiving performance.
I love you to infinity!
Grandma Reiko
Wow! That's an incredible analogy! I love it. So very true.
Really? I never knew the violin was that complicated. Love the analogy.
Can't wait to play it with you :)
Thanks for stopping by & following!
What a great analogy, Jess!
I agree, writing can sometimes be formulatic, especially when it comes to structure and plot. But there's no reason we shouldn't feel free to experiment with the music. Lots of authors have and succeeded!
Best of luck in your career! And nice to meet you.
Lovely song! Great metaphor, too--great way to think about writing!
Thanks for stopping by :)
lovely blog I will try to listen to video. Rushed right now, but thanks for the positive remark on my humor blog.
That's so true... The song is gorgeous...
Hi Jess,
If you keep practicing and are serious about playing the violin, you could play like Sarah one day. Thank you for joining my blog. I've joined yours as well ;)
Keep on writing, Jess!
WHat a great way to look at it. ANd you're so right.... there are only so many plots and we can't change what works, but we can change how it works and make it ours.
You are just so full of talent!! Skating, violin playing, writing! Whew, I'm worn out thinking about it. :)
'On the violin, there's more than one way to play the same melody and make it sound just as good or better.'
Beautiful. So very happy you commented on my blog. Thrilled to have followed Ariadne's thread back here.
Have an excellent week.
Is that Placido Domingo conducting?! Sorry - the conductor just looks like him!
HELLO there lovely Jess!! You're a writer and a violinist and it looks like you skate too! Wow!!
I love the juxtaposition between playing an instrument and writing a story and making the end result uniquely yours! Yay!
Take care
x
Very cool that you play the violin. It is such a beautiful instrument. I think having your own special way of doing things is great. Harpo Marx played the harp and never learned how to play properly, but did it his own way since he taught himself, but he was spectacular at it. It's great to be uniquely you! :)
Post a Comment