
Hi, this is Nathan Chan, I am nine years old, and I have been learning violin with Teacher Victor since I was three and a half years old. I also played in my school orchestra for the past three years and participated in school performances. In addition, I've played in many live performances in front of the public for charity and for Christmas celebrations which I highly enjoyed. After the Grade Five exam I started to learn music theory. I learned about composers, rhythms, and musical terms which had helped my violin practice. Luckily, I passed the theory test in my first attempt.
I practice violin every night. When I start practicing, I would look at my parents' videos that they took during the violin class. Then I would practice the parts that I need to improve and work with the metronome and tuner so I can ensure I played at the right rhythm and the right notes in the piece. If I am starting a new piece, I will practice bar by bar and listen to others on Youtube and listen to teacher Victor's advice on how to practice the bar and what rhythm is the best. If I am struggling on a bar that has shifting on it, I would first play it slowly and then speed up until I master that part. When I finished the Grade 5 exam I started learning the Grade Eight exam pieces. One of the new techniques I had to learn was called harmonic. I started playing the harmonic when I was learning Czardas (bars 70 to 86). Recently, my favourite pieces are Czardas by Vittorio Monti and Allegro by F.M. Veracini, because they have a fast rhythm. In my trips during school holidays, I would also bring along my violin every time so I can practice every day as well.
Before every performance I would practice the piece several times to ensure I could do my best during the concert. Every time at the beginning of my performance, I would always take a deep breath and then give a signal to Ma Sir that I am ready to start. Once I start performing, I will not think and just play the piece along with the piano. Our piano accompanist, Ma Sir, has been great in practicing with me and preparing me prior to exams, and accompanying me during the exams and in concerts. I aim to complete the performance diploma in two years and after that I will try to learn to play the piano or the drums. Finally, I’d like to thank Teacher Victor for his different practicing tricks and especially for his patience in teaching me.
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