I'm not good at accountability to myself. I need more.

I'm referring to my misguided notion that I could keep myself motivated enough to stick with my cello playing even though I no longer had a teacher.

The story is a sad one.  My first cello teacher (Chris) ended up getting an important (for him) job in L.A. working with writing musical scores for film.  He'll be great at it...but DANG.  He was a great teacher!

This is from 4 years ago. Makes me smile.

Cello teachers are hard to find in my area.  My next option was a well know viola player/teacher in the area - but she's more of a violist and therefor some of the technique she'd teach might not translate well to cello  (these are my first teachers words not mine.  I know nothing!)  Chris heard about  a well-known professional cellist and teacher who came to our area twice a month.  She didn't take first year students without a glowing recommendation.   Chris gave me a glowing recommendation and I was accepted as her student.   YAY.  After just over one year with her she had to quit teaching because she was battling pancreatic cancer.   She fought hard for the next year  but  it wasn't enough.  Her cancer was very advanced.   She was a very special lady and I considered her a friend.   She is missed.


That was three years ago.  Our financial situation changed, too.  No more lessons for me.   *sniff*

But wait:  there's more.

I learned of a young lady (college student) who was leading a beginning/intermediate  Orchestra and was looking for interested participants.   I'm sure she was mostly expecting teen-aged students and younger  and she was a little surprised, but happy, when I asked her if I could join. 

The first meeting (for me) was yesterday.   Oh boy.   Three years is a LONG time to forget just about everything.  

I was seriously considering selling my cello a few weeks ago.    I'm glad I stopped myself from making that crazy mistake.    This little orchestra is just what I needed to keep from squandering the two years of private lessons we invested in.

I actually practiced for nearly 2 hours today and my fingertips (on my left hand) are numb and tingly now.   :)   

I might regret trying to add a photo - but here goes.