I'm sitting next to my cat Maggie, who shadows me all day and night when I am home and makes me feel really guilty about not being home all of the time! And so, to keep Maggie and the other three kitties happy, I am staying inside on this beautiful day, playing violin and viola, watching videos, and planning this blog. It's so nice to have a day where I don't have to go anywhere! I do my best practicing on days like this!

I love it when I have the time to just leave my instrument out on the table for a few hours and pick it up whenever I feel inspired to play, never looking at the clock. Right now I have no upcoming concerts for several weeks, so I am free to read through new pieces and play old favorites just for fun. My favorite way to spend leisurely hours on my violin is to just explore the sound of it, experimenting with varying bow contact points, adjusting weight and flexibility in my right hand and arm, and changing the color and projection of my tone by changing the width and speed of my vibrato. I also enjoy trying different strings, switching bows, and even practicing in other rooms of my house to see what sound comes back to me in different environments. I just love how it feels to make sounds that are beautiful and interesting, and sometimes even thrilling!