Thomas Yee - Violinist

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The third week of my trip to Korea is passing up, and it seems as if I have been here for quite a long time. I'm sure when it is all over it will seem like a blink of an eye. It always seems like that. Thank goodness that we can take pictures to remember how much was actually seen. The performance or audition experience seems like an eternity, but when it is done, the time too also seems to pass by so quickly. I had helped host and perform in my international wedding reception, entertained visiting family, and experienced very traditional Korean culture this week.

The second week of my trip to Korea is finishing up, and I have been literally "soaking" things up through hot weather, fervent shopping, commuting around, and new tastes. I have been getting to know my additional extended family, and to experience firsthand what all of the luxuries this country has to offer. Still, I am finding some time to involve my life with music regularly through morning practice and tying cultural experiences with it.

I've been in Seoul, Korea for the past five days now, and it has been an incredible experience for me. I have been staying in the heart of the city; Kangnam-Gu Samsung-Dong area, which is a landscape of skyscrapers and teeming business. I have noticed and am impressed with the Koreans' system for many things. From learning a very respectful etiquette & mannerisms, daily life schedule, the cleanliness of the packed city, fashion, the subway system, and even restrooms!

Saw this article and thought it was useful to spread the word and share it with all of you.

-Thomas

July 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM blog by Catie Rinderknecht at violinist.com

The bear paw. I know, it sounds incredibly cheesy. But, it's something that makes sense. I mean, David Russell actually used this metaphor in a lesson I had with him in summer '07. It works, why else would he mention it?

A bear's paw is vaguely hand-shaped, but it has no fingers. When a bear scoops up honey (or whatever), it uses its whole paw as a unit.

What a beautiful day in South San Francisco Bay Area to practice and teach the violin! This is my first of many routines Blogs on Thomasyee.net, especially since I will be away for half of the summer. Now that the summer has rolled in, it is time to rethink strategies and practice routines! I encourage visitors and my students to visit here often for advice when I'm away. In return, I will dedicate a majority of my blogs to pedagogy and practice.