Thesteelydane.com

Why I love the viola

Nicolaj — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:01:51 +0000

A couple of months ago I borrowed a viola just for fun, and to make a long story short: I am in love – and for 2 very good reasons. First of all, I love the sound of it. There’s something about the slightly melancholic and very singing, smooth sound of the viola that speaks to me. It seems, at least to me to be closer to the human voice. I also discovered that it fits my body like a glove. I have very long arms and long fingers, and surprisingly some of the things I struggle with on the violin, becomes easy and natural on the viola. With the violin, my left elbow is very closed, and in recent months that has created some discomfort during the long opera…

Protected: Notes from injury prevention talk at DKDM Oct.1 09

Nicolaj — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:46:13 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Teaching testimonials

Nicolaj — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:17:24 +0000

I enjoy teaching, and have over the created many excellent results with students of all ages, backgrounds and levels. My teaching philosophy centers around inspiring students through my own passion for the violin. I also believe in helping my students develop healthy habits from day one, so should they one decided to pursue a professional career in music, they will have a solid platform to start from. I also encourage creativity and independent thinking through every phase of the learning process – always innovate, never “just” imitate.

Below is a testimonial from the parents of two former students, that I taught in the US in 2003.

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To Whom It May Concern

It is our distinct pleasure to offer our highest recommendation on behalf of Mr. Nicolaj Nielsen. We have known Mr. Nielsen for…

On Cortisone and recovery

Nicolaj — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:52:52 +0000

Many people ask me about cortisone and the role it played in my recovery, so I thought I’d write a little note on it. When I first had cortisone injections, it was administered by a regular doctor who just wanted to help. This was months before I finally got the correct diagnosis (a massive shoulder blade dysfunction) – and it did help, or rather so I thought. The pain disappeared, only to come back 2 months later with a vengeance, when the effect of the cortisone wore off. In other words, I returned to playing way too soon, and only made things worse by playing with a serious dysfunction. I just couldn’t feel the pain.

After I finally got the correct diagnosis from a orthopedic surgeon, and started my rehab…

A new type of shoulder pad: A review

Nicolaj — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:44:25 +0000

I recently saw an article in The Strad that immediately caught my attention. A guy in Japan had invented a shoulder pad (yes, a pad – not a rest) that attached to you instead of the violin. This – at least in in theory – should make it easier to move the violin around and change your playing position, which from a physical therapy point of view is a good thing. I contacted the guy and he kindly send me a test sample. It is very well made of non-slip neoprene and utilizes strong magnets inside the pad to hold it in place. As a player who usually tugs a thick wash cloth under my shirt, the concept isn’t new to me, but I’ve never seen it implemented in such…

Back in business

Nicolaj — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:31 +0000

My wrist is fine again, and I’m playing full time. It took about a month, and according to medical science I should count myself lucky, as it can take up to 3 months for the overstretched ligaments to heal and fully contract. I have been busy freelancing a lot with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra in Sweden and practicing for upcoming auditions. I have also been preparing a few pieces to record for this website and expect to upload material within a week.

In other news, the article about my story in “Musikeren” (”The Musician”) is coming out in a few days. Stay tuned for more….

Audio/Video

Nicolaj — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:45:32 +0000

A video review of a new type of shoulder pad for violin/viola. See more here.

Performance videos in production – coming soon!

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Vieuxtemps: Capriccio for solo viola. You can download the mp3 by clicking on the arrow in the player, from, but please ask my permission if you decide to use it for anything other than your personal enjoyment.

Vieuxtemps: Capriccio for solo Viola by thesteelydane

Downloads

Nicolaj — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:37:47 +0000

A comprehensive literature list

When I was down and out with my shoulder injury, I desperately sought out any information I could find on shoulder injuries and especially if any other violinists/violists had any experience that could help me. Imagine my joy, when someday I stumbled upon this treatise by an American viola player, Michelle Rush, that had not only suffered the exact same injury that I had, but also read every single book and article on the subject, and then compiled a review of it all in a single treatise! This quickly turned into my most valuable resource in my quest for knowledge about my condition. I recently managed to track down Michelle and asked her if she would be ok with her treatise being posted here – she said…

A sprained wrist and a gig

Nicolaj — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:19:34 +0000

Just as things where going really well I have sprained my left wrist and thumb. That means I’ll miss the audition in the Suth Jutland Symphony I’ve been preparing for, and quite possibly I will also have to cancel an orchestral gig next week – the first in a month. It has reminded me of two things; First how vulnerable you really are as a musician, how quickly you can loose the ability to do what you have spent a lifetime learning, and secondly how easy it is – especially as a freelancer – to give in to the pressure of the business and begin playing too soon after an injury. Even though this is just a sprain that will heal again, I once again find myself in the uncomfortable…

Wrist sprain

Nicolaj — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:08:16 +0000

Given my recent close encounter with the subject, I decided to write a little about what it actually is, why it hurts so much and takes so long to heal. In your forearm you have 2 bones that rotate around each other. These are joined to the 8 small carpal bones that form your wrist and fit together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. They are aligned in 2 rows of 4 and the whole thing is held together by a complex web of ligaments. Ligaments connect bones to each other and helps to stabilize the joint. They are also used by the brain as a sort of joint sensors that helps the nervous system to control the muscles – they are thus full of nerve endings! It is these…