#masterviolin

[willhurdstrings]

Amended #violinpractice🎻 post! I inadvertently forgot to add the third #violinperformance version video to this morning’s post discussing the challenging triplet passage in mm 133-152 of #violinconcerto in #aminor by J.B. Accolay. This passage contains a tricky bowing pattern as well as many string crossings. Here’s how I practice and present this passage in my lessons: Three videos: 1) First I practice the slur pattern using a customized version of #perpetualmotion by #shinichisuzuki from #suzukiviolinmethod I modify this piece to create a 6/8 meter in which I can practice the bowing pattern, making sure to accent slightly and vibrate the main beats. I also change the key to A minor. Any etude will do, but I like to keep things simple so I can focus on the bowing right away without having to learn a new piece. Students who regularly review Suzuki repertoire will be able to learn this version in a few practice sessions, if not after a few minutes. ~swipe left~ 2) String crossings - there are many “drops” to the E string, usually for a repeated open E. It is essential that the entire arm drop to the E string even though this passage is fast. This ensures the best control and tone quality throughout. I announce the string crossings out loud as follows: “Drop” - arm drops to E string “Reach” - hand reaches to a lower string. Notice how it’s just my hand. My forearm doesn’t go up to the lower string. Announcing the string crossings out loud engages more of the brain and makes the practice more thoughtful and powerful. It also slows students down so they think about what they’re doing! ~swipe left~ 3) Performance version - The bowing and string crossing patterns are organized. Tone is pure on all strings. There is no skidding or chipping of notes on the E string. #violininstructor #suzukiteacher #soloviolin #soloviolinist #violinstagram #violinista #stringsattached #violinworld #violinista #practiceviolin #masterviolin #violino #violinlessonsforkids #loveviolin #practicestudio #lingling40hours #40hoursofpractice #practicejournal @paoyi_2005 (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUUDPlAZBp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[creativemedicinehtw]

Black women make everything dope! Shout out to Ezi aka @iamezinma The song is by @liltunechi @therealswizzz #Uproar #CarterV @aliciakeys #amazingtalent #artexpression #masterviolin #hiphopviolinist #nyc #htx #americastalent #musicuans #loveofmusic #soundofmusic #musiclovers #hiphiplovers #everydayhoustonlive #showusyourtalent #tagus #dmus #houstonlove #houstonbloggers #whereisyournext #moversandshakers #houstonscene2018 #classicalbae https://www.instagram.com/p/BolrIw3ljra/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m6tuohvy5leo

[willhurdstrings]

I enjoy practicing by #transposition to #keepitfresh and interesting during #violinpractice🎻 Transposing gives a free perspective on the intervals and helps with tricky intonation passages. Here’s an example of how this works in a passage from #prelúdio from the #emajor #partita by #jsbach 2 videos: 1) passage practiced slowly and down a half step in E flat major 2) closer to performance tempo in the original key of E major #johannsebastianbach #bachviolin #sonatasandpartitas #practiceviolin #violinteacher #violinmasterclass #violinlesson #suzukiviolinteacher #violintechnique #practiceroom #violinpedagogy #masterviolin #playviolin #violinlove #beautifulmusic #violinista #violintips #stringplayer (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQLbqAxAmca/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#jsbach #violinconcerto #bwv1041 #secondmovement #andante One of the challenges in this movement is the bow distribution in the passages with the full measure whole notes tied to the first sixteenth note of the next measure. I practice these passages as follows (4 videos): 1) Practice the last sixteenth note worth of the long note. Start practice on this note allocating about 1/3 of the bow for this note alone. Repeat this note and gradually fill out the measure that follows. Get a feel for how fast the initial up bow feels. 2) Start at the tip and pulse each sixteenth note counting each of the 8 triplet groups (“pineapples”). Count out loud, then silently. When you get to the last sixteenth note pulse of the long note, you should be able to play with about 1/4 of the bow as you did in step 1. 3) Performance version of mm. 17-18 4) Performance version of mm. 30-36. This passage contains two whole notes tied to the first sixteenth note of the next measure. Practice by isolating these places as shown in videos 1 & 2. #bachviolin #bachviolinconcerto #violinsoloist #suzukiviolinteacher #suzukimethodviolin #violinpractice #practiceviolin #violinlove #ilovebach #bachlovers #baroquemusiclovers #beautifulmusic #practiceroom #40hoursofpractice #violintechnique #violinmasterclass #violinpedagogy #violintips #masterviolin #violinstagram (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CONwb8oAlgQ/?igshid=1eqvhfo1u46le

[willhurdstrings]

I often #practicescales in an #improvised way by #riffing #upanddown randomly with or without slurs. I also assign #scalesandarpeggios this way for some of my #violinstudents and #viola students. The whole point of #practicingscales is to develop musical and technical flexibility and creativity. This can often be lost of young students who are struggling with bowing and slur variation in 3 octave scales. For students in this situation, improvised scales are a wonderful temporary detour or warm up for scale practice. Improvised scales and arpeggios are also wonderful for the “over conscientious” student who prefers being told what to do all the time! Here are some examples: 1) A harmonic minor scale - riffing up and down with long slurs. ~~swipe left~~ 2) A major scale riffing up and down in detaché. ~~swipe left~~ 3) A minor arpeggio riffing up and down in detaché. Notes: Tone must be clear and pure throughout. Fingerings can be set or varied. I avoid assigning the melodic minor scale for practice in this manner - it’s just too confusing for most students with the changing ascending and descending patterns. #violinteacher #violinmasterclass #violinlesson #violinpractice #practiceviolin #practiceroom #dailyviolin #violintechnique #violintips #suzukiviolinteacher #creativestrings #stringplayer #violinfun #stringpedagogy #violinpedagogy #violapractice #masterviolin (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNZuPY5gBXG/?igshid=pv1p5ju7f0os