#practiceviolin

[willhurdstrings]

#silentpractice #violinpractice Fingering silently with the left hand is a great way to develop left hand clarity. I can hear the dropping and lifting of fingers clearly. I’m more likely to notice if a note is late or early and fix it. Here’s an example of my practice in #carpathianrhapsody for #violinandpiano by #ukrainiancomposer #myroslavskoryk (measures 11-12) Three videos: 1) silent practice feeling and listening for the steadiness of the notes. ~swipe left~ 2) Performance version - notes are steady and even under the long slurs! ~swipe left~ 3) photo of excerpt #violin #violinist #violinteacher #skoryk #carpathian #hutsul #ukrainianclassicalmusic #ukrainianmusic #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #practiceviolin #violinpracticejournal #violinlesson #violintips #мирославскорик #карпатський #рапсодия #скрипаль #українськакультура (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcTCsKJL-u2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[willhurdstrings]

Need to #practiceviolin #scalesandarpeggios but don’t have a lot of time? Cut your #arpeggios practice time in half by playing only the descending #arpeggio All joking aside, this is actually a valuable way to practice. Scale and arpeggio practice can become stale and routine and this is a fun way to shake things up. It also focuses attention on the shape of the hand at the top of each arpeggio and encourages a comfortable pinky placement for each arpeggio. #violinteacher #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #stringpedagogy #galamian #galamianscaletechnique #flesch #violinlessons #violintips #violintipsandtricks #suzukiviolinteacher #violinmaster #violapractice #cellopractice #stringplayer #stringplayersofinstagram #violinpracticejournal #practiceroom #practisepractisepractise #loveviolin #violinguy (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDkTnYLOK4/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#violinpractice smooth #stringchange in #detache #fastplaying passages such as these #fastruns in #spanishdance by #ukrainiancomposer #myroslavskoryk I smooth out these runs/scales by anticipating the string crossing and playing the new string as a double stop with the old string. This trains me to begin the string crossings earlier so I will arrive on the new string with less impact thereby making the passage smooth and even. Three videos/pictures: 1) Practicing measure 90 ~swipe left~ 2) Practicing measure 94 ~swipe left~ 3) Picture of the relevant passages in the #violinpart #violinteacher #violinpedagogy #stringpedagogy #violinlessons #suzukiviolinteacher #violinskills #violintips #practiceviolin #practiceviolineveryday #skoryk #мирославскорик #испанскийтанец #испанскийтанец💃 #скрипаль #класическаямузыка #класичнамузика (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcAkThDL76V/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

Same note, different finger or position #playintune #violinpractice This exposed high range #arpeggio in measure 14 of #violinconcerto in #aminor (2nd movement) by #jsbach is challenging to play in tune. Notes with the same name need to sound the same when they are repeated. Finger extensions, shifts, and string crossings can change the pitch of repeated notes. To overcome this challenge I practice playing one note, then two notes at a time as follows: Three videos: 1) Performance version (intonation is pure after following the steps in the next videos) ~swipe left~ 2) Play only Gs, then only Ds then only Bs. Finger all notes silently but don’t move the bow to sound the notes. ~swipe left~ 3) Play only Gs and Ds (omitting Bs), then only Gs and Bs (omitting Ds), then only Bs and Ds (omitting Gs). Finger all notes but do not sound the omitted notes with the bow. Practicing in this manner unifies the intonation of notes as they reoccur in the passage. #violinteacher #practiceviolin #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #violinmasterclass #violinlesson #violinclass #johannsebastianbach #bachviolin #suzukiviolinteacher #stringpedagogy #violinplayer #classicalviolinist #woodshedding #100daysofpracticechallenge #40hoursofpractice #violinpractice🎻 #violintips #practicejournal (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWvqY0oAxsm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

Practicing a complex bowing/rhythm pattern in scales to make it easier in #czardas by #vittoriomonti Repeating the pattern many times makes it comfortable to play when it occurs in the piece. When #practicingscales with variations, the shifts and string crossings often occur in inconvenience places creating additional problems to solve and making the repertoire passage even easier to play! #violinpractice #monticzardas #czardasmonti #violinsolo #violinpedagogy #galamian #galamianscaletechnique #violinteacher #violinguy #violintechnique #violinmasterclass #practiceroom #violinlesson #violintips #practiceviolin #40hoursofpractice #lingling40hours #suzukiviolinteacher #scalesandarpeggios #beautifulmusic #soloviolinist #violinista #violino (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVVZ6QFAmAX/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

Keeping a #steadybeat through #rhythmic transitions! The opening passage of #lagazzaladra #overture by #rossini contains many challenging rhythmic transitions. Here’s how I practice them. Three videos: 1) Custom “Twinkle” variation to practice the transition between 16th notes and triplets found in mm 10 & 20, as well as in many other measures. ~swipe left~ 2) Clap through the rhythm in mm 9-10 and 19-20 to practice changing from the tied half note to dotted rhythm to 16ths to triplets while keeping a steady beat. This rhythmic figure occurs several other times on the first page. ~swipe left~ 3) Performance version with metronome. I made this video for a student in the @dcyopmusic which is currently rehearsing this wonderful piece for an upcoming performance! #violinteacher #gazzaladra #orchestralexcerpts #operamusic #orchestraexcerpts #violinlessons #violinpractice #practiceviolin #orchestralmusic #musiceducation #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #violintips #violinguy #stringplayer #stringpedagogy #violinmasterclass #twinklevariations #rhythmpractice #dcyouthorchestra (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT4XHrtAI_O/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#doublestops sixths #violinpractice Sixths come it two flavors - major and minor. #youngviolinists new to double stopping will learn faster if they announce out loud which type of sixth before playing. Announcing out loud keeps me focused on what I’m doing and saves time because I can usually get things correct the first time without spending several repetitions to figure it out. Here’s an example of a #practiceprocess using the final measures of “Melodious Double Stops” no 9 by Josephine Trott. Three videos: 1) Announce out loud the quality of the sixth. For major sixth I also say whole step (the fingers are a measured whole step) for minor sixths I also announce “touch” as the fingers will touch. Playing the upper note helps keep the hand balanced and relaxed by reaching back with the lower note rather than reaching up with the upper note - this is particularly helpful for the major sixths involving the pinky. ~swipe left~ 2) Announce the interval quality and play simultaneous double stops. ~swipe left~ 3) Performance version of final line of Trott no 9 #violinteacher #suzukiviolinmethod #suzukiviolinteacher #practiceviolin #practiceroom #violintechnique #violinpedagogy #talkitthrough #practicemakesprogress #violinlesson #violinmasterclass #stringpedagogy #stringplayer #violapractice #practicepracticepractice #violinart #violino #violinlove #talentedmusicians #practicemakespermanent #musicschool (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTzPO_AAdIW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#dailypractice is a non-negotiable part of #violinlearning One of my dedicated #suzukiviolinmethod families at @levine_music sent me a picture of a roadside #violinpractice while on vacation in #shenandoahnationalpark Families who practice daily will be more confident in their playing and enjoy practicing and playing more. Each day skipped, “eats” a day of your hard work resulting in regression of skill and motivation. Every day skipped on a regular basis results in 2 months lost for every year. If a family practices 6 days a week they will loose 52 days, which is almost two months. Add to that some sick days and two or three weeks of vacation with no practice and hardworking families may unknowingly be skipping 3 or 4 months of practice yearly! It’s the job of the #violinteacher to communicate this and follow up with families at weekly lessons. #practiceviolin daily, 7 days per week, including lesson days! Parents are accountable for practice when children are young and pre-teen. It’s actually easier for families to practice daily rather than 5 or 6 days per week if they establish the habit early. If children are are not aware of the possibility of skipping days, they will not negotiate for them! #suzukiteacher #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #shenandoahmountains #skylinedrive #vaisforlovers #suzukitriangle #violinlessonsforkids #violintips #practiceroom #musiceducation #lingling40hours #365daysofpracticechallenge #practiceviolineveryday #musicpractice #playmusiceveryday #playmusiceverywhere #suzukimusic (at Skyline Drive Scenic Overlook) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTreFEqrMU0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#whichoneoftheseisnotliketheother In musical sequences, or patterns repeated up or down one step, exact intervals may change from one repetition to the next. For excellent intonation and easy memorization it is helpful to name intervals as they change from one sequence pattern to the next. The following 2 sequences in #violinconcerto in #gminor by #antoniovivaldi (#1stmovement #allegro ) can be challenging for #youngviolinists so I direct practice as follows: 1) Isolate the final interval of each sequence and name it out loud 2) Play the entire sequence and pause to announce the final interval of each section out loud. 3) Perform the entire sequence without pauses, announce the intervals silently in your mind. Two videos: 1) mm 85-90. Final intervals are major 10th, major 10th, minor 10th. Many students will be confused by the minor 10th after playing two major 10ths. 2) mm 119-126 perfect 5th, perfect 5th, tri tone, perfect 5th. Here, the tri tone can be problematic as a different finger is used. Announcing the intervals out loud brings heightened awareness and slows #youngmusicians down when practicing. #violinpractice #practiceroom #practiceviolin #vivaldiconcerto #vivaldi #suzukiviolinmethod #suzukiviolinteacher #suzukiviolin #violintechnique #violinpedagogy #violinlove #violinfun #violinguy #beautifulmusic #baroquemusiclovers #violinstagram #violinclass #violinlessonsforkids (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSt45jQnbvP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[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

[willhurdstrings]

When I #practiceviolin subito #piano its helpful to add a slight #crescendo just before the #suddenchange to piano. This makes the sudden #dynamics change sound more extreme. Here’s an example from #violinconcerto in A minor by J. B. Accolay (mm 92-3). Two videos: 1) Practice the crescendo backwards, always building up to the note before the piano. ~swipe left~ 2) Performance version - sudden change in dynamic is precisely placed, noticeable, and tone before and after the change is #highqualitysound #lifelonglearner #professionalmusician #loveoflearning #violin #practicemakesprogress #practicedaily #accolayconcerto #violinmusic #violinlessons #classicalviolinist #lingling40hours #violinistsofinstagram #violinteacher #violinpedagogy #stringplayer #stringpedagogy #violinguy #classicalviolin (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJSWJogp-U/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#subdivide #tiednotes for #rhythmpractice In mm 40-44 of #concertoinaminor by J.B. Accolay, there is a sequence containing ties/slurs to #triplets in each measure. It’s easy to “fall behind” rhythmically in passages like these. This particular passage is additionally complicated by shifts immediately preceding the moving notes. I practice as follows (two videos): With metronome: 1) Subdivide to a single note value, triplets in this case. Make sure the triplets stay the same throughout the measure and the shifts fit within the subdivisions. ~swipe left~ 2) Performance version - imagine the subdivisions while playing the performance bowing. #violintips #musichacks #musicpractice #practicestudio #practiceviolin #violinsolo #romanticviolin #accolayconcerto #violinconcerto #beautifulmusic #violintechnique #violinpedagogy #violinmasterclass #violinclass #violinista #geige #скрипка #скрипаль #violinteacher #suzukiviolinteacher (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvZd9Qgv8y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#practiceviolin #musicalphrasing and bow speed management using a #twinklebow In this passage from #concertoinaminor by J.B. Accolay (mm. 32-40), it’s important to control the speed of the #downbow phrase endings which occur in mm. 34, 36, 38, & 40) Each of these endings is preceded by a rather fast #upbow and therefore can receive too much bow if the player is not careful. Here’s how I practice (two videos and one picture): 1) Twinkle bow limits the length of bow available. I practice with as pure a tone as I can with the small amount of bow available. ~swipe left~ 2) Performance version. After practicing with the twinkle bow it is easier to manage the bow speed changes. Tone is pure and powerful, phrasing is easy and follows the “hairpins” in the part. Rhythm is steady and accurate. The final bow in m 40 can take more bow since it’s effective to begin the ensuing crescendo in the upper half. ~swipe left~ 3) If you don’t have a twinkle bow, simply attach a rubber and as shown to create a small playing zone near the frog! #violinlesson #violinlessonsforkids #violintechnique #violinpedagogy #stringpedagogy #stringplayers #stringsattached #violinteachers #suzukiviolinmethod #suzukiviolinteacher #romanticmusic #violinconcerto #violinsolo #violinguy #violintips #violinlover #violinworld #practiceroom #practicepracticepractice #40hoursofpractice @paoyi_2005 (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQs4XAtASua/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

Transitioning between #staccato and doubles in #perpetualmotion by #shinichisuzuki in #suzukiviolinmethod book 1 Making this transition skillfully requires the following skills (3 videos): 1) practice a steady, unified tempo by marching across the transition. If young violinists have challenges with marching, review twinkle variations with marching and/or practice note by note as in video 3. 2) Develop the subdivision relationship by singing the doubles while playing staccato and singing staccato while playing doubles. 3) Many players will struggle with step 2 and this skill may need several lessons to develop. Practice note by note singing the subdivision. It’s normal for a child to only be able to do one subdivision at first. Subsequent notes can be added at follow up lessons. #violin #violinistsofinstagram #violinteachers #suzukiteacher #violinpractice #practiceroom #suzukitriangle #violinlessonsforkids #violinclass #violintips #violintechnique #rhythmtraining #musicwithchildren #violinpedagogy #practiceviolin #violinlove #stringplayer #stringpedagogy #musiceducation #metodosuzuki #violinlessonsforadults (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPA2oQfgC1j/?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]

#practicingviolin #concertoinaminor by #antoniovivaldi from #suzukibook4 The passage in #vivaldi #concerto op. 3 no. 6 (1st mvt) mm. 60-68 has many challenges. Here’s how I break it down for my #violinstudents as well as for my own personal review: 3 videos and one picture: 1) mm 65-68 - isolate the embedded “quasi chromatic” scale by playing only the last note of each 16th not group, announcing the name of each note before playing it. Then practice all the notes while announcing these notes about loud. ~~swipe left~~ 2) Practice the entire passage announcing the bow direction of the first note of each 16th note group. ~~swipe~~ 3) I write the bow directions in my part to make it easier. ~~swipe left~~ 4) Passage is clear - notes and bowings are easy to perform. #violinteacher #suzukiviolinist #suzukiviolinmethod #violinpractice #practiceviolin #practiceroom #playviolin #violinlesson #violinclass #violinmasterclass #suzukiteacher #stringplayer #classicalbuzz #violinlove #violinista #orchestra #violinistsofinstagram #violinistlife #violinmusic (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN98TpBAQ1C/?igshid=f687zj32kkqs