Hi Olivia, Bohan and Amy, here is your homework.
Olivia
Please practice 30min/ day your violin. You are making really good progress. Review the three finger patterns incl scales and songs. Practice different finger patterns on different days.
First finger pattern:
first and second finger close. Scales: D and A major & arpeggio ( 1 octave starting on open strings). Song: Skye boat song.
Second finger pattern:
3rd and 4th finger close. Scales: A major ( 1 octave) starting on G string. Piece” he’s a pirate” . Also practice new song ” fellowship of the rings” which uses both finger patterns.
New finger pattern: 1st and 2nd finger close. Scale: G major (1 octave) starting on 3rd finger g. Song: My heart will go on” ( Titanic). Also practice G major scale in 2 octaves ( starting on open G ).
Next lesson, we will review three finger patterns and discuss fellowship of the rings” . Also look at bow division and dynamics.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
Bohan, very nice work on Bach Double in theme and first solo. So glad you went to hear Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. So inspiring for you!
Please practice the new bow stroke ” accented detache”in upper third of bow. In accented detache the notes begin with an accent and then decay, creating a buoyant sound. Keep bow moving ( no stopping bow btw notes).
Technique: on downbow ( at bow changes) flip right hand into extended position and on upbow ( at bow changes) flip fingers into closed position. Practice bow stroke with Casorti Etude II and Bach Double theme ( handout). Then, apply bow stroke to theme and tutti in Bach Double. Use same bow length. Aim for an energetic, resonating sound on all 8th notes. Remember to bring out notes FED in theme.
Please also practice martele bow stroke in Kreutzer no 7 at tip (3 bars). Practice slowly. Daily, gradually increase tempo. Technique: pronate forearm. Using weight of right arm, release each bow stroke quickly in an arched direction. Tip: string crossing is part of bow stroke. Think: pressure ( rest) …release ( play note). Martele bow stroke creates a sound that is strong and energetic with a staccato articulation.
Trouble shooting: sound is weak. Solution: make sure to have sufficient bow pressure before playing the note. Also, practice the bow stroke slowly. The key is the preparation! Practice Kreutzer study no 7 ( 3 bars).Apply martele bowing to first solo passage in Bach Double. Aim for tempo ( quarter note) = 65-70. In solo, move bow closer to bridge on high notes.
Please also practice expressive detache bow stroke in Kreutzer no 2 in middle of bow ( 8 bars). Technique: at point of each bow change add a slight increase of speed and weight producing an expressive tone. Then apply expressive detache to opening theme ( 16th notes) and tutti section ( 16th notes).
For next lesson, please prepare string crossing solo passages. Listen to 1st violin part onYouTube so we can play together the tutti part on Sunday! You’ll discover then how the two violins dialogue with each other. Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
Amy, your third position playing is much improved! Keep practicing the Wohlfart studies in 3rd position.
Fair Isle study: aim for a smooth left hand motion. Make sure your left thumb is lose at side of neck and leads the hand during shift. Practice shifts slowly listening for the in between notes. Always check 1st finger D with open D string for resonance. Also check 4th finger D ( E string) with open D string and 1st finger D.
Ostinello’s Reel: coming along. Shift on open strings. Gradually increase tempo. ( same with Gym study).
Melodious double stops: open left hand for octaves. Move left arm ( under violin) to the right or left as you play double stops on different strings.
Vivaldi trumpet concerto: review finger pattern ( f#,g) 1st and second finger close on E string ( bar 2). Practice hooked bowing passage ( 2 upbow notes). String crossing passage: remember to leave 1 st finger down when crossing strings. Tough rhythm passage: practice counting a)16th notes b) quarter notes and 16th notes while playing the passage. Look at patterns in music.
Practice slowly and gradually increase tempo.Next lesson we will examine Vivaldi Winter ( Largo). Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
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