Comments

drew, first of all, thank you for your tireless pearls of wisdom. i have 2 questions if i may:

1. this is something i have meant to ask you for sometime. eventually i would like to get your books for my kid, but i wonder if you have a minimum age requirement:) to really understand your book if she is to read it herself? her latest feedback from her second grade teacher is: good, enthusiatic, animated reader but can improve on "prediction". any pics of puppies and kittens in your book?

2. during shifts, lets say from 1st position, to third, then to 5th, esp on G string, should the thumb stay at the same "level" for both 1st and third, and go under somewhat for the 5th for better reach, OR, can the 3rd position thumb already tilt down a little, that is, thumb placement is different 1st, vs 3rd, vs 5th,,,not sure if you understand me?

thanks again.

Al,

Thanks:-)

1. No minimum age required as nobody "gets carded":), but a younger student would need a little guidance — a bit of which I enclose with the book for actually anyone new to it.

I have a new student, 7 year old beginner — very mature with 1 year of piano. His 2nd lesson is tomorrow and I have already introduced Crescent Bows and Left Hand pizzicato in the 4th position on the E-string — only using 4th, 3rd & 2nd fingers with the open E (NO 1ST FINGER!).

Also have done the bow hold (Russian, as he is very small) and Open A-string.

Tomorrow he will start the book with Bow Planes, continuing Crescent Bows, the Beginning Hand Group adapted to his hand in 4th position on the A-string (3rd finger & 4th finger — maybe 2 & 1 as well — Rep Hitting the 4th for accuracy and shape, etc.

Depending on his progress he could be shifting in a few more lessons…

We'll see.

I have plenty of puppy pictures, as we have 3 Standard Poodles — maybe I should send one for every study she learns:-)

2. Yes, in that situation I would definitely be gradually, progressively and simultaneously bringing the thumb under the neck. An exception to this might be a relatively quick move up and back down again perhaps only playing a few notes where I wasn't going to continue with the same kind of vibrato and balance in the hand — then I would opt for more of a pivot style shift ala Itzhak Perlman and others.

The thumb should be truly independent and adjustable at any time to any need.

Have to go. Let me know if this helps.
Drew

thanks drew!!!

sounds great. how many books have you penned? the way to get it/them is via your website?

i am going to ask my wife to get them!

saw that you have 2 books, one for violin, one for viola.

the boss at home just ordered the violin book!

question: when prof galamian said: keep doing what you are doing, what were you doing? :):):)

Saying good-bye:-)))