May 2009

V.com weekend vote: Do you ever get nervous when you perform?

May 29, 2009 04:43

It came to a surprise to some people that even someone like Itzhak Perlman gets nervous performing now and then.

Why? Because some people play so well, they just never seem like they're nervous! Could it be that some people never get nervous when they play? Let's see!

poll by twiigs.com

11 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Which part do you prefer when playing in a string quartet?

May 22, 2009 21:16

Talking to Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet several weeks ago made me think about the nature of string quartets, and in particular, the roles of the first and second violins.

For 30 years, he and Eugene Drucker have played together and solved the dilemma of who would play first and who would play second by switching off on a regular basis.

"Second fiddle" is a term that's come to be associated with "second-rate," but in a serious musical ensemble, it's just not true. Unless every part is played at a high level, the music will suffer. And sometimes the second violin part is quite noodley and awkward -- a real challenge.

That said, what part do you enjoy playing most? The first violin part is considered the hot seat, yet sometimes it's a relief to sit there, you can ride the melody, put it all out there, get into the mindset and go. The second violin role has its benefits, too -- the harmony, the feeling of being in the middle of the sound, the comfy feeling of sitting in the passenger seat.

If you had the ideal situation, the ideal partners in a quartet, which part would you prefer to play: first, second, or switch hitter?

poll by twiigs.com

8 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Do looks matter, when it comes to your violin?

May 15, 2009 09:01

Do looks matter? Is there beauty in a banged-up old fiddle?

Well, we all know that there certainly can be. At least in my experience, I have not found that looks affect sound. In fact, most people accept that violins improve over time, as the wood ages. Conversely, time is not always kind to a violin's exterior.

But often, not always, much goes into the "look" of a violin: it may be painstakingly antiqued, or its varnish may be the pride of its creator. A violin can be a breathtaking work of art, and to live with such an object is, simply, an honor.

So how important are looks, when it comes to your own instrument? If you had to choose between a spectacular-looking fiddle that sounded quite decent, or an ugly one that sounded gorgeous, which would you choose? And tell us your thoughts about this subject: experiences you've had and choices you've faced.

poll by twiigs.com

33 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Where to put the second violins?

May 8, 2009 09:55

Where do you like the second violins?

There are generally two possibilities: The second violin section is often placed next to the first violins, as the groups often share melodies and complement each other. However, many orchestras place the second violins across the orchestra from the first violins, stage left.

Having played second violin quite a lot in my life, I can tell you that there are advantages in both situations. Being next to the firsts can allow for a cohesiveness in the violins, a meshing of sound and ideas.

However this can go too far, sometimes a second violin section can get rather weak, dependent, dwarfed by sitting in such close proximity to the firsts. Having the seconds sit opposite the firsts allows that section to hear themselves as a separate entity, to gel as its own group. It also forces them to play with more courage and conviction; to take more responsibility.

A conductor or audience member may have more thoughts on this: on the visual effect it creates, the sound effect (nice to have the cello f-holes pointing more toward the front), the effect on orchestra cohesion. What is your preference, and why?

poll by twiigs.com

Do you have an idea for the Weekend Vote? E-mail Laurie!

15 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Do you practice, when you are sick?

May 1, 2009 14:28

This seemed like a timely topic, considering the global panic over a mild strain of the flu.

Not that the flu -- influenza -- isn't always serious business. The illness causes some 250,000 to 500,000 deaths a year globally. But we humans don't normally shut down entire cities over it, so the events of this last week are curious indeed.

How much do we let all this get us down? Let's talk in terms of the violin. Let's say you do get sick. Do you try to practice, or do you go to bed?

Shinichi Suzuki famously told children, "You only need to practice on the days you eat!" I like this line, and I enjoy saying it to particularly young kids, who typically scrunch their foreheads, think for a minute, then open their eyes wide and say, "Wait, that's every day!"

But here's the caveat: If you are too ill to eat, you are too ill to practice. You only need practice on the days you eat.

But I've also had students who had such a fantastic running streak of practice days (every day, for more than a year!) that even if they had to roll across the room to do it, they'd get their fiddle out and practice at least a little bit.

How about you? Please vote, then use the comment space below for your thoughts on any of the above.