Practice Results Update!

December 7, 2007 at 5:01 PM

So, now, despite the glasses incident, my practice gave birth to some pretty cool results.

1) Sound is a lot more solid. Dynamics distributed evenly.

2) Vibrato even/consistent.

3) Faster sightreading.

4) Shifting coming together more accurate and reasonable. For example, in Csardas I use to shift to the A on the G string with my fourth finger leading, but now I Shift with my first finger to the E and then place my fourth finger on the A in succession. SO I guess I am starting to think in amore organized and 'violinistic' way.

5) Bow SOunding point consistent.

Things about my playing that still annoys the patooty out of me:

1) My bow speed is inconsistent resulting an awkward surging sound sometimes. Usually, happens if I am playing really slow or moderately fast.

2) Bow pressure inconsistent/too much resulting in scratchy sound or a sound that is too rough in a particularly sweet passage. But when I diminish my pressure it sounds too weird becuase of my bow speed problems.

3) Inability to vary vibrato speed. Slow vibrato and fast vibrato, or wide vibrato and thin vibrato.

4) Weak trills and week sound in higher positions on A string.

So, for Winter Break I will be focusing on the above annoyances. Any ideas?

From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 7:08 PM

Have you had any fun lately?

From Albert Justice
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 7:16 PM

Good luck with your progress--it does help, to review where you are at--yes.

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 7:22 PM

Yeah, I have tons of fun all the time. practicing is fun!! And I also played some concerts! pretty fun to me! I am not a party-girl.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 7:33 PM

Well, good luck. Your efforts are certain to inspire others. However, try to do something non-music to have fun. You will be a better person for it.

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 8:08 PM

I went to a gathering with some musicians in which I danced around like Tina Turner with some 80 year old guys.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 9, 2007 at 5:41 AM

Greetings,
hey I`m fun. What`s the problem?
Jasmine, have you got Drew`s book. Its a very good investement. Tehre is a finevibrato control exericse in there.
I haven`t got time to describe it now. (maybe he will). If I forget later. Remind me
Cheers,
Buri

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 9, 2007 at 8:29 AM

Greetings,
>I use to shift to the A on the G string with my fourth finger leading, but now I Shift with my first finger to the E and then place my fourth finger on the A in succession.

Thats a sensible change but you can take this further. With this kind of issue you can practice the three diffenrt shifts , Russian (lead with 4) French lead with 1 and combination strat french and end up Russian ;)
After praciticng hree ways you may well experince greater technicla security in your chosen shift. Apply this principle elsewhere.
Cheers,
Buri

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 10, 2007 at 3:41 AM

Thanks, Buri. I have not bought Drew's book. I am still saving up for Simon Fischer's Basics. Which one would you suggest I get first?

I did not know there was different styles of shifting. I just listened to my teacher yell at me, saying,"Lead with your first, Jasmine! Your FIRST!" Okay, I will try both ways. I am sure the sound changes with each type of shift. I notice when I shift with my first, I get a more straight or direct sound from the next note. But if I lead with my fourth, I get a stylistically prettier sounding note, particularly on the E string because there is a slight slide that leads into the note, which is the effect I like. So, maybe I will just have to change up depending on what pieces I am playing and what mood I am in.

Thanks, Tom

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