Tips for Sarasate's Zapateado

August 12, 2008 at 07:43 PM · The only thing I can think of without going into your technique (as I have not seen you play), is to say that you might want to listen to Spanish/Latin music (folk and flamenco--especially pieces to which might be accompanyment to a zapateado) if you have not already. Too many players butcher this piece by playing it almost as a 'send up' due to their unfamiliarity with the styles of music and dance from which it comes.

I don't want to sound like an elitist, but most players tend to play it much like they approach speaking the Spanish language (if it is not their native tongue)--quite affectedly.

Immerse yourself in it. Look to see if a local dance troupe might be performing a Zapateado so that you can get familiar with the real thing!

Stay on top of the piece. It does not do well to allow it to be in the driver's seat. You really need to "feel it" to play it well.

August 13, 2008 at 07:49 PM · It means 'cobbler', doesn't it, and the LH pizz is hammering the nails into the shoes? I did well at a college encore comp playing it fast but IMO people do better playing it more slowly and gracefully; having performed it a few times the acoustics of a hall will help you with the harmonics and people seem to appreciate that's it's 'something a bit flash' and don't know if you did it right or wrong - not that that will help in front of judges.

And having just got the "Primrose Viola Album" it's in that too so have to learn it again! Good luck anyway.

August 14, 2008 at 02:26 PM · Actually, rather than thinking of a "cobbler hammering nails," think of the sound of something like "tap shoes" hitting cobblestone. The dance refers to the sound of the foot/shoe striking the ground, much like one hears in Flamenco. It is a lively dance. One can hear them still composed and performend in many Latin American villages.

Take a vacation in Mexico and you will almost undoubtedly come across a dance troupe that performs a similar dance for the benefit of tourists(some may actually call it a Zapateado) The violin piece in quesiton should be crisp, lively and calculated, just like the foot steps of the dance to which it refers.

In many respects, "slow" doesn't cut it. If one seems to be playing "too fast" it is because one has not mastered the piece.