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Everyone strives to play with great sound production... don't think this subject can be brought up too often - even if it's only to remind myself. (lol)
bowing. . . bowing. . . bowing. . . bowing. . . bowing. . . bowing. . .
Why You're Struggling in Violin (it isn't what you think) - Murphy Music Academy.
Tension is a curse that all violinists & violists are plagued by - it can be an insidious nemesis, wreaking havoc with muscles we need for fine control.
Doesn't hurt to periodically go over where tension can occur. I think once we get through a year or 2 of playing we're usually too busy thinking of everything other than foundation basics.
The 5 Fundamental Rules of Violin Bowing Technique (Murphy Music Academy).
If things don't seem to go well when I practice, I usually FIRST look to tension as the probable cause. Long, full bow strokes that suddenly become unsmooth - usually signal to me that tension has crept in somewhere. 😒
Found playing viola, or violin, is really great for working on stress management, because it's immediate feedback when I'm stressed or not relaxed... ARGH!
- Emily
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Thank you for this @ELCBK
"In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music."
- Dmitri Shostakovich.
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Thanks for sharing Emily I like the bit about the string crossings ! 👍
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@Katie L -
I now have a healthier respect for 4-string violinists playing string crossings. 😊
The strings on my 5-string violin are close enough together (and there isn't a huge arch to my bridge) so string crossings are VERY easy - I couldn't understand all the fuss.
Now that I'm playing the 5-string Viola, it seems like the strings are miles apart - must feel like that to 4-string violinists, too! Probably REALLY crazy for 4-string VIOLISTS!
...found Murphy's tips have all been helpful.
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ELCBK said
@Katie L -I now have a healthier respect for 4-string violinists playing string crossings. 😊
The strings on my 5-string violin are close enough together (and there isn't a huge arch to my bridge) so string crossings are VERY easy - I couldn't understand all the fuss.
Now that I'm playing the 5-string Viola, it seems like the strings are miles apart - must feel like that to 4-string violinists, too! Probably REALLY crazy for 4-string VIOLISTS!
...found Murphy's tips have all been helpful.
My difficulty with string crossings has always been the exact opposite: even with four strings, I feel the strings are too close together! My tendency on fast string crossings is to change the bow angle too much out of fear of playing unintended double-stops. That's one reason I don't think I'll ever play a five-string instrument: if the strings get closer it only gets harder for me to play string crossings.
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@AndrewH -
I can't remember, did you learn to play Viola 1st, or Violin?
I'm so bummed out, couldn't find a gif for one of Artie Johnson's characters in the Laugh-In Comedy Series (late 60's to early 70's) - in response to your post. 😞
...all in the way he said his great one-liner, "Very Interesting".
- Emily
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ELCBK said
@AndrewH -I can't remember, did you learn to play Viola 1st, or Violin?
I'm so bummed out, couldn't find a gif for one of Artie Johnson's characters in the Laugh-In Comedy Series (late 60's to early 70's) - in response to your post. 😞
...all in the way he said his great one-liner, "Very Interesting".
- Emily
Started on violin first, but switched to viola when I was still a beginner (after about a year and a half self-taught).
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Excellent videos, Thanks Emily!
Strabo
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@Strabo -
I'm glad this video resurfaced!
I started noticing - while I've tried to relax the areas of my body I need for playing this past year, I've inadvertently been tensing up other areas, especially my jaw/teeth (causing huge problems with my dentures) and my legs!
I'm STILL struggling with this... and I know it hurts my playing!
Guess I can only focus on one thing at a time,
seems this needs to be more of a priority for me.
Hope this thread helps you!
- Emily
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String crossing is a big topic.
I keep meaning to study it, but it seems to get delayed and delayed. I've recently been working on BWV1006 Gigue, but there was the Corelli (Op.5, No.1, movement 3) in Suzuki book 7(?) there's La Follia, there's everything I've done in the past, and I need to get on top of it once and for all during the next 10 months before going on to harder stuff.
Andrew
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