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Some may see a division between 'Fiddling' & 'Classical Violin/Viola' techniques, but I don't. I've mentioned before, I don't think there's any downside to having a GIANT 'toolbox' of techniques to choose from.
In my limited perception, Classical training seems to use specific exercises (in the form of scales, etudes & caprices) for learning specific techniques.
I just do much better trying to learn, or hone, techniques by adapting tunes I already know, or ones I'm currently working on. It makes me feel like 'I'm killing 2 birds with 1 stone' - progressing, while putting what I learn to practical use. So, little tutorials, tips, suggestions for practice, let me 'cherry pick' as much as I can handle & use for what's relevant (to me) at the time
Talked about Kerson Leong in several other threads. He not only has a gift for being able to describe violin techniques, but also has simple suggestions for what to focus on to improve skills... in a wonderful series called the Art of The Etude (Playlist)!
ANYONE can try the exercises & make use of at least some of the tips he provides! Worth watching even if it only makes you think about what you are doing! I've just recently started going thru more of the tutorials (he made THIRTY videos during covid!).
Kerson also has a 5 video playlist on practice techniques (The Art of Practice 2021).
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@ELCBK This is a very good idea, thank you!
Fiddling for me is not a job. I’m not about to sit in some dreary practice room and do lots of serious drilling and repetitive practicing as though I were going to some sort of audition or recital.
But I’m very much interested in learning -- in fact, that’s my fundamental motivation.
As we all know, learning to play fiddle is a slow and incremental process. So one good way for me to move forward is to find a tip -- a technique -- and find ways to put it into the tunes I’m playing.
Kerson Leong’s articulation tips are useful to me because they are simple. I’ll start with his #1!
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@Strabo -
Hope you do find a few things helpful!
One novel tip I found helpful, mentioned in both the 'Effortless Agility' & the 'Max Energy with Minimum Effort' episodes - exaggerate quick movements of the hand during 'slow' practice. I think it does help me play cleaner when I play up to speed.
Of the 'Practice' videos Kerson has, Memorize a New Piece in Less Than 40 Hours - is pretty memorable! 😉
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I have been taking lessons for a little over a year now since starting my second attempt at learning this instrument and I can easily say that I have spent less than an hour total practicing scales, arpeggios and etudes, other than a simple one octave scale or arpeggios that are in a piece of music that I am learning to play.
I cannot say that I have not practiced technique though, it is just that I have been very focused on *one* technique, and that is working on trying to create a beautiful sound with my simple bow strokes.
I have practiced other bow strokes, but the majority of my time has been spent developing my base sound, and I feel that has been time well spent. My teacher thinks it is a very good sound, I am happy with it. But, I still practice it a lot, because I find it easily falls apart on new pieces. So while I have it, I do not own it yet.
It is only rented, and I have to keep making payments.
I did have plans last year, and this year to do a bunch or recordings, progress videos, etc. and I am glad I did not. Those would have just ended up being a distraction, and I am at the point now where I am finding absolute joy in creating joyous sounds even on simple pieces.
And this is it. My one octave practice. If I had anyone living with me, they probably would be feeling violence towards me when hearing a scale.
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@Sasha -
I think in terms of only a single bow stroke - but it's hard for me to think of using only one technique when a bow stroke has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What I like is I don't have to play scales or etudes to take advantage of the tips Kerson offers up. I try them out on whatever tunes I'm playing at the time - some just make me more aware of what I'm doing, others get added to my mental 'tool' list.
It's really fabulous you found a good teacher... actually, it puts you in the perfect position to discuss some of Kerson's 'tips' (with your Teacher)! IMO, some of these short videos could be of benefit on your quest for developing great tone with the bow!
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ELCBK said
@Sasha -I think in terms of only a single bow stroke - but it's hard for me to think of using only one technique when a bow stroke has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What I like is I don't have to play scales or etudes to take advantage of the tips Kerson offers up. I try them out on whatever tunes I'm playing at the time - some just make me more aware of what I'm doing, others get added to my mental 'tool' list.
It's really fabulous you found a good teacher... actually, it puts you in the perfect position to discuss some of Kerson's 'tips' (with your Teacher)! IMO, some of these short videos could be of benefit on your quest for developing great tone with the bow!
I really should have said, I am deep diving into technique, only limiting to a few techniques. But, that is where I am at. Not all the time, but I often end up working 10 -12 hours a day, try to get 30 - 60 minutes in biking (for my heart condition/cardio) and also play guitar, drums and keys...
If I only had more time each day on the violin, but I try to commit to 30 minutes, but that is not enough time to really commit to more than grasping and getting to more than 1 technique at a time.
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