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(2 votes) 
Regulars
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I didn't really place a lot of emphasis on pivoting the left elbow until I wanted to learn vibrato... then I thought, maybe it was just me that had a hard time moving my elbow far enough - because I have an extra string to reach for.
Then I found this great video!
Dr. Henrik Karapetyan got his music degree from U of M, here in my home State - and I believe he may still reside in the Detroit area (great for me if I want help).
...elbow 1st, then fingers in the right spots.
- Emily
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This may actually help me sort out some of my playing issues, I'll have to see/experiment with it.
I believe that the biggest improvement for intonation comes from being precise in finger placement rather than just slapping my fingers down any old which way like I have a tendency to do. Learning where to put them when the move is different for every string/note position is part of it, even though fingers are "on the diagonal" in relationship to the fingerboard/strings. Most of that comes from practice, more practice, and even more practice.
I do think the tucking the elbow thing might help me with this and other things.
Regulars
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So, here's a little different approach to using the left elbow - this makes so much sense to me & quite an eye-opener!
Changing from playing with fingertips to fingerpads, using 5ths!
Would love to have some feedback on practicing this approach - of interest to Violists, as well as Violinists.
"The Violin in 5th's - Developing Intonation and Sound" - Violin Masterclass with Rodney Friend.
"An easier way to play the VIOLA, based on 5ths" from David Rose.
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ELCBK
I watched a diffrent Rodney Friend video a while back and then started playing scales in 5ths the way he suggested, it seems to help.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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@Mark -
Thank you!
I have such a hard time trying to bridge 2 strings on my Viola, especially the lower ones.
I'm sure it would be a much less daunting task on my fiddle, cause the strings are closer together - just not playing it right now.
Regulars
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Rodney Friend & 5ths -
jeez 🤬 here's ANOTHER THING I've forgotten to work on!
Yep, I'm still playing on my fingertips.
...fixing things - the bottomless pit.
Regulars
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Everyone's fingertips are a different shape, so your ears, as always, are your most important tool when arranging your hand to play fifths.
Andrew
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I didn't mean for this to be about 'how to play good 5ths'.
The 1st video is about how to set up the right elbow, forearm and hand - for more comfort & better intonation.
Then, the next 2 videos (violin & viola) use a different mindset - a technique that starts at the elbow, helps set up the arm & hand to play on the finger 'pads'. I felt it was more about nicer tone, better intonation AND more comfort while playing - than playing 5ths.
...I started to work on this, but got sidetracked.
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ELCBK
tonyluo
