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 Elke Meier |
This discussion includes members-only video content I am working on Gavotte from Mignon - and I decided not to wait until I can do it well before I share it with you but to share it now. This piece will probably go with me for some time to come. But that is no problem. I just love it because it makes my violin ring out like few other pieces I have played. But it also points to some problem areas like few other pieces... One is landing on the string again without a bounce after an off the string bow. That clean landing I only manage every so often... Another one is the clean start of a tone without a scratch at the beginning. I can see why Beth in the beginning stages of learning stresses that we have to grab the string. But I think I should be able now to get to the point where I grab the string, and yet not have this scratchy beginning. SOME TIMES far and wide in between I manage to have a very clear beginning without the scratch. I need JUST the right amount of weight in the bow - and oh, I would just love for you to hear it when this happens. The sound is just so beautiful then. However, it is still very much hit and miss and very few times I have been able to produce this consistently (meaning: over a whole measure or two...). But that is one goal I have with this piece: I really want to get to this point where I can control the right bow pressure and speed! Is that a realistic goal? The same is true for the spiccato: if my left and right hand are coordinated (which they seldom are) and if the right hand then has the right bow weight the spiccato sounds so beautiful. I know it is doable because I have heard it on my very own violin! True, I have heard it only very few times, but it is possible :)! That is another goal for this piece. I would love some tips on how to work on this kind of bow control. Sorry for the mistakes in between - I really am still at the beginning with this piece and there was one point where I was completely thrown and I had to cut out a bit to spare you half a minute trying to find my place and the right bow direction again... Elke Meier 12 Responses Posted: July 1, 2016 Last Comment: July 5, 2016 |
Replies
Elke Meier Posted: July 5, 2016 |
Ha Treble, now that is a rather different kind of playing it - let's see whether I will have enough years left before me to get to playing it like this :). I guess they have kind of butchered the piece for the Suzuki 2 book to press it all into first position... But thank you so much for sharing! It really is inspiring to hear our easy pieces (well, they don't seem so easy right now...) played in such context. |
Posted: July 4, 2016 |
There is a recording of the Gavotte by Pablo Sarasate on Youtube at around the 4:20 mark. I don't know who's playing, but you can get an idea as to the sound. |
Elke Meier Posted: July 4, 2016 |
This discussion includes members-only video content Wow, I am very happy! Look what Beth's instructions from yesterday did! This is just measure 1 and 2 which I think I played now for a good half hour or so... I can sure hear the difference it makes. I don't have to work the violin so hard to make it ring! It rings even more beautifully if I just do this slight u-shape with the bow and make sure that only the very bottom of the u grazes the string. But I think it will need some more hours of practicing just measure 1 and 2 for that to come naturally... Here are a few seconds of tonight's practice, and for comparison I start with measure 1 and 2 from the recording a few days ago... Enjoy! - It brought the value of dedicated bowing practice home to me again. |
Barb Wimmer Posted: July 3, 2016 |
good information from Beth |
Elke Meier Posted: July 3, 2016 |
Wow, thank you, Beth, for such an in-depth lesson! Actually, I did not try to do spiccato in the beginning section (if the bow bounced in between it was without my permission...!), but a staccato, just a staccato where I lifted the bow off the string to give the violin a chance to really let those beautiful tones ring out. But I think it will be easier with your saucer-shape movement than with what I tried to do! And thanks a lot for the comment on the Bb! Actually, I have fought my hand in this. It naturally tried to move into half position many times (and then back when the B comes) but for some reason I thought that moving the hand back was wrong and I needed to reach back with the first finger - which was really hard and often I ended up sharp... I sure look forward to experimenting :) |
 Beth Blackerby Posted: July 3, 2016 |
This discussion includes members-only video content |
Barb Wimmer Posted: July 3, 2016 |
You do well. I didn't notice bouncy bow much but I think squeezing tension the bow and loose but not too loose thumb might help. When I get going I tense up my squeeze on bow and bounce. It is a fine line I guess in everything pressure but not tension. Sounds great |
Elke Meier Posted: July 2, 2016 |
I think your observation was right, Rustam, with the spiccato notes being easier a bit higher up on the bow. I tried that today. It is a real challenge in this piece to get the right spot in the bow for each thing. Like the trill: that one is easiest close to the frog because of the sixteenth note on the upbow E at the end of the trill. It comes out very clear if I play the trill close to the frog. But for the spiccato I will do what you suggested. Beth says in the video tutorial that she does not teach this piece with spiccato because students normally have not had much exposure to spiccato by this time. Well, I figured, I have practiced a whole lot of spiccato in connection with the Gossec Gavotte and the etudes I did at that time, so I should be able to try it. I was rather shocked how much I had forgotten since the Gossec Gavotte. But it is coming back quicker than the first time round. - At least that is what I thought until I tried your suggestion, Nick :)! With a quiet elbow it feels like I have never practiced spiccato... But what a neat exercise! I can see how that helps to get the fingers involved! |
Barb Wimmer Posted: July 1, 2016 |
That sounds great Elke, good rhythm pace. And you are consistent and keep going so well and good trills. |
Jaime - Orlando , Fl Posted: July 1, 2016 |
Bravo Elke! That was my farewell song before I stopped Suzuki method and embarked in other projects! He he You are doing very good and I applaud you for your intonation and bow control! Spiccato is not an easy movement, yet you are handling it very very well!, especially in front of the camera while filming, which can be in itself nerve wrecking! I used to play it along with these kids in my practice: https://youtu.be/GqFyGBcLtig Enjoyed it much ! keep it up! :0) |
 MariaTess Posted: July 1, 2016 |
Elke, That was a good practice, once you get comfortable with your bowing and fingering it will flow more melodically. Thanks to Nick and company, they made this piece to another level with their trio concerti and those wonderful masters violins. |
Posted: July 1, 2016 |
Really good intonation It just needs some refining and you have got it You are well on your way |