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So here is my first video to submit for your critique.  It is much more nerve wracking than I thought it would be.  I suppose our brains know that it is not just a camera watching, but rather about a thousand people.

9 Responses
Posted: July 4, 2016
Last Comment: July 6, 2016
Replies


Posted: July 6, 2016
Thank you Beth, for your critique video.  I will be viewing your beginning bowing videos and work on fixing my bowing problems.  Back to the basics! 

Beth Blackerby
Posted: July 6, 2016
 This discussion includes members-only video content


Posted: July 5, 2016
Thank you everyone, for all of your comments. 
As for the left arm problem, yes, I will have to watch the video and begin working on that.  Embarrassingly enough Elke, I was playing a D and not a D#.  I saw the note on the page all this time, and it just never clicked in my brain.  I think I got lucky on my violin...it sounds pretty good for a violin that is worth less than $300 I bought off the internet.

Beth Blackerby
Posted: July 5, 2016
Hi Kathleen, great job on Witch's Dance! As this is your first video post, I will be making you a response video. Look for it in the next few days. 

Elke Meier
Posted: July 5, 2016
Congratulations, Kathy! You did it! And your first post is not an easy piece! So doubly congratulations :). I really, really enjoyed it.
And as all our posts are always works in progress here are my observations for things you might want to look at:
  • Adding to Diane's observation of the stationary left elbow: For me a stationary left elbow eventually led to much tension in the shoulder/neck area. When I had my first lesson with my teacher she would in the middle of my playing just grab my elbow and swing it to make sure that it was loose. Most of the time she would experience resistance - the elbow was like NAILED to its position... :) I have since started to do that myself: in the middle of practice I would just stop for a second and swing the elbow back and forth - just to feel again how a loose elbow feels :). That really helps me.
  • Watch the D# in measure 3 - that came out more like a D.
  • The short sixteenth notes: Have you done the practice Beth has in her first video of this piece? I mean the practice with the fling of the wrist? I think this would help you to get those sixteenth notes crispier and a bit shorter and thus lighter.
  • Your right hand fourth finger: On the long down bow strokes I heard a jtter every so often. I think that would disappear if you curved your pinky on the bow. Also, what I just said about the sixteenth notes: I think this little fling of the wrist would be extremely hard to do with a straight (and thus tense) fourth finger. That one also would benefit greatly from a curved pinky on the bow.


Posted: July 4, 2016
Left Hand/Wrist needs to be straight when changing strings.
Hi Kathleen.  I would suggest to look at Beth's videos on Left Elbow/Left hand placement movement.  It appears that your left elbow is in one place and not swing when you move to different strings…instead your left hand at the wrist becomes crooked and you will have trouble with intonation issues further down the line.  Move the elbow at the shoulder joint so that when your on the E string your elbow might swing just a bit to the left, when on the G string…swing the elbow towards the right side…this swinging will allow your left hand/wrist to stay straight and get your fingers up and over the fingerboard. 
Nice playing and good use of your bow.  I too, like the sound of your violin, very resonate. Keep up the great practicing. 
Stay tuned. Diane in SoCal


Posted: July 4, 2016
Well done Kathleen. You plucked up the courage to post a video. And I liked your playing. You got good rhythm and staight bowing. Well done.


Posted: July 4, 2016
Well done 
good tone nice strait bow
that is a lovely violin you have there


Posted: July 4, 2016
Kathleen, 

My comments are not regarding technique or your playing in general.  I don't feel qualified to criticize anyone but I want to congratulate you on your courage to post. It's not easy - I know... I'm one of those who can't do it!

However, I also want you to know that I did enjoy your rendition of Witches Dance!  Well done!