
Dorothy DeLay's diagram of practice methodology
Practice plan (according to DeLay's methodology)
Exercises: basics, slow bowing whilst tuning, posture and position optimisation to help shift finger position and bowing
Scales(importance of rotating material)
Studies(re-learning old studies, learn like a piece, choose to suit present repertoire): Dont etudes, Paganini caprices
Activities:
✔ Listen to recordings
✔ Read about players, technique, music, teaching
✔ Goto concerts
Pieces: * A major concerto: Sibelius * A major sonata: Prokofiev * Unaccompanied Bach: Sonata 3 * Virtuoso show piece: Chausson Poeme * Play through old repetoire in rotation, difference between having only one piece you can play at any one time, and having a repertoire: Devil's trill(baroque), Mozart K301(classic), * New additions: Suite Italienne(neoclassicism), In the Style of Albeniz(avant-garde), Waltz Scherzo(romantic) Flesch method extraction * Good technical studies: Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Rode, Dont Op.36, Schradieck, Wieniawski l'Ecole moderne, Sauret, Paganini caprices * when passing to another string at the pointe, still formarm and retain horizontal line on wrist to forearm, move only upper arm * backward movement of thumb III -> I * detache between upper & middle, more towards middle | Alina Ibragimova masterclass notes at RCM 10/10/2012
1. Contrast - dynamics differentiation
- gradual build-up/save-up on crescendo - unpredictability on what is forthcoming - forte - arm pressure and speed balance, raise elbow, feel the power from spine 2. Continuity - flow - bowing technique, no gaps between bowing change - smooth transition, place a bit more character/humour - variation in repetitive melody 3. Clarity - fingertip pressure - concentration on each note, vibrato 4. Emotion - gesture expression
Leçon notes from 김미경先生 26/10/2012 - left elbow movement according to fingering position - thumb/index finger readiness prior to position shift - rhythmic pre-vision Maxim Vengerov masterclass notes at RAM 19/11/2012 - visualize in actions or emotions - define own playing character - strande: define breathing cycle - analysis of composer's intentions, and feeling in his point of view, e.g. suffering Kavakos masterclass notes at Guildhall 11/12/2012 - trill to signal intensity - avoid vibrato at the peak note, signals relief from the climb - ask "What sound do I want to make in each place?" - flexibility to move: rotation of body & violin head | Leçon notes from Khac-Uyen Nguyen
Bow holding technique - crane model - use perpendicular force on string, parallel with upper part of right arm - bowing balance: slightly raise pressure at the tip, while soften by lifting at the frog Bowing - bow angle perpendicular to strings for maximum sound potential - keeping the bow on the same spot of the string within a single bowing - allocation of sufficient proportion for each note, longer notes can sustain with less than proportional length, while shorter notes requires more. Fine tuning - be critical of own sound - seek for the overtone, 3rd note echoing in the air as a biproduct of a chord - consistent vibrato - differentiation of vibration frequency - slower vibrato on lower tunes, while faster and restricted movement at high E - left arm positioning readiness to ease fingering Phrasing - sing the melodie, and define breathing points - dynamic marks signal different perspectives, or change in mood of surroundings Bad habits - posture refinement: hold shoulder down, feel the strength centered on stomach - press on the fingerboard with middle part of the fingertips Performance tips - start singing the first strand before giving a cue - avoid start playing from the stillness, invoke continuous action from the cue action - putting all relevant fingers down before the first note |