Lesson 23
Back to: Lesson 22
Go on to: Lesson 24
TIP:
Slower bows - play a little nearer the bridge with a very slight amount of extra pressure from your index finger. Try it first as an open string to get used to it. Be warned it doesn't need very much extra pressure.
You will notice that if you put too much pressure on it actually gets louder. So when you are asked to play loudly you can do this by significantly increasing the index finger pressure. Playing softly means playing with the lightest of bows.
Key Points: Pieces 48 & 49
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Piece 48 is another waltz in 3/4 time. It has tied dotted minims which means you will be playing very long notes. You need to manage your bow speed here.
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Work out where the repeats are in piece 49 - it's confusing.
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Piece 48 requires that you sometimes open strings and sometimes use 4th fingers which need to be kept in tune.
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Piece 49 continues the theme of bow management and this can go very wrong in the piece so watch the video for how to handle this.
Remember:
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As always start by doing a bowhold check, do a whole bow warm up, playing the scale of D major and G major. This is so easy to do and really helps you check your tuning.
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To get going pluck through each piece once or twice.
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Then try with the bow the Student's Track until you feel confident to move on to the duets.
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Go from plucking to bowing and back to plucking until you are confidently bowing each piece.
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Don't be in any rush to 'get it right straight away' - being patient will pay off in the long run.
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Go over previous videos if you think something's not right.
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Most 'horrible' sounds occur because of a tense right hand causing the bow to 'tremble,' 'bounce' or be 'scratchy'.