Cultivate relaxed motions to improve your control over the width of your vibrato. Best for intermediate level or above.
Develop Effortless Technique (and Let Go of Tension)
We all know that great violin playing looks effortless. And in one sense, it is ... at least in that moment. (Putting aside all the work that led to that moment.) Great violinists have eliminated muscle tension and unnecessary work from their technique, either naturally or through careful practice, so all of their effort while playing goes directly into things that pay off in sound or virtuosity. And when your work is refined to just the absolute essentials, it really does become almost effortless. It’s a state we can all work towards.
Hello!
Call it my pandemic project … a productive outlet … my whisper into the vast storm of the internet … or just a way to give some personality to my site while maybe helping some people at the same time.
My plan is to have posts on everything related to the violin, from the technical to the musical to the psychological.
I teach violin, and perform in and around Chicago. You can read about my background. Or just explore my posts as they go up.
OK, well I think it’s time to launch: 3 … 2 … 1 …
More Posts
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 31: Vibrato Speed. Use scales to develop finer control of your vibrato speed, so you can convey the emotional heart of your music more purely and effectively.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 30: Vibrato Width. Use scales to develop finer control of your vibrato, so you can convey the emotional heart of your music more purely and effectively.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 29: Colors. Unleash your musical-creative side on your scales, and build trust in the expressive power of your technique.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 28: Shades. Use scales as a vehicle for practicing to achieve subtle differences in color.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 27: Shapes. Use scales as a bridge from well-controlled technique to heart-felt music making.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 26: Sounding Point. Use your scales to gain greater control of the fundamental aspect of your artistic sound.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | A Month of Scales - Day 25: Weight. Use your scales as a vehicle to open the door to a greater variety of sounds and to more precise control of the sounds you do get.
Bored with scales? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales | Day 24: (Bow) Speed! For better control over a whole range of accents, phrasing, and a host of bow strokes.
Scales don’t have to be boring! I spent a whole month doing a different approach to scales every day, and posting the details. Not only did it keep things interesting -- it also brought more life to all of my practicing and playing.