IN THIS LESSON
PHRASE 8 -
MEASURE 24-26
T
PHRASE 7 -
MEASURE 23-24
This is the final idea of the etude. Having returned to the piano dynamic and key of g minor that the journey of this piece began in, we finally receive closure. Focus on creating a beautiful, singing sound that is gentle and introverted in character.
General Practice Strategies:
Practice each line of the double-stops separately, to hear it melodically and to hear the intonation.
Work on connecting each note to the next, eliminating audible shifts or adjustments.
Develop this as one arc, singing without stopping.
Keep an open hand frame, to help reach the intervals.
Place fingers gently on the strings, feeling contact with the fleshy part of the finger pad to produce a deep, resonant tone.
Vibrato in this phrase can be slower and more relaxed.
Breaking Down the Phrase & Reference Guide to Previous Exercises:
Measure 24:
The first slur begins in third position. Think of your second finger (D) as the anchor to third position, and bring your 3rd and 1st finger close to it, to make the chromatic hand frame.
Shift back to first position for the second slur. Reference Exercise E from Left Hand Double-stops exercises to tune this.
Measure 25:
Create the swell using bow speed and vibrato, but be sure you leave room in the bow to be able to sing through the shift and beat 3.
Shift on beat 3 to 2nd position, maintaining the whole step space between your two fingers. Leave the bow on the string after beat 3.
Beat 4 is played up-bow. During the rest in beat 4, lift the bow out of the string gently and retake to the balance point.
Measure 26:
Place the bow around the balance point gently, and use a relatively slow vibrato to sing a last note that will give calm closure.