Mazas: Phrase 4 (Copy)

PHRASE 4

MEASURES 25-28

Phrase 3 searched for a stopping or arrival point. Phrase 4 is a continuation of this – we “arrived” at the note G, but not to G major, as we can tell from all of the accidentals and extensions we are quietly marinating on. After two measures of this disoriented bubbling figure, we emerge, returning to the sunnier key signature and virtuosically rising to the high register of the viola. Be careful in the long slurs, and especially in the long slur with crescendo, to pace the bow speed well to prevent running out or getting stuck.

General Practice Methods:

1. Keep your hand frame open and your fingers close to the string, so you do not have to drop them from very far or move around much to place them.

Phase 1 of Practice:

1. Start by slurring four notes at a time, so you do not have to worry about bow pacing while you tune and drill the left hand.

2. Plan your bow usage in the long slurs, and especially in the rapid crescendo. You will want to play the quiet long slurs closer to the fingerboard and accelerate toward the bridge in the crescendo.

Phase 2 of Practice:

1. Begin speeding up the whole phrase with a metronome. Perfect one beat at a time at your quicker tempo, and string them together until you can play the full phrase at one speed without stopping.

Breaking Down the Phrase & Reference Guide to Previous Exercises:

Measures 25-26:

• Use a very slow bow to stay quiet and avoid running out of bow.

• Train the B to Ab extension with our open hand frame exercises and with Exercise B from Extension Hand Frames.

Measure 28:

• Beats 2 and 3 are a rapid two-beat crescendo from piano to forte – plan for your bow to start slow and accelerate toward the bridge.

• Shift to third position on D and fifth position on F - practice Exercise D from Shifts.