Mazas: Phrase 5 (Copy)

PHRASE 5

MEASURES 29-32 / 91-94

Measures 29-32 use the same notes as measures 1-4, but an octave higher. Listen for all the same accidentals and intervals that your ear should recognize from the opening phrase. The same character from the opening applies here as well – sunny and playful. Being in a higher register, use a light, fast bow through this phrase so the A string has an easy sound.

All the same bow strokes from measures 1-4 apply here, as well as the recommendation to begin your practice without grace notes. In passages like this, with very active left hands, it can be beneficial to start learning without the bowings and articulations on the page – play everything separately and on the string to focus on training a confident left hand first. From that point, you can work toward playing what is on the page.

General Practice Methods:

1. Shift during rests whenever possible.

2. Vibrate everything to feel relaxed and melodic.

3. Always place the bow so you play from the string.

4. With these more difficult shifts, be very intentional about setting your entire hand frame.

5. Shifting Exercises D and E will set up your hand frames in 3rd and 5th positions.

Phase 1 of Practice:

1. Practice the phrase without grace notes initially to solidify your understanding of the rhythm.

2. Start with slow practice - it may help to play on the string to establish coordination and intonation.

Phase 2 of Practice:

1. Once you are confident with the rhythm, add the grace notes for the complete effect. They should always come before the beat, so that the primary note is in time with your metronome.

2. When transitioning to playing notes with dots off-the-string, keep the bow nimble and approach this bow stroke change as a tool to add energy. Do not let dots add accents, break up the line, or negatively impact intonation - you still need to hear the full tone on every note.

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

Breaking Down the Phrase & Reference Guide to Previous Exercises:

Measure 29:

• Begin in 5th position. On beat 2, shift back to third position to play the C with the 4th finger on the D string.

  • Train this shift by adding a finger replacement note: G with 2, C with 2, shift to third position to play C with 4.

Measure 30:

• Exercise C from Extension Hand Frames can help you find the 2nd finger Ab, coming from B natural.

Measure 31:

• On beat 3, shift during the rest back to 1st position.

Measure 32:

• Shift during the rest to 3rd position (1 on D) and during the rest to 5th position (1 on F).

  • 1 position C major scales can help with this passage, as well as Shifting Exercises D and E.