Mazas: Phrase 8 (Copy)

PHRASE 8

MEASURES 61-64 / 73-76

Phrase 8 is a brief, four-measure motif which acts as a closing idea for Phrase 7. Phrase 8 starts by releasing the energy we built in phrase 7 through a full, singing sforzando bow, and maintains the singing quality through measure 62. The next 2 measures close the phrase by relaxing into a gentle, brushy off-the-string stroke.

General Practice Methods:

1. Practice toggling back and forth between each double-stop to ensure precise movements and landings.

2. To develop a melodic understanding of these double-stops, place your fingers on both strings but bow on one string at a time.

3. The first two measures use our On-the-String Traveling bow strokes, and the third and fourth measures use brushy-off-the string strokes.

4. Use Double Stop Left Hand Exercises G and B to refine tuning for this passage.

Phase 1 of Practice – Slow and Simple:

1. Begin practicing on the string with separate bows.

2. Practice toggling between sets of double-stops, focusing especially on shifts to double-stops.

3. Vibrato should be applied to longer sforzando notes.

4. Start with a pause between character changes to internalize the upcoming bow stroke.

Phase 2 of Practice – Adding Articulation and Speed:

1. Incorporate the specified bowings and articulations.

2. Continue toggling between double-stops, emphasizing shifts where applicable.

3. Gradually increase tempo with a metronome. Perfect one measure at a time at a quicker tempo and then string them together seamlessly without stopping.

4. Smoothly transition between different bowing techniques without pauses.

Breaking Down the Phrase & Reference Guide to Previous Exercises:

Measure 61:

• Lean into the sforzando with vibrato, and pull the bow all the way to the tip.

• Emphasize a released, singing bow character on the three up-bows. The bow should scoop out each note as it continuously moves from tip to frog.

Measure 63:

• It is ok to make a small space at the end of measure 62, during which you shift to first position and set the first two notes of measure 63.

• The Up-up stroke on beat 2 should help us travel to the balance point, so we can easily play off the string to the end of the phrase.

Measure 64:

• Practice leaving your 1 and 2 fingers down while you place the blocked 3rd finger, so you do not have to aim for each double stop from scratch.