Mazas: Phrase 9 (Copy)

PHRASE 9

MEASURES 77-86

This phrase acts as a transition from the double-stop portion of the etude back to the playful music from the opening. In this passage, we will call back to many other moments in the etude, acting like a bit of a summary or Coda.

Demonstrate changes between brushy off-the-string double-stop strokes and flowing slurs in the first four measures (77-80).

Measures 81-85 are all played on-the-string, with similar bow techniques in the swelling slurs as Phrase 3. Measure 86 reintroduces the off-the-string interjections in Phrase 7.

General Practice Methods:

1. Despite the dots, measures 80 and 85 should be played on the string - think of them as having a released sound to give that indicated space between notes.

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

3. In higher passages, be sure to leave down your fingers to build hand frames, and to provide an anchor in that position. This prevents the hand frame from wandering, and ensures consistency in repeated pitches.

4. Vibrate longer sustained pitches, like the downbeats of measures 81-85.

Phase 1 of Practice – Slow and Simple:

1. Begin practicing on the string with separate bows.

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

3. Vibrate long notes at the peak of crescendos.

Phase 2 of Practice – Adding Articulation and Speed:

1. Incorporate specified bowings and articulations.

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

3. Smoothly transition between different bowing techniques without pauses.

Breaking Down the Phrase & Reference Guide to Previous Exercises:

Measure 77:

• Utilize brushy off-the-string stroke.

Measure 78:

• Keep bow pressure light throughout this measure.

Measure 79:

• Implement brushy off-the-string stroke.

• Reference Left Hand double stop exercise F.

Measure 80:

• Maintain light bow pressure while keeping the bow on the string.

Measure 81:

• Release the sound with a slight diminuendo on the note G to accommodate upcoming swells.

Measure 84:

• On beat 2, lift the 2nd finger near the 3rd, keeping the 1st finger down to maintain an in-tune extension hand frame.

• The last note is a 3rd finger on the D string — cross, don’t shift!

Measure 85:

• After the first slur, shift back to third position on the A string.

• The last note of this measure is B natural - reference Left Hand Extension Frame exercise C.

Measure 86:

• The first beat features a somber-sounding Ab, transitioning to a cheerful B-A-G series for the remainder of the measure.

• While not marked, consider adding a slight ritardando in beats 2 and 3 as a natural transition back to the opening music.