Friday, August 28, 2015

Practical Practicing

Here are some practical ways to apply what we know about learning and myelination in the practice room. I am still working on formatting, so if something is not quite right, check out the PDF...

Practice Variations
Rhythm Mix-Up
To master difficult runs, play 4 note groupings with rhythms from box #2 of the ‘Rhythm Division’ sheet. By ‘pausing’ on one of four notes (the e.) , you allow your brain time to think ahead, while still practicing three notes in quick succession. After moving through all four rhythms, every note will have been practiced quickly (and slowly). Now you’re ready to play the run… as a run!



Finger-Bow Beat Exchange
Turn on your metronome. Hear your finger ‘plop’ into place on the first beat, bow the note on the second. It’s harder than it looks! (Rhythm is disregarded in this variation.)


Bow Rhythms
Play only the rhythm of the bow – on open strings without fingering. Slurs are key to the rhythm of the bow.



Straight Bowing
Remove slurs, hooks, etc. Play every note as it comes with a new bow. Focus on fingering and rhythm

Three Point Bow Relay
Play a section using only the lower half of your bow… only the middle… and finally, only the tip. Think Elbow and pinky (of your bow arm). Bow stoppers are helpful for this one.

Bow Flip
Play a passage with your bow flipped around – bow hold on the tip, frog in the air. Think bow hand forefinger, pinky and even speed.

Terrace Dynamics
With a practice mute on, play a chunk pp, then ff. Take the practice mute off and play the same chunk pp and ff. Without the practice mute, dynamics should be smoother and clearer (and more dramatic!). Now return to the marked dynamics of the music – exaggerate any changes between p and f. It should now be easier to switch between the two.

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