Westbury Park Strings
A Violin Lesson with Roland
Herrera : Jan 2009
Julia writes about her lessons:
"I have been playing the violin for 12
years and have had weekly lessons since the age of 8. I find the violin to be a
very sociable instrument
and I love playing in orchestras and quartets etc. I started university at
Bristol last year and wanted to continue with my lessons; I felt it was
a shame to stop playing after such a long time. My violin lessons are a welcome
break from university work and also encourage me to practice often.
The lessons tend to be lively as well as very constructive. Roland is a patient
teacher and likes to concentrate on technique as well as providing
his pupils with a large repertoire. He will adapt to a pace which best suits his
pupils and so encourages confident playing. I was worried that I
would find it difficult starting with a new teacher, but Roland tries to build
on what I have already been taught, rather than trying to change my
entire technique, so the transition between teachers has been very easy. I very
much enjoy my lessons and hope to continue playing into my old age!"
Julia
Lesson Time: What we are working on
Come in and see what's going on in one of my violin
lessons ! I teach a variety of ages; in fact, this week, three new 6 year old
students have made a start !
Right now here I am teaching Julia, a hard working post Grade 8 violin student,
in her second year at Bristol University reading Physics.
Julia has weekly one hour lessons with me. Today I am teaching the Romantic
Accolay A minor Concerto and some not so romantic studies. Julia appreciates a
methodical approach when it comes to mastering passages,
yet her playing is not lacking in expression; she has agile hands, bows with
speed and flair and has a lively, warm vibrato ! While I must consolidate her
current skills, I am also looking to raise her technique a notch !
Above :
I persuade Julia to read some studies in fixed 4th, 5th and 6th position by
Basil Althaus. His "Seven Positions of the Violin" are a scaled down version of
the "Seven Divertimenti" by Campagnoli.
Studying fixed positions is a pre-requisite to secure shifting, and a good way
to improve one's sight reading abilities and general knowledge of the
fingerboard.
Some left hand tips on finger patterns follow and there's a little adjustment to
prevent the left hand thumb from squeezing against the base of the first finger
in 5th position (U shaped rather than V shaped).
Higher positions also require a closer point of contact (the bow must contact
the string nearer the bridge). This closeness is scaled up according to the
length of the vibrating string.
Above:
The fourth position study is going well enough for the left hand, it's entirely
in semiquavers so I decide to add some bowing variations: Slurred x2, x4 and x8
(default). Détaché and Spiccato (every note x2, or x4 initially).
Here's one of my favourite circus tricks: I bow while my student fingers the
notes. I am demonstrating how a low bounce (bow hairs barely leaving the string)
can give an appreciably more refined quality to the sound.
Spiccato is not easy; the right amount of forearm is needed, the correct
elasticity of the hand, the correct part of the bow (in this case not too near
the heel), point of contact, inclination of the bow, and the looseness of the
fingers.
Above:
We tackle the Accolay. Although not the first lesson on this concerto, a few
gentle reminders on tone and the bass component of the first note on the G
string is in order ! Concentrate the sound !
Here we're speeding up the descending triplets in the first two phrases. It's a
very playable concerto... but the first double stop passage needs sorting out if
it's to be perfectly in tune !
Some lighter, though generous bowing is in order for the double stops.... I
promise I wasn't going to clobber my student (it just looks like it !)....
In fact her posture is very positive; she's leaning slightly to her left, very
upright (without leaning forward), and this gives her bowing freedom and
authority... excellent playing here !
Above:
Imaginary points on the bow ; h=heel, m=middle, t=tip and some bright student
thought of j as being half way between h and m. Also, q is half way between m
and t ! Hence from the heel, h j m q t.
Confused ? Don't be, the point here was that Détaché might require half the bow
(between points j and q) at a moderate tempo and the middle third of the bow at
a faster tempo.
The slower the tempo (speed) the more bow and sound we have time to draw. One point we often have to keep in check; the middle third should not become the upper third of the bow !
Above:
I'm very pleased to see my student studying closely what my hands are actually
doing! One can gain many insights and details that aren't always mentioned
simply by careful observation.
Above:
The Violin is a difficult instrument to master: We're certainly working hard,
but also having a good time. I notice teachers using fear, threats and
ultimatums ! That's not my style.
I go for bribes, jokes and plenty of encouragement ! We all learn faster when
we're happy, and it's important for me to set a healthy and friendly working
environment.
The fine balance between work and play is something even my youngest students
learn.
Above:
Without taking away (first rule in teaching... do no harm!) Julia's expression
here, as she was swaying a little too much with the Violin scroll, I keep it
still and encourage the right arm to sway a little more !
This simple trick does wonders to the accuracy of bowing and therefore the
purity of sound. Let's face it; no matter how many notes we play with our left
hand it's the right that makes our tone !
Viotti said "ahh.. Le Violon....c'est l'archet": The violin is all about bowing
!
Above:
We round off the lesson playing a Campagnoli duet together. Either that or
judging by Julia's serious expression... some more study in unison !
But, honestly, we did end the lesson with a duet !
To follow; I hope to add a note written by Julia herself about her lessons, and
her love of the violin.
Repertoire :
Dont: Op 37 Studies
DeBériot: Method book 2 studies
Althaus: The 7 Positions of the Violin
Accolay: A minor Concerto
Hubay: Bolero
Potstock: Souvenir de Sarasate