|
| |
8 Romantic Pieces for Violin ( Easy to Intermediate )
One might say that these pieces span Grades 1 - 8. Numbers 6 and 8
rely heavily on double stopping, a common violin technique that few Grade 8
students feel comfortable with. I would encourage students of all levels to
master these pieces in order to consolidate their technique. Start with the
first. Because of the higher standards in Russia, these pieces are all
considered elementary.
1. Little Piece
Play with a sweet even sound, using most of the bow for every note. Even the
Forte section which starts with the fourth finger should be played with a
cantabile tone. The purity, evenness and sustain of each note are essential for
a successful rendering of this piece.
2. Cradle Song
Play from heel to tip, dividing the bow evenly into two for each crotchet. Play
with a soft transparent tone. Each four bar phrase has a first and a second half
of two bars which reflect each other. Pay attention to your tone, and make it as
beautiful as possible.
3. Gavotte
Start in the lower half of the bow. Observe the accents, without overstressing
them. Maintain a steady tempo throughout.
4. Air (page_2)
All up bows, on the third beat should be light and fast. Although the down bows
last longer than the up bows ( uneven bowing ) there must be a difference in
weight applied, in order for the third beat not to disturb the natural flow of
the phrase. This piece requires more advanced tonal control.
5. Minuet
Do not spread the G major chord, rather, keep it tight and rhythmic. Play the
Trio with lightness, perhaps even with a slightly more flowing tempo.
6. Bourée
The quavers should be played and sustained fully, but crotchets should be played
with a slightly stopped or staccato style throughout the pieces. Whatever your
exact choice and taste of bowing stroke, keep it the same all the way through
the piece. Play in the middle of the bow.
7. Romance
Play with extreme legato. Distribute the notes evenly along the whole bow, and
give the lower register ( notes on the D and G strings ) a special richness and
roundness of tone. Always play the upper register ( A and E strings ) with
lightness and delicacy. The middle section in E major is faster, lighter and
more pastoral in character.
8. Mazurka
Proficiency in double stopping is essential to master this piece. In playing
double stops, remove half the weight in your bowing arm in order to allow the
strings to vibrate with freedom. A quick sign of an experienced double stop
player is that horrendous squashed touch that violates the true unimpaired
vibrations of the strings.
|
