Theme – Var9

Performances of the Theme and Variations 1 to 9 with notes and analysis by Fintan Murphy

Theme

Practice this theme making clear the direction of your musical line and dynamic range. Work… — Login to View —

Using a gradual string-crossing action allows for a more sustained sound. Slow down the action… — Login to View —

In this variation you need to work towards making a resonant sound in the lower… — Login to View —

Here we see how the hand and finger movement (supported by arm movement) allows the… — Login to View —

It is often useful to examine the basic movements of violin playing away from the… — Login to View —

Spiccato is an important bow stroke and can be learnt as soon as the détaché… — Login to View —

Spiccato is a good stroke to introduce relatively early to the young student as it… — Login to View —

The outer triangle or ‘frame’ of the bow hand, consisting of 1st finger, 4th finger… — Login to View —

This variation requires you to play some notes on the string and some off the… — Login to View —

The ability to play repeated up or down bows at the heel of the bow… — Login to View —

Observe Ševčík’s careful bow division and articulation markings, especially the use of the whole bow… — Login to View —

The ability to switch between playing on the string to playing off the string is… — Login to View —

Notice how when playing spiccato: the bow stays close to the string. the down bow… — Login to View —

This variation uses a similar bow division pattern to No 5. To ensure good coordination… — Login to View —

Ševčík marks this variation’s tempo as 1/4 note = 132, to be played at the… — Login to View —

When playing around the balance point or frog of the bow it is important that… — Login to View —

This beautiful variation uses a siciliano rhythm and requires musical thought and planning. Make sure… — Login to View —

Notice how the player’s up bow on the 3rd note of the bar lifts into… — Login to View —

Ševčík’s directions indicate that for most bars we move through the bow from the upper… — Login to View —

We use recovery strokes all the time to ensure that we are using the most… — Login to View —