Begin by learning to name the intervals of the scale of F, thus :F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F, being careful to play the notes as named, particularly Bb. After you name them correctly, begin playing the scale of F was if written in whole tones. You would always begin you day's work with practice of slow bowing with the full length of the bow and correct every wrong move. Stand in front of a mirror.

WHen bowing on the G string it will be necessary to slightly raise the elbow but avoid this when playing on the other strings.

Beware of moving the elbow backwards. This always brings the bow in a wrong position.

The 1st study must be begun with a short stroke near the point and the notes of the run that follow must be carefully divided on the bow in order to able to play the dotted note with a short little stroke at the frog.

In this study the 4th finger must frequently reach for C after having played the Bb; the higher is meant of course.

Give your particular attention to the last notes of the 1st measure of the 3rd staff. Play these notes slowly and several times. The 4th finger must be trained until it will stretch easily to C. Always look a little ahead and be sure not to make a stop at the end of a staff.

The 2nd and 3rd numbers are given with the particular object of teaching you that the time value of a note is not always the same.

Both are written in 3/4 time.

No. 3 is a waltz.

After it has been learned the time value of a quarter note must be a little less than one beat of the pulse. (You must say two words; "1 &" for every beat to make sure that the 8th notes are played properly).

Begin about at the middle of the bow with 2 very short strokes using about one inch of the bow for each 8th note, first down and then up, because two slurred quarter notes follow which need at least half of the bow.

The right hand and forearm change therefore suddenly from a swift upward bow to a very slow downward stroke which will take you to the point of the bow where you play the 2 dotted 9th notes with 2 one inch strokes 9up, down), then the 2 slurred quarters take you back to the middle where you began - and so on.

No. 3 is marked: Allegro moderato. This work "moderato" already tells you that the piece must be played slower.

Give each quarter note the full time value of one beat of the pulse and even a little more and you will play the piece correctly.

In the 3rd measure of No. 3 the time of a quarter note has been divided into 3 fractions of time. WHen this occurs the group of 3 notes (8th notes in this instance) is marked with a slur and figure 3 but no necessarily. It is obvious that these 3 notes must not take up more than the 8th notes in the 1st measure. No differently shaped notes are used to show the division into 3. SUch a group is called a triplet. Count: 1 & &-2 & &-3 & &- 9 words or counts to a measure instead of three.

N.B. When writing always mention instrument. COnfine your questions to ONE LESSON ONLY. Give name of lesson, number of staff, number of measure, and be brief. Give full name and address.

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© 2003 R. Fingerson
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