Now name the scale one again to impress this upon your memory, then begin the scale study very slowly, as though printed in 8th notes using a half bow for each 8th, paying no attention to the slurs until later on.

After you can play these scale runs as per these directions (in 8th notes) and get them to sound in tune, then you may try them as 16th notes without slurs, using a quarter of the bow beginning at the middle. Count by groups of four 16th notes to each count, counting 4 to the measure. After acquiring a fair rate of speed in the way, learn to slur four 16th notes using a half bow stroke and finally play as written, using a WHOLE bow stroke, then strive to increase the temp a little every day until you play it "allegro."

No. 2 is a broken chord study in 3/4 time written in groups of 6 but at first we will learn to count and play as though it were written in triplets, making 6 counts to the measure playing a triplet for each count; play these triplets at first with a short stroke in the middle of the bow without any slur. After becoming somewhat familiar with it and having gained some speed you may try it by slurring 3 notes and using a quarter of the bow from the middle, the try playing groups of 6 notes to one count(3 counts to the measure) after which, begin to play as written taking the slurs ABOVE the notes. The 1st note is staccato beginning with a very short down stroke from the upper 3rd of the bow; play the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th notes under one slur with an up-bow using about one quarter of the bow. The 5th, 6th and 1st notes (the 2nd group) come under the 2nd slur (up-bow) the last which, being staccato, must be very short and so on with the rest - after which play as per slurs UNDER the notes. Play 1st note staccato with short down stroke at the tip (or point) of the bow. Use half of the bow for the 6 notes under the slurs, cutting the 1st note of each group (last note under the slur) very short.

No. 3 is strictly a staccato study in 3rds. A staccato note is NOT made by a jerk or by a sudden start or accent, but is made by a SUDDEN STOP. You may be playing very softly with long slow bow strokes and yet end each stroke staccato by stopping suddenly without any jerk or quivering of the bow.

The secret of a staccato is in the manner in which you stop i.e. you do not allow the bow to leave the string at all because the staccato is produced by STOPPING THE VIBRATION OF THE STRING. A little calm and patient practice will bring this style of bowing. NO. 3 may also be learned afterwards with bounding bow strokes.

This counts as two lessons.

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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