Download your copy of 'A Season of Strings' for violin, viola, or cello and come practice with me in these videos. I'll discuss the challenges of each song and show you how to overcome those challenges as you learn to play the Christmas songs in this collection.
Key of G major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violins must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Key of G major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violins and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Tricky slurs
Dotted-quarter/eighth note rhythm with slurs and quick up bows.
Quick eighth-note rhythms are not always as expected.
4th finger is used more frequently than in previous songs.
The fermata (the "birds-eye" symbol – hold sign) 3 measures from the end is not observed in the practice video. It's good to use in performances for building suspense.
Long, smooth bow strokes to last each whole measure. Lots of slurs!
Count carefully in 3/4 time. Keep a steady "1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 …" throughout the song.
Key of E minor and G Major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
The fermata (the "birds-eye" symbol – hold sign) in the middle is not observed in the practice video. It's good to use in performances for building suspense.
Key G Major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Quick eighth notes – 4 to a slur, some with a string crossing followed by a 4th finger – tricky!
Key G Major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
This one goes up onto the E string, so you must use a low 2nd finger (L2) to play G natural.
Key E minor (relative to key of G Major – they have the same key signature): F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Begins with an up-bow pick-up note.
Has "accidental D#'s" to be played by sliding your 1st finger back (see video for better help).
Key G Major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Key G Major: F's are sharp, C's are natural. This means violin and violas must use a low 2nd finger (marked with L2 in the music as a reminder) on the A string to play C naturals, but a normal 2nd finger (close to the 3) on the D string to play F# sharps.
Download your copy of 'A Season of Strings' for violin, viola, or cello and come practice with me in these videos. I'll discuss the challenges of each song and show you how to overcome those challenges as you learn to play the Christmas songs in this collection.
So good job
Good work! Bravo
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Great, great
Magnifique
We like it a lot