Phase 1: Technique
3. Basic Mechanics
3. Basic Mechanics
| 3._basic_mechanics.m4a |
Summary:
The Four Muscle Groups
• Flexors (down)
• Extensors (up)
• Abductors (out)
• Adductors (in)
Hand Shape
• A partly closed fist shape keeps your fingers curled and connects them to the hand
The Arm Guides the Hand
• Use your arm to move your hand and fingers so they can remain as neutral as possible
Weight and Pressure
• Practice without the left hand thumb to encourage using your arm's weight
• Practice light touch (no pressure) to create a habit of using minimum pressure
Quiet Shifting
• Lift your hand before you shift to minimize string squeaks and noises
• Shift everything (arm, hand, thumb, fingers) as a unit
Right Hand Movement
• Guide the right hand fingers with the arm so they are always in the optimal place
Free-stroke and Rest-stroke
• The two strokes should sound contrasting:
- Free-stroke is brighter and lighter
- Rest-stroke is warmer and weightier
• Each stroke requires an adjustment of the hand position:
- Free-stroke = knuckles over fingers.
- Rest-stroke = knuckles behind fingers
Tone
• Vary your tone by plucking in five different places
Dynamics
• Practice crescendo as the scale rises and decrescendo as the scale falls
The Four Muscle Groups
• Flexors (down)
• Extensors (up)
• Abductors (out)
• Adductors (in)
Hand Shape
• A partly closed fist shape keeps your fingers curled and connects them to the hand
The Arm Guides the Hand
• Use your arm to move your hand and fingers so they can remain as neutral as possible
Weight and Pressure
• Practice without the left hand thumb to encourage using your arm's weight
• Practice light touch (no pressure) to create a habit of using minimum pressure
Quiet Shifting
• Lift your hand before you shift to minimize string squeaks and noises
• Shift everything (arm, hand, thumb, fingers) as a unit
Right Hand Movement
• Guide the right hand fingers with the arm so they are always in the optimal place
Free-stroke and Rest-stroke
• The two strokes should sound contrasting:
- Free-stroke is brighter and lighter
- Rest-stroke is warmer and weightier
• Each stroke requires an adjustment of the hand position:
- Free-stroke = knuckles over fingers.
- Rest-stroke = knuckles behind fingers
Tone
• Vary your tone by plucking in five different places
Dynamics
• Practice crescendo as the scale rises and decrescendo as the scale falls
Action Points:
Record one video and:
1. Play one scale and apply the principles that you're weakest at.
2. Think of ways that these principles apply to the pieces you're playing. Give examples and a demonstration in your video.
Record one video and:
1. Play one scale and apply the principles that you're weakest at.
2. Think of ways that these principles apply to the pieces you're playing. Give examples and a demonstration in your video.
| 3._basic_mechanics.pdf |