Hello guys!
This lot I owe you. I know that you guys might not be able to understand like half of it, so just approach me yea (: Cuz I'm not able to put some of them accurately into words, and this is the best my limited language ability can do :/ Good luck reading them!
Right Hand
- RELAX! Make sure that your palm is relaxed and open, i.e. is not clenched.
- Make sure that your hand is in as natural a shape/position as possible. No weird twisting!
- Do not PRESS into the string with your bow. Put in HAND WEIGHT and use MORE BOW (bow length deficiency is common illness among NJStringgers :/). Your objective should be to keep the string down with enough bow length to make your strings vibrate at its maximum. (Refer to the article given last year)
- Don't put weight onto the bow with your last finger (your pinky. or whatever you call it.)
- Please practise playing your open strings (~4 counts per bow) in order to achieve a strong, solid, steady tone. Make sure that there is no fluctuation in your tone during each bow stroke.
Left Hand
- Relax!! Open up your palm!
- Make sure that when you stop a note, you build up from open string (i.e. when you stop a D note on your A string with your 3rd finger, make sure that you hear that your 1st and 2nd finger are in tune first)
- When stopping a note, ensure that the bottom fingers don't lift up (i.e. when you stop a D note on your A string with your 3rd finger, your 1st 2 fingers don't lift up)
- Practise in front of the mirror, and ensure that your arm is straight, and that your wrist is comfortable
Right hand AND left hand
- Decide if you want your RH or LH to lead. For passages with running notes, your LH should lead. How to practise: Play slowly; put your LH fingers down BEFORE you bow the note.
- The stronger your RH is, the stronger your LH is. *note: strength in your hand ≠ tensing up your hand.
Strength in your RH should only be at the point of contact between your fingertip and the string; the joints in your fingers should still be loose/relaxed.
Shoulders
- RELAXRELAXRELAXRELAXRELAX. can't ever stress enough of that (:
Body
- STRAIGHT!! Whether sitting or standing, make sure that your backbone is straight, and that your neck, then your head, is perfectly balanced on top. Straight and relaxed! NOT stick-straight and stiff!
whee. now you're done. go watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRijEVjGTYY&feature=related. yeah.
