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Timothy Summers

musical explorations in performance and computation

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Category Archives: LeftHand

Practising with a Mirror

Practising with a mirror is extremely useful – for both hands. However, one must not become too self-obsessed. When practising with a mirror, try to position yourself so you do not see your own face. You will gain much in the way of objectivity

Posted byadminApril 5, 2020April 5, 2020Posted inLeftHand, Posture and Composure, RightAndLeftHand, RightHand, String YogaLeave a comment on Practising with a Mirror

Your Fingers are Sightless Animals

The fingers of your left hand cannot see. You must give them eyes with your ears. Play any passage, concentrating on how your fingers depend on your ears for guidance.

Posted byadminMarch 26, 2020March 26, 2020Posted inIntonation, LeftHand, String YogaLeave a comment on Your Fingers are Sightless Animals

Tuning the violin like a drum

Every time you use your left hand to choose a pitch, you must be confident in its tuning. It is as though you are playing the timpani: once you tune it, you can concentrate much more clearly on how it is struck, and how it makes sound. And know, when you start playing, that what’s […]

Posted byadminMarch 17, 2020March 26, 2020Posted inIntonation, LeftHand, String Yoga, UncategorizedLeave a comment on Tuning the violin like a drum

7. Lightness

Play a scale or arpeggio, placing your fingers on the strings as lightly as possible. Use again the image of the breaking wave: think of the curl at its forward edge. Imagine that your left hand must simply point to the string rather than press it.

Posted byadminMarch 5, 2020March 14, 2020Posted inBasic Nine, Intonation, LeftHand, String YogaLeave a comment on 7. Lightness

4. Hand and Wave

Play a scale or arpeggio. Imagine your left hand is a breaking wave. Allow energy to flow up the arm and out from the fingers. Roll forward to upcoming sounds.

Posted byadminMarch 5, 2020March 14, 2020Posted inBasic Nine, Intonation, LeftHand, String YogaLeave a comment on 4. Hand and Wave

3. Energy to Pitch

Play a scale slowly, combining two exercieses: Think clearly of each pitch before playing. After the string length is set, pour energy smoothly into it with the bow.

Posted byadminMarch 5, 2020March 14, 2020Posted inBasic Nine, Dynamic, Intonation, RightAndLeftHand, Sound Quality, String YogaLeave a comment on 3. Energy to Pitch

1. String Lengths

Play a scale slowly. Before you play each pitch, hear it strongly. Think of string length rather than finger placement as the source of intonation. Watch the string move as you play.

Posted byadminMarch 5, 2020March 14, 2020Posted inBasic Nine, Intonation, LeftHand, String YogaLeave a comment on 1. String Lengths
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