Somewhere Over the Rainbow
WI beginning strings are currently working to polish the tune, “Heavenly Dances”. Notice how my student’s left hands is curled above the string like a perfect rainbow.
The hardest part of “Heavenly Dances” seems to be the heavy “D”. If you hear whistles while you are playing, chances are the third finger is not weighing down the string. The bow may also need to roll to the “A” string.
Keep practicing beginners!
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Inappropriate language warning!
If you have delicate sensibilities, stop reading this post right now. I need to discuss a string instrument curse word: P-R-E-S-S.
WI cellists are discovering that the secret to a good sound lies in a soft bumpy thumb.
Cellists who produce a good sound are a lot like graceful athletes. All of their muscles are loose, balanced, and relaxed. Notice if your thumb muscle is sore. If your hand is tired, it means you are pressing. So breathe, relax, and think “soft”!
Happy New Year!
I don’t like to brag, but the WI beginning violinists & violists ROCK! Now that it is officially 2008, we are putting the final touches on our beginner set-up by preparing the left hand.
Look at these beautiful open wrists and scooped elbows.
I know you can’t help but notice the left hand fingers in little boxes above the string. There is not one “squisher” in the bunch!
