Hi all! Please try to follow this protocol before your jury (and other performances). I think you will find it very helpful…
1. OPEN STRINGS: Play every single section of all of your pieces- one at a time on open strings- in SUPER SLOW motion- applying all of your gestures including all dynamics, sound colors, appropriate contact point, bow weight and bow speed, bow distribution, articulations, rhythms and phrasing.
Go over each section that way so many times that you can do it fantastically in your sleep without having to think about it!
2. LEFT HAND ALONE: Then go over the same section with left hand alone, also slow enough to feel all of your shifts (dip/harmonics) and proper spacing between fingers, springy articulate fingers (finger tips) for fast clean passage work and using your finger pads for more lyrical playing, and vibrating appropriately according to the sound you wish to make. (Remember- lower strings and lower positions generally need wider vib than upper strings and upper positions)
3. BOTH HANDS TOGETHER WITHOUT VIBRATO: Play your passages with both hands but ONLY FOCUSING on LEADING WITH THE BOW- all in SLOW MOTION
4. LEFT HAND ALONE WITH VIBRATO AGAIN: Remind your left hand what it feels like again to vibrate on the notes you want vibrated
5. PUT BOTH HANDS TOGETHER WITH VIBRATO: STILL IN SLOW MOTION: ALWAYS LEADING EVERYTHING WITH THE BOW! Start speeding things up to get closer to your tempo but use 95 percent of your practice time doing only slow motion….
There ya go! Your best performance, ever! 🙂
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