Any tips on my violin performance [video]?

Question

I am playing Gigue from Bach's Partita III and I know there's room for improvement... What do you think of my fingering? I tried to arrange it so that it's played fully in first position.. Was that a good idea? Any other tips are appreciated!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpCAhQLjER8

Answer 1

That sounds pretty good, although it can be tricky to tell on a recording. I don't think playing it all in first position is necessarily bad - remember, in Bach's time players didn't do as much shifting as we do these days. Bach didn't actually write any of the shifts and fingerings in your book; those were added by the editor, so don't feel like you have to follow them. Consult your private teacher (you do have one, right?) on what fingerings to use, but I think first position works nicely. Just make sure that your fingering decisions are based on musicality and interpretation, not just simplicity and convenience. Sometimes, for a special effect, composers call for a passage to be played way up on the G string, when it could easily be played on the D and A strings.



Try to use more dynamics. A basic way to interpret this is to simply follow the line: if the notes are ascending, you should probably crescendo, and if the notes are descending, a decrescendo would be best. A little more variety in your vibrato would also be nice, but don't use to much. Once again, in Bach's time vibrato was used sparsely as a decoration, much like a trill or a mordent, so don't make it sound all slurpy and romantic. Bach would roll over in his grave.

Overall, I think you have a very nice sound. I love the Bach Partitas and Sonatas, and think this piece is an excellent choice to play. Listen to recordings of different artists to get more ideas (I recommend Hilary Hahn's cd). Good luck! =)

Answer 2

An excellent performance! You’re a very talented musician, and your intonation was excellent. As for the 1st position, maybe it IS best to stay with what;s written, but it's even better that you can actually change around a piece of music to your ability. Not many people can actually go through a piece and do things like that to make it suit themselves better. And interpretation is what Bach and other Baroque music is all about, not just reading what's written. I also would not recommend adding more vibrato for the historical point that in the Baroque days vibrato wasn’t used because it would have damaged the instruments, so you’re fine there. I think vibrato is unnecessary. My only real tip would be to have a better ‘feel’ for the piece, which just sort of comes in time with learning the piece. You can start by exaggerating the dynamics, and move from there until you can play it even better then you do now. Bravo on an excellent performance! Keep up the great playing!

Answer 3

No, rearranging things to suit yourself is not a good idea. Leave it in the positions it was written in. Not only is it more challenging to you (and you become a better violinist because of it), it also stays true to the fashion in which it was written. Using higher positions shows off a violinist's technique and adeptness at the instrument. Changing the peice to do it in first position makes you look less advanced, and more like a beginner, which, judging by your video and song choice, you are obviously not.

Add some dynamics, definitely. That will add to the musicality of the peice and make it much more interesting to listen to. Also, soften up your bow strokes. You seem to be a little rigid and detached withyour bow strokes... Try letting it flow together a little more and see where that takes you.

Other than that, it was really quite good. From what I heard, your intonation is great, and it's obvious that you enjoy playing and put in the practice. Good work!

Answer 4

First position is elementary. I think playing the whole thing in first postion was a mistake. I'm not familiar with the piece, but I think that you should pay more attention to dynamics, its very mono-volume. Try to shift up the finger board more, you will get more diversity in your tonality. Try to use more vibrato, you weren't using it that much in the video. Technically, your left hand was good, you have the notes down-- it's good, but it can be better.

But what do I know? I'm a bass player.

Answer 5

are u kidding?? i wish i was that good!