Does anyone have any good tips for the piece devils trill (cadenza)?

Question

i am thinking of taking it to contest and the cadenza for this piece is kind of rough. i am playing it for violin. does anyone have any tips on how to improve my sound quality?

Answer 1

Haha- Good ol' Tartini... try playing the piece on clarinet! LOL If your eyes aren't crossed before you're done, you're not doing it right! LOL

Anyways, I don't have much experience when it comes to technique for the violin, but musically, hopefully I can help!  

1) Make sure that you practice those trills and mordents VERY slowly... they need to be even and clean.  When you play it up to tempo, there should be a very distinct subdivision in your trills (it may be a 64th note subdivision, but that's ok!)- actually, measured would be a better word.  

2) Since Tartini was a Baroque composer, try to start your trills on the auxillary note.  You can hang on this note for a fraction longer (remember to subdivide though!), and when it goes to the written note, it adds a suspention effect.  Some people debate the "correctness" of where to start and on what note to start a Baroque trill, but this technique is most common.  (Your teacher probably discussed this with you already!)

3) For getting the cadenza, try this: play your scales for the range of your instrument- do the scales that correspond to the key of the piece, both major and minor.  Be sure to do chromatics too.  Then do the scales in 3rds.  Then try to do it while doing doublestops on each note.  Take all of these very slow... turtles should play faster... concentrate on tone.  If you don't like your tone, do it again.  Try to do it with a metronome so that you can add a couple ticks, then do it a bit faster, till it matches the tempo of your piece.  Muscle memory will surprise you, and you will be able to nail the cadenza if these movements are engrained in your arms and fingers.

Remember that even though there is a "set" way to do the cadenza, tempo is up to you.  You can start it slowly and raise the tempo as you go.  I know your teacher will probably tell you "no no, do it THIS way"... but in the end, if you're not comfortable playing it, it won't come off well.  Try to get as close to "the standard" as possible, and please try to push yourself, but not to the detriment of the piece.  I (and your audience, judges, etc.) would rather hear it a little slower and with good tone than to hear you slaughter it trying to play it fast.

The cadenza is no joke... actually, the whole piece is pretty rough... just remember to breathe (helps with phrasing too!), and try practicing in front of a mirror- you may find some physical habits that you can change to make your tone better.  In the end, since you are up to the calibur of this piece it means you are probably a pretty accomplished musician... remember that you got this good because you love what you do, and HAVE FUN doing it!

Happy playing, and hope this helped a little.  :)

*EDIT: I noticed your other question too- and not many responses to either... try asking in the "Classical Music" section under Entertainment and Music... there are a TON of professional string players and Classiacal officiandos over there... you may get a better response and feedback! ;)