This series of blogs about bowing technique features pieces of music to help you (or your students!) develop different types of bow stroke. This week's post introduces the Son Filé stroke.
Son Filé means 'spun sound' and is the term used to describe a sustained note played with the whole bow.
It is very important to develop an even quality of sound. Think of your down and up bow strokes as gentle waves flowing in and out over the sand
Get Ready...
Use these questions and tasks to prepare and get ready to play the piece:
Before playing these long bows of eight beats at a time, start with two beats to a bow. Count "1, 2" slowly, out loud, making sure that the bow is divided exactly in half for each beat.
Counting at the same speed, progress to four, dividing the bow into quarters. Next try six, with three beats in each half of the bow, before attempting eight.
Listen to your sound at all times. Is it beautiful?
If you can, ask a pianist to play the accompaniment to you. Try singing your part, with the dynamics, before you play. What does tranquillo mean?
Tip: To help a smooth bow change at the heel, imagine a wave on a calm moonlit night gently changing direction. Your arm, wrist and fingers should float freely.
Let's Play!
How Did It Go?
Use these questions and tasks to review what you just did, and think about how you could make it better!
Next Steps...
Now build on what you've just learned with this task...
This series is based on Bow Strokes for Violin, Bow Strokes for Viola, and Bow Strokes for Cello by Caroline Lumsden and Anita Hewitt Jones. Piano accompaniments for all pieces are available in the printed versions!
Our new series of blogs about bowing technique features pieces of music to help you (or your students!) develop different types of bow strokes. This week's post introduces the Legato stroke.
Legato means smooth or seamless. A legato stroke is a succession of sustained notes.
String Crossings: When these notes occur across the strings you need a pivoting movement to help make the string crossing as smooth as possible.
Think of painting a letter C or turning a key in a lock! The bow should lean towards the new string while still playing the old one.
Get Ready...
Use these questions and tasks to prepare and get ready to play the piece:
Before playing Gussie's Variation, first try 'Exercise 2' (images below). Use the whole bow (WB) for each slurred pair. Which is easier to play, and why?
Now consider the answer to these questions:
Let's Play!
How Did It Go?
Use these questions and tasks to review what you just did, and think about how you could make it better!
Next Steps...
Now try these tasks to build on what you've just learned...
This series is based on Bow Strokes for Violin, Bow Strokes for Viola, and Bow Strokes for Cello by Caroline Lumsden and Anita Hewitt Jones. Piano accompaniments for all pieces are available in the printed versions!
Our new series of blogs about bowing technique features pieces of music to help you (or your students!) develop different types of bow strokes. Remember to check that you have a good, relaxed bow hold with a bent thumb and flexible fingers.
This week's post introduces the Détaché stroke.
The Détaché stroke is the most common type of bow stroke. It's called détaché because the notes are detached or separated from each other by the change of bow.
Violinists/Violists: To play détaché in the upper half (UH) of the bow, think of a flowing 'out and in' stroke, moving the lower arm from the elbow joint. Ensure that you have a good point of contact with the bow on the string.
Get Ready...
Use these questions and tasks to prepare and get ready to play the piece:
Let's Play!
How Did It Go?
Use these questions and tasks to review what you just did, and think about how you could make it better!
Next Steps...
Now try these tasks to build on what you've just learned...
This series is based on Bow Strokes for Violin, Bow Strokes for Viola, and Bow Strokes for Cello by Caroline Lumsden and Anita Hewitt Jones. Piano accompaniments for all pieces are available in the printed versions!
Happy New Year!
I'm very excited to announce that we are relaunching Musicland Publications today!
Our brand new e-commerce website at www.musiclandpublications.com features some of our best-loved string sheet music and educational resources.
The catalogue includes favourites such as Bread and Butter Pudding, Lollipop Man, the ever-popular Ragtime Serenade and Rumba, and many more!
Our new covers - gradually rolling out across the catalogue!
Some of our older 'Classics' - now available again for next day despatch!
The rest of the catalogue will be added to the website over the next few weeks, and we've got some exciting plans for the rest of 2017, including:
The whole of the Musicland Publications catalogue will be available again soon through most major sheet music retailers, including in Europe and Australia. We can also ship directly to anywhere in the world from our new 'cottage warehouse' in Gloucestershire!
The original team! Caroline and Alan with their four children back in 1986, a couple of years after the launch of Musicland Publications
New Management for Musicland Publications
In recent years I have taken a step back from running the business in order to care for my husband (and Musicland co-founder!) Alan, who is, as many of you know, coping with Alzheimers. However, I'll be remaining closely involved with updating the catalogue and planning our new publications - as well as delivering a limited number of workshops each year.
But I'm thrilled to announce that day-to-day management of Musicland Publications is now passing to my nephew, Simon Hewitt Jones and his team at ViolinSchool in London.
Together we will be creating a plethora of books, video programs and apps for learners of all ages, and developing plans for Musicland to become a state-of-the-art digital publisher for string music and educational resources. Musicland is going to keep me busy for at least another 20 years!
I know that Anita Hewitt Jones (my mother, whose popular chamber music compositions make up the bulk of the early Musicland catalogue) would be delighted that Simon is at the helm, and that the family business is passing to the 'third generation'!
Anita was a deeply passionate advocate of music education, and we'll be holding close to her values and legacy as we move Musicland forward into the digital age!
We'd love to let you know about all our new music and publications as they are released, via our new monthly newsletter. (You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of each email).
With all good wishes for your music-making in 2017 and beyond!
- Caroline
www.MusiclandPublications.com
sales@musiclandpublications.com | +44 (0) 20 3468 4744
We're pleased to introduce our new website! E-commerce facilities including a full online shop will be available soon.
Enjoy!
