7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 13

BASICS The essentials of string technique

Both Basics and Practice

are available from the

Strad Library To order call

+44 (0)1371 851800 or visit

wwwthestradlibrarycom

R I C H A R D B

A I L E Y

Tone and semitone patternsAn essential guide to left-hand finger spacing

BY SIMON FISCHERPROFESSOR AT THE GUILDHALL AND MENUHIN SCHOOLS AUTHOR OF BASICS AND PRACTICE

Then move up into second position and repeat the same patterns across the strings

Continue up through third fourth and fifth positions and up as far as you can go

Play the patterns above in first position on each string

INTONATION IS ALL ABOUT MEASURING When you use three or four fingers to play

a phrase the intervals between the fingers fall into patterns of tones and semitones

Thinking of this clarifies your mental picture of the notes and their relationships

to one another

The fingers usually fall into just a few basic patterns Play repetitive exercises

to reinforce them and to drive the sensations in the hand and fingers deep intothe unconscious This way you can get the feeling that the hand itself is in tune

and that you know where the notes are whatever the music

KEY PATTERNSThere are four primary tone and semitone patterns Three have a semitone between

one pair of fingers while the remaining group consists of all whole tones

983096983088THE STRAD JULY 2012 wwwthestradcom

7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 23

NEXT MONTH FINGER PREPARATION

BASICS

Alternatively stay in one finger pattern and repeat across the strings before moving on

FURTHER GROUPS

There are four other common groupings that are good to practise in the same way

Play them in another continuous sequence going up the string as far as you can

Then repeat the sequence on each string

JULY 2012 THE STRAD

983096983089wwwthestradcom

7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 33

Copyright of Strad is the property of Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd and its content may not be copied or

emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holders express written permission

However users may print download or email articles for individual use

7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 23

NEXT MONTH FINGER PREPARATION

BASICS

Alternatively stay in one finger pattern and repeat across the strings before moving on

FURTHER GROUPS

There are four other common groupings that are good to practise in the same way

Play them in another continuous sequence going up the string as far as you can

Then repeat the sequence on each string

JULY 2012 THE STRAD

983096983089wwwthestradcom

7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 33

Copyright of Strad is the property of Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd and its content may not be copied or

emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holders express written permission

However users may print download or email articles for individual use

7212019 Basics 2012_07

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullbasics-201207 33

Copyright of Strad is the property of Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd and its content may not be copied or

emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holders express written permission

However users may print download or email articles for individual use