***** I don't have a video about that, but there are a lot of good resources for you. Are you a total beginner, or have you done some playing and studying?
Hi, Thanks for this fantastic lesson. I'm a guitarist and your insight into getting how we can get stuck in this speed/accuracy rut and how to get out of it is inspiring. So much so that I've spent today using this idea in various licks, scales, arpeggios etc to see how effective it is. The immediacy with which this changes your playing can be felt on a number of levels. The first positive change I noticed was that by regrouping the notes, I am actually regrouping them into phrases that I wouldn't have naturally felt before as I practice. This affects how I think of and remember the lick or passage by highlighting new areas within the passage for me to smooth out and also provides inspiration for new ideas. The next positive effect was my touch lightened up considerably which is huge for me as I've been carrying a lot of tension which was really affecting my progress. More experimentation is needed but I really wanted to thank you for this insight. Great lesson.
I'm a guitarist and I stumbled across this through the bulletproof musician website. This is a fantastic practice technique and worked really well for me on the guitar for a couple of solos that I was trying to master. Great lesson!
Every time I encounter a musical challenge I remind myself to break it down into it's simplest form and work it up. Thanks for the very practical approach and the additional reminder.
"The shift is not a roadblock" ...love it. I didn't even realize that I've been throwing these open notes in my scale practice sessions for some time now. I didn't even have a name for it, but this is exactly what I do. I'm gonna blame my 40 years of practicing and designing diatonic scales to practice on the guitar. The open note is probably exchanged for more of a "slide" while shifting.... breaking it down slowly doesn't make it sound so great, but it is definitely whats happening when I'm playing at top speed.... that is, as fast as I can be while still articulating.
finally! an online video that will not let you hanging there... playing slow is really important for truly memorizing things and so on, but this is the real next step. Thankfully it was done on an instrument for which I thought it was a very hard problem to solve and now I bet anyone can apply it to just about anything. Segmentation and stringing the passages in this way is just the best tip I have ever received and as many viewers say, words aren't enough to do this video justice or to thank you for such an amazing offer.
I play the run in first position then shift to fourth position on the C#. I studied this piece with such an amazing musician named Norma Davidson. I believe she passed away in 2012. There was some debate as to if she were a better pianist or violinist (she also coached opera vocalists as well.) She would always sit down and and accompany me on the piano at my lessons. I can still hear her yelling, "keep going, keep going!" as I fumbled my way through the violin part. She had some wonderful fingerings and to this day whenever I play this piece, often other violinists will inquire about those fingerings. See now teaching leaves a wonderful legacy! Keep up the great work!
Yeah, practice in group is a really good way when you practice slowly which my teacher told me. Use different rhythm is helping too, thank you for share!
Very insightful about playing speed resisting sneaking the metronome up because of slowness practiced in. And congratulation on your latest appointment -- probably the best job there is to be had all in all, I'd think. Ale-8 toast!
Terrific idea. I've been having trouble getting my fast runs to be really fast and effortless, and this exactly addresses that, and with a doable practice plan.
This is the most helpful tips that I’ve ever found in my life! I am very impressive for this organized lecture on fostering left fingers mobility by lifting up technique and using grouping! I really love All your insights.
So happy to have discovered this video. This video along with the Don Juan video where you mentioned the exercised of dotted rhythms has significantly changed the efficiency of my practice. Being an amateur violinist with a full time job I only have an hour after work to practice so this has really helped to maximize every moment and much more easily tackle the Don Juan my orchestra will be playing.
I've watched this video so many times now... it keeps sinking in deeper every time. As a guitarist of 40 some-odd years, I think back to the times that I just wanted to shred. I believed also that by continuously practicing slowly and accurately, that when you finally had practiced the piece so many times, you finally got to a point where you could no longer get any faster... with accuracy. This is something nobody ever really talks about, but i believe whole-heartedly that what you are suggesting here, applies to the guitar also. I can play arpeggios and very difficult runs extremely fast. Sure, I can break them down, but when I play them at lightning speeds, there are "hybrid' techniques that I am employing that come only at the fastest speeds. You can't use them when you are at 75%. The body building analogy is perfect, and as a bodybuilder, this hits home even harder. This is something that more people would love to hear about, it's just a matter of getting the message to them. We are eventually going to find a way to connect the beginning to the end. We don't want it to sound horrid, but often times, after so many years of playing, I just go ahead and start of with what I KNOW to be the FIRST note and I find my way to the "LAST" note of the run as fast as I can. From there, I go ahead and work out everything in between, but I don't waste the time I used to waste in breaking down each note with the articulation I would have used in the early day. I believe that as a guitarist, we find a way to "sweep" with our picking hand, and a pianist finds a way to "roll" with their hands, and on the Violin we will find a way to "group" and slide, slur and just bow with one long bow... unless we are trying to play with more of a "staccatto" style... even then, we can still bounce the bow and use other tricks along with note grouping. I think this understanding is what separates the "greats" from the "almost-but-not-quite-there's" .... a "hybrid" approach. I like that. Great video. I picked up on it immediately and I noticed my level of speed increase almost two-fold. Nice of you to share this. I know that some players would be upset that we get to find one of their tools that have been on "lockdown' inside their heads... never to be shared with the world. If only Niccolo could have been around to make video tutorials.... I can't even imagine what Violinists would sound like today.
Thanks! If you haven't seen my video on spiccato coordination, just search that on TH-cam. I'll still make another video about coordination between the hands in general, but that one helps for off-string strokes.
Wow! A lot of ideas! I'm eager to try them and hear the results I'll get. Thank you for the lesson. I know I'll never play well (started late), but I'd like to at least be able to play a fast passage here and there on the pieces I love that aren't too difficult.
That's a tough one! It may help to know that I play that excerpt almost entirely on the string, for better control. It can also help to practice the slurred sections with all separate bows, slowing it down if necessary.
Your videos are amazing! Everything you explain is so clearly phrased and smart...The best part being that your tips actually work! Thanks so much! Keep up the good work, my violin student son and I are getting addicted :-)
Here comes Eddie.....he's gonna start his career all over only with the Violin this time.....It's amazing how much more you can really do the things you want to do on a Violin as opposed to a guitar. I wonder if any Violinists feel that way if they ever choose to learn how to play the Git-fiddle....
Just one more amazing lesson, thanks very much! Only a question about change the bowing during these steps; it seems to study another thing for the right arm. So, is it no matter for the coordination? Or is better to mantein the same bowing. My doubt born thinking about your words about the speed of the bow and how it's important in the final result.
7:29 Dude.... this would give Eddie Van Halen pause. That little shred is some awesome stuff! Thanks for the new inspiration. My neighbors are gonna love me more than they already don't.. and I don't plan on putting the mute on either......
Hi Nathan. A couple of questions: Out of interest, at what level (of ability and/or experience) do you introduce this practice technique to students? Also, if you're preparing for a concerto performance, do you warm up immediately prior with this practice technique, or anything else? I'm interested to try applying these techniques throughout the percussion family!
I mainly teach students who are already out of school, but I was taught this technique around age 11 or 12 and it would certainly be helpful even earlier! And for your second question, I do often use this right before going on stage, to relax and to remember that playing fast needn't take a lot of effort.
Fantastic content...what kind of nice rubbery mat are you using on your shoulder?,.. my violin likes to slip off of my shoulder and it feels like i need something with grip between my shirt and the shoulder rest.
I use a piece of scrap leather from a company called Brettuns Village. You can order online, and just let them know you're using it for a violin. I've sent many people their way!
I perfectly know that this is a very "dangerous" topic, but... Please note that he doesn't use any shoulder rest at all. I was used to use a shoulder rest when I was very young, but now I play without it (I had to completely change my idea of how holding and playing the instrument, of course) and... Believe me... It's another story. This is my story and my opinion, of course. Am I right, Nathan?
Seems to be a "pull off" technique incorporated when removing the fingers (stops) from the fingerboard, they are almost plucking the string to some degree as opposed to solely 'lifting' off of the board....
Hello Nathan, great video, thanks! I would like to ask you some final chords for the melody Funiculi Funicula thanks and which is the easiest melody for a student, regards, and you play so well... excellent explanations!!!
Hello Nathan! I am a big fan of your playing and teaching. Just a question: Why are you shifting here? Isn't it easier to play these runs in first position, then up for the ending three? That's how I learned it.
I guess because this is the way I learned it! Haha. Those old habits tend to stick. I don't mind the shift where it is because it's on a half step. So what note are you shifting on?
It works very well for those passages too. You simply practice them with slurs in order to get the groups flowing quickly. I often then play the passage slurred but with an even tempo to make sure the left hand is totally even. Then I'll use separate bows or however it's marked. Of course you can just use the original bowings right from the start while you group the notes; it's just not as easy to play the groups quickly!
This is great advice for any musician. I play the guitar and I want you know I watch your videos because you help me free my mental mechanical bonds so I can get to a higher plain of expression in my music.
I appreciate that! I know it's easy sometimes to stay in our own instrument's "bubble", so I'm encouraged to see people branching out. I try to do the same.
FINALLY someone who can explain well and give proper examples without showing off. Your videos are SUPER helpful
Probably the best and only channel for advanced violin students. My deepest thanks for all the effort you're putting into it: this is very useful!
I appreciate that, thanks.
+Nathan Cole Do you have a video showing what I should practice as a beginner?
***** I don't have a video about that, but there are a lot of good resources for you. Are you a total beginner, or have you done some playing and studying?
This video is GOLD
I use a technique like this on the piano, but it never occurred to me that you could do this on violin too.
This is great. I think I'll try this.
How is it progressing
Hi,
Thanks for this fantastic lesson. I'm a guitarist and your insight into getting how we can get stuck in this speed/accuracy rut and how to get out of it is inspiring. So much so that I've spent today using this idea in various licks, scales, arpeggios etc to see how effective it is. The immediacy with which this changes your playing can be felt on a number of levels.
The first positive change I noticed was that by regrouping the notes, I am actually regrouping them into phrases that I wouldn't have naturally felt before as I practice. This affects how I think of and remember the lick or passage by highlighting new areas within the passage for me to smooth out and also provides inspiration for new ideas.
The next positive effect was my touch lightened up considerably which is huge for me as I've been carrying a lot of tension which was really affecting my progress.
More experimentation is needed but I really wanted to thank you for this insight. Great lesson.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing how quickly it worked for you!
I'm a guitarist and I stumbled across this through the bulletproof musician website. This is a fantastic practice technique and worked really well for me on the guitar for a couple of solos that I was trying to master. Great lesson!
Great, really happy to see you try this on an instrument other than the violin!
Every time I encounter a musical challenge I remind myself to break it down into it's simplest form and work it up. Thanks for the very practical approach and the additional reminder.
Your sound and your accuracy are amazing, very valuable video and such a good example! Thank you!
"The shift is not a roadblock" ...love it. I didn't even realize that I've been throwing these open notes in my scale practice sessions for some time now. I didn't even have a name for it, but this is exactly what I do. I'm gonna blame my 40 years of practicing and designing diatonic scales to practice on the guitar. The open note is probably exchanged for more of a "slide" while shifting.... breaking it down slowly doesn't make it sound so great, but it is definitely whats happening when I'm playing at top speed.... that is, as fast as I can be while still articulating.
finally! an online video that will not let you hanging there... playing slow is really important for truly memorizing things and so on, but this is the real next step. Thankfully it was done on an instrument for which I thought it was a very hard problem to solve and now I bet anyone can apply it to just about anything. Segmentation and stringing the passages in this way is just the best tip I have ever received and as many viewers say, words aren't enough to do this video justice or to thank you for such an amazing offer.
I play the run in first position then shift to fourth position on the C#. I studied this piece with such an amazing musician named Norma Davidson. I believe she passed away in 2012. There was some debate as to if she were a better pianist or violinist (she also coached opera vocalists as well.) She would always sit down and and accompany me on the piano at my lessons. I can still hear her yelling, "keep going, keep going!" as I fumbled my way through the violin part. She had some wonderful fingerings and to this day whenever I play this piece, often other violinists will inquire about those fingerings. See now teaching leaves a wonderful legacy! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for this Robert!
Yeah, practice in group is a really good way when you practice slowly which my teacher told me. Use different rhythm is helping too, thank you for share!
Thanks Xinzhe! Glad this was helpful.
Very insightful about playing speed resisting sneaking the metronome up because of slowness practiced in. And congratulation on your latest appointment -- probably the best job there is to be had all in all, I'd think. Ale-8 toast!
Love your videos!! Short and extremely useful. Thanks a lot! :)
Thanks, glad they're helpful. More to come!
Terrific idea. I've been having trouble getting my fast runs to be really fast and effortless, and this exactly addresses that, and with a doable practice plan.
Glad it's been helpful, thanks!
WOW! This helped me so much in learning Monti's Czardas, all those fast runs, this helped a lot! Thanks.
already started following you bro very seriously, watched almost your all videos... thanksssss alottttttttttttt
Amazing! Well done. You gave me the bridge across a morass that I've tried to cross for a very long time. Words aren't enough to thank you.
This is the most helpful tips that I’ve ever found in my life! I am very impressive for this organized lecture on fostering left fingers mobility by lifting up technique and using grouping! I really love All your insights.
Hi Nathan, I just now used your suggestion. The speed was improved immediately. Thank you so much for your videos.
So happy to have discovered this video. This video along with the Don Juan video where you mentioned the exercised of dotted rhythms has significantly changed the efficiency of my practice. Being an amateur violinist with a full time job I only have an hour after work to practice so this has really helped to maximize every moment and much more easily tackle the Don Juan my orchestra will be playing.
exactly what i was thinking and exactly what i needed. thankyouu for the help
I've watched this video so many times now... it keeps sinking in deeper every time. As a guitarist of 40 some-odd years, I think back to the times that I just wanted to shred. I believed also that by continuously practicing slowly and accurately, that when you finally had practiced the piece so many times, you finally got to a point where you could no longer get any faster... with accuracy. This is something nobody ever really talks about, but i believe whole-heartedly that what you are suggesting here, applies to the guitar also. I can play arpeggios and very difficult runs extremely fast. Sure, I can break them down, but when I play them at lightning speeds, there are "hybrid' techniques that I am employing that come only at the fastest speeds. You can't use them when you are at 75%. The body building analogy is perfect, and as a bodybuilder, this hits home even harder. This is something that more people would love to hear about, it's just a matter of getting the message to them. We are eventually going to find a way to connect the beginning to the end. We don't want it to sound horrid, but often times, after so many years of playing, I just go ahead and start of with what I KNOW to be the FIRST note and I find my way to the "LAST" note of the run as fast as I can. From there, I go ahead and work out everything in between, but I don't waste the time I used to waste in breaking down each note with the articulation I would have used in the early day. I believe that as a guitarist, we find a way to "sweep" with our picking hand, and a pianist finds a way to "roll" with their hands, and on the Violin we will find a way to "group" and slide, slur and just bow with one long bow... unless we are trying to play with more of a "staccatto" style... even then, we can still bounce the bow and use other tricks along with note grouping. I think this understanding is what separates the "greats" from the "almost-but-not-quite-there's" .... a "hybrid" approach. I like that. Great video. I picked up on it immediately and I noticed my level of speed increase almost two-fold. Nice of you to share this. I know that some players would be upset that we get to find one of their tools that have been on "lockdown' inside their heads... never to be shared with the world. If only Niccolo could have been around to make video tutorials.... I can't even imagine what Violinists would sound like today.
as a guitarist i was looking for something to help, this is what nobody talks about for a guitar player and this video makes sense.
Great stuff. Really enjoying how much this group practice makes me think of Scottish bagpipe music, lol.
Thank you so much for this video Mr. Cole!! I am a big fan of you! I can't wait to see your video about fast coordination between both hands! :)
Thanks! If you haven't seen my video on spiccato coordination, just search that on TH-cam. I'll still make another video about coordination between the hands in general, but that one helps for off-string strokes.
Great video.....I like to think of the 2 note groups like "flams" on a snare.
Thanks for the excelent tips. hugs from Brazil
Wow! A lot of ideas! I'm eager to try them and hear the results I'll get. Thank you for the lesson. I know I'll never play well (started late), but I'd like to at least be able to play a fast passage here and there on the pieces I love that aren't too difficult.
Best instructions with scientific basis... Grateful to you Sir
Greetings fron Ecuador; thanks for share this information. I learned a lot. Extremely useful.
Juanklin Violin I too am from Ecuador. Very nice country
Legendary Batman awesome. Nice to hear that. Where do you live now?
Really excellent lesson, with lots to think about and to practice. Thank you for the upload Mr Cole. :)
Very good video, very informative and helpfull and
Very good playing as well.
Thank Nathan! I'm practicing Mozart symphony no. 39 4th movement for an audition! I'm struggling real hard on that!
That's a tough one! It may help to know that I play that excerpt almost entirely on the string, for better control. It can also help to practice the slurred sections with all separate bows, slowing it down if necessary.
Thanks never thought about lifting the fingers off. OMG. Nice one.
I know this is a little old, but PERFECT analysis and presentation. Thank You.
Thank you ever so much for this super helpful instruction!
Your videos are amazing! Everything you explain is so clearly phrased and smart...The best part being that your tips actually work! Thanks so much! Keep up the good work, my violin student son and I are getting addicted :-)
Thanks Anne!
感谢老师，非常实用的训练办法。
Here comes Eddie.....he's gonna start his career all over only with the Violin this time.....It's amazing how much more you can really do the things you want to do on a Violin as opposed to a guitar. I wonder if any Violinists feel that way if they ever choose to learn how to play the Git-fiddle....
This is super helpful on guitar, too. Thank you!
Just one more amazing lesson, thanks very much! Only a question about change the bowing during these steps; it seems to study another thing for the right arm. So, is it no matter for the coordination? Or is better to mantein the same bowing. My doubt born thinking about your words about the speed of the bow and how it's important in the final result.
In general i try to keep the bowing that i will use in the finished passage. I'm not sure if i answered your question though!
+Nathan Cole yes, you aswered but in this lessons do you recomend to keep the same or is necessary to change for the firsts steps ? ThnX very much
+Eliana Mangano here I recommend to keep the printed bowings. But if the tempo is so slow that you run out of bow, it's OK to make a change!
Gorgeous playing!!!!!!😀
Fantastic lesson! Thanks heaps
7:29 Dude.... this would give Eddie Van Halen pause. That little shred is some awesome stuff! Thanks for the new inspiration. My neighbors are gonna love me more than they already don't.. and I don't plan on putting the mute on either......
thank you... greetings from BALI island
Super teaching Sir AUGUSTINE violinist from Malaysia
Excellent Lesson!
Hi Mr Cole ,would you tell me what strings do you use on your violin ? its sound is very clear and nice !
thank you
this is so damn good! im going to apply this to all the instruments i play, thanks!
thanks! great video, and I learned a lot.
Hi Nathan. A couple of questions: Out of interest, at what level (of ability and/or experience) do you introduce this practice technique to students?
Also, if you're preparing for a concerto performance, do you warm up immediately prior with this practice technique, or anything else?
I'm interested to try applying these techniques throughout the percussion family!
I mainly teach students who are already out of school, but I was taught this technique around age 11 or 12 and it would certainly be helpful even earlier! And for your second question, I do often use this right before going on stage, to relax and to remember that playing fast needn't take a lot of effort.
Fantastic content...what kind of nice rubbery mat are you using on your shoulder?,.. my violin likes to slip off of my shoulder and it feels like i need something with grip between my shirt and the shoulder rest.
I use a piece of scrap leather from a company called Brettuns Village. You can order online, and just let them know you're using it for a violin. I've sent many people their way!
Thank you so much !
I perfectly know that this is a very "dangerous" topic, but... Please note that he doesn't use any shoulder rest at all. I was used to use a shoulder rest when I was very young, but now I play without it (I had to completely change my idea of how holding and playing the instrument, of course) and... Believe me... It's another story. This is my story and my opinion, of course. Am I right, Nathan?
O yeah, this is a really good excercise, thank you 🌹
I love this video.
Seems to be a "pull off" technique incorporated when removing the fingers (stops) from the fingerboard, they are almost plucking the string to some degree as opposed to solely 'lifting' off of the board....
Thank you, Mr. Cole. Very helpful channel :)
Wot no comments? This is a really good lesson! Thanks Nate.
Thanks! Hot off the press!
Why would anyone put a thumbs down on this video?
Hello Nathan, great video, thanks! I would like to ask you some final chords for the melody Funiculi Funicula thanks and which is the easiest melody for a student, regards, and you play so well... excellent explanations!!!
I started with the Suzuki method and so the first songs I learned were from Book I!
Mind. Blown.
But how do I apply this to guitar?
Hello Nathan! I am a big fan of your playing and teaching. Just a question: Why are you shifting here? Isn't it easier to play these runs in first position, then up for the ending three? That's how I learned it.
I guess because this is the way I learned it! Haha. Those old habits tend to stick. I don't mind the shift where it is because it's on a half step. So what note are you shifting on?
Thank you so much sir... It's helping a lot God bless u
well, i'm embarrassed to admit it, but this just dramatically changed the way i look at technical practice
Thank you so much for the video! Very much helpfull!
Great advice. Subscribed!
Excellent, thanks!
Great insight. What happens when the passage is not diatonic?
I love you man!
.very useful
thank you very much
you helped me a lot!
I like what you do Nathan, this is called "ScM Programming" a process also used in intonation correction. Just call me Diablofex.
You are awesome, thank you so much for this!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Nate, Great advice!
I was wondering, how would you apply this technique for passages without slurs? For example Tchaikovsky Concerto.
It works very well for those passages too. You simply practice them with slurs in order to get the groups flowing quickly. I often then play the passage slurred but with an even tempo to make sure the left hand is totally even. Then I'll use separate bows or however it's marked. Of course you can just use the original bowings right from the start while you group the notes; it's just not as easy to play the groups quickly!
Thanks! I've been doing it like that, but it's nice to have some confirmation. :)
thank you so much!!!
You ARE my teacher.
Your playing n teaching is good but only hearty advise is to show the fingering on close up so one can practise accordingly. Thanks very much
What's that on your shoulder? You've stolen my idea! What someone should produce is a two ply mat with fabric underneath. Thank you for the video 👍
TKS JUNS FOUNDED YOU AND SUBSCRIBED WITH LIKE AND THIS COMMENT; TKS FROM BRAZIL
7:08
Sir I really want to learn under you
I do this same thing on piano
That has to be a Poggi!!!!!!
What’s that on ur left shoulder?
i think its rubber, so the violin cant slip
Fankiu
This is great advice for any musician. I play the guitar and I want you know I watch your videos because you help me free my mental mechanical bonds so I can get to a higher plain of expression in my music.
I appreciate that! I know it's easy sometimes to stay in our own instrument's "bubble", so I'm encouraged to see people branching out. I try to do the same.
Excellent Advice Video! - If I may please share, I use a method similar to this that I call ''Studdering Triplets.''Liked & Subscribed.
8:29
7:25
7:13