Be A Violinist First

Yesterday we were at a concert of our local symphony orchestra. Surprisingly there was some very good playing to listen to. Unfortunately there was also some playing that had us squirming in our seat.

On the second half of the concert the conductor had programmed ‘Scheherazade’ of Rimsky Korsakov. Big mistake. The concertmistress was not anywhere near up to her assignment.

That she even consented to it is a sign of a lifetime of mistaken priorities.

I know this because I know the type. The type that thinks they are superior violinists even though they couldn’t play cleanly through a three-octave scale to save his or her life. The type that thinks ‘technique’ is somehow a dirty word.

For a while this player gets by; partly on natural ability, partly on chutzpah. In her case, mostly on chutzpah, I fear.

Most of the people around her either didn’t have the nerve to stand up to her ego or else they just didn’t want to bother.

Well, the point is, you don’t want to be that kind of player. Learn the technique of the violin first, then you can play all the repertoire you want. It takes energy, dedication, and discrimination to ‘get it right.’

Commit yourself to it. Get worked up about it. Put real energy into it.
And take as your examples the best there is, the truly world-class players.

You mustn’t ever forget to keep you fundamentals sound. That’s what the Kreutzer course is about. It’s as good a place to hone your technique as there is, plain and simple.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. The ultimate test of where you’re at on the violin is in a masterclass environment. By coming to Violin artistry Masterclass/Seminar this January you will have the opportunity