How Fast IS Too Fast

When I was an even younger bloke, quite a few moons ago, my teachers would often complain that I played too fast. But though I understood the words they were speaking, and would try to oblige them, I usually found myself slipping back up to warp speed before I knew it.

I just couldn’t seem to help myself.

Then, I didn’t know the secret of control. In fast tempos I was like a train on a downhill roll without a brake to pull. And to be honest, a part of me thought that was the way it should be.

You know, I used to think I was getting a compliment when people said things like, ‘Wow, that sounded Hard,’ or, ‘I’m still trying to catch me breath after what your just played.’

But as I grew I finally began to realize that brakes weren’t just for sissies. But I hadn’t found one that never failed me.

Milstein used to say, ‘Vhy you run away. Play the ‘armony.’ And to a degree, and for some music, this helped. But it didn’t solve my little problem completely. In some fast music I just couldn’t seem to grab hold of the harmonies enough to use them effectively, every time.

Then I discovered counting. No, not the toe-tapping kind. No way that could keep the likes of me in check.

What I’m talking about is the real McCoy, the pure, verbalization-of-the-beat kind. It’s the kind that makes you Think, and Keeps you thinking.

Now I’ve got a monster-size brake at my disposal. And when you’ve got a brake, the listener Gets a break, know what I mean?

After all, even the fastest music has cadence and structure. If you’re rushing through it like a run-away train, none of that detail is going to register with the audience. Why, they’ll be too busy praying that when the train jumps the track it won’t take them with it.

Now, you know how I talk about velocity. I’m all for it, believe me. But not when it’s reckless, heedless, or out of control.

And this kind of control is precisely what’s needed in Paganini. You’re going to get it in spades when you spend time with Paganini for Violin Virtuosity, Vol. 1.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. The secret of counting isn’t the only thing an advanced player will take away from the Paganini course. All manner of ‘tricks’ are revealed in ways that make them doable for just about any player.