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01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page iv 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page i Violin FOR DUMmIES ‰ by Katharine Rapoport 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page ii Disclaimer: This eBook does not include ancillary media that was packaged with the printed version of the book. Violin For Dummies® Published by John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. 6045 Freemont Blvd. Mississauga, ON L5R 4J3 www.wiley.com Copyright © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including interior design, and icons, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, pho- tocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. 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Violin—Instruction and study. 3. Violin—Studies and exercises. 4. Music theory—Elementary works. I. Title. MT278.R219 2007 787.2'193 C2007-905868-X Printed in Canada 4 5 TRI 11 10 09 08 07 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page iii About the Author Katharine Rapoportenjoys an eclectic career as a freelance violinist and violist in Toronto. After graduating from Cambridge University and the Guildhall School of Music, London, she spread her musical wings and spent seven more years performing and studying in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and Austria before moving across the pond. She has performed in just about every situation, from elegant Baroque opera on original instruments to cutting edge new music, from La Bohèmeto Les Miz, from educational recordings to Viagra jingles. Her solo work includes concerto appearances with orchestras and sonata partnerships with pianists, and she also performs with a variety of chamber ensembles. Her teaching has ranged from showing a two year-old how to unpack his violin case for the very first time to preparing outstanding young profession- als for recitals, auditions, and competitions. She currently teaches at the University of Toronto, working with students who plan to make music their career, teaching violin and viola performance, and coaching chamber music ensembles. Many of her former students are now enjoying full-time careers in music, playing with major orchestras and chamber ensembles in Canada, the United States, and England, teaching and involving themselves in all aspects of music. In her “spare” time, she takes on an assortment of projects for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto: conducting the RCM Chamber Orchestra, compiling and editing violin publications for the Conservatory’s examination system, devising their string syllabi, and going across Canada to examine and adjudicate young string players. She is frequently on faculty at summer chamber music and orchestral programs. 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page iv 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page v Dedication Dedicated to my husband Alexander, my son Leo, and all my family; and to my students, who taught me how to teach. Author’s Acknowledgments Special thanks to: Robert Hickey, my patient and perspicacious editor, who envisioned and car- ried through this huge project; Heather Ball (developmental editor) and Andrea Douglas (copy editor) of the eagle eyes, well-organized brains and good humor; Ian Koo, for the amazing photographic work, and to the rest of the wonderful team at Wiley. Dan and Carol Kushner, without whom VFD wouldn’t have arrived at my door in the first place. John Kruspe, for his magnificent piano accompaniments. Joanne Martin, Patricia Shand and Marena Smith for ideas and feedback on pedagogical practicalities. My teachers Yfrah Neaman, Bruno Giuranna, Hatto Beyerle, Arrigo Pelliccia, Franco Rossi, Alain Meunier, Burton Kaplan, Jennifer Glass and Nicola LeFanu, from whom I learned so much, and to the late greats whose legacy gives us all a precious violin inheritance, including Leopold Mozart, Leopold Auer, and some people not called Leopold, such as Carl Flesch, Joseph Szigeti, Ivan Galamian, Paul Rolland, and Shinichi Suzuki, whose ideas con- tinue to inspire new generations of players. My friends, colleagues and students Maxine Byam, Ron Hay, Anne Lindsay, George Meanwell, Mary McGeer, Barbara Morris, Elizabeth Morris, Michal and Pasia Schonberg, and James Tinsley, who read, advised, brainstormed. Alistair Grieve and David Tamblyn at the Soundpost, Toronto; Jaak Liivoja- Lorius; Darragh McGee at Long and McQuade, Toronto; Quentin Playfair; Michael and Rosa Remenyi and Derrick Rathwell at Remenyi House of Music for their valuable expertise on violin and bow-making, repairing and acces- sories. Long and McQuade and the Soundpost kindly provided the items for the photoshoot. The helpful staff at Atelier Grigorian in Toronto and at HMV shops in Vancouver and London, whose knowledge and willingness to help me find some great recordings made my task much easier and more fun. And finally, my “in house” team, Alexander Rapoport, my husband, for advice on harmony (I’m lucky to have a composer around the place!), and Leo Rapoport, my son, for the idea of providing readers with video clips of the main actions. 01_838389 ffirs_4.qxp 1/14/10 12:20 PM Page vi Publisher’s Acknowledgments We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/. Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following: Acquisitions, Editorial, and Composition Services Media Development Vice-President Publishing Services: Editor: Robert Hickey Karen Bryan Developmental Editor: Heather Ball Project Manager: Elizabeth McCurdy Copy Editor: Andrea Douglas Project Coordinator: Lindsay Humphreys Media Development Specialist: Laura Atkinson Layout and graphics:Ronda David-Burroughs, Stephanie D. Jumper, Laura Pence, Cover and interior photos: Ian Koo Barbara Moore, Rashell Smith Cartoons: Rich Tennant Proofreaders: Laura L. Bowman (www.the5thwave.com) Indexer: Belle Wong Special Help Zoë Wykes, Q Music John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. Bill Zerter, Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Smith, Vice-President and Publisher, Professional and Trade Division Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel Kelly Regan,Editorial Director, Travel Publishing for Technology Dummies Andy Cummings,Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User Composition Services Gerry Fahey,Vice President of Production Services Debbie Stailey,Director of Composition Services 02_838389 ftoc.qxp 11/2/07 3:02 PM Page vii Contents at a Glance Introduction.................................................................1 Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin............................7 Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin.....................................................................................9 Chapter 2: Getting Started with the Violin....................................................................17 Chapter 3: Holding Up Well.............................................................................................39 Part II: Getting Started: The Basics..............................53 Chapter 4: Taking a Bow..................................................................................................55 Chapter 5: Getting the Left Hand Right..........................................................................73 Chapter 6: All Together Now...........................................................................................91 Part III: Reading Music for the Violin.........................107 Chapter 7: Translating Five Lines onto Four Strings.................................................109 Chapter 8: Here’s Counting on You: A Guide to Rhythm...........................................127 Chapter 9: Getting Ticked Off: A Guide to Meter........................................................141 Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony...........................163 Chapter 10: Weighing In on Scales...............................................................................165 Chapter 11: Signing Off on Key Signatures..................................................................189 Chapter 12: Better Together: Harmony.......................................................................197 Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles...207 Chapter 13: The Language of Bowing..........................................................................209 Chapter 14: Putting Your Finger on It..........................................................................239 Chapter 15: Styles of Music...........................................................................................281 Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear.................305 Chapter 16: Finding the Right Violin and Bow for You..............................................307 Chapter 17: Polishing Your Assets: Violin Care and Maintenance...........................325 02_838389 ftoc.qxp 11/2/07 3:02 PM Page viii Part VII: The Part of Tens..........................................351 Chapter 18: Ten Performers — and Their Recordings..............................................353 Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Go beyond This Book.........................................................359 Chapter 20: Ten Tips on Finding a Teacher................................................................369 Appendix: How to Use the CD-ROM............................379 Index.......................................................................391