Solutions for Fast Passages with Pearl de la Motte

In this video, violist Pearl de la Motte walks us through how to practice fast passages.

Remember, slow practice allows you to ingrain the correct muscle memory into your brain and fingers.

Once you feel comfortable playing the passage in a moderate tempo, practice with rhythms, different bowings, and work the passage gradually up to speed with a metronome. 

Step 1: Different rhythms include long-short, short-long, triplets, short-short-long, long-short-short, etc. 

Step 2: Different bowings include slurring groups of three notes, four notes, eight notes, etc, separating slurred notes, playing up-up-down bowings, down-down-up bowings, and mixing up slurred and separated notes! Experiment with the most effective practice bowing that increases coordination between both your left and right hands! You can also play the passage with both different rhythms and different bowings. 

Step 3: Gradually work up the tempo of your passage click by click  with a metronome instead of changing tempos quickly. Gradual changing the tempo makes the practice process easier!

Remember, the process of playing your fast passage can take a long time, so be patient and keep going!

Do you have practice solutions for practicing fast passages? Tag us in your video this week sharing your solutions and progress on Instagram @project.practicenotes or Youtube @PracticeNotes. Use #practicenotes and the title "Week 7" so we are sure to see your video! Videos will be featured on our website https://practicenotes.us and Instagram.

THANK YOU so much for watching and happy practicing!