Adding dynamics to phrases and notes

Tonight we learnt the tune Miss Miffy Finlay, composed by Bryan Astor.

We spent some time working on ornamentation and grace notes in the tune. The  we talked about the importance of adding dynamics into tunes to help bring them to life. We can add dynamics to particular phrases within a tune, and we can also add dynamics in individual notes.

We tried playing a D scale as quietly as possible, using our pinkies to take a little of the weight of the bow off the strings, and using a very short length of bow for each bow stroke. Then we played the same scale as loud as possible, using the full length of the bow for each note, and transferring some of the weight of the arm into the bow through the index finger. Then we tried playing a loud scale immediately followed by a quiet scale. We noticed that it was tricky to switch from very loud to very quiet. It made it easier if we ended our last loud note in the middle of the bow, rather than playing right down the length of it to the heel, so we were ready to play our quiet scale in the centre of the bow. When we did this, the switch from loud to quiet was much ‘cleaner’ and more distinct. After this, we tried playing up and down the scale with 4 loud notes followed by four quiet ones, then with the loud and quiet notes in pairs.

We tried out playing the pairs of loud and quiet notes while making some sort of connection with the person opposite us in the circle, rather than looking at our hands. This had an impact on what we played – it became more energetic and lively.

 

We went back to the tune, and tried playing it to the person opposite in the room – it was a bit tricky doing this with a tune we’d only just learnt.