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Legato

The art of beautiful and smooth phrases - learn the technical details to make your dreams come true!

Definition

Definition
Prepare string crossings with your right arm and left hand.

Your left hand is now responsible for rhythm and articulation.

Consult Bow Changes, Shifting, Finger Dropping and Lifting, Bow Speed, Pressure and Sounding Point, and Putting It All Together.

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Exercises

Beginner
Strive for even bow distribution and bow speed.

Prepare your left hand on the new string before the string crossing.

Move your bow towards the new string early for a smooth string crossing.

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Intermediate
Practice an 'airplane landing' at the beginning of a bow stroke, and avoid accents during string crossings.

Pay attention to:
  • Left Hand Articulation
  • Bow Changes
  • Finger Lifting
  • Shifting
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Advanced
Use simple or complicated rhythm to train the coordination of both hands in long legato passages.

In fast legato runs, your articulations and rhythms are created by Finger Dropping and Lifting, Shifting, and String Crossing.

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Master Classes

Beethoven: Violin Concerto, 2nd m.
String Crossing and Shifting
Left Hand: Lift your finger and perform the shift on the old string; place the new finger on the new string and vibrate.
Right Hand: Lift about 50% of the bow pressure while you lift your finger before the shift, maintaining your bow speed to avoid disrupting the legato.

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Dvorak: Romance
Observe how different sounding points can create beautiful dynamic change and special colors.

Violin, Brittany MacWilliams

Piano, Ina Ham.

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Performances

LeClair: Sonata for Violin & String Orchestra No. 3 in D-Major, Sarabande

 Violin, Su Yeon Lee

Starling Chamber Orchestra.

Massenet: Meditation

 Violin, Leah Johnston

Piano, Ina Ham

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