About David Expertise I mainly aim to answer questions about playing techniques--intonation,
vibrato, bowing etc. I am somewhat familiar with Baroque and Classical music, though not as much with Romantic. I am unable to answer questions about advanced music theory, violin crafters/brands or the monetary value of a violin.
Experience I have played the violin about nine discontinuous years. Most of my work has been orchestral, with some soloing throughout. I was principal 2nd violinist of the Disney Honors Orchestra in 1998, a six-time All-State Orchestra violinist, a two-time assistant concertmaster and two-time concertmaster of my All-County Orchestra. I also have perfect pitch, which I believe can be learned (though I do not claim to know how to teach it).
Since starting medical school in 2004, I have had fewer chances to play, but I hope to someday resume on a regular basis.
Question Dear David,
I'm a violin student, and I'm having some trouble with vibrato. I've read previous questions asked on this topic, and find your answers very useful (:. However, I have a few questions to ask about how to do a vibrato on the F natural on the E string (I sometimes knock into the pegs). Also, in the very high positions, it is hard to do vibrato. Do you have any tips? Thanks!
Also, under exam or performance situations, my hands tend to become very cold, partly due to the air-conditioning which is ALWAYS freezing. Are there any warm-up exercises etc which will prevent my hands from freezing up? I have screwed many pieces due to this problem, and somehow I still can't find a way to solve it :(. Please help!
Another situation is that my hands will sweat after playing for a long time, and sometimes my fingers will slip off the fingerboard. Wiping my hands doesn't seem to help, do you have any advice?
Once again, thanks a lot!
Answer Dear Jane,
My apologies for the delay; I was out of town for an extended period and did not realize I was shown as active on the site. I will try to answer your questions.
For vibrato in the highs of the fingerboard, make sure that your left elbow is sufficiently positioned to your right for your left fingers to easily reach the high notes on the fingerboard. Some musicians position their left elbows incorrectly, making it difficult to even reach the notes let alone perform effective vibrato. Also, for those very high notes, don't try to keep your left thumb wrapped around the fingerboard too tightly, even if you have long fingers. Your hand should be relaxed during vibrato. For the F natural vibrato, sometimes you may hit the pegs if you are performing a very wide vibrato. Practice getting a feel for how far you can extend your finger back without hitting the peg, and narrow your vibrato's oscillations if necessary, but be careful not to make them too narrow or your vibrato may sound nervous.
I do not know off the top of my head of specific hand exercises that can keep your hands from becoming very cold, but you can try rubbing them together rapidly or doing something else that involves fast motion, just don't overdo it. You have stated that this tends to happen during exams or performances, which are anxiety-provoking for many performers. Anxiety can cause your hands to become cold, and they may also sweat at the same time (I realize it sounds weird that hands can be cold and also sweat but no doubt you have experienced that combination). I recommend talking to your doctor about a medication called propranolol, which is commonly used by musicians before performances. It can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety like sweating and a racing pulse, it is not addicting at all, and it is not expensive. I think that this medication may help with both the sweating and cold hands problems.
Hope this is of some help, good luck!
--David
