Books › A Practical Guide to Violin-Playing, 1913 › scan 133
Scan 133
A Practical Guide to Violin-Playing, 1913
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 115. See the scan on archive.org.
1Not only is every first note of each beat played a little louder (rather difficult to make a crescendo and decrescendo on so short a note!) but a decided leaning on it with plenty of expression will vary the figure so as to prevent its becoming monotonous by its repetition.
3CONCLUDING REMARKS.
5Up to this point the Author's advice and warning has been mainly concerned with technique — yet what a delusion is it to think that mechanical skill alone can be of any interest to the cultured listener! Although it is absolutely necessary to have full command over the finger-board and bow-arm, these qualities will be of infinitesimal value if the violinist does not possess the higher gifts of art which spring from the head and soul. There are now plenty of technically well-equipped violinists who somehow fail to show sufficient individuality to hold our attention for any length of time. Have they given too much time to technical tricks, thereby neglecting their best feeling for art?
7Students must be trained to think for themselves — and do without the help of modern machines such as are now advertised to bring about a perfect trill and to keep the bow in the right place; far better for them to live a happy youth, to mix with interesting people, who are able to stir up ambition, flame-like. As a young man the Author had the good fortune to meet Brahms on many occasions; for him to come in contact with so great a personality meant the beginning of a better life, with nobler ideas of fervent study.
9And as a final word the Author would inspire his readers with his great desire — that the day may be not far distant, when the English youth will not only make an exemplary student, which he is often now, but will battle bravely to win for himself the most honoured and influential position in the musical world. Material interests should hardly ever enter into the scheme of things, for nearly all great artists in their early days have had to struggle mightily for their very existence. Step by step however, to undreamed-of heights will the talented and ambitious student ascend, and history tells us of no one who ever regretted becoming 'great'!
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