Scan 35
The violin : solo playing, soloists and solos, 1905
6 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 19. See the scan on archive.org.
1both sides, and to remedy your defects to the utmost of your power.
3There is a propensity in the minds of most violin students, very general and very natural, yet at the same time unfavourable in a high degree to the proper progress of their playing; which is, they are inclined to think more of their good points than of their bad ones. Their mistakes are not, as they ought to be, continually before them. They sink and overlook their faults and weaknesses, in thinking of their good properties. This is admitted to be natural; because, undoubtedly, it is more agreeable to like good qualities, than to repeatedly correct bad ones. But because it is natural, it does not follow that it is good. It may be in the inclination of the mind, but it is not safe in its effect on solo playing. These strong admonitions are intended to check an overweening opinion of one's own merit, which is sure to rise from the habit of fixing the attention too much on one's good qualities and too little upon bad ones. Do not breed presumption, or pride, or superciliousness, or self-complacency. All these are incompatible with proper progress, and must be strongly resisted and restrained and repressed. Good playing must spring from solid technique.
5The majority of violinists are wrong with technique. This is a broad and strong accusation. In their attention to the great object of their ambition, they show a lamentable dereliction of duty by leaving slow practice too much out of sight. Flying all over the instrument is not technique. Speed has nothing to do with it. It is the sure intonation and fine tone produced at the same time that is the all important thing. I love sound execution, every note "dead" in tune and as clear as a bell. Slow practice is a certain road to success, and this line of proceeding is looked upon as being most expedient. However one may think, they can never anticipate that it could in any way be productive of anything else than improvement. Do not be so blind and prejudiced as not to admit, on the calm and serious consideration of the
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