Effective practising in violin playing

Abstract

Preparing a programme recital requires deliberate preparation. This preparation includes more than just repeating the notes. How can a musician prepare for this effectively? Why is it essential to practise effectively? How can practising lead to performance? This dissertation discusses the answers to these questions through the preparation for the recital. The programme recital consists of three movements from J.S. Bach’s Partita No.3, two dances from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, Jules Massenet’s ‘Méditation’ from Thaïs, and Edvard Grieg’s Sonata no.3 for Violin and Piano. The preparation of each piece passed through stages, which are explained in the chapters. The first chapter, which is the Literature Review, discusses the concept of practising, discovering the right approach to practising, and dealing with the repertoire. It presents collected material from professional musician-authors. The second chapter discusses the technical stage of practising. The technical issues from the repertoire are mentioned together with their respective examples. The methods used to overcome technical challenges are explored. The third chapter explains in detail the preparation for interpreting and performing the repertoire. For the interpreting stage, each piece is placed into its historical context and character and its stylistic features are analysed. For the performing section, sufficient methods are considered for thorough preparation for a performance. In the conclusion, general comments are given on the various stages of preparation for the recital. Other methods, which could have been included, are mentioned, and the reasons for excluding these methods are explained. The study presents an effective detailed preparation for the programme repertoire. However, this meticulous preparation is open to further experimentation with a view to delivering an effective performance.