sheilascorner.com - Discussion Boards

[Marlowe]

When playing a solo, what is the best way to project your sound above an orchestra?

Do you exaggerate dynamics? Use more bow speed? Articulate notes more?

My violin's sound does not carry well.

[All Ears]

I heard that playing just a leeetle bit sharp does the trick!
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Helen in Japan

[RS]

I don't really recommend the sharpness trick! Someone is bound to say you play out of tune!

I pay special attention to my sounding point - a touch closer to the bridge helps it project - and also to my vibrato. Make sure you sustain as much as possible near the tip of the bow, and that your vibrato helps you sustain. (We often only vibrate when it's convenient - unfortunately vibrato on some notes and not others makes it hard to sustain a long phrase.)

I sometimes plan an alternate bowing, so that if I find I'm not projecting well I can use more bows, and therefore increase my bow speed.

Also, make sure you have new strings on and that they are loud ones - Visions Titanium, for example.

Finally, make your musicality so compelling that people really sit up and listen for your sound!

[Sheila]

Thank you for the good suggestions RS.
I have a student who is 6 weeks away from a concerto audition.
She has well learned and memorized and I am now working on getting her to create the dynamics so they will be heard in a concert hall and to put life in the solo.

She will be playing the Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saens.
She has to use the violin she owns. It is not the top of the line, but we have changed the strings and rehaired the bow. She has a decent bow. She will just have to work harder to get it to speak the solo properly for her.

[Marlowe]

Yes, thank you so much for the advice!

Until that rehearsal, I never really appreciated how much one needs to adjust to circumstances when playing the violin!
I will try experimenting with different bowings and sounding points.

My strings have also been on my violin much longer than they should, and it didn't even occur to me to check them, since I've spent most of my time working on technical issues. But changing the strings (maybe trying out a different set than I'm used to), and getting my bow rehaired well in advance should help.

I have heard about tuning the violin a little bit sharp for solo performances, but have never tried it before.