LARISSA BROOKS
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Private Lessons
    • Studio Resources
    • Practice Tips
  • Booking
  • Contact
  • Performances
  • Store

Elements of a Great Musician

2/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Group Class 2.24.17

2/21/2017

0 Comments

 
The second group class of the semester will feature the following:
-Tuning
-Bow Games
-Rhythm Work with 'Lightly Row'
-Playing 4 different rhythms utilizing varying note values and rests.
-Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Exercise
-Rhythm Composer Game

**All ages and experience levels welcome :)
Picture
0 Comments

Nicola Benedetti & The Venice Baroque Orchestra

2/19/2017

0 Comments

 
Today I was able to hear the very talented Nicola Benedetti and the Venice Baroque Orchestra. The performance was spectacular! What a great day. Enjoy some pictures of the experience and of the University of Notre Dame's Campus where the performance was held.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

2017 Spring Recital 4.24.17

2/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Supplemental Video Lessons

2/12/2017

0 Comments

 
I have started the process of recording a few supplemental video lessons for my students to help aid their weekly practice. I think these videos will be useful in reinforcing concepts I teach during each private lesson. It can be hard to remember everything we touch on, so these can be little reminders during your practice times. If you have requests for video lessons please contact me. Below is a sample of a few lessons I recently recorded to give you an idea of what they look like.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

A Bit of Baroque

2/5/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
The Baroque style is one of my favorite time periods in music as well as architecture (1580-1730 AD). It bridges the gap between the Renaissance and Classical Eras in music. Europe was in the midst of the Protestant Reformation during this time period. Therefore religious, political, and artistic climates were all dramatically changing in Europe as power, beliefs, and borders were shifting.

The word Baroque was initially a negative term for the music and time period. It came from the Portuguese word barroco meaning 'misshapen pearl'. Baroque artists focused more on curved lines, drama, and passion than before. The period was known for realism and dynamic ornamentation. Its aim was to be impressive and impact the senses.

The ornamented style, complexity of rhythms, and further development of harmonies from previous styles makes me really appreciate the technical skill of musicians and composers of this era. Much of the music was improvised over an underlying chord structure or basso continuo and the use of tonalities for certain pieces was starting to take root.  It is interesting to think that much of this music was highly critiqued during its inception as being too ornate. Personally, this is one of the reasons I like it.

The violin itself was undergoing changes during this time period as well. During the Baroque Era,  the Golden Age for the violin was commencing. The sizes, shapes, types of bows, and materials for strings looked somewhat different in early violins than what you may think of today. It was around 1550 when the violin appeared in its modern form.

In Cremona, Italy two renowned violin makers started to set the standard for the violin's size, shape, and overall structure. Nicolo Amati (1596-1684) and Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) were two of the most influential violin makers in Europe and by 1600 Cremona was the undisputed center for violin making.

The below linked video of a Mandolinist and Harpist shows some of the intricate technical abilities and ornamentation used in some of this music. Nicola Benedetti's recording of a Vivaldi Concerto showcases much of the violin's range and highlights of the style during this era.

Picture
Larissa
2 Comments

    Author

    Larissa Brooks

    Follow my studio blog for tips, tricks, & performance updates.
    Picture

    Blog Categories

    All
    Defined
    Group Class
    Instrument Selection
    Larissa's Adventures
    Lessons
    Music In Society Discussions
    Note Reading
    Performances
    Practice
    Recitals
    Rhythm
    Scales
    String Selection
    Student Shoutout
    Studio Sense
    Survey
    Theory Thursday
    Top 10
    Vibrato
    Violin Care

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    RSS Feed

    Picture

Contact me Here Or visit my linkedin profile below.


Larissa Brooks © 2022

Homepage Photograph & Headshot: Ruth Vanden Bos - Ruth.H.Photography
Blog Photography: Larissa Fall

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Private Lessons
    • Studio Resources
    • Practice Tips
  • Booking
  • Contact
  • Performances
  • Store