In a recent Q&A session via instagram, I asked my followers if they had any questions or thoughts for any new blog posts. I needed inspiration. A friend and co-worker thought it would be a great idea to add a 'Top 10 List' of violin pieces. I thought this was such a great idea!! So here goes....My Top 10 List of Violin Solos. Theses pieces span from Baroque, to Classical, to Romantic, to Neo-Classical. They all feature the violin as a solo instrument. I recommend you listen to all of these, let me know of your thoughts. Students, what techniques do you hear these violinists and composers using in these pieces? What I did with this top 10 list was choose pieces that resonate with my soul. Basically, when I listen to these pieces of music I feel something, I have an emotional connection. I also picked different soloists for each of these 10 pieces. (Some of the soloists play multiple of these). Take a listen and maybe even try to search for one of the pieces played by a different violinist. For example, Joshua Bell plays 'Aprés un Reve', the Vivaldi 'Winter' piece, and Fauré Violin Sonata Mov. 1. Listen to the versions I chose, then go back and listen to his interpretations of the same pieces. This goes back to my previous blog, each soloist has their own take on a composition, completely unique. If you wanted, you could spend an entire lifetime perfecting or changing just this list of pieces. LF's Top 10 Violin Solos 1) 'Aprés un Reve' by Gabriel Fauré, Violinist: Janine Jansen 2) 'Suite Populaire Espagnole II - Nana' by Manuel de Falla, Violinist: James Ehnes 3) 'Musica Universalis' by Alex Baranowski, Violinist: Daniel Hope 4) 'Chaconne' by J.S. Bach, Violinist: Christian Kim 5) 'The Four Seasons - III. L'inverno: Winter' by Antonio Vivaldi, Violinist: Itzhak Perlman 6) 'Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major - I. Allegro Molto' by Gabriel Fauré, Violinist: Giora Schmidt 7) 'Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64 Mov. III' by Felix Mendelssohn, Violinist: Hilary Hahn *Starting at 21 minutes and 30 seconds 8) 'Chaconne' by Tomaso Antonio Vitali, Violinist: Sarah Chang 9) 'Ladies in Lavender' by Nigel Hess, Violinist: Joshua Bell 10) 'Caprice No. 24' by Nicolo Paganini, Violinist: Zia Hyunsu Shin Hope you all enjoyed this! Larissa P.S. Thanks for the great photo Ariel Vincent!! Have you ever thought about the unique sounds found in nature? The leaves on the trees in the wind, crickets signaling the night, the waves crashing on the shore... There are over 10,000 different species of birds alone known today. More than 10,000! Can you imagine how many different bird songs and calls there are that you have never heard?
Have you also ever thought about the unique voices of every single person you have ever known? There are about 7.4 billion people on the planet today. Physiologically, most everyone has the same general makeup of vocal chords, throat, nose, mouth...but why do we all sound different? We have the same tools, but each and every single one of us is crafted just a bit differently. We are all unique. When it comes to musicians and listening to different soloists, I think this comes out if you really pay close attention. Sure, there are thousands of violinists in the world. But, everyone has a different violin made of different wood, played with different emotions. Remember this. Remember how unique you are! Never think you are just another person, or that you are normal. No one is normal. Everyone is unique. Everyone plays a part in this world. Everyone has a different story to tell, different life experiences, different gifts and talents they can bring to create beauty and joy. To my students, I challenge you to look up a piece of music you like, this can be any genre. But look it up and listen to maybe 5 different versions of it...a cover with different instruments, a different vocalist, the same musician playing it live for an audience vs. in a recording session, one with a vocalist, one without. Did you experience different emotions each time you listened to that same piece of music? What do you think after this experiment? Larissa Enjoy the cover of 'City of Stars' that the Charmante String Quartet recorded this weekend. Check out our blog for more updates and wedding adventures. It's wedding season again folks! Remember to check out the string quartet I manage. We have some interesting events coming up. To learn more check out our blog.
Larissa Practicing can definitely be a chore. It is a lot of work, & hard work at that if you do it correctly. Practicing an instrument is like training to run a 5k, or studying for the SAT. You have to constantly set goals for yourself and sometimes even push through working on things you may frankly just be tired of working on.
I love the violin. Sometimes I love practicing, other times I dread it. There have been a few times where I did not even want to look at my violin or pick it up. I think everyone experiences this no matter what field you are in, or what your career is or ends up being. Learning an instrument teaches you skills that pour into everyday life. I think learning an instrument has great value for everyone, even for those who do not become 'professional musicians'. Practicing teaches you self-awareness and how to work towards goals. Self-Awareness & Goal Setting are some of the top skills for leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs in any field and any business. Self-Awareness: Knowing yourself, knowing how your mind works, knowing your body, knowing when you need to stop, knowing when you need to push yourself, knowing when you need to listen, knowing when you need to play out, knowing how far you've come, knowing how far you can still go, knowing when to forgive yourself, knowing when to move on, knowing when you're stuck, knowing when you need inspiration, knowing when to rest, knowing how to motivate yourself, knowing when to ask for help, knowing your capabilities, knowing that hard work pays off even if it takes longer than you want. As I have been practicing this past week I have been thinking a lot about how far I have come and how far I can still go. Self-awareness and goal setting have been on my mind. I hope this blog post is inspiring in a way to some of my students that may be struggling with practicing. Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! There are and will be hard times and things that may not be fun to experience, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Progress is a process. So as Julia Child said, "Find something you're passionate about, and keep tremendously interested in it." If you are stuck in a practicing rut, find other interesting aspects about your music you can learn about. If you don't or can't play your instrument one day, then maybe just research the composer or listen to a recording. There are many ways to practice - physically and mentally. Keep it interesting. You never know where your passions will take you. Look at Julia Child, she starred in eight television cooking shows, published 11 cookbooks, and was the first woman to be inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Hall of Fame. And to think she was 49 years old when her first book was published!! Wow. Past Blog Post You May Like Larissa Have you ever wondered what it looks like to change violin strings? Here is a snip-it. :D Larissa Thanks for a great year of violin lessons everyone! It was such a blast to work with you all & I am so thankful for the opportunity. It was a fun group class this month. :D
I will see many of you this summer. But for those who are taking a break, have a fantastic vacation. Larissa Skype violin lessons? Yes, I offer them!
I definitely prefer teaching in person lessons. There is great value in being able to assist with posture, and there is nothing like the acoustics/sound during a one-on-one in person lesson. But, I also see the value in Skype or video lessons. For the past year I have been offering Skype lessons as make-ups, for students on vacation/away from town, or for people who are looking for an introduction to the violin and would like to learn a bit about it before committing to a more consistent lesson schedule. I am able to focus more on music theory and the mental elements of being a musician during these kinds of lessons. Sound like something you are interested in? Sign-up for summer Skype lessons today! Larissa I can't believe it...we have ONE group class left in this semester and school year. Join me in Holland for music, games, treats, memories, and laughs. We will review everything you all have learned this year. $5 for this class. I hope you all can make it!
When: Friday, May 19 5-5:30PM Where: MidTown Center in Holland, MI Who: Miss Larissa's private violin students Recently I visited Paris, France & Rome, Italy. Enjoy some pictures of some of the street music I saw and heard.
Larissa What a great way to bring in the Spring season with a fantastic Spring Violin Recital! You all did such a fabulous job. Keep up the great work. It is fun to see you grow in your musicianship.
Larissa April is almost here, & that means the Spring Recital is quickly approaching! I am so proud of all of my students and how much they have learned in such a short period of time. This is also why I am excited for the upcoming recital on Monday, April 24th at 6-7PM in Holland at the MidTown Center.
I would like to invite and remind all students that the last Group Class before the recital will be Friday, April 21st from 5-5:30PM. The fee is $5. All ages and levels are welcome. This group class will be different from the preceding, because we will be going over recital etiquette. It will be a great run-through before performance day. Please put this in your calendars and email me with any questions. 3rd to last Group Class of the semester this coming Friday, March 24th! Join Miss Fall & Miss Xiang for a fun time!
Hello students, parents, and friends! I am performing with the Holland Symphony Orchestra Sunday, March 19th at Zeeland East High School in the Holland Symphony Family Concert. There will be pre-concert activities starting at 2:30pm in the lobby. Hoping my students can make it out. It will be a fun time! More information below:
Date: March 19 Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Cost: $5 - $20 Location: DeWitt Auditorium, Zeeland East High School 3333 96th Avenue Zeeland, MI 49464 United States Holland Symphony Orchestra Phone: 616-796-6780 Email: hso@hollandsymphony.org 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 :) 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. |
AuthorLarissa Brooks Follow my studio blog for tips, tricks, & performance updates.
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