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Welcome, this is Terry Ewell. Weissenborn study #13 starts with a tongued
run that is best played "on the wind." By this I mean that the player should provide
the same air support and phrase shaping as if the notes were slurred. Avoid excessive
jaw movements, if you can. Instead shape the length of the notes with the tongue. For further
information on "playing on the wind" please see Bassoon Digital Professor video #56.
Avoid pulsing on the dot of the dotted notes (dotted quarter notes). Here is a way that
students often play:
Instead the melody line shouldn't be interrupted with these extra accents on the dots of dotted
notes.
There are common counting errors that students make in this study. Be sure that the quarter note
followed by the eighth rest in line one are accurate. Also don't add a beat after the
A4 at the end of the second line. I use alternate fingerings to help perform
the sixteenth notes in line 3. Normally I play G4 with the whisper (piano) key down.
Here I leave it off to move quickly to the left hand only fingering for A4.
By the way you can view my standard fingerings at:
The flick key "C" is best held down for repeated tongued notes in a scale with A3, Bb3, B3,
and C4. For instance, in line 5 measures 4-6 you should have the C flick key depressed
to improve articulation as given here. Also this technique is employed in the second measure
of the study and elsewhere.
I also use the flick key for slurred intervals of a third or more. For instance, I flick
the A3 at the end of line 6.
When Weissenborn gives a fermata in the music he implies a slight rallentando or slowing
down prior to the fermata. Sometimes he will indicate this in the music and sometimes it
will not be there.
Infinite striving to be the best is man's duty; it is its own reward. Everything else
is in God's hands.—Mahatma Gandi The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics are concluding
just as I am writing this reflection. One thing that leads to the excellence of the
athletes is the outstanding quality of their coaches. Many of the athletes travel to different
regions of the USA or even immigrate to other countries to be with the best coaches in their
events. I am delighted that you are choosing to view
this video and others I made. I hope to bring you excellent instruction! But these videos
are not enough. You need to search out the best teachers for your instrument and yes,
even the best coaches and mentors for life. Don't settle for mediocre. The "Olympic spirit"
is noted for being the best by training
with
the best.