The Martial Artist’s Guide:
AUDITION PREPARATION
Get below the surface of each passage, let your technique flow.
Move smoothly under pressure.
Don Juan
The “Crown Jewel” of violin excerpts makes an appearance at every professional audition. Grow confident by internalizing the correct specifics of every motion.
Don’t let technique stand between you and the true spirit of Don Juan.
Mendelssohn Scherzo
The Scherzo from Midsummer Night’s Dream exposes the violinist’s ability to control two important types of strokes in a rather uncomfortable dynamic range. The exercises will ensure that your left hand is no longer a concern when tackling the real issues of style and tempo.
Brahms 2, Mov 1
The tricky rhythm of this majestic violin excerpt is a challenge! Using various subdivisions and establishing a system for the multiple shifts will help you play in rhythm without technical obstacles.
Mozart 39, Mov 1
Many violinists have nightmares about the descending scales in this movement. Fear no more! The ZenViolin system will have you play them confidently at tempo with no concerns for intonation or string crossings.
Mozart 39, Mov 2
Both the first and the second themes are challenging in terms of rhythm and intonation. Using the clearly delineated subdivisions as well as the guide-note and extensions practice, you’ll get to sing beautifully AND do this excerpt technical justice.
Mozart 39, Mov 4
Coordination and precision shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying this bubbly and exuberant violin excerpt. Through this system, you’ll establish the correct hand frame for each pattern and will move less while expressing much more!
Prokofiev Classical, Mov 1
How is it possible to have that many dynamic, articulation, and color changes in just one page of music!?
We'll, that’s one of the reasons professional committees want to hear this violin excerpt. Get behind the notes, create technical comfort so that your only concern becomes the style and character.
Prokofiev Classical,
Mov 4
This virtuosic movement doesn’t appear on every list, but when it does, it gives us pause.
Grow to enjoy the fast passages with NO self-doubt. Be the ONE person in the audition who plays this violin excerpt fearlessly at tempo.
Schumann Scherzo
The awkward hand position required of this excerpt makes playing it at the original tempo difficult for many violinists. And yet, there are so many opportunities to explore the unique harmony and colorful melodic line. Even when played cleanly, this excerpt often sounds mechanical.
Train yourself so you won’t have to think of technique - do this wonderful music justice!
Brahms Symphony 4, Mov 4
In just one page, each variation of this Passacaglia presents a different challenge. It’s difficult to get the grounded and mature violin sound if we are worried about the logistics of string crossings, long shifts, or connecting vibrato.
Go beyond the technique!
