Hope this suggestion is in time to have an effect.
Being a peri violin teacher I often prepare candidates in halls, corridors, staff rooms ( complete with teachers talking, brewing up, and even holding cookery classes!). I use the ABRSM CD backing for the candates to play along with.
My concern is the recording level is far too low (especially the count in!) and I'm not sure why the last beat before the tune is not given. My students now chorus "four" ( or whatever) before they begin to play.
Would I be correct in assuming to have more dynamic range the average level has been dropped. I do not suffer this problem with any other CD backings, so its not a failing of my CD player.
So my plea is can the recordings for the 2005+ be recorded at a louder level with a very much LOUDER COUNT IN!
Your comments would be appreciated.
Regards
Full Version: Violin Cd
I agree about the recording level being too low - I've been meaning to post about this myself. I was doing Grade 7 clarinet and practising with the CD last term, and had to turn it up to the absolute maximum, and even then it was softer than it should have been!
Also, after you switch on a particular track, there isn't enough time to get ready before it starts to play! On the Jazz Syllabus CDs there is plenty of time to get clarinet in mouth, breathe etc, but with the classical it was a real frenzy. Having played violin myself, I imagine it'd be the same difficulty if you were operating the CD player yourself (not so bad if someone else can do the switching-on for you).
By the way, I did have the last beat of the count-in on mine - at least, I think I did! I can't remember anything being missing!
Also, after you switch on a particular track, there isn't enough time to get ready before it starts to play! On the Jazz Syllabus CDs there is plenty of time to get clarinet in mouth, breathe etc, but with the classical it was a real frenzy. Having played violin myself, I imagine it'd be the same difficulty if you were operating the CD player yourself (not so bad if someone else can do the switching-on for you).
By the way, I did have the last beat of the count-in on mine - at least, I think I did! I can't remember anything being missing!
I always use my toe of my right foot to operate my CD player. 
A concern I have (along with the ones you mention) is that some of the pieces are played TOO FAST!!! Considerably faster than the sugested metronome markings on the pieces themselves in some cases...
There's just no advantage to this for the player, as it's well known surely, that it's more helpful to practise a piece too slowly if anything.
There's just no advantage to this for the player, as it's well known surely, that it's more helpful to practise a piece too slowly if anything.
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