Hi

I'm a beginner for violin and challenging myself with Czardas (Monti). I really love this piece but would anybody tell me how to play the Meno, quasi lento part? I have never seen the signs of the diamond shapes above the notes. Should the note sound an octave higher than the full filled notes?
Thank you.

when you say you are a beginner what exactly do you mean? as the Czardas is a piece which was on the grade 8 syllabus so maybe you are challenging yourself 'too much' too soon?
No harm in having a bit of fun, but don't take it too seriously if you are really new to the violin
I am looking at the score right now, where are the diamond shapes above the notes??? can't see any diamonds on the score

I'm guessing that's the artificial harmonics bit? (Can't find where I've buried tidied away the music)

ok, sussed it out, yes it is the bit with all the artificial harmonics, on my score they are written differently not with the diamond shape, so yeah, those few bars are played slow and it's all artificial harmonics (good luck! )

Thank you for the quick response. But I dont know what is an artificial harmonic
Could you explain a little more to me please? What should I do with the first two notes. One is D and the diamond shaped note is above it on the G.
Yes, it is soooo tough, My body aches

Thanks!

CLICK HERE for harmonics

Briefly, artificial harmonics are 'trick' whistling notes that you can make by placing two fingers on the same string with different pressures. Usually your first finger presses firmly in the place to make the correct sound for the LOWER printed note while, at the same time, your (usually) little - pinkie - fingertip only just touches the same string lightly in exactly the correct spot which would sound the upper (diamond-shaped) note if you were pressing the note down normally and firmly. So, to play notes going up or down the scale you need to move your whole left hand up or down for each note, as if in a bunch, while keeping the lower finger firm and the upper finger light and still in exactly the right place in relation to the lower finger.

Sorry if it sounds complicated...... IT'S NOT EASY !!!!

To see how it's done, go to youtube and look up Todd Ehle - he has some very clear video demonstrations, including one on artificial harmonics.

Edit - you type quicker than me, Jojo!

hehehehehe
yes the todd's video is GREAT (click on link in my previous post), he's really good at explaining things he's very useful for things I cannot wait for next week to ask my teacher

totoro how long have you been playing? this is a really hard peice! i know someone whos grade 8+ who hasnt tried it! (but if you manage let me know so i can have a shot! )

Trust me no beginner could play this piece properly. I have only recently learnt it and I am post grade 8 level. Even I found parts tricky to get correct.

I have to agree with the others - i'm grade 8 and it took me a while to learn it properly. It'd be silly to try a grade 8 piece as a beginner - try working on other pieces then work up to the czardas, then you'll be able to play it way better in the long run

Its a beautiful piece, i just tried to play it on clarinet (because i dont think i could on violin) and i dont think its too hard - it doesnt equal G8 on clari does it ( im daft and like to improvise with instrumentation on my free time)

LOL at me if you want !

x

I take that back - I just looked at the middle section (the bit where it speeds up) NO begginer could do that it looks WAY to hard, x x

The accompaniment for this is good fun - especially as the accompanist can take the lead in the accelerando bit and watch the soloist's blood pressure rise. It's nice, occasionally, to have the other end of the stick!

I agree, it's a very hard piece for a beginner, and I deffinately agree with Dulciana about accompanying this piece.

Thank you to everybody. I agree it is very difficult for me as I'm practicing only at Grade 4 level but I really want to try it. Thank you Minstrel. I understood (only in my head yet though! ) and I practiced this part for about 2 hours today.
I could make a sound that is an octave higher.... kind of... (I kept having goose pimples!). I don't know how long it will take to complete but I'll keep practicing it. There aren't any finger numbers written on my score so I'm not still not sure yet. I'll keep checking youtube so that I can see some people playing the piece. Todd Ehle's video is very good as well. Thanks so much.

No, no, no! That's *mean*!!

While you're on youtube have a look at some of the different recordings. My favourite is the double bass group!

The reason there are no finger numbers for the harmonics is because you have to do the 1-4 thing nearly all the way through on that bit (except where you just do a natural harmonic over the D/G with your third finger).

Again, if you're not sure of anything, have another look on youtube and/or ask here again. Have fun!