Practice = Progress
Good Intonation + Good Tone = GOOD SOUND
- Warm Up with scales. Try different rhythms, bowings, and tempos.
- Set a GOAL for your practice session. For example, "I will be able to play the first four measures of Concerto in D with accurate pitch and rhythm, and with good intonation and good tone."
- Practice small sections, maybe 4 to 8 measures.
USE A METRONOME!
- Sing or say your part first. You have to be able to speak your part before you will be able to control your left hand fingering and right arm bow.
Separate the left and right hand technique.
- Practice just the left hand fingers on the fingerboard. Violinists/violists can move their bow in the bend of their elbow, or put your bow down and 'air bow'.
- Practice just the bowing.
- Play left and right hand together.
Conclude your practice session with something you play well. Perhaps it is a piece you worked on last year or another scale. Finish with a good sound, and you will be more likely to come back!
Practice daily for best results!