Taught by renowned violinist
Grigory Kalinovsky
In this course, acclaimed violinist and educator Grigory Kalinovsky takes on the basic concepts of playing the violin regarding the right-hand technique. He describes how to balance our core, minimize tension, and utilize the muscular sensation in our body to create a beautiful, consistent sound.
<p id="">Positioning</p>
<p id="">Kalinovsky demonstrates how to create a healthy posture utilizing pilates techniques. He shares exercises for balancing the core and supporting the arm. Kalinovsky discusses the principles of holding the violin in a relaxed and stable way.</p>
<p id="">Bow Grip</p>
<p id="">Bow Grip is the first step in sound production. Kalinovsky shares three essential exercises to achieve a flexible grip without choking the sound. He examines the role of the thumb, pinky, and hand movement in establishing a proper bow hold and desirable sound.</p>
<p id="">Bow Arm Motions</p>
<p id="">Correct bow arm motion is crucial for sound production. Kalinovsky shows how to pull the string with every millimeter of the bow and use friction, not pressure. He recommends various methods to help create a natural bow arm motion.</p>
<p id="">Bow Arm Motions</p>
<p id="">Correct bow arm motion is crucial for sound production. Kalinovsky shows how to pull the string with every millimeter of the bow and use friction, not pressure. He recommends various methods to help create a natural bow arm motion.</p>
<p id="">Weight and Bow Pressure</p>
<p id="">In this lesson, Kalinovsky shows the proper way to transmit weight through the bow. He recommends directing the constant weight through firmness between the thumb and the index finger. Kalinovsky identifies six core variables to create an infinitely varied sound.</p>
<p id="">Bow Hair Angle</p>
<p id="">Flat hair is the primary position of the bow hair, while changing the angle of the bow hair is used to create different colors. Kalinovsky discusses the mechanics of bow hair angle and how to maintain it.</p>
<p id="">Full Bow Detaché</p>
<p id="">In Kalinovsky’s technique philosophy, freedom comes before control. He demonstrates how to create a full and ringing sound with minimal pressure and find the core of the sound. He explains the importance of amplifying overtones for sound quality.</p>
<p id="">Color</p>
<p id="">In this lesson, Kalinovsky explores the usage of color as an expressive tool. He points out that composers considered the function of the note within the harmony and provided ways to produce diverse colors. Kalinovsky explains how to create a mental space that allows the player to avoid physical tension and find a high level of delicacy while exploring musical colors.</p>
<p id="">Spiccato</p>
<p id="">Kalinovsky likes thinking about spiccato as a compression stroke. He discusses the two ways of playing spiccato- where the point of maximum pressure is at the attack and where it is in the middle of the note. Kalinovsky explains the technical aspect of playing the spiccato stroke and how to use it as an expressive tool.</p>
<p id="">Bonus: Avoiding Injuries</p>
<p id="">The key to not getting injured is to use minimal pressure only when and where needed. Kalinovsky encourages avoiding static tension and shares advice on leading a healthy and reliable technique.</p>
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Unlock Course →Grigory Kalinovsky is a violinist and an educator, currently on the faculty at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Professor Kalinovsky is notable for his ergonomic approach to violin technique and has written articles for Strings Magazine, Strad Magazine, and gave a lecture at 2017 American String Teachers Association Annual Conference, titled “Taming Tension.”
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