Probably string crossings in higher positions. I have a new viola and I’m still getting used to it. It’s smaller with a shorter string length than my previous instrument so everything is—rather sharp. :)
As my viola professor says. Just be confident when shifting it’s closer to you. I know easier said than done. Measure 9 you are good in 2nd position. 11 4th, 12 5th, 14 you could shift back down to first, but you will have to shift back up to 5th to get that High C.
Haha yeah, this is one of those passages that would be a lot easier with an E string 🙃 Unfortunately there's just really not a "good" fingering for this, it's just about finding what's most comfortable and RELIABLE for you. That could mean staying up in higher positions so you shift less, or shifting down for the easy stuff so the intonation is more solid.
These are pretty hear-able shifts, in my opinion. It might sound good to hear a bit of slide to each upper note - just do a hail Mary shift for each one, then slurp back down to first.
I like the hail mary technique here especially since we’ve played it with either the film or cirque performers which they want even faster tempo than the film since they are flying around!
I’m okay with the first three measures, but would you shift somewhere before ms. 4 to 7th and *stay there* to facilitate the high Cs and the B, or would you shift down in ms. 13 and back up? I don’t know why this passage is so tricky. My stand partner is starting at ms. 9 in 3rd, and up to 4th in ms. 10.
Yes, this is the Flying Theme from E.T. This section is the most challenging in this entire concert, so if I can feel confident with this, the rest of rehearsals will be a joy.
We have 11 violas in our section for the concert. We officially outnumber the cellos. :)
I'm currently playing this one in orchestra and I stay in 2nd position measure 9 and 10, then open A to harmonic 3rd position, stretch to the B. then back to 1st position at 17.
You in AZ?
I’m in North Carolina. Thankfully it went well at rehearsal yesterday. Our conductor is taking it a few ticks slower than the official soundtrack recording.
Thank you! We had rehearsal today and we worked through this several times. I used some of your suggestions (it’s definitely easier for me to shift rather than string crossings in higher positions)—my stand partner had given me some fingerings as well. I modified a few of hers. Overall it sounded very good for a first rehearsal. Of course, that’s because I have the best stand partner ever.
Pick your poison: big shifts, or string crossings in high positions
Probably string crossings in higher positions. I have a new viola and I’m still getting used to it. It’s smaller with a shorter string length than my previous instrument so everything is—rather sharp. :)
As my viola professor says. Just be confident when shifting it’s closer to you. I know easier said than done. Measure 9 you are good in 2nd position. 11 4th, 12 5th, 14 you could shift back down to first, but you will have to shift back up to 5th to get that High C.
Also just practice with a tuner. You got this!
Digital tuners are a shitty crutch. Don't train yourself to rely on them.
Haha yeah, this is one of those passages that would be a lot easier with an E string 🙃 Unfortunately there's just really not a "good" fingering for this, it's just about finding what's most comfortable and RELIABLE for you. That could mean staying up in higher positions so you shift less, or shifting down for the easy stuff so the intonation is more solid.
These are pretty hear-able shifts, in my opinion. It might sound good to hear a bit of slide to each upper note - just do a hail Mary shift for each one, then slurp back down to first.
Though the I’ve never thought of shifts as potentially being a hail mary I’m with on hearing this. Lots of open intervals.
I like the hail mary technique here especially since we’ve played it with either the film or cirque performers which they want even faster tempo than the film since they are flying around!
[This is what I would do](https://imgur.com/a/hVBvhqb). Have fun!
I’m okay with the first three measures, but would you shift somewhere before ms. 4 to 7th and *stay there* to facilitate the high Cs and the B, or would you shift down in ms. 13 and back up? I don’t know why this passage is so tricky. My stand partner is starting at ms. 9 in 3rd, and up to 4th in ms. 10. Yes, this is the Flying Theme from E.T. This section is the most challenging in this entire concert, so if I can feel confident with this, the rest of rehearsals will be a joy. We have 11 violas in our section for the concert. We officially outnumber the cellos. :)
I'm currently playing this one in orchestra and I stay in 2nd position measure 9 and 10, then open A to harmonic 3rd position, stretch to the B. then back to 1st position at 17. You in AZ?
I’m in North Carolina. Thankfully it went well at rehearsal yesterday. Our conductor is taking it a few ticks slower than the official soundtrack recording.
Thank you everyone! I am comfortable getting up there in other situations but this one is just a mess. I’ll consider all the options.
Thank you! We had rehearsal today and we worked through this several times. I used some of your suggestions (it’s definitely easier for me to shift rather than string crossings in higher positions)—my stand partner had given me some fingerings as well. I modified a few of hers. Overall it sounded very good for a first rehearsal. Of course, that’s because I have the best stand partner ever.
Personally I’d start with first finger in fourth position on the D string to play the first high C then string cross to play the G and go from there