My Favorite Warm-Up for a Light Left Hand
As a teenager I was a big Radiohead fan. “OK Computer” was my favorite album of theirs, one of those albums I listened to a million times. At some point, maybe ten years ago, I figured out I could play the guitar riff from their song “No Surprises” almost entirely in natural harmonics.
Harmonics are one of my favorite ways to develop a light left hand, and so this little guitar riff became one of my go-to warmups: a fun and tuneful way to get my left hand primed for whatever I’m playing that day.
Here’s the video, and click here for the sheet music for the warm-up.
In my first Artist-in-Residence post for the American Viola Society, I offer a solution to a core coordination problem in string playing.
“Shift Work” is a fantastic pedagogical resource that belongs on the stand of any violist looking to improve their left hand.
My favorite warm-up for a light left hand is a tune from on of my favorite bands.
A slim volume with tons of technical knowledge that will reinvigorate your warmup routine.
Making the mindset shift to making a great sound every time you pick up the instrument.
A review of Melissa Matson’s excellent book on orchestral excerpts.
A short routine you can perform in (near) silence to cover many of the basic playing actions in viola playing, from the basic bow movements to shifting, vibrato, tone production and more.
How my time in the weight room has influenced my time in the practice room.
All the videos I made as part of my time as an American Viola Society Digital Artist-in-Resident.