The world’s reigning virtuoso violin player, Itzhak Perlman performs for presidents, royals, and classical music lovers around the world. Now the beloved Juilliard instructor and 15-time Grammy Award winner brings his passion for teaching to a wide audience for the first time. Learn fundamental techniques, practice strategies, and how to add richness and depth to your sound. Give your most dynamic performance yet.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Meet your new instructor: Grammy Award-winning violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman. Mr. Perlman tells you how this class will differ from traditional violin master classes and how through teaching others, you can teach yourself.
- The Bow
- Mr. Perlman starts with discussing the bow and its mechanics, including speed, pressure, and various bow holds.
- Advanced Bowing and Left-Hand Techniques
- Building on bowing fundamentals, Mr. Perlman moves into advanced bow strokes and playing techniques, such as double-stops, harmonics, and higher positions.
- Intonation
- Perfect your intonation by training your ear to recognize sharp or flat notes. Mr. Perlman shares techniques for staying in tune and for tuning with other musicians.
- Vibrato
- Your vibrato is like your fingerprint. Learn how it can add richness, color, and emotion to your playing.
- Comfort and Posture
- Playing the violin is a physical experience. Learn Mr. Perlman’s methods for staying comfortable and avoiding injury.
- Color and Tone
- Mr. Perlman demonstrates how to produce musical “color” through bowing techniques, varying dynamics, and shifting.
- The Color Game
- Mr. Perlman invites his current and former Juilliard students to a game that explores how to change an audience's perception of a phrase or piece by using musical color and other playing techniques.
- Playing Different Styles
- There is a subtle art to playing a piece in various musical styles. Using selections from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Bach, Mr. Perlman demonstrates romantic, classical, and baroque styles of playing.
- The Performance Mindset
- From overcoming anxiety to achieving total focus, Mr. Perlman shares his tips for performing for a live audience.
- Practice Essentials
- Practice is an essential part of growing as a violinist. Mr. Perlman discusses his methods of practicing that help improve technical ability.
- The Three-Hour Practice Schedule
- Mr. Perlman breaks down his practice schedule hour by hour, exploring scales, exercises, études, and repertoire pieces.
- Memorization and Practice: Student Q&A
- Mr. Perlman and students from Juilliard discuss their personal tips for improving memorization.
- Collaboration
- From communicating with a conductor to finding balance within an orchestra, Mr. Perlman shares how he collaborates with other musicians.
- A Career in Music
- Mr. Perlman discusses the realities of standing out as a professional musician and how you can follow a variety of paths toward building a career in music.
- Overcoming Barriers
- Anyone can become a great violinist with practice, dedication, and talent. Mr. Perlman shares his personal story and reminds you to separate your abilities from any barriers you may face.
- Parting Thoughts
- Mr. Perlman offers his parting words and wishes you luck in pursuing the violin.
- Bonus Chapter: For Parents and Teachers
- Finding the right teacher with the right teaching style can make all the difference. Mr. Perlman gives parents and teachers advice on how to nurture talent in aspiring violinists.
- Bonus Chapter: Acquiring a Fine Instrument
- Mr. Perlman introduces you to his famed violin, the 1714 Soil Stradivarius, and explains how to select the right instrument for yourself.
Taught by
Itzhak Perlman
