No. 20.
As an example of string-transfers in the positions, especially upon four strings, this étude is unexcelled. Play lightly near the point of the bow. Prepare for each change of strings and for rapid position changes by reading in advance. Always keep the bow well over two strings. If four strings are to be used, raise the arm, the entire arm being in the same plane. A running legato at the point of the bow is desired.
Raise the arm out from the side, the whole arm moving in the same plane, the wrist leading. Note the great value of this étude as a preparation for the third movement of the Concerto in A minor by Bach. Short string-transfers require that the two fingers used fall simultaneously on the strings. The arm always follows the wrist. If arpeggios occur in the higher positions, place the fingers as upright as possible on the four strings. A variation in point of attack interferes seriously with intonation. Note the necessity for perfect intonation. The wrist leads in transfers, a backward dip securing a perfect legato. Do not secure it by playing on the inner edge of the hair.
If the legato is not easily played, review the eighth Kreutzer étude in groups of two notes at the point of the bow.
A study of Hans Sitt’s double-stop études[14] and Section IV and V of Sevcik’s 4,000 Bowings is desirable. If the étude is first played in double-stops, the student gains the habit of thinking the relation of tones, also the bow gains facility, and lies well over the strings.
A running legato passage of two notes to a bow is usually played anywhere from the middle to the point, preferably near the point, if pianissimo. A quick command of the sixth position is not easy. Two fingers, at least, should fall at once into place. The bow should lie almost over two strings at the point, or near it. There should be no visible rise and fall of the arm for two-string transfers. In moving from position to position, the legato should not be disturbed. A slight accent on the first note of each group of two gives character to the étude. In this passage, where more than two strings are to be used, one naturally moves the entire arm.
A slight undulating movement of the wrist, not lateral, gives freedom. Play near the edge of the hair as much as possible. Raise the entire arm for a transfer from the E string to the G, the wrist leading slightly. Describe a curve, not an angular movement. Do not turn the violin far over to the E side. Hold it lightly with the chin and let the body of the instrument be nearly flat, that is, make the angle as small as possible. If the G string is high in the air, the E will be correspondingly low, the arm close, and all legato work or string-transfers correspondingly difficult. The rule of reading ahead and placing fingers on the strings at once always holds good. As examples of this style of bowing, one may mention the Sevcik 4,000 Bowings, Part 2, Section III, IV, V; also the Sitt Technical Studies,[15] 2d part, Op. 92, with the chords played as arpeggios in many ways. There are many other studies of this nature; for instance, the Kross Bowings of Kreutzer’s Studies, Nos. 1 and 8.[16] Naturally the student must think modulations, even if he is perfectly familiar with his position work. Keep the thumb well under the neck of the violin, so as to compass four strings easily and at once. A wise plan with students who are very careless about making smooth string-transfers is to ask them to play the groups as double-stops singly in the lower half of the bow, using a light detached stroke. When playing such passages as this do not throw the wrist out, necessitating a perfectly flat fourth finger. All fingers should be arched. Marie Herites, one of the best early exponents of the Sevcik school, has a very excellent method of playing tenths, in spite of her short fingers. She brings her first finger far around, so as to fall at right angles to the neck of the violin. It lies flat in this position and the fourth falls easily into place, slightly curved. The wrist is somewhat out of position, and the thumb far under the violin, but results are satisfactory. Every one can conquer limitations of the hand. No. 20 is not a virtuoso study. It belongs essentially to a good repertoire, but it is not easy, and must therefore be practiced until perfect freedom is secured and intonation is perfect.