SA Lesson #2 Question

[MF Fan]

I know the bottom notes of each arpegio in exercise #1 should be held as long as possible, but how about exercise #2 on the way back up? Only instruction is to crescendo the last note. Should these be held only as long as necessary to get a solid top note, or should they also be held until all breath is gone. I assume not, since doing so at the top of a player's register would encourage some unproductive adjustments, i.e. pinching.

[ This Message was edited by: MF Fan on 2003-01-07 07:44 ]

[Blue Devil]

MF Fan -

That's a very common issue that comes up with the SA book. If you search through the posts in the Claude Gordon forum you can see more info on this, but the summarized answer is that your question was a common misconception that was cleared up in later versions of the book.

You should hold the last note of all Part IIs of the lessons for three or four counts, with a slight crescendo.

I have also seen from earlier posts that the right way to practice the Part IIs of each lesson is at an "mf" volume. You're practicing this part of each lesson to learn the "feel" of the notes in the upper register, and not to bounce the higher notes off of the back wall of the room with as much volume as you can.

Hope this helps.

Mike Trzesniak