Maxim Vengerov: The bow as an extension of the right hand

Read the accompanying written article here: www.maximvengerov.com/part-6
In this new educational series "Vengerov's Views", I cover key topics which come up frequently in my masterclasses, chosen to mirror the journey of learning. It all starts and ends with the source, the music, and understanding and telling the story behind it. And then along the way, as performers we must overcome some technical challenges to be able to bring our musical ideas to life.
The examples in these videos are chosen to complement written articles, where I explain the concepts in greater depth. It has been an interesting challenge to write for the first time some thoughts about my approach to music and playing the violin - let me know in the comments what you think!
Part 6: The bow as an extension of the right hand
The bow should feel like a part of your body, not like a separate object. To achieve this feeling, we must master two seemingly opposing goals: remaining as relaxed and flexible as possible, whilst simultaneously maintaining very precise control. The key to this balancing act is in how you use your hand and fingers, with support from the joints and muscles in the right arm.
In Part 6 of this series I share some recommendations for how to achieve flexibility and natural movement in your bow arm.
Chapters:
00:00 - Flexibility in the right hand
01:45 - Exercise to help develop the pinky finger
02:34 - Avoiding tension in the bow-hold
04:35 - Concerto No. 1 in A minor (Shostakovich)
06:50 - Using the smaller muscles efficiently in the right hand
09:34 - Concerto in D major, 3rd mvt (Tchaikovsky)
11:38 - Flexibility in the bow arm
15:40 - Sonata for Piano & Violin No. 9 in A major 'Kreutzer' (Beethoven)
16:41 - Credits
Credits
This series was curated and co-written by Anna Gould / annagould ,
and released in partnership with The Violin Channel www.theviolinchannel.com
Cover photo: Christian Schneider christianschneider.at/
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#vengerov #violin #bowhold #shostakovich #tchaikovsky #beethoven #csardas

[@Gabacarin]

I really appreciate you sharing all your wisdom with us in your KZbin channel! I watch all your videos and share your teachings with my young violin students at church. Thank you, Mr. Vengerov! Cheers from Brazil

[@jeanlucas2834]

Sem dúvida é o professor que a gente precisava haha!

[@lecidcampeador]

Que carisma el de este violinista. Que humilde y paciente. Grande Vengerov.

[@0ThrowawayAccount0]

I am 34 years old and picked up the violin in the last several months. You have no idea how much of a help you are by sharing your passion and your knowledge.

[@dehanbadenhorst1398]

I love the accompanist at 14:55, playing the piece with a seconds of notice without preparation 👌

[@jaegertiger384]

Such SKILL on his part !! ... beyond the pale.

[@kamikan22]

he is improvising until he remembered the arpeggio xd, just hear the jazzy harmony

[@gatovaca2448]

This is by far the best video on right hand\bowing I’ve ever seen. Thank you Maxim!

[@patfiddles]

This was really helpful- I was always taught to use relaxed arm weight through the index finger on the bow, but watching this video I can see more of a relaxed, fluid expression from the fingers into the arm. "Why use the hand when your fingers can move" is invaluable. Thank-you.

[@MrBoricua73]

You are simply the best violin virtuoso in our past 40 years, not only technically but also musically. One of the best in Music history. Always is so inspirational listening to your music performances. Thank you so much for giving us your beautifull art.

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Loving these classes!Thank you!

[@hajimammadov9579]

Great! Thank you very much Maestro!👍👏🙏

[@jaegertiger384]

Even though i am NO violinst, im ASTOUNDED by his touch and ability to generate such purity of sound... ALWAYS !

[@enekovillanueva]

Thank you very much Maxim! It is extraordinary that you have the generosity of sharing your knowledge with us. It has been extremely useful! :-)

[@ViniBarbosa]

Wonderful, with a simple change position of the index finger, the sound changes completely. Thank you!

[@youngtalentchambermusicinc6691]

Thank you, Maxim! Every skill and approach you teach is so Fantastic and helpful!❤👏 they make an enormous impact….Your performance of shostakovich concerto is truly astonishing and goes musically way beyond violinistic playing! You’re an inspiration!

[@cweeks5211]

This was so ridiculously helpful. Thank you.

[@aquamarine9568]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.

[@suzanne9581]

This is a fantastic video which has really helped me understand the importance of very flexible fingers!! Thank you so much! 😀

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

I am very grateful for all this free advice that Mast Vengerov gives us via these clips. They're not really just clips but almost full videos of the masterclasses. To have a one-on-one masterclass with Master Vengerov is so special as you can ask questions when necessary - questions from a student are very important whether it be philosophical or just to clarify a technical aspect. These videos are great for all looking to improve in a big way!

[@annagould3288]

Thanks for your comment! Makes the effort which went into making them worthwhile to know that others are finding them interesting or helpful :)

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

@@annagould3288 Still grateful to this day. I've learned particular things from him one-on-one, but these masterclasses are *just* as special and give us all a LOT of information.

[@willy_wombat]

​@@annagould3288The effort is immensely appreciated ❤!

[@antimisti3567]

Thank you Maxim

[@user-gj7di7cv7c]

Уважаемый Максим ! Как же ПОВЕЗЛО Вашим ТАЛАНТЛИВЫМ Ученикам из разных Стран Мира ПРИОБЩАТЬСЯ к Вашему богатейшему исполнительскому ОПЫТУ, к Вашим ЗНАНИЯМ !!! Я ВИЖУ Вторую СЛЕВА ФОТОграфию Мстислава Леопольдовича Ростроповича ! . . . Очень ИНТЕРЕСНО ! Спасибо !

[@violaalfee535]

Thank you - great to share with students and revision in personal practice.

[@Louise-qk2po]

I have been able to improve the counterbalance with my pinky at the frog, just like Maxim advised in this video and wow, the difference is tremendous! 😄

[@DanteHanma]

Спасибо большое Дядя Максим❤

[@kimgonjo]

감사합니다.

[@fransiskusiwansetiawan5227]

Thank you Maxim...

[@MishaSkripach]

Какой огромный секрет Вы открываете, и как мало студентов им пользуются. Спасибо!

[@jaegertiger384]

So unbelievably TRUE !!

[@heribertobaldiviezo6241]

Me gusta inmensamente la tecnica del super maestro Maxim...soy fanatico, super fanatico.

[@gabrielegiombini]

Thank's a lot!

[@sarasa7137]

gracias que buenas explicaciones.

[@mhmdhmedih2296]

wow❤

[@JustFiddler]

Matur suksma ! 🌹🎻🌹😃🌹☘️🇮🇩

[@allenw.3521]

thank ou for your advices a new subscriber

[@miguelfilipe26]

please mr maxim vengerov, you could make a video about bow grip i'm beginner on the violin and would like you to have a lesson on that on your channel thank you

[@Markonde285]

Maturnuwun kang ilmunya

[@allenw.3521]

i have damage to my right hand pinky. it does not allow me to curl and balance. how may i compensate? thank you. i love your playing

[@lu0844]

7:53 for me

[@loreleiistschon3582]

Чардаш 😂😂😂

[@meyerbeer13]

When Heifetz plays that Tchaikovsky it's in tune.

[@user-qx3vv3lw1p]

The secret of the beautiful sound and powerful tone is definitely not in the “ fingers” but in the properly distributed arm weight that comes from the back of our body. It is so important that the movements come from the upper arm and the shoulder. If you would follow the traditions of great teachers like Leopold Auer, Carl Flesch and even Rode, Kreutzer you would know. Read more treatises of this great giants of violin playing and teaching!

[@user-qx3vv3lw1p]

Maxim, you bow hold has no tradition! You really should learn about traditions first before you teach others how to hold the bow

[@LGTVQHD]

are you for real? do you even know the guy or just the dumbest person i ever encountered in my 30 years on earth?