NY Phil Audition Challenge Week 11: Don Juan

[@Zealotux]

Why am I watching this, I don't even play the violin.

[@layobenson3841]

i literally play the viola i don't know why I'm here tbh

[@youjunghan]

Hahahaha

[@Violin-Recital]

This comment is the best thing I’ve seen all day

[@plemax]

This what Zealots do.

[@meanlaughmachine]

I play Double Bass but I watch this for inspiration.

[@Naomi.Violin]

It’s so useful to hear advice from someone who has sat on audition panels himself! You have made this less scary for a fellow violinist thank you 🙏🏼 🎻

[@promisedroses1254]

I've been playing violin for 4 years, after making to "high level" orchestras in festivals and as extra activities, I am still very inexperienced. I thank you for your dedication. People like me who don't have money to pay for lessons anymore, I find this very useful and helpful, thank you for your wise comments.

[@natesviolin]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Wait for at least another 4 years before you try Don Juan.

[@philv2642]

Thank you for the wonderful video. In the Fall of 1975, this passage was one of the audition pieces for the Arizona High School All-State Orchestra. No one in the state at that time could play it properly. I was a senior in High School, a violinist, and I struggled tremendously with this. After more than 40 years, what a pleasure it is to revisit this challenge with you!

[@mrsone2000]

Thy bow hold is so beautiful!

[@vishnuhalikere2151]

Something I still struggle with personally

[@kaylamiller888]

Vishnu Halikere Been playing for 7 years and I still can't hold my bow right 😭😭😣 It's too uncomfortable and my hand falls out too easily.

[@guillermorochabrun3456]

Does your thumb touches the frog? Try to put just on the leather with your pinky pointing to the "eye" of the frog. It balances the bow a lot, the thumb doesn't ache as when it is between the frog and the leather, and the whole hand doesn´t has to work so hard.

[@TheWinwil]

Nathan, you are such a good instructor and role model. I find your videos useful not just for the piece you are breaking down for us but also for projecting your approach for any tough passage. Helped me alot. Thank you so much.

[@firevulkannn3584]

This is the one piece that actually instills fear into my soul. I learned pretty quick when I started the violin that this piece would be coming sooner or later. It hasnt come yet. But theres a very gripping sense of impending doom. 6 years down the road of playing the violin. And I know when year 7 hits, it'll be time for me to battle this piece, I hope I make it out alive lol.

[@chetchang9245]

I’m still not convinced I’ll have enough time to prepare but Nathan’s instruction will help a lot!

[@carlosecabezas]

So good!!!! Thank you so much,, Why I did not know about you!!! Excellent teaching totally professional approach,,, Thank you so much Maestro Cole.

[@joelsvision]

Thanks so much! So glad to have found you. I have an audition with this excerpt in 3 weeks…and can you believe I’ve never played it before?!? In all my years of symphony performance. 🤷🏻‍♀️ This was SO very helpful!

[@davemiller7633]

Nathan thank you so much for doing these videos! From a french Horn player! We can all learn from each other

[@mashtali1]

He has a great sound. I like his personality too.

[@AlohaAmberBurger]

My deepest thanks... for your genuine investment in players all over and helping us grow. This resource you've offered is priceless.

[@gabrielhwang6827]

Thank you for giving all important ideas. That was greatly helpful.

[@OhYouReckonDoYa]

Massively appreciate these videos! Taking my first casual spot audition for the local Symphony in just over a week and you have been a massive help, you are strikingly clear in both playing and instruction. I was wondering if there are any good tutorial videos up for that classic Mozart 39 last movement excerpt? Having some right-hand strife with that one. Thanks again!

[@natesviolin]

Thanks for the kind words! The quick general advice I have for that one is to know at all times what 2 strings your arm is "working on" at any moment. As long as your arm is between 2 strings, your hand can make the string changes quickly. So when the string change pattern begins, you're working between G and D for one beat, then D and A for one beat, then G-D, D-A, etc. Let the arm lead the way, and don't be afraid to choreograph it in a slower tempo!

[@joykuoviolin]

@@natesviolin just by reading this reply already helped me A LOT! Wow🎉thank you so much for doing this 🙏🙏🙏

[@richardclark4383]

Laser intonation...and to do it all in one take, no camera cuts. Truly impressive!

[@violarockstar]

I'm very glad to have found this video. Thank you for making it and for all the pointers.

[@shy.kumquat]

Ugh I have an audition in the fall and this excerpt makes me wish I'd chosen a different career path...

[@DanielG0926]

How is the career going?

[@Loki-ru4no]

How’d the audition go?

[@shy.kumquat]

yes

[@SuzanneBeia]

What a wonderful, helpful video! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, artistry and experience!!

[@foveauxbear]

Fantastic, clear and well explained. I also like the fact that you are VERY frugal with your bow use!

[@natesviolin]

+David Trainer Thank you David. Yes, there are times to use all the bow you can and other times to conserve!

[@foveauxbear]

Nathan, I have a serious question: in my part of the world, Elgar is quite regularly seen in Sydney Symphony concert programming. I know the Enigma Variations are played all over the world, but I was wondering if you ever had the opportunity to play either of his two magnificent symphonies? These seem to be largely ignored by American orchestras. Masetro David Zinman has recorded the first with the wonderful Baltimore Symphony.

[@natesviolin]

+David Trainer I have played them! But only once apiece. I am a particular Elgar fan, and I agree that he's unduly neglected. I fell in love with his Piano Quintet and even put together a whole presentation on it at my chamber music festival. I'll have to post that video some time!

[@DanielMasmanian]

​@@natesviolin... Thank you!

[@sweetnothings12]

i envy violin and violia players because ever since i seen someone play back in grade school i have been awe of the instument even though i'm a flute player.

[@aliceliu4548]

OMGGGG thanks for your video!! I need a plan for practice Don Juan for an audition and now your videos and plans are here!!!! so helpful!! awesome!! Thank you very much!!!!

[@fjfjrfjfjr]

Very well done! Curtis is a rough school for violinists. Beautiful too!! Occasionally we would lose one due to over practice or mental anguish... I was there for Otto’s first year. I liked him immediately! William Smith was a sweet man, but Otto really gave us the beautiful work ethics!! Be safe!! -Frank Ferraro/Trumpet ‘88

[@natesviolin]

Thanks for sharing the memories!

[@TheKinseyScale]

Great approach and wonderful sound! Wow! That's a sexy collé Mr. Galamian would be proud of!!

[@AlexandrKislitsyn]

Thank you very much for such a fantastic explanation!

[@waterliliesbymonet7827]

Thank you for this. it is quite generous of you.

[@jacktrainer4387]

They could call it Fluffy Bunny Froo Froo; when I heard that was *the* excerpt for violins, I knew I had no future in music.

[@narekavakianmusique]

Sir, you are an amazing violin player. 👏

[@mmaybrown]

What a fantastic tone!

[@bakergirl171]

My college gave me this peice for our orchestra audition and I have 2 weeks to learn it :)

[@EseIzan98]

INCREDIBLE what a consistency my god

[@milovdx2478]

eres increible. muchas gracias desde latinoamerica

[@plemax]

No shoulder rest? Wrist support of the violin on the third position? Sticking out index finger on the bow for the strokes, but still sounds very clean. Talented person.

[@yiwu1590]

Thank you for teaching! help me a lot, although I'm a violist!

[@user-fb4bg9dr7l]

why are you so good...

[@britdude74]

Oh my gosh, I thought you looked familiar! I have seen you with the Chicago Civic Orchestra. I currently live in Chicago, and a couple of my friends who were violin performance majors at DePaul University were in that orchestra. You did a phenomenal job training those students! :)

[@natesviolin]

+Irfan Syed Thanks so much! Small world for sure.

[@duaneplants1711]

Your download of the marked part isn't working!

[@jennifer10220913]

I loved your videos !!😍

[@dmelkumo]

thanks for doing this man!

[@natesviolin]

My pleasure!

[@JoshCzoski]

12:40 "My 3 needs to cover both strings when it goes down." I can't seem to do this - it feels like I need a finger about twice as fat to be able for my 3 to actually cover both strings, so I've been hopping strings (which is incredibly difficult). I don't know what sort of comment could be made about this, but I wish I *could* cover both strings with a third finger there, but I'm not finding it doable with the strings too far apart at that height . :\

[@liomatsu1931]

Josh Czoski put your third finger on the higher string (e-string) and slightly touch the a-string and you should be in the right position.

[@edutorne3266]

I'm very interested in what you said about making whistle your e string on purpose. Some advice on that? I've been trying for a while and its like completely random...

[@And777_mgn]

It's scary the F natural after D in the 28th position ... so it seems to be no handable. Great lesson!

[@faline4595]

Really good! Thank you very very much!

[@Aezelll]

Heh that Don Juan excerpt, everyone cheats unless it is a really well rehearsed group.

[@agamelas]

Love your sound :)

[@zackblake1411]

Epic tutorial.

[@arielsonnenberg]

So good to see you don't use a shoulder rest. You're right it is more comfortable without. A thought-if someone came to audition to your panel and played in just the way you want to hear but they were nearly sixty--would you still give them a trial?

[@retrops4261]

arielsonnenberg pretty sure auditions these days are blind ie behind the panel, therefore such things cannot be determined by the jury

[@emiliomini4024]

Thanks! You are so generous!

[@natesviolin]

+Emilio Mini Thank you Emilio!

[@a.t3132]

Such a beast. How much is his violin? Anyone know

[@Melissa0774]

What kind of strings do you have on your violin? They look so thick for some reason.

[@jeandaniel8223]

Thank you Nathan!

[@chinpeiviolin]

14:53❤️

[@julviolin1]

Hi Nathan! Thank you so much for these extremely inspiring videos. Would you do one on Mozart 39? That's my personal one...

[@mariamagana874]

Oa? (8

[@armensargsyan9263]

Bravissimo!

[@lauraaguila7115]

Bravo, gracias!

[@Violinist265]

Wow Brilliant !!! Thank you

[@tomasfajardo]

Excellent!

[@sensum.communem943]

My professors name was Albert... the man was scary !! ;(

[@davidgustavocoudenhove6163]

Amazing!!!!

[@One.violin]

Very good, this video helped me a lot with this excerpt! each thing you said worked out for me, thanks! btw, Can you tell me what is that fabric you use on your shoulder and under the violin?

[@natesviolin]

It's a piece of scrap leather from a company called Brettuns Village! I believe it is deer hide, and the side facing my shoulder is a rough texture.

[@One.violin]

Thank you very much!

[@levmikhailovskiy5308]

Big thanks❤

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

great video and nice crisp sound! I adore! Awesome take in the end! What microfone did you use for the recording of this?

[@natesviolin]

SimonS7r I use an Audio Technica AT831 mic that I clip to my collar. It picks up voice very well, and a very direct, "clean" violin sound as well. No reverb for us!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Nathan Cole Thanks man! I use the audio technica ATM 350 for live perfomances sometimes. Its a good mic aswell. Keep up the good work!

[@danielgarridoiglesias658]

At "done one"??

[@TiavioliGaming]

Thank you for the vid! Really usefull!

[@pietrangelozampicinini2190]

Thank You ! Awesome

[@Collin31415]

Can I just ask who made the bow you used in this video? I have one that looks really similar, especially the endscrew and frog.

[@natesviolin]

Hi! I had to look closely to see which one I was using, but this one was made for me I believe in 2001 by Finn Meyer, in Minneapolis. One of the few makers who also does instruments as well! I have two of his bows and one violin.

[@Collin31415]

No way! Small world. I have a violin and bow by him as well that I am currently selling to trade up. I think he's closed his shop up by now. I'm curious what you think of his work, he's earned a bit of a mixed reputation around here.

[@natesviolin]

I didn't know he had closed shop! I knew his health was always a concern. I love the bows and violin he made for me; they didn't always look like every other instrument, but for him the sound was everything. He had an artist's heart, and often an artist's business sense, if you know what I mean! I'll have to reconnect with Finn.

[@Collin31415]

I'm not positive that he's closed shop, but that's what I've been hearing. I hope he's doing well; I remember how much he cared about his work and can't imagine he would go out of business lightly. Glad to hear you like the violin and bows! I always thought his work was really charming and lovely. Maybe I'll think about keeping that bow.

[@김민수-s7b7n]

what string do you use for this vn

[@vln987]

Thank you!!

[@waverly2468]

I don't know why I'm watching this when I don't play my violin too much anymore-- i"m instead trying to improve on piano. Practicing on either instrument is not that different-- either way you have to figure out how to hit the notes accurately.

[@Scriabin_fan]

I honestly regret choosing to play percussion rather than the violin

[@Yuliviolinista]

I really appreciate this lesson. thank you SO much master, can you récord the finale of bartok Concerto from orchestra second violín.!!!!! I need aplicate to this job !!!!

[@natesviolin]

I can let you know that simple is best for that excerpt. It's really about rhythm. Just choose a sensible tempo and make sure all the rhythms match up: quarters, eighths and triplets!

[@pietrangelozampicinini2190]

As you say it can be soooo scary that Don "Albert" ....

[@tomosakusuchihas6512]

10:21

[@zerpaviolin]

Wonderfull

[@israelvilladiego783]

Thanks!

[@AprendizAdulto]

Nice...is that a modern violin?

[@natesviolin]

+Andreu Ahn This is an old Italian owned by the LA Philharmonic! I do have a Postiglione from 1910 that I also love to play.

[@AprendizAdulto]

Very nice...LA Phil will always have a place in my heart since I went to Santa Monica High and our orchestra had the opportunity to visit them under Esa-Pekka Salonen. p.s. You're video framing is on point!

[@natesviolin]

+Andreu Ahn Small world! I actually just played the Wieniawski d minor with the Santa Monica Symphony this fall, at your high school. Great auditorium!

[@AprendizAdulto]

Yes I was there during Jeff Edmunds as conductor...now he conducts the San Diego Youth Symphony. I'm sure the auditorium has changed quite a bit since then. Although I didn't pursue violin professionally, I'm very proud to have experienced being part of the orchestra there. Great experience of my youth :)

[@zacharyregin9726]

that TONE

[@AndySaenz]

I noticed you're playing without a shoulder rest? Isn't that uncomfortable for you?

[@natesviolin]

No, by now it's even more comfortable than with a rest! I even wrote an article about it at natesviolin.com.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Every note starts with a K….a violin can start a sound without a hard K sound.

[@tomosakusuchihas6512]

5:23

[@na-kun2136]

Properly.

[@LordvonWaffy]

Why Don Juan so easy for you?!

[@diegeigergarnele7975]

Practice

[@violingirl6647]

Don Emilio :)

[@user-mk1hi8fz2c]

Who's brought here by the algorithm

[@vladiinsky]

Anyway less scary than Don Vito Corleone :)))

[@lucasdamasceno9997]

Muito Boa Aula!!!! Bravo

[@natesviolin]

+Lucas Damascene Thanks Lucas!

[@LUCYJJJ]

I love u

[@valerioviolinoconti2832]

Anche Se suoni così il concorso non lo vinci

[@solascriptura5980]

Vero! È così difficile vincere un lavoro oggi, anche hai un sacco di talento.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Useless. That HE doesnt like the break is not important. 95% of conductors will ask for that break. Listen to ANY recording, you will always clearly hear that break.

[@gimaru1]

some nice points in this video. Thou the attack in the chords and on the sharp is weak, you need more energy. check out William Preucil CD to listen to these excerpts. not enough energy overall, you get away with that in orchestra but not in solo audition!

[@samuelrotberg]

Excuse me, Gimaru1, Mr. Cole is First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has won jobs in Chicago Symphony and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and is a sought after guest concertmaster for countless first tier orchestras. He is taking time out of his busy schedule to help you and me, not because he's looking for advice. Apparently enough musicians of world stature and top positions look up to him. I think he has "gotten away" with his craftsmanship in several "solo auditions", don't you?

[@shawnchristopherwhite3271]

Thanks!

[@tomosakusuchihas6512]

6:34

[@tomosakusuchihas6512]

8:50

[@tomosakusuchihas6512]

7:32