Movements, Strikes, and Combinations

[Tim Twiss]

There is a real tread of logic and continuity throughout the tutors with regards to the execution of the right hand. Briggs' describes the "Movements", and Rice goes into much more detail with the system of "Strikes". Converse takes another spin on it in the Analytical and calls them "Combinations". It seems that understanding and feeling the "Strike" is so very important. This one hit me strongly today, as I thought about the difficult third part of "Yankee Doodle" variations in Briggs'. Try it with an application of Strikes, and watch how easily it unfolds under your hands and makes perfect musical sense. What is interesting about this is the placement of Strikes (which by nature is a dupal, or two note figure) over triplets. If you carefully execute the Strikes trhroughout this, it flows right through, including the displacement of the melody. It is an odd characteristic that is special to our instrument and style of play. It may still seem wierd, unless you have tried and practiced all the above mentioned material. Rice addresses Strikes over triplets, and Converse really brings it home in the Analytical in the "Combination Exercises" section, that last part.

Also on Yankee Doodle, try playing the "A" note in the last figure in the 2nd and 4th bar on the second string.

If this sparks any interest, I will tab it with the fingerings and video it slowly. It is a fascinating piece to try. You will start to see the "Strikes" and "Combinations" in everything if you work at those moves. I included a hasty and sloppy copy of the "Combination" fingerings (Indicated by a solid line under the notes). This stuff is good for ALL levels of players, and can be applied to most all of the repertoire.         

[Trapdoor2]

I'd certainly be interested in seeing it tabbed out, Tim. Although I have played thru all of the tutorial "strikes" and "movements" and "combinations" (and have them tabbed out), I haven't studied them sufficiently to apply them as you have...I simply allow my fingers to figure their own way thru most pieces. Naturally, I do OK for most but for some I get lost...this "finale" is one of those "lost" sections that I usually avoid because it just doesn't fall under the fingers for me.

So...colour me intersted!