Key Points

• Pieces 23 & 24 are about finding 3rd fingers accurately. This needs careful attention. Beginners often play these flat (your finger needs to be moved slightly towards you) when playing the open A just before.

• To start do a bowhold check,  do a whole bow warm up, play fingers 0, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 0 on the D string and check your tuning.

• Listen particularly to the 3rd finger as it is more likely to be in tune because the other fingers act as a guide.

• Piece 23 starts with a 3rd so before you start build up to it (open, 1st then 2nd). Piece 24 asks you to find a 3rd finger in the middle of the piece which is harder so really pay close attention at these points in the music.

Remember:

• To get going pluck through each piece once or twice.

• Then try with the bow the Student's Track until you feel confident to move on to the duets.

• Go from plucking to bowing and back to plucking until you are confidently bowing each piece.

• Check out the repeats and the 1st and 2nd time bars.

• Don't be in any rush to 'get it right straight away' - being patient will pay off in the long run.

• Go over previous videos if you think something's not right.

• Most 'horrible' sounds occur because of a tense right hand causing the bow to 'tremble,' 'bounce' or be 'scratchy'.