Rhythmic Improvisation for Spiccato (Excerpts from Mendelssohn) | Ep. 2 - Technique-Based Improv Series

In a previous video, we worked on physical competition, and that helped us build a foundation on standing competition. And now, moving on to physical competition, we're going to use this tool to expand our expressive control and try to get more intentional about our communication. The first type of physical competition is rhythm. It is really helpful to strengthen your inner pulse with this exercise, and it's also used to fix certain bifurcations in your body. For example, the beginning of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto is a very rhythmic melody for a lot of people. So can you give us a little demonstration of what that sounds like? I noticed that there are certain patterns that a lot of students tend to rush. It's when you have to rush. So in order to work with this in a different context, let's try to select the basic rhythm itself, and then we are going to build our expressive control on that. So now we have four basic patterns right here. Can you play that one by one, and then maybe do a repeat of each one? Good. So do you notice yourself making something really different with each one? I think with the 8th one, I'll play the 7th one, and then I'll rush. Okay, great. So let's try that, and then create a competition based on it. And the way we are going to do it, you will select one of the rhythm sounds as your basic pattern, for which one do you want? I'll go with 1. Okay, so here's what you're going to do. You're going to do one beat for two bars, and then for the next two bars, you can select any of the patterns that you want. You can add in some notes that you would like. And let's try a different pattern. So this time, I am going to change the method. Great. And because I noticed that you're playing one beat, so can we try to design an exercise for that? So use the one beat as the basic pattern. How about 6 bars, and then 6 bars after that? Good, good. Great. Let's go back to the beginning and play again. Very good, very good. Okay, so here is how you can use the basic rhythmic idea. You start with the basic, build it in conversation, and then when you go back to the basic, it might feel more comfortable.