#violistsofinstagram

Please enjoy the Courante from J. S. Bach’s Cello Suite no 1 in G, BWV 1007 performed on viola. Courante is derived from the French word for “running”. In a baroque suite, the Courante was generally in either the French style or the Italian. The French style was more complex, featuring dotted rhythms and more double stopping. This Courante seems to be in the Italian style - straightforward and energetic! It begins in the dominant key of G major and goes to the dominant (D major) and relative minor (E minor) before returning to G. When introducing a piece like this to students I compare movement through the keys to leaving home, visiting different places, then returning home with a new perspective! Please enjoy the complete movement posted on my IGTV! #viola #violist #violistsofinstagram #bratsche #bratscher #violapower #violanation #cellosuite #courante #baroquemusiclovers #baroquestyle #violaplayer #jsbach #bach #bachcellosuites #beautifulmusic #videooftheday #videooftheweek #stringsattached #stringplayer #musiciansofinstagram #soloviola #violaworld #classicalmusicdaily #applausetothemusician #performingarts #violaclassica #músicaclássica (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEy2RmNA8uf/?igshid=gqkr7m6pws6l

Playing my viola after an adjustment at Luthier Hiroshi Iizuka’s. In the background is a mirror designed in the shape of Iizuka’s signature “modified amore” pattern, often known as “Iizuka pattern”. I’m sporting a T shirt designed by Iizuka with his name in Japanese characters encircled by F holes of his own design. #viola #violist #violistsofinstagram #violapower #violanation #iizuka #iizukaviola #luthier #luthiery #musician #musiciansofinstagram #strings #stringsattached #stringplayer #musicalinstrument #violista #bratsche #instamusic #classicalmusician #violalove #violalovers #musicianlife #musicianlifestyle #beautifulmusic #suzukiteacher (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwQy4AAnHV/?igshid=1xqldqf1iqwb0

Yesterday I found myself in a large room with some echo, so naturally...Bach! I’m running through Bach’s Bourrée from cello suite no 3 before my very first Instagram live stream yesterday afternoon! Thanks to all who came! If you missed yesterday’s live stream, I will perform this piece again live next week. Instagram cuts this off after 1 minute so if you’re interested in hearing this entire performance, I invite you to check it out on my IGTV. #viola #violist #violistsofinstagram #violista #bratsche #bach #jsbach #bachcellosuites #bourrée #musician #musiciansofinstagram #stringsattached #strings #stringplayer #classicalmusic #classical #baroque #baroquestyle #violalove #violapower #violanation #beautifulmusic #cellomusic #violamusic #musiclover #practiceroom (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEMICoxgcAq/?igshid=1m1bjhcayh0a6

Everything is more fun with a frisbee, including tone production! Most of our daily practice is accomplished in small spaces. Visualize throwing tone across a large space to prepare for the projecting tone needed in performance spaces. Be generous with tone - it’s your gift to your audience! Everyone in the audience wants to receive your sound, even the ones sitting in the back of the room or concert hall! #tonalization #viola #violist #violistsofinstagram #violista #bratsche #strings #stringsattached #stringplayer #stringteacher #practiceroom #violapractice #violinteacher #suzukiteacher #suzukimethod #violinpractice #frisbee #frisbeelife #frisbeefun #beautifulmusic #classicalmusiclover #violapower #violanation #altoclef #coolteacher #musiceducation #violinlesson #giftofmusic #musician #musicisagift (at Arlington, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEBz9nqAAqU/?igshid=9ajn4yqidp60

Picture with Hiroshi Iizuka and his viola which I purchased in 2018. The viola is in Iizuka’s famous “modified amore” pattern. Iizuka’s design is copied by luthiers around the world and is sometimes referred to as “Iizuka” pattern. I’m so grateful to play this beautiful instrument and own a piece of stringed instrument history! As a young man, Iizuka started making guitars in Japan. After hearing a violin concert by one of Shinichi Suzuki’s first students (it might have been Koji Toyota) he decided to devote his life to making bowed instruments. Iizuka studied violin making in Germany and eventually moved to the Philadelphia suburbs where he has been making violins, violas, cellos and basses for over 40 years. He is best known for his violas which comprise about 90% of his output, by his estimation. #viola #violist #violistsofinstagram #violista #stringsattached #strings #stringplayer #luthier #luthierlife #luthiery #musicalinstrument #violinmaker #iizuka #violadamore #beautifulmusic #classicalmusic #classicalmusicians #violinteacher #violateacher #musiclover #violapower #violanation #musiciansofinstagram #musician #musicianslifestyle #violinlove #violinfun #violinguy #suzukiteacher (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6NHnbg6gl/?igshid=1emjm1aji3z9u