I never practise scales and studies from books, says violinist James Ehnes

Violin teachers are probably going to be angry if they read me saying this: I never practise scales and studies from books.

For example, today my plan is to run through Prokofiev’s Concerto no.2, then Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and then a little Janácek piece that I’m performing this month, as well as a contemporary concerto I’m learning. That’s going to cover all the scales, arpeggios, chords and other technical things that I need to practise.

If there’s a very specialised type of technique that I know I’m going to have to use, such as a lot of left-hand pizzicato or something peculiar that doesn’t come up in other repertoire, sometimes I’ll be more careful about working that technique up in advance.

But if I have to play a Paganini concerto with all those darn double-shop harmonics, what good is it going to do me to practise an etude of double harmonics when I can just practise the piece with the double harmonics in it?

That’s always been my philosophy. Although I guess maybe it’s just laziness masquerading as practicality!

Photo: Benjamin Ealovega

The Strad's November 2014 issue, featuring a cover interview with violinist James Ehnes is out now. Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.