Ask the Teacher - Tom Martin

martin

The double bass soloist, orchestral player and conservatoire pedagogue discusses the importance of balance and freedom in the left hand

What’s the most effective way for students to develop their playing skills?

Many players are weighed down by clutter: unnecessary ideas, motions and movements. When looking at technique I find that students often know some answers, but the most important thing to understand is the questions. Once they understand what the instrument wants and what they have to do to play it, things become much simpler.

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