University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Playing the viola pain-free: Strategies applied to Schumann's Märchenbilder, Op. 113

Trower, Elizabeth Anne Shereé

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/106001

Description

Title
Playing the viola pain-free: Strategies applied to Schumann's Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Author(s)
Trower, Elizabeth Anne Shereé
Issue Date
2019
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Taylor, Stephen
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Freivogel, Elizabeth
Committee Member(s)
  • Haken, Rudolf
  • Ramirez, Carlos Roberto
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Keyword(s)
  • viola
  • Schumann
  • Märchenbilder
  • Marchenbilder
  • Opus 113
  • tension
  • pain
  • technique
Language
en
Abstract
Many violists live with the notion that the instrument causes pain. Using the second movement (Lebhaft) of Robert Schumann’s Märchenbilder (Fairy Tale Pictures) for Viola and Piano, Op. 113 as its center, this project provides a tangible, practical approach to avoiding unwanted tension while playing the viola. This document discusses issues of instrument size, posture, pedagogy, and anatomy, and then provides strategies for techniques as applied to the Schumann. This guide is for violists who either live with pain while playing or consider quitting because of it, with detailed technical solutions and approaches including set up, positioning, double stops, shifting, right arm weight, and wrist flexibility.
Type of Resource
  • text
  • image
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106001
Copyright and License Information
© 2019 Elizabeth Anne Shereé Trower

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Theses [Option 2] - Music PRIMARY