# **Understanding String Quartet/Quintet Players for AIM**

We will be analyzing the [audioset-2m](http://research.google.com/audioset/) dataset, specifically focusing on the following classes:
- Violin_fiddle
- Classical
- String section
- Orchestra
- Cello
- Bowed string instrument
- Double Bass

## **1. Identifying Instruments**

### **1.1 Distinguishing Viola and Violin**
- **Sound**
- **Visual**
- **In Audioset-2m**: Does the class 'violin_fiddle' include viola?
- *Method*: Explore dataset videos or download for analysis.
- **Viola and Violin Datasets**: Locate a dataset with distinct viola and violin classes.
- (THIS IS A HUGE DATASET.) https://paperswithcode.com/dataset/cocochorales (https://github.com/lukewys/chamber-ensemble-generator/blob/master/data_download/download_cocochorales_tiny.sh) potential dataset with a large number of samples
- Violin specific: (https://github.com/salu133445/bach-violin-dataset/releases/tag/v1.0)

### **1.2 Instrument-specific Challenges**
- Discuss unique challenges for each instrument in the dataset.

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## **2. Techniques**

### **2.1 Bowing Techniques (Video)**
Elaborate on bowing techniques with video examples.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13t_QwbCSeo
- Bowing exercise (1:58) to help control speed, do to 1 string until bow changes are smooth and controlled using 1/3, 1/2, then the whole bow.
- After mastery of first exercise, add another of string to play on (4:26), then use bottom half of the bow to play consecutive downbows and upbows on the two strings
#### General Tips
- Have total control of the speed of the bow, maintaining tone quality

### **2.2 Bow Holds (Video)**
- Discuss bow holds with video examples.
- (Cello)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13t_QwbCSeo
- "Imagine holding a glass of water" (0:58) firm but not stiff/squeezing
- (Cello)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGvO45fgYvo
- "Imagine right hand is dead" - keep loose and comfortable
- Pinky finger aligned with the dot
- Index finger wraps on metal piece on wood part of the bow
- Middle finger touches metal piece connected to bow hair
- Fourth finger just between middle and pinky
- Fingers shold be flat
- Thumb lies half on the nook, half on half off the frog
- Knuckles should slope and in the direction of the bow
#### TIP: Balance bow on just pinky finger and thumb, then allow other fingers to fall into place
### **2.3 Left Hand Techniques (Video)**
- Describe left-hand techniques with video examples.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AYOboPxZEA
- Align thumb and middle finger
- Setting up tape along cello can be beneficial
- "Hammer down technique"(1:38) to get used to stretching fingers
- When lifting fingers in the air to transition to other notes, hand should remain locked/maintain stretched shape
- Technique for finding optimal left hand position (4:00)

### **2.4 Other Techniques (Video)**
- Explore other techniques with video examples.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev9U1gKXgds
- Possible criteria to evaluate musicians on:
- Bowing
- Point of contact
- Tempo/Rhythm
- Articulation
- Dynamics
- Bow Hand
- Timbre

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## **3. Mistakes and Solutions**

### **3.1 Stringed Instruments Making Mistakes (Video)**
- Create a graph categorizing mistakes by hierarchy.
- *Note*: Include video examples if possible.
- Not entirely sure of hierarchy of mistakes but here were mistakes mentioned by multiple videos:
- Incorrect LH/RH shape/grip
- Bow placement and orientation
- Violin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAU79_45hmI&pp=ygUhY29tbW9uIHN0cmluZyBpbnN0cnVtZW50IG1pc3Rha2Vz)
- Have a straight bow (0:24) (Perpendicular to bridge and finger board) when playing
- "Pancake hand" (1:58) Left hand thumb should be pointing upwards toward the sky, rather than the violin screw, leave a little ring in between your hands and the neck of the violin
- Chin should be completely on the chin rest (2:46), you should be able to support violin with just the shoulders and your chin
- Tense shoulders due to bow movement (3:40), shoulders should always be down and elbow should be used to push the bow
- Left elbow should be separated from your sides "sticky elbow" (4:21). Violin should be pointing slightly up
- Cello (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hq2GdIdHKk)
- People tend to use the same amount of bow length on everything(0:20). Faster notes require less bow used, longer notes should use more bow.
- "Fluffy bow"(1:05) Apply the correct amount of weight and speed toward each bow. Talks about different weights/speeds for different strings
- Crooked bow(1:40). Bow should be in roughly the middle between neck and bridge and perpendicular
- Right hand grip(2:22) fingers should be perpendicular with a slight pronation towards the bow and relaxed
- Unnatural LH shape(3:12) that can happen from beginners stretching out their hand too much. Hand should look as if you are holding a big beer
- Flat fingers(3:43) fingers should be curved/rounded, and fingertips should be on top of the strings
- Wrong bow placement(4:27). Bow should be played 2/3 down from the neck to the bridge
- Only playing at the frog(6:14), beginners tend to use only the beginning of the bow

### **3.2 Ensemble-Specific Mistakes**
- Discuss common mistakes when playing in an ensemble.

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## **4. Posture and Ergonomics**

### **4.1 Correct Posture (Video/Image)**
- Present postures for violins, viola, cello, and double bass with video or image examples.
- Cello endpin length guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbcCur02gbI
- Cello should be resting comfortably in middle of chest, and you should be able to move freely
- Cello should hit you at 3 points of contact, should not accidentally bow into knees or legs
- Video has demonstrations of endpin too short or too long
- General good cello posture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAg26fANFq4)
- Violin posture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh2DXE8YcOA)
- Music stand height(3:07) - can be optimized to ensure musicians are not hunched over or straining to see scores. Should be roughly eye level
- Violin adjustments(5:21) - Optimizing violin components like chin rests, shoulder rests, etc. that best fits your body. Can be used to prevent neck and shoulder tension
- General posture tips(5:39)
- Symmetry is important (shoulder should not be raised up, head position should be comfortable when holding violin, feet should be about hip wide on the floor, body should not be twisting toward the violin)
- Mindful practice (maybe have some kind of reminder that tells musicians to be conscious of their posture after they have been playing 10-15 min?)
- Alexander technique(https://www.alexandercenter.com/pa/strings.html)
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## **5. Additional Insights**

### **5.1 Sound Analysis**
- Discuss sound frequency and quality unique to each instrument.

### **5.2 Musical Notation**
- Provide musical notations for various techniques, possibly in MIDI format.

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