Taught by renowned violinist
Daniel Phillips
Dr. Demetrius Constantine Dounis had a unique background in medicine and music which gave him the tools to address the efficiency of violin playing in novel ways. Hard work, while necessary, should be geared toward getting the most for minimum effort. This is the main aim of Dounis’s scientific method, one that Daniel Philips explains in great detail throughout this course.
Introduction: A Musician's Journey to Dounis
In this lesson, Daniel Philips introduces us to Dounis's ideas, beginning with how to move the bow in an arc rather than a straight line.
A Different Way of Thinking of the Bow Hold
The bow should not hinder our ability to express ourselves. This is the aim of a good bow hold, and Phillips shows us a simple way to find one.
Power from Pronation
Phillips urges us not to confuse pronation with raising the arm or shoulder. He goes on to illustrate a simple way to find a natural movement of the bow from frog to tip.
The Brush Stroke
It is easy to assume that a fuller tone requires power from the fingers, but Phillips explains in this lesson how the opposite is more accurate. He also describes the difference between active and passive strokes.
Arm Levels and Bow Weight
When we play a drum, the arm is suspended above the contact point. For this lesson, Phillips explains how this concept translates to the violin, and why bowing levels are important.
(More Principles Coming Soon)
For his upcoming series on the left hand, Phillips discusses the joints the fingers should actually move from, how to find a comfortable hand setup, and how to just about guarantee proper intonation on a wide shift, among much more.
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Unlock Course →Current faculty member at the Juilliard School, Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music, and the Mannes School of Music and the Bard Conservatory, Daniel Phillips is a versatile and experienced soloist.
read full bio →Preview our curated selection of courses below. With lessons covering fundamentals, technical training, style and interpretation, you won't find a more thorough and enriching learning experience anywhere else.
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