Hi everybody! Joel Kennedy here with Kennedy Violins, and I’m excited to share another Suzuki play-along, featuring “Allegro” from Suzuki Violin Book 1.

In this series, I break down pieces from the Suzuki repertoire, and today we’re diving into Allegro. Each week, I randomly select a song using the dartboard behind me, and this week it pointed us to “Allegro.” 

Go ahead and purchase the Suzuki book 1 from us to start your violin journey!

Breaking Down Allegro

Before we dive into the technical aspects, I always start by playing the piece through, giving you a sense of the flow. After playing the piece with a metronome, I'll walk you through key components such as the time signature, key signature, dynamics, and articulation markings.

Time Signature: Understanding the Rhythm

The first thing to notice in any new piece is the time signature. Allegro is in common time, also known as 4/4 time, which means there are four beats in each measure, and the quarter note receives one beat. This time signature is pretty standard, so it provides a strong rhythmic foundation to build on as we progress.

Key Signature: Playing in A Major

The next thing we need to look at is the key signature, which tells us which notes are sharp or flat. In this case, we have three sharps: F#, C#, and G#. That means we’re in the key of A major. Understanding the key signature helps you place your fingers correctly on the fingerboard and stay in tune. For example, your second finger on the A string will be placed higher because of the C#, creating a high second finger position.

Dynamics: Bringing the Music to Life

One of the aspects that bring a piece of music to life is dynamics. In Allegro, the piece starts forte (loud), so you want to put some energy into your playing from the get-go. However, pay close attention as the dynamics change throughout the piece. On the third line, we encounter Dolce, an Italian term meaning "sweet." This is where we soften our sound and play more gently. It’s important to shift between these contrasting dynamics to make the music more expressive.

Articulation: Staccato vs. Legato

Now let’s talk about articulation, which is how you play each note. Allegro uses both staccato and legato articulations, which require different bowing techniques.

Staccato: Short and On-String

In the first part of the piece, we have staccato notes, which are short and detached. To achieve a clean staccato sound, you’ll want to stay in the middle or lower part of the bow and make sure you’re stopping your bow between each note. This creates a distinct separation between the notes, giving each one its own space.

One helpful tip is to ensure your down bows and up bows use the same amount of bow length. This keeps your playing even and consistent. No matter how fast the tempo is, practicing stopping the bow between notes will improve your control.

Legato: Smooth and Connected

On the third line of Allegro, we switch to legato articulation, where the notes are smooth and connected. This is the opposite of staccato, as each note should blend seamlessly into the next. The transition from the bright and energetic staccato section to the sweet, flowing legato section is a critical part of making Allegro sound expressive and musical.

Technical Tips: Bow Retakes and High Second Finger

As you practice Allegro, there are a few technical things to keep in mind:

Bow Retakes

At the end of each line, we have a bow retake. This is when we need to bring the bow back to the starting position for the next down bow. You’ll often hear me refer to this as a “circle bow,” where you move the bow in a circular motion to reset it. It’s essential to practice this movement so you can smoothly transition between phrases without disrupting the flow of the music.

High Second Finger

Because we’re in the key of A major with C#, you’ll need to position your second finger high on the A string. Instead of placing it next to your first finger for a C natural, your second finger should be close to your third finger, which is a half-step higher. This finger positioning is critical for staying in tune, so make sure to check your intonation as you play through the piece.

Play-Along with the Metronome

Once you’re familiar with the different components of the piece, it’s time to practice with a metronome. In the video, I play Allegro with the metronome set to 130 beats per minute, which gives us a solid, consistent tempo. Remember, the quarter note gets the beat, so each tick of the metronome represents one quarter note.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the note values:

• Quarter notes = 1 beat
• Half notes = 2 beats
• Eighth notes = ½ beat (two per quarter note)

Playing with a metronome is crucial for developing a strong sense of rhythm, and it will help you stay on tempo, especially in more challenging sections of the piece.

Final Thoughts

I hope this play-along and breakdown of Allegro helps you in your Suzuki journey. Remember, practice isn’t just about repeating the notes; it’s about understanding the music’s structure, dynamics, and articulation. When you put it all together, you’ll not only play the notes but also bring the piece to life.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on the latest play-along videos. See you next week for Two Grenadiers from Suzuki Book 2!