Suzuki Book 3 - Gavotte in G Minor (Violin Play Along and Tutorial)
Hi everyone, Joel Kennedy here with Kennedy Violins! Today, we’re continuing our Suzuki series with a moody, mysterious favorite: Gavotte in G Minor from Suzuki Book 3. I’ll walk you through the key elements of this piece—starting with a full playthrough and then diving into practice tips that will help you master the trickiest spots.
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Time & Key Signature: What You Need to Know
This piece is in cut time (2/2), which means you feel two beats per measure, and the half note gets the beat. While most Suzuki pieces stay in familiar key areas, Gavotte in G Minor mixes things up by using B♭ major as its key signature—a less common key for beginners.
That gives us:
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B♭ and E♭ in the key signature
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Low 1st and low 2nd fingers on the A and E strings
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Occasional low 4th fingers (especially E♭ on the A string)
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Expect lots of accidentals—this piece will stretch your intonation awareness!
Navigating Accidentals
This piece is full of accidentals that challenge your ear and left hand. Some standouts include:
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F♯ on the D string (high 2nd finger): Make sure it touches your 3rd finger!
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C♯ on the A string: Again, high 2nd finger, touching the 3rd.
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E natural: Sometimes played with 4th finger, sometimes as an open E. Make sure they match in pitch!
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B natural: That’s a high 1st finger on the A string, not your usual B♭.
🎯 Practice Tip: Use your open E string to check the intonation of your 4th finger. If the notes don’t match, you're likely playing the 4 too flat—very common!
Articulation & Style
This piece has a beautiful, mysterious tone—perfect for expressive playing. Think of “fog on the lake.” The phrasing is mostly legato, with smooth, connected bow strokes. Keep your bow in the middle to upper part for that airy, flowing feel. Avoid playing at the frog unless the music really calls for it.
Occasional staccato notes appear—especially in the second line. Don’t exaggerate them; just make them slightly separated, not harsh or punchy. They’re just light punctuation marks in an otherwise smooth sentence.
🎯 Bow Management Tip: Prepare for staccato sections by shifting your bow lower ahead of time so you’re in a better position for control.
Low 4th Fingers: The Secret to Smooth Playing
Watch out for low 4s following 3rd fingers—keep the 3rd finger down so your 4 can touch it cleanly, ensuring intonation stays in check. This comes up often in the third line and is a great opportunity to reinforce finger coordination.
The Trickiest Rhythm: Syncopation in Line 5
There’s one rhythm in the fifth line that gives many students trouble. It features a syncopated pattern with a slur that throws people off. Joel suggests breaking it down by:
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Taking the slur out and playing everything as eighth notes
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Using a metronome (try 110 BPM)
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Practicing the measure before it and then adding the slur back once the rhythm feels natural
🎯 Practice Smart: Remove complexity (slurs, speed, or dynamics) to isolate and fix problem areas—then layer that complexity back in.
Dynamics: Don’t Forget to Feel
The dynamics in Gavotte in G Minor range from soft piano passages to bold fortes, giving you the chance to really paint a picture with your playing. Don’t just play the notes—tell a story with them.
Final Thoughts
This piece is all about intonation, mood, and expression. If you need to simplify—do it! Practice slowly, remove slurs, and focus on playing each note in tune before building up speed or layering in musicality.
🎯 Remember: Practicing smart is better than practicing hard. Remove one challenge at a time, then bring them back when you're ready.
