Suzuki Book 3 “Gavotte in G Minor” Violin Play Along and Tutorial
Hey everyone! Joel here with another Suzuki playalong and practice guide. Today we’re diving into “Gavotte in G Minor” from Suzuki Book 3—a piece that’s moody, mysterious, and packed with great opportunities to refine your tone, intonation, and expressive phrasing.
This piece isn’t just about playing the notes—it’s about creating atmosphere. So let’s get into some helpful tips to help you practice more effectively and get the most out of this wonderful, shadowy tune.
Playalong First!
If you’re following along with the video, I start by performing the whole piece, then play it again with a metronome so you can practice with steady timing. And of course, stay tuned to the end to see what the Dartboard of Destiny picks for next week’s Suzuki playalong.
Time Signature: Cut Time (2/2)
You’ll notice the "C" with a line through it at the beginning—that’s cut time. Instead of counting four beats per measure like in 4/4, we count two beats per measure, and the half note gets the beat. So think in larger beats to give the piece a more flowing feel.
Key Signature: B-flat Major
Not something you see every day in Suzuki! B-flat major has two flats—B♭ and E♭—and brings in some unique fingerings:
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Low 1st fingers on the A and E strings for B♭ and F natural.
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Low 2nd fingers on A and E for C natural and G natural.
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Low 4th fingers on A for E♭ (important: this won’t match your open E string).
When accidentals pop up—like F# and C#—remember to touch your high second finger to your third to stay in tune.
Tricky Spots: Accidentals & Intonation
There are quite a few accidentals throughout the piece. For example:
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In the second line, you’ll see an F# where you’d usually play F natural. Make sure that second finger is touching your third finger!
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Later, you’ll encounter a C#, and again, the high 2nd finger should be right up against the 3rd.
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Watch out for that open E vs. 4th finger E trick! The first time, use fourth finger. The second time, use open E. This teaches you to match intonation between fingered notes and open strings.
If your open E doesn’t match your fourth finger E, you’ll know your intonation is off—most likely too flat. Fix it!
Bowing & Articulation: Go Legato, Stay Expressive
The feel of this piece is dark and mysterious—like fog drifting over a lake. Your bow strokes should be smooth and connected, mostly in the upper and middle part of the bow. Don’t hang out too much at the frog here.
Watch out for a few staccato notes (like in the second line, last measure). Don’t overdo them—just make them light and clean, not spiky or loud.
Pro tip: When you know staccato notes are coming, work your way lower in the bow to prep for them. It’ll make your articulation much easier to control.
Low 4th Finger Tip
There’s a great moment in the third line where a low 4th finger comes right after a 3rd finger. Keep your 3rd finger down and place your 4th so it touches it. This keeps the pitch in check and makes for a cleaner transition.
Tricky Rhythm? Simplify It!
On the fifth line, there’s a syncopated rhythm that often throws students off. Try this practice method:
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Use a metronome (start at 100–110 bpm).
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Remove the slur and play the notes as straight eighths.
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Add the slur back once you’ve internalized the rhythm.
Remember: when a passage is tricky, remove complexity. Slow it down. Take out slurs. Break it into smaller pieces. Then build it back up. This is a core practice principle I recommend all the time!
Don’t Forget Dynamics!
“Gavotte in G Minor” has some great dynamic contrasts—pianos and fortes—so really take the opportunity to shape the mood. Play around with it and try to bring that mystery and elegance to life.
Dartboard of Destiny: What’s Next?
At the end of the video, I throw a dart to find out what we’ll cover next—and this week’s winner is “Waltz” from Suzuki Book 2! So if that’s on your list, get ready.
Final Takeaway
This piece is all about intonation, expression, and atmosphere. Focus on hitting your pitches spot-on, use the metronome to keep things steady, and let your bow create that haunting, legato sound.
Thanks for practicing with me! If you have questions or something gave you trouble, let me know in the comments. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check back for next week’s playalong.
Happy practicing!
