Page 103 - The Strad (February 2020)
P. 103
Reviews
BOOKS
imaginative clues, playing air violin
Groundbreaking:
The Strum Bowing Method: Tracy Silverman and many other useful tips from the
How to Groove on Strings master will help readers to activate
Tracy Silverman their inner drummer and creative side.
168PP ISBN 9781732326606 What I nd particularly notable is
SILVERMAN MUSICAL ENTERPRISES $29.95 the way the author acknowledges he
is writing a book about an ‘aural
22 Groove Studies for Strings tradition’. So many books miss the
Tracy Silverman point on this, but not this one! e
142PP ISBN 9781732326613 practice ideas Silverman has to help
SILVERMAN MUSICAL ENTERPRISES $29.95 the reader learn the examples are truly
the melody of a song. A groove is great, and possibly an inspiration for
Tracy Silverman is one of the true created by a pattern of subdivisions of other kinds of music teaching.
pioneers who have been leading the the pulse in which some are accented, Stressing the use of the voice with
way in the ‘alternative string scene’ over some are not – it’s as simple as that, written-down syllables is one way
the past 40 years. Initially classically he concludes. Learning the path that he really brings the material across –
trained at Juilliard, Silverman took his guitarists, drummers and bass players it’s like experiencing it rst-hand, as if
own path, became a member of the take, simply adjusted for bowed in a private lesson with the author.
legendary Turtle Island String Quartet instruments, is his approach to is publication pairs with his book
and, as maker of his own electric becoming stronger at rhythm and 22 Groove Studies, a set of progressive
instruments, evolved a very original groove in general. string orchestra etudes for middle-
way of playing ampli ed violin. He has He further explains that the key is school to college string ensembles,
premiered concertos for electric violin in learning how to play (and especially based on the ‘Strum Bowing Method’.
written for him by John Adams, Terry feel) the ‘dropped’ notes or ghost notes is seems like a fun and easy way to
Riley and Nico Muhly. He also with the bow. is rhythm part can be experience these innovative playing
performs originals and arrangements a bit of the music that the player might techniques, even without being
for solo violin with loop pedal and make up or improvise, instead of it highly specialised in alternative styles.
eects, enjoys ensemble engagements being written down in a song chart. In short, these two books are
and collaborates with orchestras. e author divides the book into groundbreaking in capturing what is
When a heavyweight like this speaks two main sections: the ‘strum’, which going on in today’s scene, and helping
up, it is our duty to take a very close is regular bowing across the string, string players looking to get their
look. is is most de nitely the case then learning and developing various groove on and improve their use of
with Silverman’s new book e Strum patterns within that; and the vertical the above techniques. Rush out and
Bowing Method. String players, he strum or ‘chop’, which then leads to get your copy.
explains, have a reputation for being the 3D Strum, a combination of MAX GROSCH
rhythmically weaker when playing both. e book very clearly explains
styles like hip-hop, jazz, pop, rock and how to practise and tackle hurdles.
so on. is mainly refers to players At the heart of the method are Eugène Sartory: Documents
untrained in the above styles, but it is numerous useful and fun exercises, and photographs concerning his
generally a huge challenge for bowed from well-known melodies such as life and work, presented by his
instrument players as opposed to, say, Deck the Halls in subdivided bowings, grandson Philippe Dupuy
percussive ones. However, the author to playing complex and hip-sounding 104PP ISBN 9791069937543
claims (and proves in his performances) grooves with double-stops and chops. ÉDITIONS DE LA RUE DE ROME €90
that string players can groove as much Eective practice techniques such as
as any rhythm section player. e key is vocalising the patterns, using a shaker is book is a touching tribute to the
to learn to play the groove – not just to feel and hear the subdivisions, renowned bow maker Eugène Sartory,
www.thestrad.com FEBRUARY 2020 THE STRAD 101
