Kató Havas’ DVD
In 1991, Kató Havas published a DVD, “A New Approach” – on the Causes and Cures of Physical Injuries in Violin and Viola Playing.
This video introduces and illustrates the main exercises of the New Approach.
Click here for more information and availability.
Kató Havas, 1991, “A New Approach” – on the Causes and Cures of Physical Injuries in Violin and Viola Playing. DVD
Kató Havas’ workshops
In the period 1964 – 2017, Kató Havas gave hundreds of workshops all over the world. In this way, thousands of string players got the chance to get acquainted with the Havas New Approach.
Below a recording of Kató Havas’ workshop in 2008, Oxford, with attention to some of the basics of the Havas New Approach.
(subtitles available 🇬🇧🇮🇹🇯🇵🇳🇱)
Kató Havas workshop 01: The rhythmic pulse
How to prevent and eliminate tendonitis, physical problems and stage fright, the importance of the rhythmic pulse in any music, of imagination, how to learn to play from the very core of your being, not from the fingers. The first, simple exercise to achieve this.
Kató Havas workshop 02: Suspended arms
The importance of having light arms, suspended arms, how to achieve it. With exercises: the winging, flip flop, the “no violin-hold”.
Kató Havas workshop 03: The right arm movement,1, lower half
The right arm movement, in the lower half of the bow, Allegro quavers. Where the arm movement originates, the two hinges in the right arm, the “no bow-hold”. The connection between the touch, the eyes and the voice. What stiff wrists cause, how to prevent this.
Kató Havas workshop 04: The right arm movement, 2, upper half
The right arm movement, in the upper half of the bow, Andante quavers. Where the arm movement originates, the two hinges in the right arm. Teach your body what to do, focus. Cause of problems with the elbow, the connection between wrist and elbow.
Kató Havas workshop 05: The left hand action
The simplicity of the New approach, the left hand movement, the interval shapes, there are only three intervals in your hand. The importance of a soft hand, you play with the hand, not with the fingers.
Kató Havas workshop 06: The bridal, folk tune
A lovely English jig, sing and clap, to get the feeling, then play. This applies to all playing, at any level.
Kató Havas workshop 07: The trembling bow
The reason for the trembling bow, how to prevent, eliminate it; the importance of the thumbs, what stiff thumbs cause.
Kató Havas workshop 08: The thumbs – Telemann
The importance of the thumbs in string playing, what stiff thumbs cause. Use imagination to create. A real example applied to Telemann’s viola concerto.
Kató Havas workshop 09: Sing the note names
The importance of singing the note names, the left hand power, the drama of the intervals. A real example applied to Telemann’s viola concerto.
Kató Havas workshop 10: “What I learned from the Hungarian gypsies* ”
Here is what I learned from the Hungarian gypsies* about music and violin playing.
* currently referred to as Romani