Alexander Shonert’s Contributions to Violin Methodology

Abstract

This article introduces violinist and pedagogue Alexander Shonert and his principles of violin teaching methods, which touch on the correct way of practicing the violin, a specific type of firm staccato, and stage fright. This research and description of Shonert’s teaching and practice method are inspired by a workshop that Alexander Shonert held at Základní umělecká škola Ilji Hurníka [Ilja Hurník Elementary Art School] in Prague, Czech Republic on December 7, 2018, and based on interviews that the author of this article conducted with him between 2018–2021. The structured interviews were conducted in Czech (translated into English by the author) in person and by electronic correspondence in the case of clarification of details. This study also follows up on two published author’s articles, “Alexander Shonert – Violinist and Pedagogue” and “Firm Staccato Is Born in the Mind, Not in the Hands.” Shonert’s methodo- logical principles are situated in the context of other prominent violinists from the nineteenth century until now.