Violin Repertoire—“Again and Again” Leaves Room to Explore

By Meg Okura | From the November/December 2024 issue of Strings

“Again and Again,” from my duo album, Lingering, released in May 2024 on Adhyaropa Records, is a perfect showcase for the violin. The piece is rich with idiomatic violin techniques, like open strings and double- and triple-stops, that evoke the spirit of fiddle music. Additionally, it features a one-chord vamp (D pedal) open solo section where non-jazz violinists can explore improvisation using the D Mixolydian scale (among other scales), making it accessible and exciting for a wide range of players.

I performed “Again and Again” during a tour of Hawaii this past February, sponsored by the Jazz Road Tours grant from South Arts. The live performances allowed me to connect deeply with our audiences and experience the piece’s dynamic energy in different settings.

The inspiration for “Again and Again” came from my duo partner, jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Kevin Hays. His sensitivity to country music sparked the idea to create a piece that channels our fiddle (bluegrass, Celtic, etc.) music vibes. I aimed to blend the improvisational aspect of jazz with the earthy resonance of fiddle music and bluesy riffs, resulting in a unique composition.

I’m passionate about “Again and Again” because it uses varying bar phrases, meters, and hemiola to add interest and sophistication. The open improvisation section provides a space for creativity and personal expression. The piece’s fast-paced, forward-moving energy is captivating. Its rhythmic drive and fiddle-like sonority create an engaging and memorable musical experience.

For classical musicians interpreting this piece, it’s crucial to maintain steady and even eighth notes. Avoid elongating the first beats as you might in Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, as this disrupts the flow and groove of the music. Keeping a consistent tempo and rhythmic feel will help preserve the piece’s energetic drive and is especially important in the improvisation section. When soloing, use repetitive bow motion and create rhythmic variations by ghosting some notes. Incorporating syncopations and hemiola will make your solo exciting. Start improvising using notes on the D Mixolydian scale and then experiment with other scales for added interest. Double-stops with open strings will keep your solo cohesive with the piece.

Additionally, quoting elements from the main melody can provide a thematic anchor for your improvisation.

As an improviser, I often incorporate fiddle-style playing whenever appropriate. The folky resonance of open strings, invigorating fast-paced phrases, and the use of turns and grace notes add a unique dimension to improvisation. Within my catalogue of work as a composer, “Again and Again” stands out because it borrows musical language from cultures outside of my own (such as jazz, classical, Jewish, and Japanese) while blending multiple styles, which is a hallmark of my compositional approach.

I have composed numerous works for my Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, combining classical music—from Baroque to contemporary—with world music influences and modern jazz. These compositions are larger in scale compared to “Again and Again,” which is for violin and piano duo. The interplay of different musical traditions in my work enriches my creative output and performance style regardless of the size of the ensemble or the length of the composition.

I highly recommend “Again and Again” to any violinist interested in exploring improvisation. The piece offers a gateway to the world of jazz and fiddle music, encouraging players to develop their improvisational skills in an engaging and nonthreatening musical context.

Player: Violinist Meg Okura is a Grammy-nominated instrumentalist, composer, recording artist, music director, and arranger. She studied at Juilliard, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and has performed throughout the world as a jazz artist. Her fifth album with the ten-piece Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble will be released in late 2024.

Title of Work Being Studied: “Again and Again”

Composer: Meg Okura

Date Composed: 2020

Edition Studied: My own composition and edition