Magic Fiddle violin app

One new app for ipad is Magic Fiddle. This is a very interesting concept. To learn more about the details, click here to view an article. You can only see what it's like by viewing the video below.

As you can tell, it doesn't sound like a real violin, but an electronic violin. I realize that this could seem fun to some people, and just to try it for technology advancement sake, is interesting to me. Although, I can't see playing any fast songs using this app. The two are not always together and not every note is accurately in tune. Playing with others in a group would be very difficult.

If you'd like to learn the violin, I would suggest spending time learning the real violin and not on this app. You'll have a better sound, more control of the sound, play using techniques that give the violin variety and uniqueness, can play in a group, and play accurate notes. 

I think this app is a fun idea to draw more people into music and playing instruments. 

Violin Legato Bowing Technique

I was looking for a good video to show the legato violin technique. The legato technique is the way you move the bow to make the sound smooth when changing bow directions. When you're beginning to learn the violin, you'll be bowing with a little stop between the bow changes. Later you'll learn this legato technique to make the sound more flowing (without the stop). The video below shows a lot of detail and has some great examples that might help you understand this technique. 

Reading Music for the Violin

Learning how to read music is one of the first steps in learning how to play the violin. 

If you'd like to learn how to read music fast, click on this link to order "How Anyone Can Learn to Read Music in Just 7 Days". This is a great program! Maybe you've forgotten how to read music and just need a refresher course. If you've been given a violin and just never had the time to start learning, you can start today and learn very quickly through this program. You could spend more money learning how to read music from lessons from a violin teacher. Don't feel like spending time searching for a local violin teacher? Then learn in the comfort of your own home!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER!

There are two great workbooks I'd recommend for learning to read music - Workbook for Strings Book 1 and Book 2. These two books are geared for the young beginner. You'll learn notes, where the notes are on the violin, and other important musical terms. 

To shop for this book through Google, click here.

Holding the Violin Bow

Figure 1

I've been a violin teacher for over 15 years and have learned many things that work and other things that don't work for teaching students. One thing that is often taught wrong at the beginning is the bow grip. Teachers think that it is easier for the very young students, younger than 8 or 9, to place their thumb outside of the bow on the flat part of the frog. The orange arrow, in figure one, shows where the thumb would be placed.

Figure 2

My question is why teach something incorrect and have to reteach it later? Younger kids, even the really little, can handle placing their thumb inside the frog. See the orange arrow in figure 2. 

If you'd like detailed instruction on how to properly hold the bow, check out this link to Itzhak Perlman's youtube video by clicking here. 

Shar Music Sale

Shar Music has a sale on blemished and previously used instruments including violins. Click here to check it out. They also have free shipping with a purchase over $20.

The violins they have on sale are Hoffmann, Lamberti, and Fischer. These are beginner violins and are priced for their quality. These are not going to have the greatest sound, but are great for young students just beginning. I would suggest the Lamberti because it will have better sound, but you'll have to pay a bit more.

Happy Violin Shopping!