Fiddle Playing Technique

This video on a bowing technique for fiddling by Ian Walsh, is very good. You'll notice he holds the violin differently than a classically trained violinist. Please view my other posts for information on holding the violin. The bowing and rhythm he teaches is very important in playing fiddle music. Even if you are not into playing fiddle music, practicing this rhythm is helpful in developing bowing and rhythmic skills. If you're just starting to learn the violin or never tried to play fiddle music before, look for more fiddle lesson videos on YouTube. Learning different styles of music to play on the violin, can make it more fun, exciting, and motivate you to practice even more. Happy fiddling!

Violin Teaching - Suzuki or Traditional Method?

Every music teacher has probably been asked what they think of the Suzuki Method versus the traditional method of teaching music. I wrote a paper in 2003 about the Suzuki Method and how my research affirmed my thoughts about the Suzuki Method and the traditional method. Since I grew up learning the violin through the Suzuki method and have been a violin teacher for over 15 years, I have seen what methods work and which do not. I know both methods and consider my teaching method to be traditional. To read the paper I wrote on these two methods, click on the link below to go to my website and view the PDF there. I've included the bibliography, so that you can read those books and articles if you'd like more information. I hope you find this helpful in discovering which method you'd like to learn the violin or as a teacher, what method you'd like to teach. If you have any further questions, leave them below. Thanks!

http://www.musical-strings.com/violin-blog.html

Violin Vibrato Techniques

One of the most desired techniques to learn on the violin is called vibrato. Some of you might not know what that term means, but it's when you vibrate a note to make the pitch wobble, giving it a beautiful tone. All advanced violinists use this technique. There are two kinds of vibrato techniques - hand/wrist and arm. I will discuss the two types and recommend one of these techniques.

Professor V, on YouTube, has a video showing the hand/wrist technique. He does a great job at explaining this technique and the method to learning this type of vibrato. There are several disadvantages of this technique. First of all, this technique doesn't allow different speeds of vibrato. Your hand and wrist get into a fast vibrato grove and it's very difficult to make the vibrato wider. It is hard to control and make a slower movement to slow the vibrato down. (You want to have a variety of speeds with your vibrato, to adjust easily during different songs.) Faster notes require a fast vibrato while slow notes require a slower and wider vibrato. This type of vibrato doesn't allow that. Also, in this video, Professor V talks about the fact that once your in the correct hand position, you'll have trouble avoiding the first peg when using your first finger. This is very true and if a technique is preventing you from playing correctly, there must be another way that is better. Don't worry about placing the violin against the wall like he says because you should be holding the violin with your shoulder and chin.

I myself learned this type of technique, hand/wrist vibrato, and when I became more advanced, I realized that the other technique of arm vibrato was much better and really is the correct way to learn vibrato. It was hard to change techniques, but I'm so glad I had a really good teacher to help with the change.

Next, watch the video to the left and learn how to do arm vibrato. He does a good job of explaining this, but there are a few things I think need to be focused on. When your working on the motion of the finger rolling from the tip of the finger to the meatier part of the finger, focus on the first knuckle of your finger. That should be moving from being bent to being more straight. So when practicing this motion think "bent, flat, bent, flat", looking at that first knuckle. Again, don't put your violin again the wall, there is no need for that. Be sure to start out with slow movement. Once your consistent with the slow movement, add the rhythm in figure 1 to increase speed. (Professor V says to do doubles and triplets, but only an advanced musician would know if they are playing the rhythm even or not.) If you don't follow the rhythm I've given you, you might not have a vibrato that is even. Once you have the movement and the rhythm in figure 1 down, then play the rhythm with a metronome at a slow speed. Increase the metronome speed to continue to get a more even and controlled vibrato. 

FIGURE 1

The notes with the orange squares are when the pitch is lower (your finger is flattened and rocked back).

Once you feel comfortable with the above exercise, move on to this next exercise.

FIGURE 2

I hope this information was very helpful and points you in the right direction for have the best vibrato and therefore the most beautiful violin playing.

Learn the Violin through "Violin Master Pro"

Have you ever wanted to learn the violin? Maybe you just haven't had the time or wanted to commit to weekly lessons. Do you have a child that is interested but you don't know where to start? This program is geared for adults but I think that middle school aged kids and up would be able to follow the lessons easily. Younger children could also learn, but would need help from a parent. The explanations and demonstrations might be harder for a younger child. With sports and other activities through school, there might not be time to add violin lessons. You can set time aside after dinner to do the violin lessons. This would be a great way to get a child started on the violin and great to connect parent and child in a learning experience. 

You'll be learning from the professional violinist Eric Lewis through his "Violin Master Pro" program. View this link to get a feel for how he teaches and if he'd be a good match for you. First Violin Lesson by Eric Lewis on YouTube. His teaching is very clear and easy to understand. You may have to consider whether you can learn by example and following instructions via video, because it may be hard for some to learn that way. I think the price point for these lessons is extremely reasonable. I am a teacher and would almost charge for one lesson, what the cost is for Eric Lewis' WHOLE PROGRAM. Learning an instrument through a video series, allows you plenty of time to go at your speed, repeat lessons, and go through the lessons when you have time. Eric doesn't just limit you to only playing classical music. You'll learn jazz, rock, country, and others. There is a right way to be trained to play the violin. Once you learn how to play correctly, you can play any type of music you want. The style of music doesn't determine the way you play.

When I was a young child, I really enjoyed fiddle music and country, so I played and practiced that music along with my weekly lesson music. That kept my interest and love of the violin. A little variety made it more exciting. Now, I love to play all kinds of music. I love the fact that Eric introduces and teaches other styles of music to help more people reach their violin playing goal. For more information and to download the program click here http://8d290evpp9rr-5wqmez30glj94.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=VLNMASTERPRO or click the ad on right side bar of this blog. I hope this helpful! 

Best wishes learning the violin!

Violin Spiccato and the Difference Between Staccato

Staccato and spiccato are two techniques used on the violin and other bowed stringed instruments. These techniques are made by using the bow in such a way that produces these sounds.

Staccato is using a short quick bow stroke to make the note sound short. You keep your bow on the string, pull down or up quickly and stop between each note. The notation for this technique is a dot on top of the note.

Spiccato is a short note also, but is made by keeping the bow in about the same spot and hitting the string with your bow. You'll make a V-shape with your bow. The notation for this technique is the same for the staccato. You'll need to learn when is the best time to use it through your private teacher. It depends on the type of song. Some songs might have the word spiccato written above the notes.

If you have any specific questions about this, please leave a post below or e-mail me at contact.musicalstrings@gmail.com.

The video below is a great way to get started and learn these techniques. Happy Spiccatoing!

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!

The Importance of Scales

I ran across this blog post about practicing scales. Click here to view. While reading these posts, I realized that it's split pretty evenly between those who think scales are not important and those who think scales are important. As a teacher for over 15 years, I've noticed the importance of scales. When you are learning the violin, it is very necessary to practice the notes that you'll be playing. You obviously need to learn where to put your finger for each note and the best way to practice that is with scales. (Young beginners can learn the notes one by one instead of using a scale right away. Most teaching books have it set up that way. Sections of a scale, the 3 or 4 notes on each string, are introduced. Scales are added later.) Scales train your ear so you can hear if the note is incorrect. Beginners start with simple scales and work their way up. Learning 3 octave major and all the minor scales, is pretty advanced and once perfected, one can move on to the Flesh Scale System. Some etude books incorporate scales in the lessons, which I think is great. That way you're teaching your ear the sound and key, before learning the etude exercise or song.

Hope you have a great day and practice those scales!

New Stadivarius Violins?

Many of you might not know about what I'm blogging about today. I just recently ran across some articles about a new scientific way to make the wood that Stradivarius used for his violins. If you click here you can read the full article from Science Daily. They call this mycowood. The scientists that figured this out say that they should be able to develop this so that many others can have the opportunity to play a violin as good as a Stradivarius. Other articles say about the same thing. One article mentioned that if a cheap violin is treated with this fungus, it may still not have the sound of the Stradivarius due to other factors (type of wood and age, strings, climate conditions, etc.)

Personally I think this is an interesting idea. If these scientists can work on this idea, I think it would be great for some violins to have a better quality. As a teacher, I've heard many of the beginner violins and it's not a great way to learn. For most students, the quality of the instrument doesn't matter as much. As students progress, some notice the quality of the violin. Sometimes it is the technique of the student that is creating a not so nice sound, but many times it is the quality of the instrument. I do recall one student being frustrated with his instrument because he couldn't get a good sound out of it. I do know there are other types of violins that have a great sound and are not Strads. My violin is an "Emmanuel Fabrica" from the Guarneri line. Click here to learn more about Guarneri violins from Wikipedia.

Would love to hear other's input on all this information. Thanks!

Violin for Christmas?

Did you get a violin for Christmas? Have you had a violin but never had the motivation to learn how to play it? No matter the age, anyone can learn the violin. Violin Master Pro is a great program to learn the violin. You'll learn from the professional violinist Eric Lewis. View this link to get a feel for how he teaches and if he'd be a good match for you. First Violin Lesson by Eric Lewis on YouTube. His teaching is very clear and easy to understand. You may have to consider whether you can learn by example and following instructions via video, because it may be hard for some to learn that way. I think the price point for these lessons is extremely reasonable. I am a teacher and would almost charge for one lesson, what the cost is for Eric Lewis' WHOLE PROGRAM. Learning an instrument through a video series, allows you plenty of time to go at your speed, repeat lessons, and go through the lessons when you have time. Eric doesn't just limit you to only playing classical music. You'll learn jazz, rock, country, and others. There is a right way to be trained to play the violin. The style of music doesn't determine the way you play. Once you learn how to play correctly, you can play any type of music you want. When I was a young child, I really enjoyed fiddle music and country, so I played and practiced that music along with my weekly lesson music. That kept my interest and love of the violin. A little variety made it more exciting. I love the fact that Eric introduces and teaches other styles of music to help more people reach their violin playing goal. For more information and to download the program click here http://8d290evpp9rr-5wqmez30glj94.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=VLNMASTERPRO or click the ad on right side bar of this blog. I hope this helpful! Best wishes learning the violin!

My Note Value Pages

Here are two pages with the note values. Use these to learn and practice these important note lengths. Once you've learned these note values, you'll be ready to start learning rhythm. Young students should memorize all these values, but only need to learn to play rhythmically, the whole note, half note, quarter notes, and eighth note. I hope these to pages are helpful!

Music Note Values

Part of learning how to play the violin is learning when to play long and short notes. This notation is important in making the rhythm of the song you are playing. When we refer to counts or beats that a note gets, think about a steady beat (like from a clock). If a note get 4 beats, it would be one note held for 4 ticks on the clock. When you're playing a song and have a note that gets 4 beats, you are not going to count 4 seconds (like on the clock) but 4 steady counts. Different songs have different speeds, but to understand and learn the counts of a specific note, keep thinking about the clock ticks. 

Once you've learned all the note values you can have in a song or piece of music, you can start to learn how to play them by doing rhythm exercises. You'll play only one note, but play notes that are short and long by following the music. 

Most beginner violin books have some rhythm exercises and they also introduce the different note values gradually. For my adults or more advanced students, I use this book I had in college called "Studying Rhythm" by Anne Carothers Hall (2nd edition). This book starts out with simple rhythm and then adds something different in each lesson. Clapping and counting the rhythm with this book is a great way to really develop your rhythmic skills.

If you'd like a great way to learn all this, there is a program called "How Anyone Can Learn to Read Music in Just 7 Days". This will teach you how to read music, timing, tempo, rhythm, and much more. 

Rhythm may seem hard to teach oneself, so this is great for those learning to play the violin at home. You could easily spend three to six times more on private violin lessons to learn how to read music and all these other techniques.

Click here to order "How Anyone Can Learn to Read Music in Just 7 Days".

More Notes to Learn for the Violin

Today, I'm showing you the pages, to learning how to read music, for the notes above and below the staff. The first page shows you the note names and the second is for practicing. The third page shows you all the notes as they go from the bottom G, which is the lowest note, up to a high B. These are the basic notes used until you get more advanced. The third page also shows you, that as you go up one note at a time, you go up the alphabet one letter at a time. Practice the notes on that page. Once you have those notes practiced, you are ready to begin learning those notes on the violin.

If you'd to learn how to read music quickly, click here to order "How Anyone Can Learn to Read Music in Just 7 Days". This program gives you tools and other methods to learning how to read music quickly. It also teaches you about timing, tempo, volume and dynamics, and even transposing. You could easily spend three times as much on private violin lessons to learn how to read music and all these other techniques. This is a great way to learn and a great place to begin!

My Music Reading Sheets for Violin

In my last post, I noted that learning to read music is one of the first steps to learning to play the violin. Below , I've posted two pages that can help you begin. They give you important information about beginning to read music, the notes located on the staff, and a practice section on the page. You can print these off so you can practice those notes when ever you can. There are more notes to learn - below and above the staff. I will post those pages another time.  

If you want to learn how to read music faster and learn other important things like tempo and dynamics, click here to order "How Anyone Can Learn to Read Music in Just 7 Days".

Learning to Read Music

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 waste time looking for a local violin teacher and learn in the comfort of your own home!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER!

Tuning Your Violin

Learning how to tune your violin takes time and training. Some people tend to think that they are tone deaf, which may not be true. Some of us just need a little more time to learn and develop our ears to hear correctly. Tuning the violin is very hard at first, but with time, it becomes easier. If you are a beginner violinist, you'll have to determine the best way for you to tune the violin (pitch pipe, tuning fork, piano, or electronic tuner). If you have all four fine tuners on your violin, tuning will be easier. If you don't you'll need to learn the technique for adjusting the pegs. The pegs are slightly slanted so that when you push them in the peg hole, the wood becomes tighter in the hole and creates friction so the peg doesn't move. You don't want to force the peg too much into the hole, because the wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity, so when you go to tune your violin the peg may be stuck. If the peg is not pushed in while turning it, the peg will be too loose and will go out of tune right away.

The video below explains all this again and then goes into detail about the pitches of the string and how to tell when it's in tune. It may be a little hard to hear the pitches of the strings as they are out of tune and then come together and are in tune. Play this on your violin following this video to really hear what she means. You should always tune your violin before playing. If you tune your violin, and it seems to stay in tune, don't change the string just to change it. If it's correct leave it. In this video, it may look like you must loosen each string when you go to tune your violin. She is correct in that you need to bring the pitch down before bringing it up to the correct pitch. You could bring the pitch up and then bring it back down if you are having trouble hearing it from the other way.

If you have an electric tuner, try tuning it by ear first, then check it with the electronic tuner. That way you're still training your ear. By checking the pitches again with the electronic tuner, you can see where you were off and try harder to get it correct the next time. 

Again, this may take some time to learn. I hope this information is helpful.

Violin Tone Technique

I found another video that goes with the violin techniques learned in my last post on Monday, November 26. In this video, Todd Ehle, talks about the bow and how to make the best tone. He is very good at teaching this technique and has great ways to help you understand and describe what you must feel. He mentions his own teacher trying to hit the bow off the strings to see if there's enough weight on the bow. This is a great idea, which I plan on using with my students. Be sure to work on this technique for 10 min each time you practice. This is an important technique to be working on even as a beginner. I hope you find this information helpful.