My Violin Lessons

Bow Hold 2: Relax Your Fingers, Dude!

2012-09-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

So, after you are done with relaxing your wrists as you do your bowing, you must now center your attention to your fingers.

Yes, your fingers.

If you look closely at all violinists, may they be part of an amazing orchestra, quartet, or being a superb soloist, you will notice that their fingers often dance as they play - especially during complicated bow strokes that can make you dizzy.

And it is something that I am going to tackle next since I am now confident with my bow strokes. I will not go to the mechanics as Beth of ViolinLab.com has made an incredible video of how your fingers should be on the bow.

Please view the video and follow her on YouTube for more amazing violin tips.

NOTE: Please watch in HD if possible.

Bow Hold 1: Relax Your Wrist, Dude!

2012-09-06T04:19:00.003-07:00

You have to be an artist in multitasking when you play the violin. You have to concentrate on your hand grip, where your fingers must press, your intonation, your tone production, and your posture while making sure that your bow stays on your ring tone and maintains a straight bowing motion.

The first thing my previous teacher concentrated on while I was having my lessons then in a multipurpose hall in the University of the Philippines (no, it was not an official U. P. course) was my bowing. My bow will go on an angle and skid over the strings like a threadbare tire on wet asphalt. And the main issue why I can't keep my bowing straight is because of my wrist. Yes, my wrist.

Focusing on Your Wrist

I was mainly worried about my broken pinky, thinking it would cause a problem with my bowing. Lo and behold, my main hurdle was actually my wrist. Many beginning violinists have problems with their wrist action when bowing because their wrists act like they were encased in cement. And it is expected because it's your body's instinct to keep every single part in proper alignment.

The natural tendency when you are gripping on to something and trying to balance it at the same time is to keep your wrist straight and rigid. You have a lot of things going on with your violin bowing that relaxing the wrist becomes second issue. Neglected even at times.

By maintaining the straight angle of your wrist when you're at the tip, middle, and frog, your shoulders and arms will be the ones moving along with you. As a result, your bow is crooked, you don't stay on the ring tones, and your bow is just all over the place.

Wrist Angles - Flex Up, Extend Down

Your wrists should have varying angles in different positions of the bow. It is the only way for you to get straight bowing techniques, and it will be one of your saving graces for good intonation. Opposites will play a major role here: Bow moves up, hand goes down. Bow moves down, hand goes up.

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When you bow up the strings, your hand should go down - as if you're dribbling a tennis ball or dropping a dart on the floor. The fingers are all straight, with the pinky finger keeping the bow pressed

As you drag the bow down the string, you must keep in mind to extend your wrist so that your hand and fingers are in a plane that is relatively higher than your arm - as if you're saying hi to someone. Your pinky must be relaxed, and your index finger extended as well without curling around the bow. This is to avoid tension, causing further stiffness in your bow arm.

Below is a really detailed explanation of Beth from ViolinLab.com for solving your issue with a stiff bow arm. Please click like on the video and subscribe to her channel for more violin tutorials on straight bowing as well as other violin tips.

Holding The Violin Series 1: Keeping the Grip

2012-08-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling for weeks and weeks with my left hand because I am so afraid of doing the infamous death grip that violin teachers are constantly warning their students about. Beth was able to point out my fear that has lead to my over-compensation in gripping the violin when she watched my Twinkle Twinkle variation video. I was holding the neck of the violin by placing my thumb almost beneath the neck, and my pointing finger was in no contact whatsoever with the violin.

If you are struggling with the violin grip as I am, then watch this video bellow by Allison on how one should think and go about their violin grip

Practicing Slowly Part II: Make Your Piece Unidentifiable

2012-08-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I saw a post from my fellow ViolinLab.com member in our Yahoo Groups community, and it really got me thinking. His post said:

If a passerby can identify what song you are practicing, then you are practicing it wrong.

Ironic, isn't it? How come you are practicing something wrong when every single note from every single bar and stanza can be fully understood? You should be told that you are doing an awesome job in your violin practice because everyone knows what song you're trying to play right?

Right?

Wrong.

So I did a little searching and I got an interesting insight from Daniel Wood's article 6 Secrets To Unlocking Your Child's Talent and I quote:

...you should play slow enough that a passer-by can’t recognize the song. As one coach puts it, “It’s not how fast you do it. It’s how slow you can do it correctly.”

Reason I brought this one up again is because I am so frustrated with myself because I am still stuck with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I just finished Twinkle Twinkle Variation C, D, & E, and I'm still trying to improve my intonation and bowing while someone I am following in YouTube is already on Go Tell Aunt Rhody in her Suzuki repertoire.

Itzhak Perlman's concept in slow practicing is this: if you practice slowly, you forget it slowly. And it's true! I can still remember the Twinkle Twinkle variations, but I cannot remember how to do Lightly Row again even though I "finished" it last year. And that's because I set myself on a pace of finishing suzuki in just two months.

Another post shared by a fellow violinlabber is Dr. Noa Kageyama's blog post: Is Slow Practice Really Necessary?. One particular quote from the blog that I really like was his reference to his interview with Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim:

He revealed that one of the keys to his success (and building confidence as well) is super slow practice. A process of practicing in slow motion – while being fully mindful, highly engaged, and thinking deeply in real-time about what he is doing.

So next time you go for a piece, don't speed things up. Concentrate on your bow articulation, left and right hand coordination, and intonation - one bar at a time. If you are concerned about where the bow should be on a note on a specific stanza, then mark where the bow should be on each note.

Violin learning is a process, and patience along with focus will make your progress more enjoyable, your skills retainable, and your goal obtainable.

Good luck. Go slow. And keep it up.

Twinkle Twinkle Variation C, D, & E Suzuki Book 1

2012-08-18T21:16:00.002-07:00

After finishing my makeshift camera mount, I finally had a break to take on my violin practice. I haven't been "playing" as in playing. I was concentrating on my notes and intonation, plus doing some exercises to help my arm get familiar with the different notes in the Twinkle Twinkle variations.

No, I am not looking at a music sheet or a mirror (as I used to) when I recorded this practice. If you see me constantly glancing at a certain point every now and then, I was checking on my tuner to see if I was on the note or not.

I never thought that I will have the ears to know if I am out of tune. I mean, I know I'm out of tune when I play the violin but only after I watch my recorded practice. But now, my ears are now gradually getting accustomed to my violin's vibrations and I can tell if I am off or not as I play. I still have to look at my tuner, though, to see if my notes are flat or sharp. However, I believe that I will get to the point of identifying flats and sharps in my notes without the help of my tuner eventually.

Recording Your Practice Series I: Camera Mount

2012-08-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

So, since my lessons in ViolinLab.com are online and Beth is in Austin, Texas, the only way for me to get feedback on my violin playing is through recording my practice at home with the use of a camera. I had an awesome Sony Cybershot digital camera that I got as a graduation gift from my sisters and mom, but I dropped it in my last practice last year :(. Thankfully enough, I got a Samsung DVD camcorder that records in both SD cards and mini DVDs, but I had to find out a way how to prop it to get an awesome camera angle.

And after weeks and weeks of thinking, this was what I came up with.

I have to admit that thinking about this mount was far easier than it was to build it. I am sorely lacking in architectural and design skills and the mount is mediocre at best. However, what it lacks in design is nothing compared to the flexibility it is able to give me when recording my practice. I was able to record my Twinkle Twinkle Variation C, D, & E in our room, and I think I will be recording Go Tell Aunt Rhody in the living room some time this week.

Materials

I used typewriting paper and pencil at first for making the what is described by my daughter as the "blueprint" of the piece. Of course, I needed a foot-long ruler to measure the dimensions, as well as to help the cutter glide through the illustration board smoothly. I used a lot of tapes here. And I mean a lot. The finished skeleton was so unappealing because of the tapes that I covered it with left-over wrapper from Christmas.

Hey, why not? It's already Augusts, so let's get started with the holidays already!

So Many Things To Do, So Little Time

2012-08-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

I'm a writer and I write when I work, and I write when I don't work. It's in my blood and I can't shake it off.

However, right now work and a lot of personal responsibilities are getting to me... I have more than 5 drafts prepared for this website as well as my ever lengthening list of what to practice and when to practice, and how to practice - not to mention a McGyver idea on how to prop up a camera for an awesome camera angle that a fellow ViolinLab.com member has shared with us all.

Please stay tuned as I will upload a featured interview soon of possibly two awesome online violin professors.

See you around!

ViolinLab With ProfessorV

2012-08-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

Two of the most amazing violin teachers have come together in Austin, Texas for ViolinLab's workshop and masterclass. Todd Ehle, known in YouTube as ProfessorV is one of the guest instructors in the workshop and Beth has graciously shared her interview and chat with this truly amazing teacher.

Twinkle Twinkle Variation C Part I

2012-07-30T22:56:00.002-07:00

So, 1st Twinkle Twinkle done and I'm now off to my second variation, which is the third variation in the Suzuki Book 1. Beth recommends skipping Variation B for later and, although I trust her, I was a bit confused at first. After hearing the notes and watching her tutorial on Variation B in ViolinLab.com, I fully understood why.

Alternating Bowing Pattern

I don't know what got into my head, but I went on and played Variation C in full. And because the bowing pattern was new to me, my wrist ended up being shaky, my fingers tight, and my bow was just uncontrollable. This alternating bowing pattern of long-short-short-long is very different from the bowing pattern of Variation A, which was just full of detache or short bow strokes with rest. So, lesson learned: warm up and prep. Hopefully I'll get the hang of the bowing pattern so I can post a respectable video next week.

YouTube Channels For Beginning Violinists

2012-07-28T01:13:00.002-07:00

YouTube has come a long way since its started. And now, more and more people are tuning in to YouTube not just for movies and series, but for how-tos and tutorials as well.

ViolinLab

I cannot remember exactly how I found Beth's ViolinLab channel in YouTube a year ago. All I can recall is that I wanted to have an online violin lesson and I was looking at beginning tutorials in YouTube. I bought my Hofer around May last year and I absolutely have no idea what to do with it.

So, after numerous search, I found Beth and her violin bow hold tutorial. I have to say it was the most complete and thorough tutorial I've had the pleasure of watching. Beth's got loads of video up for you to look at, and that's just a mere drop in the ocean compared to the videos she's got in ViolinLab.com.

Violin Lessons with Todd Ehle

Another YouTube violin channel that got my interest was Todd Ehle, and I was really surprised when I saw him as one of the violin professors present in Beth's ViolinLab workshop. Through ViolinLab.com member's shared pictures, of course.

He's pretty technical, thorough, and very relaxed in his tutorials. I occasionally find his YouTube tutorials sort of dragging, but that's just me being impatient and wanting him to get on with the point of the lesson. However, if you have the patience and the discipline to listen to him, his "lengthy" Youtube violin lessons can really be handy and useful.

Allysons Violin Studio

Allyson's goal is to help give you some supplemental knowledge on how you should practice your piece, while giving you strict notes that you should still follow your teacher's methods if her methods are different. Her channel has violin tutorials that include playthroughs and practice tips for Suzuki Books 1-3, and more.

Itzhak Perlman on YouTube

Of course, I saved the best for last. This great maestro actually has his own YouTube channel! He is also a great inspiration for all of us because he has become a successful violinist even though he's been handicapped because of polio. He is a very busy man, but he does take the time to answer questions that have been emailed to him on his Facebook page.

I'm sure that there are other YouTube channels out there that can help beginning violinists. If you wish to add a channel to this list, please feel free to leave a comment.

See you around.

Using A Shoulder Rest

2012-07-26T05:30:00.001-07:00

One of the most difficult things I have to get over with in playing the violin is that painful dig the wooden instrument gives me when I put at the crook of my neck. It digs to my collarbone and my then-instructor told me that the skin was starting to get raw. Either I use a towel, or I use a violin shoulder rest.

My shoulder rest is just a simple, inexpensive black thing that I bought for just P500 (about $12 USD) in a local music store (which I will not promote because the manager is just so snotty). And I will not
recommend the brand either because it's sort of rickety and hard to manipulate. There are other more reliable brands which are, of course, expensive but they are worth every penny. Lesson learned: when you are serious with your violin, go for the mid-range to top-range gadgets, like this ViolinSmart 4/4 Full Size Violin Shoulder Rest or Beth's favorite Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest

So, back to my shoulder rest. All shoulder rests will have their own unique shape and curvature, and each curve has a purpose. The shoulder part of the rest is concave or curved in to hug your shoulders. The chest part is slightly convex or curved out to lift your violin up so it won't sink to your chest.

The ends of your shoulder rest, depending on your brand, will also have different widths. Take for example this Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: the shoulder end will be wide, while the chest end will be narrow. This is to help give you better balance as you'll be pressing on your violin with your chin to keep it in place.

Your violin shoulder rest will also come with different parts, with the clamp as one of the key parts you should look into. It holds your shoulder rest in place on your violin and it should be covered with a strong, non-slip, yet soft rubber to prevent scratching your violin. These clamps are adjustable; you can lower the height of the peg or increase its length if necessary according to the size of your neck.

Positioning Your Violin Shoulder Rest

Placement of your shoulder rest is important for taking the pain out of violin playing.You have to manipulate your shoulder rest on your violin so you can find the best comfortable position for you. You can either position your shoulder rest in a slanted manner (left picture). For me, I need the shoulder side positioned nearer to my shoulder, with the chest side slanted nearer to my neck. Or, you can place the shoulder rest straight across your violin either near the base or near the center of your violin.

Comfortability Issues

Putting up a shoulder rest for your violin should mean increased or improved comfort in playing. If you feel your neck is unnaturally stretched and/or your shoulder is awkwardly raised, you should re-position your shoulder rest and adjust the pegs or clamp.Beth claims that of all the shoulder rests she's tried, the Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest for her was the most comfortable one. I am yet to find a Bonmusica shoulder rest here in the Philippines, and if I can find one, I'll definitely buy my own.
If you are not sure about how to place your shoulder rest on your violin, ask your violin teacher. Your goal for putting up a shoulder rest for violin will be to improve your playing experience, give you better violin support, and to prevent your thumb from supporting the bridge of your violin as you play so you can avoid squeezing your violin.

Benefits of Listening to A Music Piece

2012-07-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

I loved the violin since I was little, and know instinctively that I should know my notes if I am to play my violin someday. Granted that I have the inherent "ability," so to speak, to play a tune better if I know what on earth I am playing, I wanted to get that habit out of me so I can learn how to read notes. However, I can't seem to visualize notes better than when I hear them in my head. And I think Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was aware that there are individuals out there like me who will only play better if they are familiar with the music that they are playing when he made his violin program.

And for that, I would like to earnestly say Thank You to Dr. Suzuki for coming up with such concept.

I've given up hope in learning how to read notes and how to play them using just vision alone. And one of the reasons why I took the time on my birthday last year to rush out to the mall near closing hours in order to get that last copy of Suzuki Book I in Trinoma was because of the "free" CD that comes with it. An original book without the CD is cheaper, but what's the use of it right? When it comes to education, I prefer my copies clean because they will last me for a long time compared to knock-outs and rip-offs.

While others may disregard the CD that comes with Suzuki and just by principle and pride rely on the book and note reading itself, I encourage others to be easy on themselves and utilize the CD. As an adult beginner (or even for children who are just starting to play the violin), creating a mental reference for the music will help you with your violin progress in different ways.

Faster Note Memorization
Listen to the CD and look at the music piece at the same time. If you wish to know the notes better, use your Speedshifter program to lower down the speed to 60bpms or lower. Follow each note with your finger or a pencil and sing the notes out loud. Take note: sing not say. Singing will help you give more emotion, feeling and phrasing to your playing rather than just be someone who is "mimicing" a recording.

Focus on Intonation
No one wants to listen to someone sing off key. And it's even more ear and nerve wracking to listen to someone play the violin out of tune. By listening to a recording of your intended music piece, you will have a mental reference on how your notes should be played. One may rely on tapes to know play the notes, but everyone knows that hitting the notes on the violin is not as easy as playing the piano. You press a piano key and you're note is always on tune. You place your finger on a violin string carelessly and you can be flat at one moment, and sharp at the next. And you won't even know and care how you sound unless you listen to someone play the music over and over and over again. Then one day, light bulb moment: was I really that off key?!?!

Next time your teacher gives you a musical piece, ask him or her if you can record her playing the piece so you can have a reference as you practice. Of course a visual and audio reference together is better than just a CD because you'll be taking down notes on bow strokes and shifting. However, audio is ten times better than none! So just get an MP3 recorder, ask for your teacher for a CD recording, or even a tape that you can play in cassette player and record through in line mic in your PC to convert in MP3.

This is one of the several things I learn to appreciate as I go with my virtual violin training at ViolinLab.com. I know I will learn more as I go on and I will share one of my eureka moments when I get one again in the future.

Thanks for reading my blog and come back again soon!

Second Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variation A

2012-07-17T03:08:00.001-07:00

Been practicing my intonation for days, and finally got to record my practice. I'm not at all happy with the video quality as it's sketchy and everything. However, it did give me a few points on how I'm going about my pathetic attempts with the violin.

Update

The ViolinLab.com community is really amazing. They gave me valuable insights about my bowing, violin hold, and relaxation. Aside from that, everyone is encouraging me to "keep up the good work" and to continue on my progress.

Their main feedback was for relaxation because, aside from my telling them, it's quite obvious that I'm all tense.

Jim and Joe told me to practice on my bowing, and with good reason as my wrist is quite stiff. Diane gave quite an interesting analogy of doing a wrist motion similar to giving a "nose punch."

Pedro and Beth gave really good insights on how I should do my relaxation techniques. Beth also wants me to focus on my string crossing from the A string to the E string, with my third finger placed on the A string.

I love my ViolinLab.com community.

Practicing Slowly

2012-07-03T06:24:00.001-07:00

When you buy your original Suzuki Book, you are also given a CD to listen to and play along. But as a beginner, you are always told to practice slowly. And one way to practice slowly is to play your piece one bar at a time, as well as playing the piece slightly slower than the real beat. The former is easier to do than the latter since CD players don't give you the freedom of slowing down the accompaniment.

One of the things I like about ViolinLab.com is that the members there are willing to help each other out, and that means recommending sheet music, apps, and programs that can really be useful in your progress as a violin player. A member shared this really awesome program that can help you slow down or speed up the beat of any song you wish to play, which is Speedshifter by ABRSM.

I downloaded the program and tried it myself. It really did slow down the tempo of the music. And, unlike other programs I've tried, Speedshifter kept the whole integrity of the song. No distortions. No false notes. Just clean, pure, whole sound and music that will really make your practice enjoyable and less boring compared to just playing without an accompaniment. It's just like you have your own piano player right at home that you can order to speed up or slow down, depending on how you want to practice your songs.

Speedshifter is totally free. All you have to do is insert the CD and play. The downside of this is that it can only control the speed of audio CD's and MP3's. So if you wish to preserve your Suzuki CD and just play the songs in your hard drive, remember to rip the CD in MP3 format. Windows media player and Real Player both can help you rip your CD to MP3's instantly in mere minutes. Once you're done, simply use Speedshifter to open the music file, set your desired speed, and play.

Download your Speeshifter and try it out now, see where you can go with your violin practice with it.

What do you use to help you practice slowly? Let me know and let's all exchange ideas on how you do your violin practice slowly and perfectly.

Going Back to Violin

2012-07-01T00:18:00.000-07:00

Finally, after several months of not being able to hold the violin, I am now back to practicing to my heart's content. I also have Beth of ViolinLab.com for taking me back after several months of being unable to go back to the site.

Needless to say, I'm finding it difficult to go back to playing the fiddle. I'm a beginner, and stopping and going back again would mean I am starting from square one. Yes, square one, even though I know the notes of all the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star variations as well as Lightly Row in Suzuki. So, what are my present hurdles?

Getting thick skin - because I was not playing the violin actively, the meager excuse of a callous that I developed during my few weeks of playing have disappeared. This creates a problem because the lack of "padding" makes it painful for me to press on the strings correctly

Muscle memory - I had pretty good muscle memory back then. It wasn't perfect, but I do hit the notes without my violin tuner going red on me 100% all the time like the way it's doing now. So now, I have to "remember" where to place my fingers right, and re-train my ears so I can have that perfect pitch for the violin.
Re-establishing the proper posture - I thought that once you held the violin, you will always remember how to hold it right. However, I am shocked to discover that it is not the same with me. I have to look again for the comfortable and proper position and square up my shoulders to get into the right stance.

This is just a short list. I know I still have a lot of problems to deal with. So, when it comes to getting back to muscle memory, here's what I did.

Violin tapes - as much as I want to preserve my pride and just blindly hitting on the notes, I have to say that I gave in and put the tapes back on my violin. I don't want to do it, but it must be done. I can't remember where exactly I must place my fingers, and the frustration was getting to me.

Intonation training with my tuner - I use this Cherub tuner that I bought in JB Music Store. I'm back to just doing scales instead of just the whole music piece. I hit the notes three times, mainly concentrating first on the A and E strings as I perform the scales. I adjust my fingers depending on the way my tuner is responding, then bow again.

Finger on board, off, then back again - I place my fingers on the fingerboard, hit the string, check the intonation, then bow three times on the right note. I remove my fingers again then put them back on the notes, continuing the cycle on and on.

I do this retraining as I practice. My goal is to have adequate intonation by next week so I can have a pretty decent violin demo to upload in ViolinLab.com.

How to Put Violin Tapes

2011-08-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Finally! My very own tutorial on how to put tapes on a violin. Been very busy with work and barely have time to put up the blog.

Now, before we begin, read first my post on Putting Tapes on Violin: Is it for you? This is for you to know some of the pros and cons of having violin tapes. No one should dictate you on what you want to do with your violin. If you think that putting tapes on the fingerboard will be good for building muscle and tone memory, then go for it. But if you prefer to learn the traditional way and go without finger tapes, that will do as well. For now, we’ll be discussing the tapes, where and how to put them.

For starters, here’s what you will need:

Tapes. You can buy violin tapes in Amazon. However, Beth of ViolinLab.com also recommends using pinstripe car stickers bought in your local car specialty store. Both violin and car tapes are easier to remove without leaving behind that sticky residue. Pre-cut the tapes in a length that is twice as long as the fingerboard so you can overlap the tapes underneath the violin.
An Auto Chromatic tuner. You cannot use the GDAE-only as you will be checking notes other than those found in the violin tuner. What’s good about an auto chromatic tuner is that you can self-tape your violin with a better degree of note accuracy faster and easier. If you don’t have any other musical instrument or tuner at home, one way to check your violin tapes is to visit this tumbra drone website (shared by a violinlab.com member). This site has an extensive collection of different notes played on the tumbra uploaded in mp3 format. Try to harmonize as much as you can with the notes as you mark the violin.
A pencil and a ruler to mark where you will be putting the tapes

First step: tune first your violin. Make it a habit to tune your violin before doing anything to it, even if you’re just practicing your bowing. An out-of-tune violin can make your violin fingerboard tape totally useless as you’ll be producing different notes.

violin tape locations

Mark the violin according to the measurements shown in the photo. My warning here is, these measurements are just approximations on where the notes are generally found on the violin. The violin tape positions may be a bit above or below the specified measurements. Place the zero mark of your ruler right at the nut. Make pencil markings on the edge of the fingerboard near the G string, and again other edge near the E string. This will help you put your tapes in a straight position. If your violin tapes are not straight, your notes will not be accurate.

Once you have created your markings, take your prepared violin tapes and insert them under the strings just above the bridge right where you use your bow. Make sure that the sticky side is not touching any part of the violin as you glide the violin tape beneath the strings right at the first marking. Once you reach your first marking, lightly lay the tapes on the violin fingerboard and check if the tape is straight along the nut. Don’t wrap the tape on the violin fingerboard yet as you’ll be doing some fine tuning later. Proceed in doing so with the next 3 tapes, always taking care to check the alignment as you go.

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Now that you have placed the tapes on the violin fingerboard, get your tuner. Here are the pictures of the GDAE strings with their respective violin tape notes (click to enlarge).

D string notes

G string notes

E string notes

A string notes

Now let’s number the tapes 1-4, with 1 being the top tape nearest the nut. Your fingers will also be numbered 1-4, starting from your pointing finger to the pinky. Press on the first tape at the G string firmly and run your bow on that string. If your placement of the violin tape is correct, your tuner should light at the middle. If the light stops before the middle mark, then you need to carefully lift the violin fingerboard tape and ever so slightly increase its distance from the nut. If the light goes beyond the middle, you need to do the opposite: gingerly lift the tape and place it just a little closer to the nut.

Congratulations, you've just put violin tapes on your violin. You can now start practicing your scales and get right on your first musical piece. ViolinLab has great videos on how to do your scales on the violin with your newly placed violin fingerboard tapes.

Did you find this tutorial helpful? Please share your thoughts and let's exchange ideas on how to improve your tone with or without the tapes. ;)

Going for A Week without A Violin... And Counting.....

2011-08-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

The last time I was able to get hold of my violin was Wednesday last week.... And after having my therapy session (shown in the video), I'm now doing self-therapy during my free time. Due to my working schedule, I'm only able to have my therapy once every week. As much as I want to do it 2-3 sessions, no can do.

Wonder when will be the next time I'll be able to hold my violin again......

Update: back to violin since June 28, 2012

Putting Tapes on Your Violin: Is it for You?

2011-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

The violin is a tricky instrument. Unlike other musical instruments that give you an idea on how and where to hit the correct notes, the violin is like doing guess work on where you should place your fingers for the correct sound. Violin instructors often recommend putting tapes on a violin's fingerboard to help beginning students develop muscle memory. And like most adult beginners who wish to be good in playing the violin, you're probably asking if finger tabs are good for you.

Let's discuss first what is muscle memory for the sake of those who are new to the term. Muscle memory is the automatic, unconscious finger action on the violin produced by hours and hours of violin playing. The more you practice, the better your fingers will learn not to rely on your conscious command on where to go.

How fast one develops muscle memory for violin varies from person to person. Some can practice for several days and will not need the tapes at all. Others find it difficult to remember where the notes are and have a hard time developing muscle memory even with the tapes. Your violin instructor cannot predict how fast or how slow you'll learn your notes; in order to help you get a good start and also make your lessons less frustrating, instructors will often put on tapes to your violin.

Violin tapes guided with help from ViolinLab.com

If you have a hard time mastering your music piece because you're concentrating on where your fingers should go for the proper note, then putting tapes on your violin may be for you. As a beginner, it can be hard to focus between straight bowing, intonation, beat, timing, and finger placement all at once. And it can be frustrating to play a section of your music sheet over and over again because you always miss hitting the right notes. With guide tapes, playing your first piece will be relatively easy.

One question you may well be asking about fingerboard tapes is developing dependency on them. You may be relying on them at first because you don't know where to put your fingers. But once you have developed muscle memory, you will notice that you no longer have to concentrate on finger placement as you play your piece. You can concentrate on bowing, right intonation, and keeping up with your metronome or accompanying music. You'll forget worrying about finger placement eventually.

Violin playing with tapes will make memorization of the piece easier and more fun. No more constant trackbacks just get the notes right and you'll have more time concentrating on your techniques instead. But if you feel that the tapes are not for you, don't be afraid to tell your instructor. Regardless on having tapes or not, learning to play the violin should be a fun, enjoyable experience.

Next on my blog: how to put violin guide tapes with bits and pieces of ideas I got from ViolinLab.com . Thanks for reading and please comment below about this topic and your preference on putting tapes on your violin.

Phrasing???

2011-08-02T05:06:00.000-07:00

Janine Jensen is my main and very favorite violin soloist. She's got such a "light" personality that everyone seems to be awestruck whenever she's with them. However, some "critique" said that her phrasing leaves much to be desired for classical music. Do you agree??? And what does phrasing mean?

If you know the answer, feel free to share your comments and insights below.

Recording Your Practice

2011-07-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

I recently submitted a video to ViolinLab.com for Beth to check up on and it made me realize something that I want to share to those who are just starting in playing the violin - the importance of recording your practice sessions.

The thing you'll appreciate most, once you get past the discomfort of "performing" for a virtual audience, is that you'll be able to do your own self-assessment. The first thing you'll notice will be your bow arm. Is it doing the right motion you thought it is should be? Where is your sounding point? Is it towards the bridge or towards the fingerboard? Is your bowing straight and on just one sweet spot, or is it skirting across the strings like a snake on hot sand? You'll be able to realize which string you're having difficulty in bowing so you can make changes in your own practice line-up. Let's admit it: when taking violin lessons at home by yourself, it's difficult to know if you are indeed right where you think you should be.

Violinists admit that what they hear as they play is not exactly what the audience appreciate while they listen. You may think that you're doing your notes wrong, when the audience 6-10 feet away hear only great music. Or you may hear that you're hitting the right notes, but the recording tells a different story. Are your fingers spot on at the finger board, or do you need some adjustments? If you do not wish to disturb your any of your family members, be your own judge on your intonation and listen to your own recording after you practice.

Needless to say, it can be uncomfortable especially for those who are not used to seeing themselves on screen. But once you have mustered the courage to tape yourself, you'll be glad that you did.

Do you record your practice sessions? Feel free to share your own ideas on how you've progressed on your violin lessons through your own recordings. ;)

Why Short Nails are Important

2011-07-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

One of the most basic, yet most neglected advice given to beginning violinist is the importance of keeping your nails short. It's very easy to forget about maintaining the proper nail length because we all started on bowing techniques with open strings. However, once you start using your fingers on the fingerboard, your nails will become an issue.

Finger on strings before trimming

Take a look at the picture above. Ignore the death grip I'm giving to my Hoffer's neck (The name I gave my violin, we'll go to that part in the future, as well as the grip) as I'm balancing the violin whilst holding the camera. Notice angle of my fingers on the strings. It's very hard to produce the correct sound because the nail is interfering with the finger pressure I'm applying on the strings. If I put my fingers squarely on the violin, my fingernails will be cutting into the string. That can lead to either finger injury or a broken string.

Finger pressure after trimming

Now compare the angles of my fingers from the previous picture to the one above. You'll notice that I'm now applying a more even pressure on the strings without compromising comfort. My nails are no longer cutting on the string and interfering with my intonation. I don't have to rotate my wrist and fingers just to avoid hitting the stings of the violin with my fingernails. BTW, Beth has a great violin tutorial in ViolinLab.com on how to apply finger pressure and strengthening exercises for good intonation.

The length of your nails on your right hand can also interfere with your bow hold. Long thumb nails can get in the way as you position your thumb right at the crook at the frog. Instead of getting a solid and relaxed hold on the bow, your thumb will be constantly sliding forward. As a result, you'll be adding useless pressure and your intonation will be affected because of this.

So next time when you practice, check the length of your nails and see if they need trimming. That very small detail can really reduce a great amount of frustration as you produce your notes.

What's your preferred length for your fingernails? How short do you trim them? Please share your tips and ideas, or comment on this posting below. :)

Canceling Music Sanctuary

2011-07-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

I was happy to have found a violin school that offers lessons for a very low fee. Sad to say, I got my money's worth. There was a confusion on what should have been last week's last session for July - something that should not have happened if the people in charge of Music Sanctuary were really concerned over the schedules of their teachers and students. It would have been no issue at all for me if I'm just a stay-at-home mom, but I'm working.

Alas, it was fun while it lasted. Farewell, Music Sanctuary. Sadly I won't endorse you to my friends anymore.

Twinkle Twinkle Suzuki Variation A

2011-07-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Video 1: Twinkle Twinkle Variation July 22, 2011

After 3 weeks of violin lessons, I'm finally able to do one song. As I'm doing this video, I really did my best to relax as I am not comfortable catching myself on film. I also did what Isaac Stern said when he was teaching a small child on how to play. Play as if you're listening to something beautiful. Obviously, I still need a lot of practice as it did not work out well here. :))

Before you comment, yes, there are some mistakes. My intention here is to have Beth Blackerby of ViolinLab.com to see my weak points, where I should improve, and how should I improve. I have another video, but I don't know if I am to post it.... bowing was terrible, really.

Cavatina by Nicanor Abelardo

2011-07-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

The violin being of Western origin, I have mistakenly assumed that this great instrument can only be played with music created by Western composers. However, during my quest in creating my "future repertoire" of songs, I came across this great video.

My ignorance of our own cultural music has made me forget our very own Nicanor Abelardo. I remember listening to his compositions as a child while my father tunes to a classical radio station. However, most of Nicanor Abelardo's music played in the radio were either kundiman (opera-style classical Filipino love song) or for the piano. Admittedly, this is the first time I heard his composition played with the violin.

If you know the story of the song, feel free to share it. (Violinist: Joseph Esmilla)

Meet Beth My ViolinLab Instructor

2011-07-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Getting a great violin instructor is really a challenge, especially when you have a busy schedule. As working mom with a 7 y/o daughter, I certainly have to create the time to take violin lessons without having to compromise other personal and professional responsibilities. That goes without saying that I need a violin instructor who is flexible yet still give me the right amount of attention for a good start in learning the violin.

I’ve tried countless searches for a violin tutor that has a flexible schedule, and personally I prefer to have my violin lessons at home. I’ve spent 3 months browsing the net for a tutor just to get the right one. And in order to start right, I also searched for basic video know-hows in YouTube for playing the violin – This is how I found Beth Blackerby, my virtual violin tutor in ViolinLab.com.

Now you know quite a bit of information about Beth, her store, and ViolinLab.com. I’ve been using the site for more than a week now, and I am currently very satisfied with how my tutorials are going. With all the available videos and tutorials on bow hold, I find Beth’s instructions really detailed and very easy to follow.

So, how can an online violin instructor help you progress through your violin lessons? Aside from the flexibility it gives, all of the students in ViolinLab.com agree that all the video tutorials in Beth’s website are fully detailed. The practice sessions are quite fun and very easy to follow, and Beth has arranged them in a way that will help you as a student progress through your lessons easily and without any difficulty.

Right now, I’m learning the Suzuki Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations. Admittedly, I only got the hang of the piece through Beth’s tutorial. Listening to the accompaniment CD can give you a good idea on how each note should go, but Beth really took the time to demonstrate how you should do your bowing in order to play the variations properly and successfully.

If you wish to know more about Beth and ViolinLab.com, visit her website. You can also view her YouTube channel for a glimpse of the amazing violin tutorial videos Beth has created for those like us who wish to learn the violin at home.