Fundamental Steps in Learning to Play the Violin

By Aaron Piertzen

Learning to play the violin can be one of the most demanding ambitions that you embark on. Even though the violin is a stunning instrument with exquisite tone, it can be an unusually difficult instrument to learn. Here are some tips, though, that can get you started on the right track.

Although the violin is predominantly used in classical music, all types of music are able to utilize it, making it a very adaptable instrument. It is usually the main instrument used for the melody when used in an orchestra.

When learning to play the violin, the first thing you should do is find a place where you can practice uninterrupted. It is good to have a straight back chair, in addition to a music stand that is able to hold your sheet music.

To hear the pitch of the instrument, use your one of your thumbs to pluck each string in order to hear its pitch and to test its tension. If you're a beginner, you might consider using a piano or a pitch pipe to tune the violin to G-D-A-E.

Next, at the place where the fingerboard and neck extend from the violin, wrap your left hand around the body. Situate the violin and the chin rest, the part of the instrument that is black, under your chin. You should also bring your left shoulder so that it is located under the chin rest. This will help give you some support.

Now, arrange your right thumb at the corner of the fingerboard, close to the bridge. Your index finger should be situated on top of the "G" string. With just a little bit of pressure, your finger should then land on the "D" string. This is what is called "plucking."

Plus the "G" string 4 times not using your fingernails. Work on creating a rhythm. Using the same method, do the same thing with the "D", "A", and "E" strings. Once you get familiar with this, mix up the order while still keeping it slow.

The next thing you need to learn about is the bow. Situate your right thumb on the inside of the bow while letting your three middle fingers land on the outside. Your pinkie should be close to the adjustment screw.

Put the bow hair on top of the "G" string and draw a straight line using just a little bit of pressure. Then, go in the opposite direction. This should be done in a regular or slow speed at first.

These are actually the first essential steps in learning to play the violin. It does get more intricate after this, of course. However, while you might find it tricky in the beginning, you should try to have patience and to keep working at it. As you practice, you will learn how much pressure you need to apply, as well as how to produce steady rhythms, too. - 32618

About the Author:

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Using Suzuki Method Program In Learning How To Play Violin For Kids

By Yanda Atmaja

When the Suzuki program was introduced into the musical world, it completely revolutionized the way music was taught. With this introduction, came the need for smaller solo violin structures, so children could learn music at a much earlier age. With that being the case, violins were made in 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and even 1/32 sizes. The purpose for this was to allow students to play on instruments that were the proper size for them, play the violin so they could learn better. The 1/16 violin is especially popular among very young children.

The Suzuki method for teaching music to students was shockingly simple and effective. Before this method, students usually had to wait until they were 10 or 12 before learning how to play, even though they were taught to read music. This meant that violinists were less talented because they had less experience. With the Suzuki method of learning, students can start learning to play the violin as young as age three.

The Suzuki method also teaches the young children to memorize the music rather than learning to read it right away. This gives the children an easier time of leaning, and enables them to start playing songs right away. It also gives them many more years of experience so that the violinist reaches higher levels of talent sooner. The most common size of violin to start off with is the 1/16 violin size, which is one of the smallest.

A 1/16 violin is made just like a full-size violin. Because of its smaller size, however, finer details are sometimes ignored. In addition, the violins are constructed for children, so the quality of materials used is often much rougher, with construction designed for affordability and durability. That durability, however, compromises sound quality, and the smaller size provides less room for the strings to be amplified, so very little sound is actually produced. While a better bow is made of wood and horsehair, the child's bow is generally no longer than eight inches and consists of a fiberglass stick with plastic hairs attached.

As you can see, the 1/16 violin is definitely a learning tool. The only purpose for it is to teach little children how to play a musical instrument. There is almost no other value to them other than maybe as a wall decoration. Still, with its invention many children are able to lean how to play, which was not previously an option. The small violins have their time and place in the learning process. - 32618

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The Fundamentals Of How To Play The Violin

By Ned Dagostino

People come up with lots of excuses when they try to talk themselves out of learning an instrument they have always wanted to play. If you love the violin, perhaps you've told yourself that it's too difficult. Or maybe you think you're too old. The truth is that you really can learn how to play the violin no matter what your circumstances.

Taking private lessons from a qualified teacher can help, but starting out you may do just as well learning the basics from a friend or relative that plays. For instance you don't need a pro to teach you how to hold the instrument, yet this is very important. Get this wrong and you'll be very uncomfortable. You may be tempted to quit before you really get started, or worse, you could even suffer some form of stress injury. So let's do this right. Start by putting your left arm under the body of the violin. Hold the neck with your left hand and curl your fingers over the neck. Your hand and fingers will be on top of the strings and the the chin rest on the instrument will be between your chin and left shoulder. Take the bow in your right hand an you're ready to go.

Once you've learned to hold the violin properly, you can begin to learn how to finger notes on the violin. Unlike guitars, violins do not have frets. Instead, violin players literally play "by ear" until they know exactly where each note falls on the fingerboard.

You'll first be taught the four main positions on the violin. Those first position is at the end of the neck and will give you the low notes. The last of the four positions is close to your face and will give you higher notes. The four strings are tuned to G, D. A, and E. Play the strings "open" (with no fingers pressing on the strings) and these are the notes you will hear. Press you fingers on the strings at different locations and you will hear different notes.

There are two ways to play these notes. Most start out by plucking them. This is called pizzicato. The other way most people are familiar with is by steadily drawing the bow across the strings in a long stroke.

In addition to learning how to play the violin, you'll also need to learn how to read music. If you don't know how to read music before you learn how to play, you can begin by studying music in a more basic fashion either by taking classes, having someone versed in music teach you, or studying on your own to a certain degree by going online and searching out various tutorials.

You should know before you start that it will take years of hard work, dedication and practice before you become an expert and that's OK. You don't have to be an expert to have fun playing this wonderful instrument. Just get started and you'll see what I mean. - 32618

About the Author:

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Violin Master Pro Review - How Do These Violin Lessons Online Work?

By Linsey Potter

Is Violin Master Pro a scam? This online course has proved to be one of the best selling products on the Internet due to its effectiveness and convenience of being offered online. It is a violin course that has its training materials 100% available for download over the web, including all of its videos, PDF guides and audio files that come with the course.

1. Who Created Violin Master Pro and Can You Really Trust His Course?

It is made by a professional violinist who is also a member of the Manhattan String Quartet, Eric Lewis. Otherwise known as Prof. Eric, he has been touring the world since the 1970s, teaching his skills and concertizing to other violinists in the process.

With more than 40 years of music experience, he is now teaching students at institutions of higher learning as well as teaching privately. Ever since his violin course went digital, it has helped tens of thousands of young string players cut short their learning curves while enjoying his expertise from the comfort of their homes.

2. What Can One Learn From the Violin Master Pro Course?

I have definitely picked up a lot more skills now with this course than when I first started with it. I can now read and play by reading from written notes, can play any musical style and improvise them in any way I want, have no need to follow strict rules when learning, have mastered rhythm, am able to create my own patterns and songs and many more. Most of these skills are used by professionals and I am glad that this course has exposed me to all of them.

3. What Are The Advantages of Using Violin Master Pro Over Other Courses?

Besides having the convenience of being able to learn from home, learning online is also much cheaper as compared to hiring an instructor and attending classes. - 32618

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