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Upon receiving a brand new violin from the internet or local retail store, chances are you need to set or move the bridge in the right location and position and tune your violin up from almost or complete loose.

Learning to easily set up a violin with loose or new strings will make all kind of jobs much easier. Don’t be afraid to work on your instrument. The more you do it the easier it becomes. When changing a whole set of strings, simply loosen, remove, change and re-tune one string at a time.

  • Arrange a stable working surface with a soft cover such as a large towel.
  • Make sure the center of the bridges feet line up with the inside f-hole notches.
  • While looking over the violin, insure that the strings are centered over the fingerboard by lifting and sliding the bridge to the right or left accordingly.
  • Constantly check that the bridge is not leaning too far forward or backwards.
  • Keeping the bridge at a slight back angle will insure that the strings do not pull the bridge over and even risk snapping.
  • Tune each string one by one while controlling the angle of the bridge.
  • Tightening one string will change the pitch of another requiring you to tune over and over between the different strings.
  • Remember to frequently check the bridges angle.

The art of accepting constructive criticism

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Fiddlerman

Isn’t it hard for us to accept criticism, even so called “constructive criticism”? We tend to take our playing too personally as though it was a part of us.

In previous positions as concertmaster and section leader, I had to give great professional musicians criticism and witnessed how hard it was for some to take it.

Because of how critical we are, sharing our progress with others can be very difficult knowing that we could be judged the same way. We often know what we are doing wrong but must accept our imperfections to continue playing and performing.

Allthough we are in awe of great soloists we can still find flaws in their performances. Even they are not perfect. We enjoy their performances in part by choosing to hear the greatness and not focusing on the faults.
One way to accept criticism is to realize that no one is without fault and every one of us can improve.

The musicians that I have had the most respect for in my life are the ones that don’t appear to be negatively affected by criticism and actually try to do what is suggested.

I remember being impressed by opera star Dilber who was a soloist at a concert I played in Sweden a few years ago. She is extremely self critical, and spent time during the rehearsal asking orchestra musicians sitting close to her if a particular note was too high or too low, etc. She seemed sincerely concerned with doing the best job she possibly could, even though she is successful and well known.
Professional orchestra musicians are more used to divas who love to give instructions and very few that would accept advice. It’s true that big name soloists have earned the right to be pompous and that is understandable.

One of my life time goals is to become great at accepting criticism. The better we are at doing this, the more secure we are as individuals.
Whenever I can accept critique without feeling bad, I am very proud of myself for doing so. We can all learn faster if we are open to advice.

How do you stay motivated?

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Fiddlerman

It can be tempting to neglect your instrument and do something more enjoyable for the moment such as watching a movie, hanging out on Facebook, playing online games, or perhaps taking an unnecessary nap. Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated.

  • Leave your instrument out in plain sight.
  • Listen to great music and performances.
  • Read through new pieces of music.
  • Find play along recordings or music to jam with.
  • Plan a performance.
  • Find a friend to play duets with.
  • Find musicians to motivate you on a forum or other social network.
  • Enroll in a competition.
  • Plan a chamber music party or jam session.
  • Record yourself.
  • Join a community orchestra.
  • Find friends with mutual interests.
  • Set specific goals for your instrument.
  • Get a teacher. If you don’t have time for lessons every week, maybe every other week.

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