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Hello everyone,
I started my violin journey on June 11, 2017. I played clarinet before hand, but I have always wanted to play violin. As an adult beginner I think my difficulties were finding time to practice, but now that my masters is complete I have all the time in the world. I also feel like I do very short bow strokes. I have formal lessons which I started in June 2017. I am in book 1 of Essential strings just finished learning F and C natural. Any critiques are welcome, I feel as though my progress is slow and I am doing terrible.
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@CAudreyJ, I'm amazed at your accurate fingering for being playing for such a short period of time. Very good intonation.
You need to relax a bit more, especially your bow hand. I can't see your left hand, but you seem to be getting it to the notes very well.
The tension will eventually decrease as you practice more.
Keep up the good work.
Regards Bob
Bob in Lone Oak, Texas
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You're doing really well, I think as a player it's just a natural state of mind to feel like you're doing terrible, haha.
As adult learners, it is hard finding time to practice, but 15 minutes of focused practice can get you farther than someone practicing an hour with no goal in mind for the session. Just pick something specific you want to work on in your allotted time 
I agree with Bob that your bow hand and wrist look a little stiff. This video of Fiddlerman's give's a good demonstration of a relaxed bowing hand:
You're bowing arm looks nice 
Keep up the good work
@Fiddlerman She deserves a Critique badge
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Agree with the others, you look tense, like you are afraid or either hurting the violin or making a mistake. Inotation sounds good...
Loosen up, relax and let it flow.. Play it like ya stole it...
To play a wrong note is insignificant; To play without passion is inexcusable. - Ludwig van Beethoven
My journey began on Aug 3 2017
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I noticed that my bow hand is very tense. I will be working on relaxing and trusting myself that I wont hurt my violin haha. I think I practicing my scales with longer bow strokes may also help in getting me to not tense up. Thank you everyone for the feedback. I have already implemented your suggestions into my practice. Hopefully I will have a better practice video with improvement in the near future.
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Progress is based on so much more than just how long you have been playing.
Progress is affected by your motivation, dedication, utilization of time, availability of time, interests, needs and desires, and talent just to name a few.
There are productive practice sessions and non productive sessions.
Also, guidance is important whether it be with a teacher, friend, fiddlerman family forum members :), or any online tutorials/tips......
In any case, you are doing well and one great way to progress is to share your playing here as you just did for critique.
Congratulations on your critique badge.
Practice using more right elbow and practice getting flexible right hand fingers.
I hate this video but you can see what I'm talking about below.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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You're sounding really good, especially for only playing for 5 months
I say just think bigger and relax..... stop worrying about the small things and really focus on what emotions you want to bring out as a musician. I think many people are commenting on your technique, which is obviously a very important aspect of this instrument, but I think it's ok to enjoy the music more and really become apart of the music. For example, decide where the climax of the song is, and how you're going to build up to that moment.
If I had one tip to give you, I would definitely practice lot's and lot's of scales. The fastest and most effective way of improving intonation is by practicing scales, because it lets the finger learn how to interact with the fingerboard (muscle memory!).
Keep working hard and I look forward to listening to your next video
p.s. feel free to message me anytime if you want to talk.
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