Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.

Check out our 2023 Group Christmas Project HERE

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
5 month progress
Critique Video
Topic Rating: 4.8 Topic Rating: 4.8 Topic Rating: 4.8 Topic Rating: 4.8 Topic Rating: 4.8 Topic Rating: 4.8 (5 votes) 
Avatar
CAudreyJ
Members
October 11, 2017 - 12:04 pm
Member Since: October 6, 2017
Forum Posts: 6
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

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. 

https://youtu.be/fOHfft7y1LU

Avatar
Bob
Members

Regulars
October 12, 2017 - 8:15 am
Member Since: July 13, 2017
Forum Posts: 355
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

@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

Avatar
damfino
my own little world
Members

Regulars
October 12, 2017 - 9:54 am
Member Since: July 23, 2015
Forum Posts: 2113
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

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 :D  

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 :) Your tension could just be from being aware of the camera watching you, I know that happens to me :) One thing my teacher told me, is that for both hands, if you feel them tensing up, just dropped your hand to your side and shake it off to relax it, and then resume playing.

Keep up the good work :D And don't be so hard on yourself (easier said than done, haha).

@Fiddlerman She deserves a Critique badge :D

☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Avatar
JamesRSmithJr
New Jersey, USA
Members
October 12, 2017 - 4:50 pm
Member Since: July 20, 2017
Forum Posts: 81
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

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

Avatar
CAudreyJ
Members
October 13, 2017 - 7:37 am
Member Since: October 6, 2017
Forum Posts: 6
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

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. 

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
October 16, 2017 - 3:24 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
6sp_Permalink sp_Print
4.5

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."

Avatar
StaccatoDuo

Member
Members
November 4, 2017 - 12:46 am
Member Since: November 2, 2017
Forum Posts: 7
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

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. 

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: Jan Howard
Guest(s) 117
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today Michael Browder, EBurrell
Upcoming Sofia Leo, TKDennis, FiddleDetroit, CookiesViolin, JPferrman, Designer 88, LyleA, Stephen, Dorque, Trisha, Elaisa, Gordon Shumway, dougga, Russionleo, JohnG
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 7758
ABitRusty: 3914
Mad_Wed: 2849
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
Gordon Shumway: 2425
DanielB: 2379
Mark: 2149
damfino: 2113
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31661
Moderators: 0
Admins: 7
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 81
Topics: 10589
Posts: 134212
Newest Members:
Jan Howard, edwardcheng, Oscar Stern, bryanhanson, bittruster, fiddlecastro, jackdaniel, romanmills08, creativestringsinfo, rubble_b
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16429, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3744, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 5305