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Hi everybody,
I've been playing for 5 months now. I don't have a teacher, so everything I've learned, I learned from Youtube videos and forums. I really enjoy playing the violin and I really want to get better!
All suggestions for me to improve are highly appreciated!! 
Thanks so much!
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Goodness! That's wonderful! I'm neither a teacher, nor an experienced player, but I can see you do not have some of the bad habits I had to overcome in the first few months of playing, your shoulders staying down, nice bow hold, looks like you're holding the violin properly and not palming the violin neck, and you look very relaxed... do you read music? I'm going to guess that you do. I should think you are more than ready to start focusing on your tone production, which is all about the bow stroke: speed, pressure and position on the string. You say you don't have a teacher, boy I'll bet a teacher would love to have you! If at all possible, thru a school program or community program or something? there's a lot of good, and bad, on YouTube, to be sure, but there is just no substitute for a good violin teacher standing right in front of you. At any rate, keep playing! And if you PM Fiddlerman telling him you posted a vid in Critique Corner, he'll give you a badge!
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Yup - I second that - what @micra said - that's WAY beyond what I would attempt (I'm much more into "fiddling" and having "fun" - oh - not that classical is NOT fun - don't get me wrong for a minute - just not my genre for playing - but I do listen to, and appreciate classical and ethnic pieces very, very much indeed - thank you !!!! )
And to add to micra, I notice you slightly swing your left arm to ease fingering position on the different strings - took me about as long as you have been playing to understand how much that helps !!!!
Well done !!!!!!!
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
Thank you so so much @micra for your encouraging comments!! Yes, I do read notes, I've been playing clarinet before and took classes for 9 years. That gives me a good basis to start to learn an other instrument. At least I don't have to worry too much about the notes and rhythms. I would love to practice with a teacher but there is not one where I live. Where I live now, they only play harp, guitar and drums... So, for now I should do with Youtube videos and forums. That's why I really love the opportunity here to post a video and receive comments on how to improve. I am now working on intonation and tone production. So, hopefully I'll have a better tone in my next video 
Also lots of thanks to @BillyG!! I didn't realize that I did the swinging thing with me left arm...
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Very very nicely done.
Keep up the good work.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
Regulars
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I agree with everyone, great job!
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Marikoli said
..... I am now working on intonation and tone production. So, hopefully I'll have a better tone in my next video
trust me - it wasn't THAT far out... !!!
Also lots of thanks to @BillyG!! I didn't realize that I did the swinging thing with me left arm...
Myself - only a short 18 months - it took me a full year to "feel truly at home" with the devil's own instrument - but - a bit like yourself ( although different as well ) - I've played music on guitar and kbds for 40+ years - the violin is - as I say - a "newcomer" to my "attempted musical talents" - and I love it.... (with the occasional "falling out" when I swear uncontrollably at this STUPID INSTRUMENT that is not obeying me LOLOL !!!! )
Nahhhh - seriously - I have a similar issue - no real way of getting hold of a tutor or "good player for the things I want to do" - I really believe, those of us who are driven to accomplish something, make our "own path", drawing on the inspiration, and information from others - and indeed - such as http://www.fiddlerman.com - yup - you have joined a fine family - never hesitate to post vids or even "apparently silly" ( because they are NOT silly ) questions on anything that concerns you... we're all here to share and help !!!!! Cool !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
Regulars
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@marikoli ,
Your playing is incredibly good for only five months of practicing!
Regulars
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WoW, a difficult piece but you are starting out very correctly by using a slow piece to devlop all the good habits. I certainly hope you will be able to secure a teacher to assist in some very helpful early on career tips and pointers! 
You will go far with this instrument... you're a natural!
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Thank you so much for all your encouraging comments!!
It's really nice to know that there are so many others out there trying to learn and enjoy the violin!
I'll keep practicing hard and hope to post an other video next month.
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Great job Mariko,
Great accomplishment for 5 months. What else are you working on?
I recommend you start your session with a slow 2 or 3 octave B minor scale concentrating on the perfection of each and every note. This will help you key in on the intonation.
Look forward to hearing more videos in the future.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Thank you very much @Fiddlerman for your comment and tip! I'll be practicing the 2 octave B minor scale. 3 octaves is too hard for me still because I only know how to play in first position...
I'm also working on the Suzuki 2 book. Really love the classical pieces!! And I tried the Wohlfahrt etudes but they seem to be too difficult for now. The first 7 etudes were doable, but then it starts to get really hard...
I think I'll be starting with the Hans Sitt etudes that I found on your website. I guess that's more for my level.
Regulars
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WOW, 5 months?! You're doing extremely well!!!!
It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. Johann S.Bach
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Marikoli said
Oh and thanks for the BADGE!!!
You are super welcome.
It's very easy to get another badge. Just post a performance video outside of the critique section and you get that badge as well.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Honorary advisor
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You're doing an amazing job! I also played that concerto after some time of learning violin and let me tell you, you hit the second note (4th finger on E) beautifully! (I had problems doing that back then XD) Are you planning to work on the other parts of that concerto? The 3rd movement is very fun to play 
ElisaDalViolin said
Are you planning to work on the other parts of that concerto? The 3rd movement is very fun to play
Nice to know you played this concerto too! I've been practicing the 2nd part for a couple of weeks, but I find it much harder than the 1st part and I've stopped practicing it for now. Will take it up again in a couple of weeks. This week I started practicing the 3rd part and indeed it's really so much fun!! I really like the rhythm of the 3rd part!
Honorary tenured advisor
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Very impressive. Great finger and wrist flexibility in particular. All you have to do now is keep on doing it.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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