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This is where I am! Any criticism welcome 😀
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I don't play my violin as much as my cello, but I think you did fantastic. Since I am not that knowledgeable of violin, I better not offer advice in case I am wrong. I think what I saw is just getting more comfortable so you are not as stiff. That comes with playing and not thinking about it. Of course, I mentioned it, so ...
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
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Hey, do not think of it as "criticism". Think of it as "advice" or "tips".
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
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Thank you mouse I’m really loving the forum 😀
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just watched your video, I think you are doing extremely well for a few months playing especially. Your bow hold and hand movement look good to me, though I am no expert. I can tell however just by watching and listening that you will be able to produce a really good tone in the not too distant future. Practice will improve everything you are doing, you are definately on he right track. When I first started you couldnt even tell what I was playing, some people still cant😁 you should be proud of how far you have come in a short space of time, no doubt that others on here will give you some useful advice on playing now that they have seen were you are at
Cant beat a sunny day
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It was fine, apart from some minor intonation issues on a couple of notes.
Try to bow exactly half way between the bridge and the fingerboard. The problem is, that mute obscures your view, and that might lead to bowing problems.
Also, it's better to start that particular piece on the up-bow, not the down-bow.
Your left wrist is beautifully straight - much better than mine.
Your bow hold may need a little tweak - your hand is a bit far from the end - tuck that thumbtip into the frog's curvature more and let your little finger touch the button. That's the way to begin anyway - the importance of the little finger can be exaggerated, and I've seen Perlman videos where it doesn't even touch the bow, but his videos on holding the bow are generally good.
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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@Katie L -
Hey, great!
Take off that mute & let the JOYOUS music fly!
Off to a great start, keep it up.
Appreciate you shared this!
- Emily
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A good way of practicing keeping your bow straight is to play in front of a mirror, which isnt easy at first. You could also look at the angle your bow makes with the bridge, as a guide.
Practicing long slow bow strokes using the full length of the bow just on one string also help, try to keep your point of contact in the same place as you draw it down
Cant beat a sunny day
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Wow thank you everybody for the comments and advice! It’s really brilliant for me to see what you have to say because I don’t have a teacher and non of my family or friends play the violin. I watch all the you tube videos but I wasn’t sure how I was personally doing !
Having watched that video myself I can see how non straight I am hmmm definitely will practice in front of the mirror and try to keep the bow in the same spot. And I like the long bow strokes suggestion. I appreciate all your advice.
Must say I feel really spurred on by what you have said it lots to practice and there is a lot going on.
I’m off to practise 😀
Katie
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a final word, dont get overwhelmed trying to do everything at once.
Cant beat a sunny day
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I’ll try not to stringy! Lots to think about at the same time .
Andrew when you say let the little finger go on the button ? What’s the button please? I’ve got really small hands I can totally see what you are saying my hand being far up the bow! It really is!
thanks,
katie
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katie m said
Andrew when you say let the little finger go on the button ? What’s the button please?
I think it's the name of the thing you rotate to tighten the hair, but now that you ask, I'm doubting myself. It might be called the screw.
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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Katie ....sounds good! and you look like youve been really working on that bowing! From what I saw It looks like you kept thumb bent..something I know I struggle with. all in all your bowing looks relaxed. keep up the good work and welcome to the forum!
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I see a good flexible bow hand and a really nice left hand shape -- I especially like how you're curving your fingers above the strings, which is something many beginners take a long time to learn.
It looks like your fingertips are on or near the stick right now, though it's hard to tell from this angle. If that's what's going on, it tends to push the bow away from you and it can be unsteady at the tip. You'll probably be able to get better control over your bow by holding it a little more within your hand, with your second and third fingers dropping more onto the frog, a more curved thumb, and flatter base knuckles. Also, think about leading with the wrist. The wrist goes down first on down bows, and up first on up bows. That naturally helps keep the bow moving straight across the string.
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katie m
Your doing great for the time you have been playing!
Keep up the good practice, thanks for posting.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Thank you for the comments and advice.
I’m going to try to bring my fingers further down after reading what you have said. They aren’t sitting on the tip at the moment but they were when I first started. I’m sure I can get used to them being further down. And yes I will definitely try to bring my wrist up and stick it out at the bottom. I have to think about it to do it but I’m hoping I’ll just do it with practice. And I am starting to shuffle my bow hand down a bit but I can’t too much because my thumb has to stay in the grove and middle finger opposite but I’ll try.
Have a great day everyone 😀
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katie m said
This is where I am! Any criticism welcome 😀
Not sure if I've welcomed you to the forum but in case I did not, welcome to the forum Katie. 
Try to distinguish the difference between a low 2nd finger and a high one more. There should be a whole half step between those two notes. It might be helpful to listen to the recording with a pencil and mark when you think your notes are too low or too high. An arrow up when you feel that you regularly play them to low and an arrow down when they are regularly high. Having tapes can be a bit of a crutch if you wholly rely on them.
You are doing great and this is a fantastic way to learn and improve. Keep up the good work.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks Fiddlerman I will definitely look into what you said. I’m trying to practice my straight bowing at the moment and I’m still going with Romeo and Juliet I think I’ve watched your video about 100 times now! Thanks for the advice, Katie
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