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(211 votes) 
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Brilliant Gordon I’ll do exactly what you said. I feel motivated to carry on with it and improve so I can get some vibrato in. Eventually how fast worked you set the metronome for for this one ?
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Nice playing Katie! I for sure see your progress.
Once you feel comfortable with a metronome, give this a try for fun. These type tracks arent a replacement for a metronome but they sure as heck are more fun to play to. The intro is a little tricky to hit, a few times and you will have it. It has an 8 bar intro..watch the three little lines at top a couple of times and it helps.
Im sure youre familiar with the original song so that helps in knowing when to start and where you are.
Just thought it may be something youd like, if not no worries.
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Katie M said
Eventually how fast worked you set the metronome for for this one ?
Not quite sure what that says, but in fact I think your speed is ok, but you are missing out many beats if not whole bars on each of those long notes. Are you playing by ear or memory or from sheet music? If you have sheet music, what's the source?
Do you read music?
If so, have a look at this free preview and count out each note: -
Andrew
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He explains working with a metronome a little bit different than most people and he is absolutly correct in his explanation.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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@Katie L -
I think you are doing GREAT, but if you want to use "Annie's Song" to get confident with your bowing AND work on vibrato, there's an easier version you can learn & memorize.
Annie's Song is basically 6 notes repeated - and this video version (Easy Sheet Music Play Along) sets you up for success:
- easy notes/easy key
- play-along score to SEE AND HEAR
- play-alongs also help teach the rhythm & phrasing
- lyrics are provided - learning them can help to memorize the tune
- play enough times to feel comfortable concentrating on individual things like getting the bowing you want, without losing intonation and rhythm.
- slow the video down & try vibrato on each note - as much as possible. When vibrato is good on all notes, then choose how much to actually keep.
- once this version is well memorized, the fingers will feel comfortable with the intervals - able to play this in other keys more easily
I love the Fiddlerman tips and version A Tune a Week #31 - Annie's Song by John Denver, but I think this video may be easier.
Have you experimented with moving your violin scroll slightly more in front of you?
...might find it easier to bow.
- Emily
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@Katie L You've done great work on this--looking good 
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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Honestly these videos are really going to help me !! I actually think Emily I might be able to do this!!! I love how they highlight which note to play ! Amazing .. I think a bit rusty that is a bit advanced I’m so rubbish with backing tracks I go to pieces but I’ll try the above first - thanks for suggesting. Also that’s a great way of thinking about a metronome Mark. I can sort of read music Gordon I’m using my grade 2 book I’ll have a look at your link. I just mean what tempo on the metronome would you use. Thanks all hopefully when I re record there will be a big improvement !! Thank you Sharon I really like Annie’s Song … could play it all day so that helps.
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A backing track, or playing along to a record, would be a good thing, as you'd be forced to count. Even with a metronome you can miscount, but you can't do that with a backing track.
Andrew
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I’m working on my fourth finger and phrasing at the moment and using Vocalise by Rachmaninoff to practice. Trying to playing as softly as I can. I’m getting on sort of ok. Also using c major scale and using my fourth finger instead of open string!! It’s hard going feel like I’m starting right from the beginning!
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@Katie L I have been catching up with your progress. Fantastic.
I love Vocalise. I did it a few years ago in lessons, cello. I haven't tackled it in a while. It is a lovely piece. I think you will learn a lot from it. I hated to move on from it. I would have liked to have spent more time and smoothing it out.
I have never heard it on violin and I suspect it will be really sweet. There is so much phrasing to learn from in Vocalise. 👍
The Bumblebee Flies!
Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.
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Thanks Mouse that’s good to know I’m on the right track. Yes when it’s played by someone else I think vocalise sounds amazing ! When I can get it to some sort of standard I’ll post a vid. There is a big jump from fourth finger A on the D String to F natural that’s one of the things I’m struggling with. However I think making my fourth finger my priority maybe I’ll get better ! Sounds like you are doing well with your practice that’s great !!
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I’ve been having a faff around yet again with my shoulder rest and I’ve brought it much more forward which feels more natural I think - bit weird though because it feels like it’s resting more on my chest but that feels good because it’s less of a strain. Maybe I can reach the tip a bit better. I think Emily suggested this way back . Also I’m onto sailing by rod stewart I just really like the b flats and trying to get a bit of phrasing in !! See how my practice goes later. Oh my question is is it ok to kind of feel like the violin is resting on my chest ?
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@Katie L -
The left edge of my shoulder rest barely rests on my shoulder joint.
The right edge is about 2.5cm shy of my breast bone.
IMHO, whatever feels comfortable & allows you to bow correctly - is perfect for you! 🤗
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@Katie L I think repositioning your shoulder rest is fine. I have put extra padding on the lower edge of my shoulder rest because of how it is positioned on my chest (it digs in a little without the padding).
You need to be comfortable when you play, and without strain.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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Thanks Emily and Sharon! I have always thought it sticks out quite high and to the left. But then if I try to bring it forward it slips. But for some reason it seems ok. Anyway having a practice in a bit so will see how it goes.
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@Katie L -
I've had to add padding with a Bonmusica on my violin, like Sharon suggests, but I don't use that rest on my Viola.
You might have to make even more adjustments because you repositioned your violin.
Is your shoulder rest straight across the body of your violin? Try moving one end farther away/the other closer, then try the opposite - small adjustments can help.
Is your shoulder rest, itself, capable of tilting - without moving the ends where it clamps onto the violin? Try changing that, if possible.
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Thank you for the suggestions Emily. I’ve actually gone back to my old set up now. I usually see someone playing and get inspired to try something different. I’m trying to relax a bit and be less stiff. I’m still practicing sailing which I’m enjoying I am think I’ll post a vid of that soon. Vibrato is out the window for now ! I’m mostly working on phrasing and fourth finger !!
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I had a break from vibrato but in the last couple of days got back into it. I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to speed it up and it was making me frustrated and causing tension. Anyway I thought I would post this as it’s how I practice it. Haven’t sorted out my video quality but thanks for watching 
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Coming on, I use arm, with a touch of hand thrown in with it.
The more you think about it the harder it is, for me anyway. I find I get my best sound when I am not consciously thinking something like ,'I will put vibrato in here', it just appears at the right place on its own.
It is always better when you are not recording yourself as well because its like hàving an audience and will cause tension, but in saying that, you have to record to see were you go wrong, Think I have said before the more relaxed you are the better and easier it is.
I read a good article about left hand in general in an old online edition of the strad recently, cant remember the soloist but he said your hand should feel the same when you start to play as it feels before you pick the instrument up, ie, just like it does in normal life with no tension at all.
Definately getting better, keep at it your strings may need cleaning though.
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Thanks stringy I’m definitely not at that stage yet when it just appears .. I’m a long way off that. Definitely taking it slow though and still practicing in third position as well as first and in guitar position. I’m concentration on the motion and not pressing too hard but at least it’s going in the right direction.. thanks for watching ! If you watched the whole thing , double thanks !! Oh my whole violin needs a clean but yes the strings do I will do that ! If you think my strings are bad you should see my house !
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Mouse
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