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I did watch the whole thing, I always do when anyone posts anything:)
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@Katie L -
Congratulations - JUST KEEP AT IT! 🤗
I had a workshop at Fiddle Hell on beginning vibrato. It was mentioned that some people will find it easier/more natural to start with one of the 3 ways; wrist, arm or a combination of wrist/arm - doesn't matter which one you start with, down the road you can try to master all 3 types, if you wish.
...just keep an eye on bowing, so it doesn't go out the window while you practice vibrato.
Looks like you are doing great!
Btw, I still have to watch so tension doesn't creep in to my large thumb muscle. 🙄
I use this small Manfrotto tripod with cell phone holder - it's spring loaded to hold my phone & can be angled every way possible.
If you get something similar - you'd be able to set it off to the side of your sheet music to isolate just your face, violin & arm movements when the phone is in this position. My phone is within arms reach when I record, at between 1 and 2 o'clock (if you are standing in the middle of a clock face, 12 o'clock is right in front of you) - this would be great for where you record, as long as you don't have a 🌞 window directly behind you.
- Emily
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Emily that is a great idea. Abitrusty mentioned a stand as well! When I went to record earlier I had my phone leaning against my metronome and it slipped down and knocked stuff off and my metronome started clicking !!! Anyway I will look into a tripod thing !
I think I’m feeling a bit better mentally about my vibrato if that’s even a thing. I’m trying to concentrate on the motion and not get too stress out it is an advanced technique as everyone says. First thing I’m going to do is clean my violin and strings !! I hope your vibrato is is going well. Katie
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Katie M
Your doing fine with your vibrato, it's just takes time to get all your joins loose to be able to vibrate like we want to hear. I struggle not tensing up vibrating especially my 1st finger, that join is really stiff for some reason.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Thanks Mark that’s good to know. I got myself one of those mini tripods too do my filming should be better … hopefully !
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Here is Greensleeves from my Alison Sparrow book. I started this when I first got the book and kind of gave up straight away.. so here is my attempt now. I lose my way obviously and definitely mess up on intonation in places but thought I’d share anyhow. 😀thanks for watching - also it’s in c major so a different finger pattern to what I’ve been practicing and finally I’m trying to use more bow .. well trying
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I thought that was excellent , you are getting better and better, thought your intonation was pretty much bang on, can really hear some of those notes ring quite plainly, I also like the tone you are developing. tricky tune to play, not that there are any easy tunes at all on violin.
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Thanks a lot stringy 😁 I think the a flat and f# needs a lot of practice . I quite like jumping from one piece to another ! Oh and if I look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge, it’s because I have 😂
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really like the way youre video is oriented now. you played this wonderful. very smooth and sounds great.
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@Katie L -
Sounds really good! 🤗
To help keep the best record of your progress, just tilt your phone down a little to capture your bowing hand - you should have a tilt mechanism on your tripod.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=.....&t=2s
Thanks abitrusty and Emily will do. I found the above on you tube. I should know this but how is he making is sound so amazing ? The long bow strokes? I know it’s probably really obvious.
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Katie M said
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=.....&t=2sThanks abitrusty and Emily will do. I found the above on you tube. I should know this but how is he making is sound so amazing ? The long bow strokes? I know it’s probably really obvious.
yes... as you said.
just those first few notes individually get a full bow stroke. his vibrato doeant hurt either. to keep time i think the speed of the stroke will increase which will tend to make it louder also..not as reserved.
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Thank you abitrusty and stringy. The funny thing is I was trying to use more bow!!
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@Katie L -
I've been a bit obsessed with wrist movement lately, so I've been checking out Kevin Yen's wrist... and yes, practice some (maybe think as exaggerated?) FULL bow strokes.
Here's some great tips - especially about freeing up our mind, the benefits of playing with confidence.
Ways You're Making The Violin More Difficult Than It Has To Be Thread
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The one biggest thing he does for his sound is his perfectly straight bow stroke, and he adjusts the pressure. It also makes a massive difference to sound that he never goes out of tune, Something that us mortals do, remember as well he has been playing a long,long time and has had teachers.
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Ahh right ! Thanks stringy and Emily will definitely have a look at the vid in a bit! That guy is amazing . But yes bet he’s been playing his whole life. I’m back to Romeo and Juliet I long bow strokes trying to use more bow stay straight and in tune. Thanks for the comments I appreciate ! 😀
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A violinist from maestronet Andrew Victor gave me some advice once, on the exact thing you wanted to know, he said practice scales with the full length of the bow frog to tip slowly, he has been playing and teaching about 8o and 70 years respectively, so knows what he is talking about.
Playing in tune I think is the first trick to learn, unfortunately doing it consistently is a bit like trying to knock a mountain down with a spoon, first position not too difficult higher positions are a new problem, for me anyway, especially if you dont have the time to practice 5 hours a day, it all depends on your goals as well, some people want to play in orchestras and this type of thing, nothing wrong with that, but to be honest for myself I just want too become as good as I can and I am realistic, I think its quite possible to become a great fiddle player in a few years if you practice enough, and especially if you start with the blessing of a good ear, it also helps if you play in a group, which is how I origiqnally learned guitar, makes it a lot easier.
I would imagine to get really good at fiddle it would have to feel like part of your body, like fretted instruments do with me, but I fear I will never get that feeling with violin, too much to think about and too uncomfortable. Thats what I think anyway others will have their own opinion.
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define "good" 🧐🤪 ive been searchin.. seems elusive.
for some its this for others its that so idk. Im not sure there is a finish line in music on any instrument. You just have to try and enjoy where you are and build on experience, hopefully improve.. but not beat yourself up when things arent clicking.
found this the other day. substitute instrument of choice for the guitar. yes each has its own quirks and learning curves. Not debating what instrument harder or that kinda thing...just think the overall message fits. granted he is many years into music and not living at the moment things he has already figured out through time and practice. so much of this seems familiar. the only reason I fiddle is I liked the sound of the tunes played on fiddle. not so much to master a violin. good thing! 🤣
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Defining good is exceptionally easy, its what I am happy with myself, thats all anyone can be happy with, unless of course what others really think affects you, which with me it doesnt.
Being really good when you are a professional is different its what the critics think, and thats what puts bread on the table.)
As for a finish line in music, there isnt one, even hendrix wasnt happy with some of the stuff he played which is what made him a creative genius.
Luckily i am not in the position anymore of having to make my coin from music, so I am now able to enjoy it for what it is, which for me is a challenge, the reason I took up fiddle, in fact, very enjoyable but very frustrating as well, hope you are keeping well by the way Greg, always enjoy talking to you;)
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