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Things That Can Help Practicing Intonation
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (1 votes) 
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ELCBK
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November 17, 2024 - 1:32 pm
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There have been many discussions here on intonation - and there are many great YT tutorials that can help us focus on it.  It was thru the early Fiddlerman tutorials that I discovered the violin is nothing without the bow.  Seems like every day I find new reasons why the bow might be MORE important than the actual violin/viola/cello. 

When I feel my intonation off, I usually look to my left hand for how I'm placing my fingers.  When my 'tone' isn't good - that's when I usually look to my bowing and left hand finger pressure. 

🤔... can the bow effect intonation, too?   

YES! 

I was surprised by a few of the reasons why & how, in this video tutorial!  How to Ensure your Bow Arm doesn't RUIN your Intonation - Jonathan Taylor. 

 

There's a tip in this video I found VERY unusual, but interesting... wearing earplugs while practicing - helps to focus on intonation without hearing the clutter of overtones!  3 Ways to Improve Intonation on Violin - Luci (Doublestop Music).

 

One thing I found mentioned repeatedly... if you want good intonation, don't let a day go by without spending a few minutes with your fingers on the fingerboard.  Nomatter how much we've learned in the past, going days/weeks without any practice - is counterproductive.   

I haven't had the greatest year, myself... if you are injured, work long hours, tired, it's the Holidays, or travel without your fiddle - look into things you CAN practice, without an instrument (even learn new music)!  search how to practice without a violin (YT) 

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Strabo
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November 17, 2024 - 3:07 pm
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@ELCBK

"don't let a day go by without spending a few minutes with your fingers on the fingerboard."

So true! I recently allowed life to intervene, and barely played my fiddle over a few weeks time when I was busy and distracted. When I did pick up the fiddle the intonation sounded terrible -- it was so bad that I wondered if I would ever get it back! 

Finally I blasted my way through some favorite music -- paying zero attention to intonation. It was crude, but soon enough the notes were pretty much under my fingers again and I could think about the music, not the intonation. 

So you’re right: Don't let a day go by without spending a few minutes with your fingers on the fingerboard!

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