Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Member
Offline
Hey, after reading some of the principles of violin book, I notice that the book points out that it does help to play in more than one instrument from time to time. Apparently that helps intonation by keeping your ears sharp on what you have to listen and do some quick adjustments if something is off....
Anyone know how much of a benefit can we get if we play more than one violin, or is this the kind of thing that we can let slide....?
Members
Offline
I do switch repeatedly between my acoustic violin and my electric. They do not intone precisely the same, and so I have to make adjustments to my playing. It used to be a mild annoyance, but having done it enough, I barely notice it now, I just do what it takes to make each note sound right.
So I can say that one can get used to that sort of awareness/adjustment to the point where it really takes little or no conscious thought.
But as to whether it has long term benefits? I don't know, I've only been playing a couple of years. It would be nice to think that it does, though. LOL
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
I took a quick glance at the column on the right hand side of this page and I would swear it said multiple vitamins....and I thought yea, it could help.
Regulars
Offline
I have a number of violins and, like Dan, have noticed that each one is different to play.
Some are more forgiving than others when it comes to intonation. And one of them, while a very nice sounding instrument, demands that your intonation is exact. It tends to make my mistakes much more noticeable.
I agree with your teacher that it can keep you on your toes when it comes to intonation.
I wouldn't go out and buy another violin 'just' for this reason but if you have another available it wouldn't hurt to play it occasionally. It doesn't hurt to move outside your comfort zone a little every now and then.
@mryikes
True mate. Multivitamins definately couldn't hurt 
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
Members
Offline
Another reason to play at least occasionally on a different violin, if you can, is that they all sound a bit different. Sometimes a song that just doesn't want to sound right for you on one violin will go great on another. And it is good to get more of an idea of the variety of sounds/tone between violins, since learning what violins can sound like is part of learning how to play.
On the topic of multivitamins.. well.. that maybe should actually be a different thread. But about 6 months ago, I started taking a multivite and a few other supplements because my doctor felt it was a good idea. I think it does help a little. I also started taking a short walk to get some fresh air and doing some easy stretches to limber up in general before starting my daily practice. As opposed to just sitting and guzzling another cup of coffee.
I think that all helps, at least a little. Mental focus seems a bit better, etc. Before anyone says it, I will concede that it is possible that the perceived benefit might be placebo effect. But you know what? I don't give a rat's butt if it is or not. I'll take "a little better" any way I can get it. LOL
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
Offline
Pelagato said
Hey, after reading some of the principles of violin book, I notice that the book points out that it does help to play in more than one instrument from time to time. Apparently that helps intonation by keeping your ears sharp on what you have to listen and do some quick adjustments if something is off....Anyone know how much of a benefit can we get if we play more than one violin, or is this the kind of thing that we can let slide....?
I don't believe it does. IMO, definitely let it slide, though Fiddlershop would benefit to incorporate this idea. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
Offline
I carry 2 with.. 1 is tuned gdae the other is aeae just easier to carry 2 than retuning one. Both instruments have their own attitudes but sound good..
Regulars
Offline
@fishnrodds That is exactly why I would like 2 violins!! I haven't tried tuning mine down as of yet. It stays so nicely tuned I hate the thought of messing with it.
I was hoping that wasn't me just being lazy!
Violinist start date - May 2013
Fiddler start date - May 2014
FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius. BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.
Regulars
Offline
schaick, you wouldnt be lazy..lolol buy another fiddle from fiddlerman or scratch up another on your own somewhere. Ive slowly been converting some of my A tunes into crosstuned A tunes, just to be different. Be very careful with the setup, intonation can be an issue. its also an excuse to buy another fiddle case....
Regulars
Offline
Sounds like a promotion of an extreme version of VAS ( Violin Adquisition Syndrome ) a terrible disease that probably eventually stalks and plagues all of us. The proverbial: "There's always just another violin a little bit greener on the other side waiting"
Even so, I do think 2 Violins is good, at least from a Fiddler stand point. Keep one for standard tuning and another that one can use for using alternate tunings for playing old-time fiddle in different tunings....sure makes life easier
" I just keep telling myself...."It's all about becoming one with your bow"
1 Guest(s)
ELCBK
Strabo
Mouse
Fiddlerman
