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.








Pro advisor
Regulars
Thats the trouble I am having this week. So I am practicing long bows and slow vibratos for each of the three fingers to get used to the motion. Hopefully by the end of the week I can do something like two cycles in a 60bpm setting on the metronome. This I believe is the easiest way to get used to it, the metronome.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.

Regulars

I haven't tried it yet with the metronome. I will do that. > The long bow has been an issue with me also. Its almost like talking and chewing gum at the same time, sort of, >>> but I am getting spurts of the wavelength that I am trying to hear. I have also noticed that if I don't look at my fingering technique and just sort of close my eyes and listen it> it becomes more natural > I am not as tense > I have had moments when I am shaking the whole instrument.

Pro advisor
Regulars
Even with the really slow, just getting it exaggerated half step vibrato I am getting that same feeling of pat the head rub the tummy, now switch directions feeling. This is going to be an exciting week for me as I train my self to overcome that. I will let you know, I think its just a repetition thing to learn a new kind of coordination.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.

Regular advisor
Regulars
Pfish asked that I share this here as it wasn't something I thought could have been causing trouble for me.
I've noticed that the biggest problem I have now with vibrato is that it felt like I had little control over the violin and as a result, I was hold the neck with significant amount of pressure from my thumb. As such, it kept slipping around whenever I tried to make the correct motion. In addition, it didn't feel like my jaw was lining up right on the chin rest which made for some slippage on the shoulder.
I spoke with Pierre about this yesterday and he quickly identified that I needed a larger chin rest and that the shoulder rest I was using wasn't as affective as it could be. Essentially, it needed to conform correctly with my shoulder/jaw so that it would be secure enough as to not interfere when doing vibrato.
After fooling around a bit with my current setup, I noticed an instant difference on my ability to play. It's sad but I had no idea that something so simple would make such a huge difference.
The links below are two the chin and shoulder rest he recommended:
"I know a girl who cries when she practices violin because each note sounds so pure it just cuts into her, and then the melody comes pouring out her eyes. Now, to me, everything else just sounds like a lie."

Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars

FinalPatriot said
After fooling around a bit with my current setup, I noticed an instant difference on my ability to play. It's sad but I had no idea that something so simple would make such a huge difference.
Yes, I totally agree, FinalPatriot. For the last couple of months, I've gone back to the basic of violin holding, bow holding and chin rest/shoulder rest. I've got a collection of chin/shoulder rests after trying out so many of them and still fighting for a proper fit.
You certainly need to secure the violin with relaxing shoulder and arm muscles to ensure better vibrato motion.
Thank for the FM links. That looks like a good chin rest and also he recommended a gel-rest which I would put in an order as soon as it's on his shop listing. For now I temporarily use a piece of micro fiber cloth.
Good luck with advancing your vibrato.

Regulars

I also have noticed that having the instrument in proper position > chin\shoulder thing > it has helped me much. My chin rest is not so good > I need something that I can rest over the tail a bit. > But what I have found is that with it proper >>> it gives my fingers the ability to dance more > more freedom to bring it. > not trying to hold up the instrument cause my proper position is holding it up. I saw this vid that FM did > he holds up the instrument and swings his arms around, touches his right shoulder with his left hand >>> and the instrument stayed right there. > It is helping me with this vibrato gig.

Pro advisor
Regulars
The latest update on my Vibrato progress....dilligence and discipline are the lessons learned last week, due to my lack of both I might add. drat, you mean progress only happens if we work for it?
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.


Regulars

I have made a little progress on it > your right about doing it everyday or at least as much as possible. I can see how one as myself would get frustrated with it and just move on but I am not going to let that happen. I am starting to develop a wave form it seems and stay within the grid of that sort of sine wave form. I realize it won't come over night > I am hoping its not gonna be an over year thing before I start getting a grasp on it. > I must have IT!!!! > as another player/instructor said >>> ITs the JUICE of the instrument. I want to taste that SWEETness!!!

Pro advisor
Regulars


Pro advisor
Regulars

Regulars


Pro advisor
Regulars
Well friends this past week has been a practicing disappointment and I found the reason why. Ive taken steps to isolate the problem and Im going to solve it one piece at a time.
Problem 1. Over use of the computer for non practicing reasons. Im going on a Fiddlerman.com diet. lol.
Problem 2. The basics again. For some reason I need to constantly reinforce my posture, bowing, intonation and dynamics techniques.
Problem 3. Other interests, ie sleeping, goofin off etc... No more, sleep is still gonna happen but Im fixin to get all active up in here again. Im considering a brisk walk around the block each hour to livin up my practice time.
Problem 4. This is the biggie! Disorganization! I really need to take my own advice that ive pirated from others, Make a list, budget the time, check it off daily and just Do it!
What about you? Time to spring clean your violin/ viola dedication, air out the musty laziness and refocus! Squirrel!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.

Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars

pfish said
Problem 2. The basics again. For some reason I need to constantly reinforce my posture, bowing, intonation and dynamics techniques.What about you?
Yes, I got the same problem and went back to the basics during the last few months.I've just ordered some chinrest accessory to help with holding. Will report all positive experience.

Pro advisor
Regulars
so I picked up the violin today and fooled with the vibrato and it felt better so I recorded a update vid. As my hand works together more easily in this movement it shakes the violin way less. the thumb flexing appears to act like a shock absorber. I can honestly say I might spend two minutes 4 times this past week doing the vibrato exercises. Now it makes me wonder if I didnt waste two weeks not practicing how much further along would I be. Oh well, this is real life after all and I dont always feell like it. I am progressing and I think its been a month since I started so, if you want it, get started on it. the sooner the better.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
1 Guest(s)

