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Hello Mr.fiddlerman! I really appriciate what your doing and helping out all violinist to learn and improve.
I would like to ask you about my violin playing. I only had 12 days that is taught by a teacher of playing the violin in basic. Because it is very expensive here, I stop my lessons and tried to learn the violin on my own. Now its been 8 years and im worried because ive been playing and trying to learn all alone by books and watching youtube video.
Would you please tell me what I can do more to improve my playing? what I need to do so that I could improve and what I need to improve? 
I'll be sending you a video. Thank you so much fiddlerman!
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Hey @antreidez -you're doing an awesome job! That was amazingly played, and as far as I could hear I didn't notice any mistake in your video.
I just think your bow is too tight as there is no curvature to it - either that or you played in an angle that makes it hard for us to see it.
Welcome to the forum! Here we all work together to improve our playing and have fun. There's a bunch of really nice people here, so make yourself at home.
Skype: augustoad Email: [email protected] Phone number/whatsapp: +55 42 9861-4084. I'd be happy to talk anything fiddle-related to anyone! :)
Honorary advisor
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Well played!
I agree with Augusto about your bow being too tight. Other thing I notice is you seem to play only with one side of the bow hair (correct me if I'm wrong, it's a bit hard to see it due to the cam angle). That can affect your sound and the bow direction (sliding towards the fingerboard since the hair doesn't "stick" with the strings). Tilting is normal when you reach the frog but using it in all the playing can cause some "sst" or "fff" sounds due to the lack of hair pressure.
You have a gorgeous instrument, kinda similar to my Peanut 
Welcome to the forum and have fun!
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antreidez - well done! For someone who is largely self-taught you have done a great job! I do notice the bow is too tilted to the side so you might want to straighten that out. Your bowing wrist looks relaxed, that is good, and your vibrato is very nice. Your left hand looks so relaxed and natural. Keep up the great work!
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Hey antreidez and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations for working on your own and achieving a lot without private lessons.
I like to work on one thing at a time and begin with the biggest problem. Though you play nicely we need to focus on tone production in your case.
You're loosing the contact at times thus loosing sound. I'm sure you notice it when you play and when you listen to this recording.
I can see one of the causes. What members are saying about your bow being too tight is true but it doesn't stop there. You need to learn to play with flat hair more often. Using the side of you bow hair should be the exception rather than the rule. Play scales at the beginning of your sessions and concentrate on using the flat hair, not turning your bow inward so much and so often. Focus on evenness whether you are playing soft or loud. Play your scales at all dynamics to make better use of the exercise.
Secondly, how much pressure are you applying with your left hand fingers? If you don't apply enough pressure you can get that diminished sound as well. While you don't need a lot of pressure you need enough to make a solid contact to the strings.
Lastly, I noticed that you don't use the tips of your fingers ever. Is that from a pain issue or have you never tried it? Using the tips of your fingers could be good for speed and articulation. The tips have more support and less flesh.
Thanks for the post and bravo for what you have accomplished.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hi augustoad, Thank you for your kind words and making me feel welcome here, also for watching the video and the comments. I really need the point of view of others with my playing.
Your right! this site is very helpful to people like me! more power to this site and to your playing augustload!
I'll post another video next time, after I practieced and applied all tips advice i need to change!
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Greetings ElisaDalViolin! Thank you so much for your helpful advice and appreciation. What you said is true, I will apply it
Be posting a second video next few weeks after applying it!
Thank you elisa for also making this site fun and approachable. (Sorry for my english i lack vocabulary)
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Hello chipot! Thank you for your upbuilding compliments, and commendations this will even more motivate me to improve and would do my best to try to change my bowing, truly your comment is helpful for me
I'll post a second video to let you see the improvements.
Happy playing!
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Greetings Fiddlerman!
First of all I would like to thank you so much again for your generosity and love for those who play the violin. For the very helpful videos in youtube and this wonderful website!
Yes I noticed it when I play, why does it sound like the melody stops and doesn't continue, now I got it! Your right! Thank you fiddlerman. So may I ask when do you tilt the bow? I often see it on violin videos I just imitate it.
What scales could I use to start with? I'm sorry, I'm not that familiar with the scales because ever since i've been learning violin from suzuki method. I only play the song right away
Yes I only apply less pressure and my bowing sometimes sounds like there is this airy sound. But I will apply what you said.
Haha I've never tried doing it. I just noticed that when I use the tips of my fingers i twist my arm a little bit so the I can use the tip of all the fingers especially the pinkie but it feels there's tension in my shoulders and a little pain, Is that normal?
I would post a second video to show what I've learned!
It is a privilege to be a part of your website! More power to this very helpful website!
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antreidez said
Hi augustoad, Thank you for your kind words and making me feel welcome here, also for watching the video and the comments. I really need the point of view of others with my playing.Your right! this site is very helpful to people like me! more power to this site and to your playing augustload!
I'll post another video next time, after I practieced and applied all tips advice i need to change!
You're welcome! I'm sure you're gonna get it all right in no time. We all make mistakes when it comes to playing the violin... It requires much attention to detail, besides all practice and coordination, but we'll all do fine in time. 
Skype: augustoad Email: [email protected] Phone number/whatsapp: +55 42 9861-4084. I'd be happy to talk anything fiddle-related to anyone! :)
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antreidez sweet playing! I hope to master that vibrato. Currently trying to break my old habits from when I played the guitar back in high school. Where can I find sheet music to that song you are playing?
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antreidez said
Greetings Fiddlerman!First of all I would like to thank you so much again for your generosity and love for those who play the violin. For the very helpful videos in youtube and this wonderful website!
My pleasure.
Yes I noticed it when I play, why does it sound like the melody stops and doesn't continue, now I got it! Your right! Thank you fiddlerman. So may I ask when do you tilt the bow? I often see it on violin videos I just imitate it.
At the tip or the frog and when playing softly over the fingerboard. Those are just some examples of when to tilt the bow.
What scales could I use to start with? I'm sorry, I'm not that familiar with the scales because ever since i've been learning violin from suzuki method. I only play the song right away
Any scales. The point is to play something easy with focus and attention to something else. In this case, playing with flatter hair with your hand turned in a bit less.
Yes I only apply less pressure and my bowing sometimes sounds like there is this airy sound. But I will apply what you said.
Let me know how that works out.
Haha I've never tried doing it. I just noticed that when I use the tips of my fingers i twist my arm a little bit so the I can use the tip of all the fingers especially the pinkie but it feels there's tension in my shoulders and a little pain, Is that normal?
Tension when doing something that your not used to is normal at first. Don't over do it. Baby steps. Learning to use more or less finger flesh is another color and articulation so to speak.
I would post a second video to show what I've learned!
It is a privilege to be a part of your website! More power to this very helpful website!
Sounds great. Thanks for your positive attitude.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Welcome @antreidez ... I loved what you have accomplished and I am glad you put up your video. By asking questions and seeking advice many of us get tips and advice.
thanks everyone for the tips and advice...this is awesome!!!!!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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outoftune said
antreidez sweet playing! I hope to master that vibrato. Currently trying to break my old habits from when I played the guitar back in high school. Where can I find sheet music to that song you are playing?
Hello outoftune! thank you. Yes you will definetly master vibrato in no time. Me too I need to still learn vibrato there are times it slows down.
Btw the song is titled "serenade" from the Boys be anime. Its an old japanese cartoon but has awesome soundtracks.
Im sorry but i did this by ear only/ I could send you the sheet when I try writing it down and the mp3. Where can i send it to you? through skype or just here?
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Welcome and good job. Hope to hear and see more of you on the site. Lots of skilled help here to resolve any issues you may come across.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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"I just noticed that when I use the tips of my fingers i twist my arm a little bit so the I can use the tip of all the fingers especially the pinkie"
I used to play the violin and now back again.It's important to just use your fingertips. The average fingertip is 10mm wide. If you are off by more than a mm or two,you will be off on intonation but, as everyone else has stated,it has more to do with your bow angle. I'm very impressed with your accomplishment. Keep it up,antreidez!
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I used to play the violin and now back again.It's important to just use your fingertips. The average fingertip is 10mm wide. If you are off by more than a mm or two,you will be off on intonation but, as everyone else has stated,it has more to do with your bow angle. I'm very impressed with your accomplishment. Keep it up,antreidez!
Thank you much keith! Now i'll be more conscious to play with the tip of the finger!. Thank you also for your encouraging words. Sometimes, I feel so depressed because I feel like I still sound lame, or I dont get the sound I desire, and It feels like the sound is not that good. Actually what also depresses me more is that I'm stuck in first and third position only and cant use my 4th finger to vibrato because it sounds not normal.
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I just found this video. May it serve as inspiration to the possibilities that lay ahead
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Holy Cow..
look at all the possibilities... What a great demonstration. Wowsa!!!
practice.. practice... practice.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Jacques said
I just found this video. May it serve as inspiration to the possibilities that lay ahead
Wow thank you Jacques O_O this is a big help for me to learn this. But honestly I dont understand what exercises is he doing T_T
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