If there are two common sentiments that all musical instrument learners share, it's certainly these.
We want to know the fastest and most effective way to master the instrument.
After all, we are investing our time, money and effort to learn something from scratch.
But then again, nothing comes from nothing.
All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work - Calvin Coolidge
Having said that, learning to play the violin is no exception too. To be a good violin player, you'll have to learn the basics before you take on advanced techniques and playing styles.
In this article, we will look at some ways to learn to play the violin effectively.
How To Select A Good Violin Before Your First Lesson?
First things first, you need to buy your first violin.
For those of you who are a newbie, here are some things that you should take into consideration before you seal the deal.
Size
Don't be surprised that there are eight violin sizes. For younger kids (below the age of 10), it's recommended to take a smaller size violin so that they can play the notes comfortably with the bow, considering the distance between the neck and the wrist.
If you are a parent of a young kid, this is something you should take into consideration.
For older children and adults, it is advisable to take the full-size violin, which is about 54cm.
Important tip: Don't hesitate to seek assistance from the musical instrument shop and compare the violin sizes in relation to your comfort level.
Photo by Calin Draganescu on Unsplash
Price
Granted that there are so many violins that are available for sale, you should certainly come out with a maximum budget and price range for the violin.
Depending on the size, and types of wood that are used for the violin, the price of a violin in Malaysia can range from RM500 to RM2500.
Most of them do come together with a violin case, so be sure to check that when you are purchasing directly from the shop or through online stores.
Sound
This is something you shouldn't miss.
You can request the violin seller to test play or bring someone who knows how to play the violin with you.
Pay attention to the tone of the sound that is produced. A good violin should produce a clear and rich tone.
Take your time to compare and review the produced sounds of different violins as every violin sounds different. For instance, you might prefer a violin that has a deeper tone and that's totally fine.
It's important to choose one that matches your preferences and makes you feel at ease.
Where Can You Find An Online Violin Tutor?
After you have gotten your first violin, you would probably start looking for a violin tutor.
Ever since the pandemic, tutors and students all across the globe have turned to online learning to have the most flexible and cost-effective learning experience, regardless of the musical instruments.
For those of you who prefer to take online violin lessons, you can opt for the following platforms to kickstart your violin learning journey.
Udemy
At Udemy, you can find a variety of beginner, intermediate and advanced violin lessons online courses. This is your go-to platform if you are looking for a pre-recorded violin lesson format with lifetime access.
You can easily access the lessons on your mobile devices and TV as well as receive a certificate of completion after you finish the selected courses. Furthermore, you can also browse through specialised violin online courses such as vibrato violin lessons, violin scales for different grades, violin-playing styles and even bowing techniques.
Important note: The price of each Udemy online course differs according to the number of modules and areas of specialisation.
Fiverr
Next, you can go on Fiverr to find an online violin tutor that offers different sets of lesson arrangements and price ranges according to the basic, standard and premium packages.
You can learn about the violin tutor's availability, experience and lesson methodology before proceeding to your first violin lesson.
Superprof
At Superprof, you can take online lessons from different cities in Malaysia and various parts of the world.
Just head to the Superprof homepage and start browsing the tutors' profiles.
You will get to read the tutor's basic information which includes their qualification, years of teaching, performing experience, hourly rates and also the reviews of their previous students.
The major advantage of taking online violin lessons at Superprof is that you have great access to a wide selection of tutors at an affordable rate.
Currently, there are more than 2700 violin tutors that offer online lessons, in which 95% of them offer their first lessons for free. Now isn't that a great deal?
You can easily find your perfect violin tutor in these simple steps.
- Step 1: Review and compare the tutors' profiles.
- Step 2: Contact your desired violin tutor and start organising your lessons
- Step 3: Prepare for your first violin lesson/explore other subjects using the incredible Student Pass
What Are Some Violin Techniques That You Will Encounter During Your Lessons?
Even as you begin your basic violin lessons, your violin tutor will brief you on the introduction to playing the violin.
Things like the right posture (like how you anchor your chin), identifying the different strings and fingering methods to the way you handle the violin bow, all these factors play significant roles in determining how the sound quality of the violin as you play it.
Here are two main violin techniques that will help to enhance your overall violin-playing experience.
Bow Strokes
Some examples of standard bow strokes that you will learn include:
- Legato
- Staccato
- Martelé
- Détaché
- Spiccato
- Tremolo
- Pizzicato and others
Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash
Double Stops, Triple Stops and Quadruple Stops
This is a slightly more advanced violin technique where you play on two strings, three strings and four strings at once.
This technique requires you to be accurate and quick with your fingering and roll your bow accordingly. It is usually found in more advanced grades and chords.
While it is easy to feel intimidated by what you will learn throughout your violin lessons, reflect on the benefits of playing the violin to keep yourself motivated and focused until you achieve your learning goals.
Exploring Youtube Channels To Learn More About Violin
Apart from online tutoring, Youtube channels are also one of the most common ways to pick up a new skill. If you are currently learning to play the violin, here are two amazing Youtube channels that you can check out.
Ray Chen
One of the most famous performing violinists in the world, Ray Chen is no stranger to the violin learning community.
He is very passionate about spreading the joy of playing the violin and regularly uploads various content about his backstage performances, practice sessions and also some specific masterclasses too.
Some of his Youtube masterclass videos include:
- Upbow staccato
- Left-hand pizzicato
- Wrist and arm vibrato
- Harmonics and others
You can say that this channel gives you a glimpse of the life of a performing violinist, which is not necessarily an all-time serious (in fact, a RAY of sunshine).
Source: Radio Taiwan International
Daniel Kurganov, Violinist
This channel has a more educational and informative tone. It allows you to look at the violin from multiple angles, in terms of learning how to maintain and adjust the violin as a beginner to mastering advanced techniques with time.
Some of the violin techniques videos on this channel include:
- Fix your intonation in a week
- How to get deep connection between notes
- Top 10 tips to improve rhythm and pulse
- The best double-stops exercise for violins
- 2-finger exercise for shifting, vibrato, sound production & high positions
- Clarity in bow articulation and others
Apart from learning violin techniques, you can also watch many violin solos or even ensemble performances from both of these channels.
Remember to immerse yourself in the music as you progress along the way.
Which Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions Can You Enrol In To Master Advanced Violin Techniques?
Let's say that you have completed your violin lessons up to the highest grade.
There's a high possibility that you are considering a career in music, be it as a performer, educator or even composer.
There are several higher learning institutions in Malaysia that offer a comprehensive undergraduate music programme for those who are keen to continue to improve their craft, including playing the violin.
Here are three local universities that you can consider enrolling in.
1.UCSI University
Located at Cheras, UCSI University is famous for its Institute of Music.
Depending on your interest, you can choose to either enrol for the Bachelor of Classical Music (Hons.) or Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Hons) after completing your pre-university studies.
Duration of study: 3 years.
2.Sunway University
At Sunway University, you can enrol for the BA (Hons) Music Performance under the School of Arts.
This programme is catered towards Western art music (both theory and practical components).
Duration of study: 3 years.
3.Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Under UPM, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Music. This is a four years programme that focuses on both classical and contemporary music.
Some areas of specialisation that are taught include:
- Musicology
- Violin Performance
- Conducting
- Music Composition and others
We hope you have learnt more about violin techniques and how to have a better learning experience through various platforms through this article. All the best in your violin learning experience!
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