learning the violin

temporaneous

New member
Hello,

I'm an amateur classical pianist, but I've taken up the violin & I've been learning classical violin for about 2 years now. Problem is, I'm starting to feel 'stuck' at about Grade 4 standard... The 'sound' of my violin is more or less terrible (& my neighbours'll testify to this), apparently my bowing's a mess, and I still have difficulty changing positions. I'm not too sure how to go about improving, cos sometimes practice makes a difference, sometimes it doesn't. Whether my violin sounds good during a practice session seems to depend on the alignment of the planets or something
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Does anyone have any advice? Would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 

Frederik Magle

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Regulator
That's a very difficult qustion to answer since we haven't heard you play (but I can imagine...
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). What is your tutor saying about this?
 

temporaneous

New member
Well, my tutor says that I'm not 'pressing' my bow into the strings enough, but even when I try to do that, the sound still doesn't come out right. (& my violin sounds perfectly good when someone else plays it
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which is kinda infuriating cos she's MY violin after all...)

Other than that, I can't seem to figure what's wrong... It's really quite frustrating.

Thanks! Hope you can give me some clues...

Elaine
 

hitsware

New member
Just a thought, but have you tried recording yourself? I have an acoustic guitar that sounds crappy to me when I play it, but good to listeners (and to me when others play it). I think some instruments don't develope their tone close up. It takes some distance for the timbre to 'blossom' ????? I tried a violin only once, and couldn't get anything but a screech
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Pamadu

Civilian
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I would certainly try what "hitsware" has said....You do say that others playing Your Instrument "it sounds ok etc".
Check Strings,Check Bridge (that it is secure & not loose & vibrating),check Bow Tension,that YOU use,not that others use,check with your Tutor that Your have the "Bowing Technique" correct,especially the angle that you are bowing on....You will know the different angles for (down bow/up bow or push bow) but look and ask your Tutor about your "hand grip" when straight bowing. Just a Thought. You are braver than I am...hehehehe
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I make more noise than 10 cats on a tin roof. All the Best & Welcome to MIMF. Cheers
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Pamadu/Paul.
P.S. when Pressing your Bow,like your Tutor says....You have to strike a "happy medium"...NOT too Hard (it then Grinds the strings) and NOT too Light (or you will get a patchy and harmonic like sound)..... it must be an EVEN Action all the time.I am sure you will get it.
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temporaneous

New member
Thanks all for the advice!
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I tried recording already, and it's confirmed - my neighbours have a point...
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No matter, I'm all revved up & ready to try out all your other suggestions
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Wish me luck! Thank you thank you and thank you again!
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Cheerios all!
Elaine
 

Pamadu

Civilian
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Check also that there is Not too Much,or Not enough Resin/Rosin on the Bow Hairs.But Keep at it..I wish You all The Luck in the World..Cheers
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Pamadu/Paul
No Need to
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Tell the neighbours to close the windows. hehehehe... The Planets.!!!! Never...Only a "Full Moon" is dubious
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Pamadu

Civilian
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Elaine......How is the Violin Going.??????? You must keep at it. Worth it in the end. Any Help just PM me,or Post here.... Forget the Neighbours.....In a few years,they will be wanting "Free Tickets" to Your Concerts. "and me too"
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Cheers
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Pamadu/Paul
 

temporaneous

New member
Heya
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I'll definitely be clinging on to my violin come what may... I've sworn undying devotion already
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Except it's exams these 2 weeks, & I'm practically reduced to reading tea leaves and relying on the weather forecast to predict exam questions...
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Comes from being too liberal with class attendance...
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But just they wait - come term break my violin returns in full force
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Thanks lots! Arigato! (as they say in Japan)

Cheers,
Elaine
 
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