Hot Violin & Viola How-Tos « Violin & Viola

How To: Rosin a violin bow for the first time

In this video, we learn how to rosin a violin bow for the first time. To start, you will want to tighten the hair on the bow by turning the bottom bow clockwise. Next, you will take your rosin and move the bow over it. Just do small sections at a time, then move onto the next section. It may be hard to get the rosin going, scratch it with sandpaper before you begin if it's being difficult. You will know when the rosin is going, because it will not look shiny anymore. Once you reach the top of...

How To: Install a violin bridge

In this video, we learn how to install a violin bridge with Mike. First, loosen the tension of the strings, then take out the bridge from the violin. After this, pull the strings around so they are running straight. Tighten them, but not too much. You want a pinky worth of height in between the strings and the base. Now grab the bridge. The flat side will face the tail of the violin and the other side will face the opposite. The bridge should be place directly in between notches on the base o...

How To: Play "Silent Night" on the violin

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the song, Silent Night on the violin. Silent night is a popular Christmas Song that can be played on the violin very sweetly. The song is slower and this video will show you how to play the correct rhythm and notes. This video provides all the string movements and order that the notes are needed to be played, in order to execute the song. This video contains voice narration and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily understand and follow...

How To: Play artificial harmonics on the violin

Artifical harmonics are a little different from natural harmonics as each requires two fingers to create one note. In this video violin lesson, you'll learn how to finger and play artificial harmonics on your own violin. For more information, or to get started, press play! (NB: When playing artificial harmonics, the finger's contact with the string should be reduced to the smallest point possible.)

How To: Play the detache bowing technique on the violin

Detache is French for separate bows, not to be confused with the English "detached", with space between the notes. With this tutorial you will learn to play the detache bowing technique on the violin. The detache technique helps build a consistent and confident sound, improves projection and improves control of the entire bow, especially at the very frog and tip. Play as loud as possible. Bow next to the bridge (Control the "Sounding Point"). Keep the bow straight and flat. Use the entire upp...

How To: Play the Collé bowing technique on the violin

Collé is French for glued or sticky. In this tutorial you can play the Collé bowing technique on the violin. Play slow with no metronome and away from the bridge. Play small but powerful "T" consonant at the tip. Start at the very tip and throw the bow up bow with the biceps (about 4 inches). Do the same down bow at the frog. Use triceps to throw the bow down bow (again about 4 inches). Start with open strings until you get the motion right. The colle technique improves projection, articulati...

How To: Play the Martelle bowing technique on the violin

Martelé is French for hammered or with a hammer. You will learn how to play the Martelle bowing technique on the violin with this tutorial. This is played slow with no metronome and away from the bridge. Starting at the tip, using the upper half, throw the bow up bow going exactly to the middle of the bow. The sound should be exactly the same as collé ("T") just louder because you are using the entire upper half. Throw the bow up bow with the biceps. Do the same down bow starting exactly in t...

How To: Play the staccato bow technique on violin

Staccato is Italian for articulated distinctly, with a separation between notes. In this tutorial you will learn how to play the staccato bowing technique on violin. Start slowly with a nice "pop" or collé sound at the beginning of each up bow stroke. Build up your speed faster every day and track your progress daily in the Practice Journal. The stacatto bow technique improves control over the entire bow and prepares you for pieces that use staccato. Pull to the tip on each down bow stroke. U...

How To: Play Pirates of the Caribbean main theme on violin

If you're a violin player who's looking to play the main theme song of Pirates of the Caribbean then look no further. This simple video walks you through the song. You'll likely want or need to pause a few times as you work out the fingering, but hang in there and you'll get it. This song is a catchy little ditty you can whip out at any party or seafaring bash. Memories of Jack Sparrow will soon be floating through your head as you play this song. Now you can play Pirates of the Caribbean the...

How To: Tune a violin or fiddle with an electronic tuner

In this video, we learn how to tune a violin or fiddle with an electric tuner. The tuner may not know the difference between the strings, so make sure you know what you are playing before you begin. Clip the tuner to the bottom of the violin or fiddle, then play your strings to see where the needle on the tuner goes. As you play the strings, the needle should reach the middle. Twist the clasp on the strings to either loosen or tighten them, then you will be able to correctly tune the strings....

How To: Do the Sautillé bowing technique on violin

Sautillé is french for jumping. This how to video teaches you the Sautillé bowing technique on the violin. You should repeat each note 8 times. Find the "sweet spot" where the bow bounces by itself. The stick bounces but the hair never leaves the string. Your hand has to be thrown by the big muscles (biceps and triceps). If it is not working try these three ways to fix it. Hold the bow with the index and ring finger (and the thumb) and throw the bow. Lower your shoulder and raise the elbow sl...

How To: Play the Ricochét bow technique on violin

Ricochét is French for skipping a rock. Not to be confused with the English version of bouncing off things. This how to video teaches the Ricochét bow technique on the violin. This technique helps you feel the vibration of the stick that helps you get a bigger, freer sound. You should drop or throw the bow in the middle from about 4 inches high and let it bounce; lift pinky and ring finger and drop/throw the bow on an open string while going down bow; press with index finger for about 6 bounc...

How To: Play one finger scales with the first finger on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play one finger scale on violin. This violin exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above e...

How To: Play 2 fingered scales on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play 2 fingered scales on the violin. This violin exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in ab...

How To: Play one finger arpeggios on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play one finger arpeggios. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano... start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above each new pos...

How To: Play a violin tuning exercise

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. You will learn how to play an exercise that improve your tuning. This exercise, based on the Sevcik System, is designed to help intonation training. You should start at the speed of 40 then gradually move it up to the goal of 16th notes at the speed of 192. This exercise will improve the overall shape of the left hand; train the hand to be more articulate and accurate (no muscles just a twitch); builds ...

How To: Play a slurred 3 octave G major scale on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play slurred 3 octave G major scale. This exercise, based on the Galamian "Contemporary Violin Technique," is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred ...

How To: Play a G major scale in 3 octaves on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This violin lesson teaches you to play a G major scale in 3 octaves. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred stroke, half the bow on the martelé strokes, and a...

How To: Play a 3 octave G major scale on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play 3 octave G major scale. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred stroke, half the bow on the martelé strokes, and at the very tip...

How To: Play an advanced arpeggio exercise on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play an arpeggio exercise. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above each new posit...

How To: Play three octave arpeggio exercise on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play 3 octave arpeggios. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano... start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above each new posit...

How To: Play broken thirds in 1st and 3rd positions on violin

If you want to improve violin technique then this tutorial is for you. This violin lesson teaches you to play broken third in 1st and 3rd position. This exercise, based on the Yost system, is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand and ...

How To: Play thirds in 1st and 3rd position on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this tutorial is for you. This violin lesson teaches you to play thirds in 1st and 3rd position. This exercise, based on the Yost system, is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand and w...

How To: Play thirds in the 2nd and 4th position on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this tutorial is for you. This violin lesson teaches you to play thirds in 2nd and 4th position. This exercise, based on the Yost system, is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand and w...

How To: Play an advanced thirds exercise on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this tutorial is for you. This violin lesson teaches you to play an advanced thirds exercise. This exercise, based on the Yost system, is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand and wris...

How To: Play spiccato bowing technique on violin

If you want to improve your violin bowing technique then this tutorial is for you. This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your spiccato bowing technique. This exercise , based on the Yost system, is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should re...

How To: Practice ear training with an octave exercise

If you want to improve your violin technique then this lesson is for you. This violin tutorial teaches you a way to improve ear training with octave exercises. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should r...

How To: Play a scale in octaves on the violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your octave playing in scales. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your finger...

How To: Play an octave exercise on the violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your octave technique. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand ...

How To: Play tenths on the violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your tenths technique. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this tenths exercise you should relax your fingers...

How To: Play broken octaves in 1st and 3rd positions on violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a exercise in broken octaves in first and third position. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers...

How To: Play octaves in 1st and 3rd position on violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your octave technique in first and third position. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you shou...

How To: Play octaves in thirds in 1st & 3rd position on violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your octave technique in thirds in first and third position. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercis...

How To: Play octaves in broken 3rds, 2nds & 4ths on the violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to play your octaves in broken thirds, seconds, and fourths. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you shoul...

How To: Play advanced octave exercises on the violin

Do you want to improve your violin playing technique? This violin lesson teaches you a great exercise to improve your octave technique. This exercise is based on the Yost system. This exercise is designed to increase your familiarity and comfort in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, develop an understanding of what to listen for while shifting, and improve your ear training and overall intonation. When practicing this exercise you should relax your fingers, hand ...