How to Fast Passages on the Violin and Viola I have been a violin and viola teacher for nearly 25 years and in that time I have come up with a solution for students that struggle to play fast passages - rhythms. Working passages in rhythms is the ultimate in 'gutter technique' but it really works. I still [...]
Jaw Relaxation Exercises for the Violin and Viola For years, I struggled with pain and discomfort in my temporomandibular joint, to the point that I could not open my mouth wide enough to eat a sandwich or hamburger, eat toffee or chew gum - simply because it caused too much discomfort. It finally got to the point where [...]
How to Tune your Viola using the Tuner Lite app by Piascore If your instrument is like mine, then all it takes is a change in temperature or humidity, a peg slip or peg bump and the sound or pitch of each string can be affected. Professionals tune their ‘A or La’ string first to a tuner and then [...]
How to Tune your Violin using the Tuner Lite app by Piascore If your instrument is like mine, then all it takes is a change in temperature or humidity, a peg slip or peg bump and the sound or pitch of each string can be affected. Professionals tune their ‘A or La’ string first to a tuner and then [...]
How to Hold the Violin Bow When starting to learn the violin or viola, the hardest part for students is often learning how to hold the bow. The Franco-Belgian Hold, the hold that I teach, is one of the most common holds in contemporary learning and performance and used by great violinists such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Isaac [...]
Viola Sizing Chart - What Size Viola do I need? Viola sizing is much different than violin sizing. When choosing a violin size you want to find the 'right fit'; rather than go for a size that is too large, you should always go for the smaller size. Choosing a viola is different. The viola should fit slightly bigger. [...]
Finding the Perfect Fit: Choosing the Right Violin Size Choosing the right violin size is a crucial decision, especially for beginners and young musicians. A properly sized violin ensures comfort, ease of playability, and the best chance for skill development. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect violin [...]
How to Disinfect your Violin or Viola I wrote this blog post during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time was starting to prepare for a return to face-to-face group lessons in Vancouver. One thing that came to mind was how I was going to safely tune the instruments that the students could not tune themselves - certainly a [...]
How to set up for your Online Violin and Viola Lessons Here are a few things to consider before starting your online violin or viola lessons: Software Make sure that your computer or smartphone software is up-to-date prior to the lesson and that anti-virus protection has been installed and is also up-to-date. Internet Speed Check your internet speed at [...]
How to Hold the Viola Bow When starting to learn the violin or viola, the hardest part for students is often learning how to hold the bow. The Franco-Belgian Hold, the hold that I teach, is one of the most common holds in contemporary learning and performance and used by great violinists such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Isaac [...]
