How to Raise the Violin and Viola to Your Shoulder The art of raising the violin or viola to your shoulder can be a challenging endeavor, especially for beginners. Allow me to guide you through the proper technique for lifting and holding these instruments with ease. Initial Positioning: Start by holding the #violin or #viola in [...]
What is Rosin? Rosin, a solid resin derived from pine trees and various plants, comes in a semi-transparent form, ranging in colour from yellow to black. When applied to the bow hair, it enhances grip on the strings, facilitating clearer and resonant tones. Dark rosin tends to be heavier and stickier while light rosin tends to be lighter in [...]
Encountering issues with an angled bow is a common challenge for those starting out on the violin or viola. Here are three effective exercises to guide your bow towards the correct alignment. Bow Tracing Begin by placing the tension screw of your bow against the edge of your music stand. Hold the tip [...]
Optimal Rest Positions and Foot Stance for Violin and Viola Mastery Maintaining proper posture is paramount for achieving excellence in playing the violin and viola, and it is equally crucial for preventing potential injuries. In the era of online lessons, where our learning environments have evolved, we now need to consider specific rest and playing positions tailored for [...]
A Guide to Properly Caring for Your Violin and Viola Taking care of your violin or viola is crucial to preserving its sound quality and lifespan. Below is a concise list of dos and don'ts to ensure your instrument remains in optimal condition. Dos and Don'ts DO NOT drop the instrument: Handle your instrument with care [...]
A Guide to Properly Caring for Your Violin and Viola Bow roper maintenance of your violin or viola bow is crucial to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. Here's a concise guide on what you should and shouldn't do: Dos and Don'ts DO NOT drop the bow: Never drop the bow, as it can cause irreparable [...]
A Guide to Properly Fitting Your Violin and Viola Shoulder Rest The shoulder rest is a crucial accessory for enhancing comfort and stability while playing the violin or viola. Crafted from various materials like wood, plastic, carbon fiber, and aluminum, these rests come in diverse shapes and offer adjustable features for a personalized fit. Learn how to install [...]
Exercises for Using Full Bow on the Violin and Viola Do you find it challenging to play confidently at both the frog and the tip of your bow? Struggling with maintaining the right bow speed? I've got you covered with a set of exercises designed to address these common concerns and improve your overall bowing technique. Incorporate [...]
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 [...]
