Mastering Sight Reading for Violin and Viola Students: A Guide to Musical Fluency Sight reading is an essential skill for every violin and viola student. It’s the ability to play a piece of music accurately and expressively at first sight, without prior practice. While it might seem daunting at first, sight reading opens up a world of musical opportunities [...]
Mastering the Art of Memorization in Music: Tips for Musicians Memorizing music is a valuable skill that allows musicians to perform with greater confidence, expressivity, and freedom. Whether you're preparing for a recital, an audition, or a casual performance, having the music internalized can elevate your playing. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you master the art of [...]
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 [...]
