/r/violinist

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For All Things Violin

For All Things Violin

A subreddit for any violin-related discussion.


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1

Understanding breathing and phrasing

I’ve been watching this video about breathing through pieces and in pauses in music. I was wondering, how does this breathing and singing approach work in long, fast passages such as Bach partitas where there are absolutely no written pauses? Is it acceptable to introduce small gaps or slowing down very momentarily (solo pieces) as part of phrasing? How does breathing and phrasing work with a metronome when there’s no written pauses? Thanks in advance.

0 Comments
2024/07/16
07:53 UTC

1

Learning pieces (and actually finishing them)

Hello 'yall, generic highschooler here. I've been playing the violin for a year and a bit, progressing using the suzuki books. However, recently (around two months ago) I just can't seem to gather the motivation to finish the next piece. I still play on a daily basis, but its usually goes like

Learn a couple bars -> get bored -> make something up to continue the passage. [Repeat]

I DO wanna learn the pieces in the book, but when practice starts, I lose interest after like 4 bars.

Any tips?

0 Comments
2024/07/16
07:14 UTC

7

I've hit my peak in violin. Now what?

I swear I'm not trying to sound braggy. I just don't know what to do anymore.

I've been playing violin my whole life, almost 20 years now (I'm in my mid-20s, so I literally cannot remember a time without playing violin). I didn't go to uni for music, although I almost certainly could have and had prepared portfolios to apply to them. I ultimately chose not to because I didn't feel all that emotionally connected to it I guess?

My skill level is pretty advanced - I've played Ysaye and Paganini, and it's at that point where I'm pretty confident I could play nearly everything if I had the motivation (barring crazy stuff like Nel Cor Piu and Der Elkonig, which I'm pretty sure I couldn't even attempt without injuring myself).

Except that's exactly my problem. I have nowhere else to take violin unless I want to pursue it professionally (which I don't think is a good idea, for both health reasons and the fact that I have no motivation). I've tried community orchestras and they're okay, but they're not challenging at all so I get really bored. My last violin teacher told me that he didn't think I'd ever feel fulfilled with violin unless I pursued it professionally, and I'm scared that he's right.

What's ended up happening is that I've barely played in the past 2 years, ever since I left college. I practice occasionally, but I just get bored. I've always had a problem emotionally connecting to music, so I don't see it as an outlet for emotions or anything. But, obviously, it's been a huge part of my life for so many years, and I got to such a high level that I really don't want to quit and lose all that work, but I'm just directionless now with it. (It doesn't help that my health issues cause my joints to swell, so half the time when I play, I end up with a ton of pain anyways.)

Anyone have any advice or was in the same situation?

20 Comments
2024/07/16
05:29 UTC

2

Practice Motivation

I've been working on 3 pieces for the last 3(ish) months and they are very much not audition/concert ready yet but I'm really starting to get bored of them. How do I keep focusing on them without burn out??

1 Comment
2024/07/16
05:29 UTC

2

How can I begin to start improving on my own?

I stopped taking private lessons about a year ago because of university. Though, I did join the university orchestra so I didn't completely leave the violin (My sight reading improved a ton).

However, I don't know how to progress on my own. I started playing at the age of 19 and took lessons for 3 years (I'm 22 now).

My teacher just gave me a packet to practice learning 6th position and a lot of scales. I am working on personal pieces such as Monti Czardas and Brahms Hungarian Dance. I started these because I liked how they sound and Czardas is definietly do-able for me. But I feel like I can't play them properly. I've been told to go measure by measure until I get it right. But the progress just seems slow. Idk if this is how we are supposed to practice on our own, if I'm being impacient, etc..

Any advice on how to move forward on my own is appreciated. Even a daily routing would be nice to have just to act as a guide.

Thank you!

3 Comments
2024/07/16
03:46 UTC

10

What's your favorite note to play

mine is F# even though my left middle finger is lowkey numb and has a weird orange callus on it from pressing on it lmao

24 Comments
2024/07/16
02:36 UTC

10

It’s like a rollercoaster gradually getting more intense as it progresses. Love the challenge.

1 Comment
2024/07/16
02:09 UTC

45

I am so sorry to whoever has the apartment next to mine

7 Comments
2024/07/16
00:41 UTC

0

Tired of it all

I have fallen out of love with all things music-related. I cannot stand practicing anymore. I do not like any of the artists I used to. I am so bored by all the music I used to enjoy. I feel as if the violin is a huge load on my shoulder and I just want to get rid of it already. It feels like a curse. I have been trying to sell my violins for months with no luck. I have no desire to practice or learn anything anymore. I'm done. I feel I have reached my breaking point.

7 Comments
2024/07/15
23:59 UTC

4

Folding music stands: Nilton, Peak, K&M

Hey yall, I'm moving around a bit too much to buy/carry a manhasset wherever I go, and am looking for a folding stand.

I'd like to be able to put a tablet on it at the very least (I occassionally put my macbook air on a manhasset, but most likely won't for these folding stands), as well as sheet music

Any opinions on what to choose and info on how to source the nilton and peak in the uk? (or elsewhere)

Nilton magic: probably best? depending on shipping from sweden might not be much more expensive than the other options.

Peak: hard to find, and will probably be marked up from shipping. Couldnt contact the uk dealer listed on the website, and amazon is gonna take months to ship

K&M 12125 or the shorter K&M 12120: nobody talks about it at all. looks like the peak, and is around the same price. £55 or £45. Easily found on thomann

K&M 10065 or K&M 10810: best wire stand options £33 or £55. Easily found on thomann

Also, would this be a bad idea: A (matthews merf or manfrotto 5002) light stand with a k&m/manhasset tablet holder, or a folding desk for sheet music if i find one

3 Comments
2024/07/15
23:55 UTC

2

Adult Learner - Still Super Excited

Hey all! First time posting here, but I’ve been lurking since I picked up the violin back in February! I started renting the violin on Presidents’ Day, and started lessons with a phenomenal teacher three days later!

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting their experiences and everything, it’s been really nice to read and see that there are other adult learners out there! I also wanted to just post where I’m at right now so that I can remember how things are in this moment!

As far as progress goes: I’m now learning 3rd position (I LOVE it) coupled with Vibrato, and can confidently play Canon in D in front of people!! (By people I mean friends and family; also I slow down a little for the fast part, but I’m almost able to play it at speed!) I would listen to it on repeat on my way to work every morning (about 7 times each morning) and then practiced for… hours. And hours. (And hours.) Thankfully I’m not sick of the song yet! I’m new to instruments (aside from playing around on the family piano growing up) and it’s still kind of bizarre to me how much time has gone in to playing a single song.

I’m currently playing around with Swan Lake so as to work on my slurs more (I’m picking it up FAR FASTER than trying to play Canon), fine tuning Canon (will likely ALWAYS be doing this, along with any other song I learn) and practicing my vibrato in 3rd position to hopefully be able to use it in first someday soon to incorporate into my playing more!

My instructor got almost giddy after we played through Canon together at my last lesson (she was playing it quite a few bars back in tandem of my playing) and started discussing Ave Maria, Air on the G String, Vivaldi, and Mozart! So it sounds like those are upcoming for me—I can’t wait to learn Ave Maria; it sounds beautiful on the violin!

If anyone’s read this far, I have a question for you: what’re you currently working through that has you excited to play? Where you listen to it and just go “oh man, I gotta practice so that I can do that!” Or, barring that: what’re some of your short term goals, as well as long term goals?

6 Comments
2024/07/15
23:01 UTC

7

Violin on a Plane. What's your personal experience?

Hey everyone,

Has anyone ever tried to bring a violin onto a plane as carry-on using those special violin flight cases?

The standard cabin bag allowance for most airlines is usually smaller than the violin (flight case).

What are your experiences with this?

24 Comments
2024/07/15
22:13 UTC

6

Lets talk about : Renaud Capuçon

Hi everyone, I hope you're taking a small break from practising 😉

I juste wanted your opinions about Capuçon, I'm French and he is being sold as "ThE GReatEst ViolonIst" in our media...

He recently published an album regarding Gabriel Fauré's pieces.

I can't actually make my mind about him, is he good musicaly, technically ?

I saw one of his Mendelssohn's and thought that it was actually bad...

I'm only an adult beginner, my point of view is probably garbage, thats why I would like you to share your thoughts !

5 Comments
2024/07/15
21:09 UTC

3

i need help lol

I played Viotti 23 this year (9th grade) and now (going in 10th) my teacher now assigned me with Lalo symphonie espagnole first mvt. I need some tips on how to get the fast passages down and how to improve my sound on the G string. Any help will be greatly appreciated 🙏

3 Comments
2024/07/15
20:49 UTC

3

Carnatic Musicians

Welcome to the r/CarnaticViolin subreddit!

We are thrilled to have you join our community dedicated to the beautiful art of Carnatic violin. This space is for sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources related to playing, learning, and appreciating the Carnatic violin.

Whether you are a beginner, a seasoned performer, or simply a fan, you’ll find a supportive environment here. Feel free to share your practice tips, performance videos, questions, and insights. Let’s learn from each other and celebrate the rich tradition of Carnatic music together!

Happy playing and sharing!

Moderators

1 Comment
2024/07/15
20:10 UTC

2

Issues With Hand Independence

I've been having issues with using my hands independent of each other. Every time I stop moving my bow, my vibrato stops too. When I slow down my bow speed my vibrato slows too. Interstingly, it doesnt work in reverse, If i pretend to bow with my left hand I can use both easily. I'm wondering if anyone has had similar issues and what they did to fix it.

2 Comments
2024/07/15
19:27 UTC

2

Violin repair Rotterdam/ den Haag

Hello all. My son had a small accident with his violin yesterday. I would like to have some recommendations with your experience. We are currently on holidays. Thank you.

4 Comments
2024/07/15
18:55 UTC

4

It feels like I'm going to nowhere and making no progress

A little backstory. I play the violin now at 23. I started when I was like 14 and did some basics over 2 years (at that time I only learned some basic things like holding it and playing some easy melodies). Then I mostly dropped it without playing consistently because of my school and now in Dec 2023, I have gone to attending private lessons with a violin tutor. I got much better since then, but I feel like I'm just not doing enough and a completely worthless being. The main objective was to play like Lindsey Stirling as she's my great inspiration and still is. I feel like my playing sounds awful on the video recordings and it makes me depressed as it feels unreachable even if I do scaling & arpeggios practice every day and practice Lindsey's music after that and all of this is at least 3 hours a day. That's why I have no idea if I'm just not trying hard enough, or trying way too hard. I play scales & arpeggios, then Schradieck's exercises, then a couple of Kreutzer etudes, and then I play Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca violin arrangement. After this, I try to play pop songs and many of Lindsey's songs. So to sound just like Lindsey and get better do I have to keep what I'm doing or am I doing things wrong or not hard enough? I'd be grateful for the advice

11 Comments
2024/07/15
16:27 UTC

3

For Suzuki book 1, is it ok to skip gavotte ? Or play it slowly and correctly but not at the ideal speed and move to next book ?

6 Comments
2024/07/15
16:26 UTC

0

Going from classical guitar to violin?

I did this in April this year, been learning violin some easy tunes and scales, but the bowing, the intonation..omg its pretty hard to do..

the thing is I can use all my stopping fingers 1 to 4 from years of guitar and I can read sheet so I don't have that worry, but sometimes its a struggle to get a good sound though at only 3 months in I am surprised how far I have come already..

Really just looking for any beginner tips anyone can offer me?

22 Comments
2024/07/15
13:39 UTC

5

Bridge misaligned ?

I’ve been using a practice mute recently (rubber) so I’ve been paranoid abt bridge misalignment . I think it’s fine ?

5 Comments
2024/07/15
12:31 UTC

37

Does anyone know how to play this please?

17 Comments
2024/07/15
12:10 UTC

10

Should I listen to a piece before sight reading

I started learning violin last year and got a teacher this year, I'm going through the Suzuki books and want to get better at sight reading, would listening to the piece before hand, before sight reading it, make me learn to sight read slower, faster or not much difference in the long term?

12 Comments
2024/07/15
07:54 UTC

5

Best shoulder rests?

I’ve been struggling with the position of my violin since I picked it up again a few months ago (I played in middle school and am now 23)I play better with a rest shifting and vibrato wise but I fail to find one that’s actually comfortable. I’ve so far used a foam block, a towel, an Everest, and a playonair. The Everest is the most tolerable but still not ideal for my body. Any ideas are appreciated, even if it’s tips on playing rest free

32 Comments
2024/07/15
03:09 UTC

3

I have several problems with this

to begin with I tend to start bowing before I completely finger the string, which gives me a horrid sound. Then I tend to play more than one string accidentally and there are some pressure problems too. There are any specific exercises to follow as to correct these problems?

4 Comments
2024/07/15
01:38 UTC

2

Looking for a new case

Hey guys! I play a 4/4 sized violin and am currently looking for a new case. The one I currently have does not have room for my shoulder rest.

I'd like one that isn't exactly too expensive, and ships to the US. Not reallt any requirements I have for it, just room for my shoulder rest and strings, yknow? I'd prefer a case that I can put stickers on, and would appreciate one with a lock. Thank you!

I will also watch the comments for any questions/suggestions.

5 Comments
2024/07/14
23:47 UTC

35

Bach G minor fugue

7 Comments
2024/07/14
20:26 UTC

44

After 7 months of playing I had my first recital today

And it went really well!

For the last two weeks I was so apprehensive and nervous. I was afraid I'd embarrass myself as an adult beginner only a few months in. I practiced the A major scale so hard that I dreamt of F#s and tapped waltzes while using the bathroom. In the last week, it felt like my intonation got worse with every practice instead of better.

I wasn't nervous today, only glad that it would be over soon. It was a nice day, I wasn't the only adult pupil, the drummers were really good and I felt myself relaxing to their beats while waiting for my turn.

My teacher and I had chosen a short (32 measures) piece. Only once was I a tad early (usually I'm rushing), and only in 5 measures perceptibly out of tune. I completely forgot that I wanted to put more weight into the first note of each measure (so not really waltzy). In the middle of the piece, my nerves got the better of me after all and my bowing started to get a bit shaky, so I tried to compensate it with playing softly in the most difficult passage. But I got through it without messing up too much, and I'm happy with myself and my progress.

I'm glad that I chose to participate in the recital, I learned so much about focused practice and I even had fun today! I'm looking forward to the next time.

13 Comments
2024/07/14
20:02 UTC

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