Julianne Heinen on Violinist.com

Looking for good VIOLA music - for solo viola

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 23:28:47 GMT

Does anyone know of music that was written specifically FOR the unaccompanied VIOLA? I have the Bach cello suites TRANSCRIBED for viola, and those are fantastic. But I'm curious if there is much done for the SOLO viola that sounds great on its own. Thanks

I'm LOVING this violin playing!

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:39:12 GMT

Having loved the violin since childhood, I finally took the plunge and began lessons as a 40-year-old beginner. That was a little over a year ago. I'm now in Suzuki book 4 and am LOVING it! For the first time, just a few moments ago, I was playing a line in first position and realized that it would be easier to play the notes quickly in third position. I was pretty excited. The fingerboard was so intimidating at first and the idea of the positions was really scary. I just didn't get it. Fort this to happen for me was a big transitional step. I love getting to know my instrument. Just tootin' my horn because I'm so PROUD OF MYSELF!

Can I play Bach's Sonata #1, "Adagio" with only 1st - 3rd Position?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:05:45 GMT

Before you tell me it's too advanced, please don't. I love it and I want to play it. I'm somewhat self coached and I know up to third position. Can I play Bach's Sonata #1, part 1 for solo violin with only up to 3rd position? Thanks

My Review of the Carlo Lamberti LV11

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:56:14 GMT

When I was shopping for a good student violin at a good price, I was discouraged at the lack of reviews I could find on the "big name" brands. A lot of people were strictly of the opinion to buy from a local shop, but I have issues with my local shop and I don't think their student violins sound very good. I didn't have much to spend and had heard or read about "The Best $500 Violin Anywhere" advertised by Shar. I decided to go for it and bought it. Not being a professional player, I didn't trust my own opinion about how good this violin sounded until my own teacher, who is normally prejudice against Chinese violins, commented on how good it sounded. When I told her I only paid $500, she said it sounded "pretty good for just $500.) She even wanted to borrow it to show another student who was violin shopping. Per her suggestion, I put Evah Pirazzi strings on it to bring out its full potential and that made it sing even more. Now that I've thad this violin over a year it has opened up quite a bit and don't plan on trading up for a very very long time, if ever. Anyone wondering about this model and trying to find information should take my word that it really IS the best $500 violin. You won't want to give it up - ever!

Review of my 3/4 size Franz Hoffman 'Maestro' violin

Sun, 27 May 2012 21:17:21 GMT

When I was trying to find reviews for the Franz Hoffmann Maestro model violin for my daughter I grew frustrated at the little information I could find. So, I went ahead and ordered this model for my daughter's move up to the 3/4 size. She had been playing a 1/2 size Franz Hoffman "Amadeus" model, which is the basic entry level violin. We actually enjoyed that one very much. While it's an obvious beginner instrument, it was alway in tune and smooth in tone. The first few days she played the new Maestro I was worried. There was a certain buzzing vibration which sounded like it might be coming from the inside of the violin. I know Shar tests and adjusts these violins so I also thought it was just an annoying characteristic of the violin. I tried changing the strings to a higher grade string but that didn't help. I ended up putting the original Visions strings back on. Now, after only about a week, the buzzing has finally stopped and this little violin has a very open, warm sound. The strings sound better than they did the first few days as well. I normally do NOT like Visions strings but these seem to work well with this instrument. If this much has improved in only a week, I look forward to hearing the changes that take place over the next year. I think it was a good purchase for $350. My only gripe is the bow that came with the set. It has already lost 3 hairs! Three hairs in a week cannot be a good sign. Maybe should have not purchased the combo deal and just picked a bow on my own. Oh well, live and learn. I highly recommend the Hoffmann Maestro for a new or young player who needs a fractional size.

A Warning about SHAR Music's 'Free Shipping'

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:59:03 GMT

Just a warning that the "FREE SHIPPING" Shar Music is advertising on orders over $20 is a drastically downgraded method of shipment that takes over a week for delivery. When I paid the "normal" shipping costs my order was always much faster. They fail to point this out. And if you inquire about the delay you will be told that since it was free, you don't have much reason to complain. Just a warning not to take the free shipping. It's a bogus "good deal."

Using a Fractional Size Violin to Improve Posture and Technique

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:49:42 GMT

My violin teacher has been pointing out to me that I use the pads of my fingers too much, rather than the tips of my fingers to depress the strings. If I constantly focus on that point, then I can remember to do it. But it just isn't a natural feel and is a difficult habit to develop.

I recently decided to try out a 7/8 size violin because I thought it would be easier to hit that difficult fourth finger, which I always miss playing in tune. My teacher said my hands were too big for a 7/8, with which I disagreed, and went ahead with my plan anyway. Good thing it was only on trial, as my hands WERE too big, but there was an unexpected benefit of using it for a few weeks.

The proportion of size difference between a 4/4 and 7/8 violin is really very small. When you think in terms of 1/2 inch, that seams big, but the overall proportions are very close. However, this tiny difference made it nearly impossible for me to play in tune using the same sloppy hand posture I�had been using on my 4/4. The ONLY way to get the notes in tune was to lift my hand high and play with the very tippy tips of my fingers.

I found that my fingers were very cramped after a few weeks of this sort of effort and I went back to my 4/4 violin. Suddenly it felt as though I had been wearing shoes 2 sizes too small but never knew it until I put on shoes that fit. My violin felt so much more comfortable and I was actually able to hit that dreaded 4th finger.

What's more, is that my fingers maintained that lifted posture and I was using the tips of my fingers and playing in better tune on my 4/4 than I had before. It was an unexpected perk.

After a couple of months, I�have tended to sway back to my old bad habit of using my finger pads, but am considering buying a cheap, used 7/8 for daily scales practice to keep training my fingers to go up on tip.

�

That's my tidbit for the day.

My $400 lesson in poor quality Chinese violins - Liu Rong Guo

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:16:37 GMT

I made a mistake that I think most people reading this will respond to with, & quot;Duh, Stupid, & quot; but if my mistake can save anyone else from making a similar one, then it's worth humiliating myself enough with the post.

I decided to search eBay for an inexpensive violin to have as a practice instrument and one that I could take out and about without much worry. Well, I & nbsp;got it, but I can't play it.

I saw this violin's photo and thought it looked very lovely. It's a faux antique and completely handmade, at least the seller claims so. It was listed as the work of & nbsp;Liu Rong Guo, who has been hand making violins in China for many years. I did a search for the name and found a nice website listed as www.mastersviolin.com They have lovely faux antique violins for a very cheap price. For just $200 I thought I couldn't go wrong, but I was mistaken.

Upon receiving this violin, it was obvious right away that the quality had been grossly over-stated. But, considering the fact that 70% of student violins in the USA originate in China, I thought I could get it tweaked and ready to play without much problem.

The first and most obvious problem was that the sound post had fallen - no big deal. I took it to a local luthier who reset that for $20.

Then, he pointed out that the bridge looked like it had just been taken out of a package and not sanded down to fit the violin at all. The bridge was so high that this violin couldn't be played past first position.

He also showed me where the top was separating from the ribs in 3 sections. There was a horrible metallic rasping sound when the bow was drawn across the G and D strings, which he thought was an issue with the glue. The strings were so thin that we were afraid to tighten them much to play the violin.

But, I thought it was lovely enough instrument to go ahead and make the repairs to get it into playing condition. The quality on the maker's website was sung with such self-praise that I thought it was a worthy gamble.

Today, I picked up my violin after new strings were added, the top was re-glued, a new bridge at the right height was installed, for a total of $130. There is still a horrible metallic rasping sound on in the lower registers which makes playing really annoying. It was not fixed by patching up the loose glue so it's quite possible that the bass bar is also loose and I could have that fixed,

At this point I'm out almost $400 with this piece of junk that I cannot even play for practice. For the money I've spent, I could have purchased a quality student violin right here in town and been much happier. I'm trying not to dwell on it and realize it's an expensive lesson in making stupid purchases from China via eBay.

Still, it is pretty. I think I'll put it on my wall as decoration or maybe take it apart to see how a POS Chinese violin is made.

Stay away from Rui Long Guo violins and also from www.Melody-with-violin.com as she is the 3rd party who sold it to me praising it's quality. Her response to my complaints was, & quot;Nothing will satisfy you. & quot; Can you believe that? Wow

Live and learn.