6 Tips to Improve the Tone on Your Violin

August 3, 2013 at 12:25 PM

Hello Zlata. My name is Wendy. I’ve been playing violin for 19 months. Now I’m kind of lost because I don’t know what should I practice to improve the tone. 

 I think I didn't press the bow and my bowhold is relax too.

 Overall I think I'm bowing right, I have watched many violin playing videos and I always pay attention to players posture.

If you have time to take a look at my video and give me some advices I’ll be really appreciated. Thank you again for being patient with a beginner like me.

Click here to see my previous video around tone improvement for beginners.

Click here to see Wendy’s video’s.

6 Tips to improve Wendy’s tone (and perhaps yours too)

Tip 1 Untighten your bow a little, so you can use the suspension system of your bow.

Tip 2 Your bow is pivoted, so you use just a little hair, use a little more hair to have a more full and rich sound

Tip 3 You bow at the upper half, perhaps you could bow more in the middle of the bow to have a more full sound

Tip 4 If you replace your strings, consider taking nylon or synthetic core strings. They will sound a bit warmer and more subtle. Also they will play more comfortable.

Tip 5 Your bow hold is relaxed and moves along the bow nicely, but you could try to make your fingers a bit more round and flexible.

Tip 6 Your right arm and shoulder seem to be a bit tensed. Try to relax your shoulder, so it goes down a bit. Make your arm heavy and bow from the weight of your arm, not the pressure. In this way you will have a more smooth bowing with more air.

I hope these tips will be useful to lots of violinists and violists!

It it useful for you? Please let me know in the comments below!

Love,

Zlata
Violinist and Skype violin teacher at Violin Lounge

PS: Do you have questions for me on violin or viola playing? Post a comment below or send an e-mail to info@violinlounge.com