March 2014

How to Keep Your Left and Right Pinky Round in Playing Violin or Viola

March 26, 2014 02:36

Sylviane writes:

Hello Zlata,
I just watched your youtube video on the Pinky Training Program that you posted at the violinist.com!
What a marvelous idea!
I have an 8-year old daughter who has been playing the violin for almost 4 years, under Suzuki method. I myself started learning violin just to accompany her. One of the challenges that my daughter has is her pinky, on both hands! Her left pinky would stay curled until she needs to use it. Her teacher and I keep reminding her about this, sometimes it works but when we stop reminding her, that she would fall to the bad habit again.
And her right pinky, is often doing the exact position you showed on the video: sky slope rather than curled pinky. She used to have a pinky tube on her bow when she started, but now she doesn't want to have any of these 'aids' as she believes she is quite advanced. She might be more advanced than 4 years ago but she definitely needs remindings.
I will show her the video, most of the times she listens to others better than her mother!
I will check out your website violin lounge and the free workshop as well.
Thank you again and hope to see you soon on your video!
Sylviane

Perhaps your teacher told you a hundred times to keep your pinky round. A round left pinky will improve your intonation. A round right pinky will improve your bowing and tone production.

It’s easier said than done. Your pinky needs strength (muscles!), flexibility and balance. My Pinky Training Program will help and is available for free worldwide. Check it out here!

In this video I will share with you some additional tips, tricks and exercises to keep your pinky round. Also I will share my opinion about aids, like a pinky tube, to solve the pinky problems.

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

2 replies

How (much) To Tighten Your Violin or Viola Bow

March 18, 2014 03:44

In my violin shop I need to throw away violin and viola bows very often. They are not useable anymore and worthless.

Why? Because people tighten their bow too much when they play and lots of times forget to loosen it when they don’t play.

It’s a waste of bows and of course very expensive.

Tightening your bow too much can even be dangerous as the bow can break and hit you in the face.

In this video I show you how to tighten your bow, which dramatically increases the lifetime of your violin or viola bow.

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

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What To Do if Your Fingers are Too Stiff to Play the Violin or Viola

March 18, 2014 03:31

Do you sometimes feel that your fingers are too stiff to play a certain piece of music? Maybe some fast notes?

I've been working a lot with students who learned the violin or viola when they were young, stopped for years, are retired now and want to pick up the violin or viola?

Is it possible to make those stiff fingers smooth and flexible again? Yes!

Watch this video and I will give you some exercises, tips and etudes.

This is Hand Sitt’s etude book I recommend in the video: click here to buy!

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

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Why Should You Practice Daily?

March 12, 2014 06:24

Should you REALLY practice daily?

Why?

Watch this video and learn!

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

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How to Learn Sautillé on the Violin or Viola

March 12, 2014 06:13

Lam writes:

Dear Zlata,
Can you do a video on how to make a beautiful sautillé?

Sautillé is a bowing technique where the bow leaves the string (jumps) and you can play very fast short notes.

In this video I show you exactly:

how you can learn to play sautillé from spiccato

step by step in the most effective order

how to find the most suitable place on your bow

)
Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

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How to Make Smooth Slurs on the Violin and Viola

March 5, 2014 07:21

Valyncia asks: how to make smooth slurs on the violin?

Watch this video and learn about...

What is slurred bowing?

Two sorts of slurring: with a string change and on one string

Four tips on how to slur smoothly:
1 devide your bow properly
2 make an even sound from frog to tip
3 make clean string changes
4 make your fingering clear and confident

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!