6 Basics you MUST Master to Play the Violin ?? (free video lessons included!)

November 1, 2016, 7:25 AM ·

90% of all issues of all violinists come down to the basics.

When I'm teaching violin students it's 90% about the basics... while I teach beginners to very advanced players and everything in between.

"An expert is a master in the basics!"

That quote is true for many things, but certainly for playing the violin. If I see a player in my violin shop I can immediately tell whether it's a professional or an amateur... just in the way they hold their violin, pick up their bow... actually without hearing them play I can predict how it will sound and what their level will be.

What if we all could be a master in the basics?

With these 6 free video lessons I hope to help you on your way to master the basics, so you can play the music you love beautifully.

1 Violin Hold

The way you hold your violin is vital for producing a beautiful tone and playing effortlessly.

This video shows you exactly how to build up a relaxed and comfortable violin hold yourself.

It also explains the ‘why’ of this bow hold.

2 Bow Hold

Your bow hold is the foundation of your bowing technique.

The bow is to the violinist what the breath and voice is to the singer.

Holding your bow in the right way will improve your tone. Besides that you will learn that there is not one fixed bow hold, it’s more a ‘motion’ than a ‘hold’.

3 Beautiful Tone Basics

Let's stop sounding like a strangled cat! In this video I will give 3 tips on tone improvement for beginning violinists and violists.

I will handle the common mistakes that most beginners make on tone creation, so you can make a beautiful sound. Not just for beginners!

4 Bow in the String

What is bowing in the string exactly and how can you recognize it?

When you don’t bow into the string, you are wiping over the strings with your bow. This causes an empty and thin sound without core.

When you bow into the string, you use the spring system of your strings, bow and arm to get a fuller sound with a core.

5 Play in Tune

Playing in tune, also called ‘intonation’, is one of the most difficult topics of violin and viola technique. In the beginning the fingerboard can look like a great unknown universe.

In this series of three videos I share 12 tips to play in tune on the violin. Yes, they are certainly just the tip of the iceberg of intonation, but they will help them on your way.

6 Practice, practice, practice!

Sure, you already knew that the violin is not an instrument you pick up once in a while. It requires daily practice.

Also it's important that you know HOW you should practice in a structured and effective way. In this video I share with you how to create your own personal practice schedule.