Many contemporary groups and artists today incorporate violin music into their songs and performances. Just listen to the songs of the popular group Queen and the albums of Vanessa Mae, a globally recognized violinist known for her “techno-acoustic” style. Violin solos can also be heard in other popular songs such as The Beatles’ “Yesterday” and “Eleanor Rigby.” Â With the ever-increasing popularity of violin as a choice instrument for many recognized artists and groups, it’s no wonder that more and more students are taking violin lessons. If you’re one of them, here are some basic tips to help you out:
Â
Holding the Violin
Â
Learning how to play violin involves properly holding the instrument to give you full control over the instrument without injuring your hands, arms, and shoulders. To start off your violin lessons, you can either stand up or sit down on an armless chair. Once you’ve found the most comfortable position, carefully place the violin under your chin and use the chin rest. You can also use a shoulder rest to prevent straining your shoulder. When holding the violin’s neck, make sure it’s comfortably placed between the first finger and the thumb, and to never let the neck rest on the palm.
Â
When holding the bow, it should be nestled between the thumb and the rest of the fingers. The pinkie finger should be resting on the metal tip or screw of the bow, while the pointing finger should be placed on the pad to increase or decrease pressure on each bow stroke
Â
Bow Arm and Left Hand Exercises
Â
Strengthening your bow arm is essential in properly mastering basic violin techniques. Detache, ricochet, and staccato are just some of the playing exercises that can help you properly control the bow and create consistent sounds with every stroke.
Â
To strengthen your left hand or the hand that holds the instrument in place, do some toning and shifting exercises that increase the fingers’ agility, stability, and dexterity. By accurately fretting the right string with just a slight movement, you’re actually protecting your hand and finger muscles from strain and injuries.
Â
Learning New Tunes
Â
When learning a new song, identify the trickiest parts and focus on these areas on your next violin lessons. Many students are guilty of going through a difficult piece and when they make a mistake, they go back at the start and begin all over again. While this technique eventually works, many violin teachers claim that it’s really not that efficient. A more effective way of learning a new violin piece is to play it slowly but accurately. Once you’ve mastered the most difficult parts, play it within a normal tempo. This way, you’re helping your brain learn new patterns and notes by allowing it to fully understand them as part of the piece and not just as separate notes you need to play.
Â
Whether you just want to learn how to play a new instrument or follow the footsteps of violin virtuosos such as Ida Haendel and Maxim Vengerov, these basic tips can help you perfect your technique or move on to more challenging pieces. So pick up that bow, keep these tips in mind, and start practicing your violin lessons for beginners!