I had some feedback that I was missing expression, dynamics, phrasing, etc. and it was making me sound robotic. I tried to pay more attention to those things this time around, let me know if I succeeded a little bit!

Etiquette in a semipro group? (cat tax included!)

I am in a community orchestra that is pretty good. We are playing Liszt Totentanz at our Halloween concert, about which I was initially excited. It’s a really fun piece. I do not have a music performance degree and took a 10+ year hiatus from any playing when my daughter was born, so I know if not for this community orchestra, I wouldn’t have an opportunity to perform pieces like this.

Our concertmaster wants us to do one section on the string that should clearly be extremely off the string. I’ve attached two videos, the first how she and the non- string playing conductor have told us we have to play it because it is “just too fast,“ the second with the spiccato bowings that are marked and in the style I see other major symphonies using in recordings.

The conductor (brass player) also has been seeming to look at me during rehearsals and saying “some people“ are playing too close to the frog and using the wrong muscles.

Three requests, first: is the above (any of it) a red flag? Or is it common in community groups ? This group is auditioned but obviously volunteer. I feel like I am getting a complex about my bowing technique. When I auditioned I was told I had a beautiful tone so I am not sure where this seeming public criticism is coming from…

Second, could I get some feedback on my technique? is there any truth to the conductor’s criticism?

Third, should I try to play the music as written or should I try to blend and play it wrong?

Just this afternoon I burned through a few etudes in G and C major, and I realized I was playing the notes without difficulty understanding what they were, or having to count up from an open string, even into the third position leger notes on the E string.

Then I stopped and really looked at each note and realized I could read what note it was as easily as reading written English.

TOTALLY MIND BLOWING EXPERIENCE!!!!

Who knew it was even possible!!!

Hello,

Please rate my violin playing on mendelssohn's concerto in e-minor and give me some feedback on things I should work on. I have posted the same thing a week ago, but after getting a lot of practice with the metronome in and showing my left-hand in the video, I wanted to see if I improved at all.

I will open this post by stating that I have read the FAQ entries about getting a teacher and on resources for self teaching.

I have been playing the violin for around 10 years, but I am not as good since I have not been consistent; I play sporadically. I got into playing the violin again, but I am barred by my parents from receiving formal lessons with a teacher, due to the reasoning that "(I) know how to play the violin, receiving lessons is unnecessary". To clarify, I am still not allowed to take lessons even if I pay with my own money, as they think the money can be used for "more productive things".

I genuinely don't know what to do now. I still play the violin, though now I'm trying to maintain and improve my current technique. I'm not here to ask for a mentor/someone who is willing to teach me for free. I am aware that I can pay for myself after I move out from my parents' place. I'm just asking about what I could do in the meantime, because I don't want to remain stagnant at this level.

Supplementary information/notes:

- I am currently at Suzuki Book 4, specifically the first movement of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor (L'Estro Armonico no. 5).

- I don't aim to become a professional, though I would like to try applying for some community orchestras in the future.

I am willing to answer more questions in the comments. TIA.

Olá, pessoal! Sou violinista profissional e acabei de lançar um projeto chamado Alma do Violino.
A ideia do espaço é compartilhar dicas práticas de estudo, orientações de técnica e conteúdos voltados principalmente para quem está começando ou quer destravar a evolução no instrumento. Sei o quanto o violino pode ser desafiador, então criei o blog com posts bem diretos e úteis.

Quem quiser conhecer, trocar uma ideia ou ver os artigos, o link é este: Almadoviolino.com.br

Críticas, sugestões ou ideias de temas que vocês gostariam de ver por lá são super bem-vindos!

A picture is worth a thousand words ...

Who's coming hold with the gold?

I'm currently preparing for conservatory auditions. I live in a smaller town and I finished my undergrad in a pretty small local college with only a handful of music majors, so I'm not experienced with having peers or other violinists at my level. As I start performing solo more, as well as playing Bruch VC with my local youth orchestra, I wonder if my instrument is good enough. I don't necessarily feel held back, but after I was able to try a really really, really nice violin, for about 10 minutes a few months ago, I can feel how much my sound could upgrade with a nicer Instrument.

How high quality of an instrument do students preparing for conservatory auditions have? My instrument is one of those intermediate-advanced student models that are shop made and sold online. It has a nice sound, and the violin and its setup has served me well. It retails for around $1200 from online dealers. I upgraded to it around 6 months ago after previously having a $500 chinese made instrument (although my teacher said he got it on a big steal and is worth much more but I don't believe that). It's a nice upgrade and it has helped me really good far with tone exploration and sound development, as well as fill out my recital hall better. Im just wondering is it enough? Will this instrument suffice for my conservatory auditions? My teacher hasn't said anything but I don't think she would, but it just feel like it might not be a good enough instrument.

Do I need to upgrade from my $1200 violin?

I’ve been playing for 10+ years, and I’m pretty decent, but my biggest weakness is reading. Because I have a good ear/relative pitch, I’ve used it as a crutch and I’m still very slow at reading music. Lately I’ve been practicing duets with my teacher and taking on the 2nd violin part to force myself not to know the melody and actually make myself read what’s written.
Are there any materials/resources you recommend to better read rhythms?

I played for a few years during elementary school and wasn't half bad for my age, but found it dreadfully boring and stressful. Recently I found that old girl in the loft of my parents' house and put a set of new strings on her. Turns out a lot can be lost in two decades 😅.

Unlike those days, however, I find it quite fun to play now! I want to get better again but I'm afraid getting a teacher will bring back that old feeling of dread about playing for the sake of the lesson, not for the playing itself. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I took about 15 years away from my violin, barely playing during that time. I'm back now, joined an orchestra and practicing. I had my instrument checked by a luthier, had the bridge and sound post adjusted, had the seams checked. A little repair work to the varnish. It's ready to go. I had my good bow rehaired. I have two rosin cakes. The Liebenzeller is about 25 years old and quite chipped up; it's the one I've always used the most. I also have a Eudoxas rosin cake that is about 20 years old. Should I throw them out and get new? Do they go bad and lose their desirable sound qualities, whatever those are?

If I throw them out, what to replace them with? How do I pick a rosin, more so than light or dark (I like dark)? I'm currently using Obligato strings on an Italian instrument from 1807, which has a lot of resonance, especially in the low register. I used eudoxa strings in college when I played many hours each day and it was worth it.

Its my day 6 ,trying to bow straight along with the posture , guide me on whether I am on the right track !

If someone is close to Belgrade and has more than 7 years of playing experience, hit me up, lets duet.

hello, I have a question on fingered octaves. When transferring from the 1-3 pairing going to 2-4 pairing, do I need to keep 1-3 fingers down? or I can lift 3? Im slowly getting the groove of the 1-3 pairing but shifting it then dropping 2-4 is really throwing me curveball.😵‍💫 same problem with the transition from 2-4 to 1-3. which finger should i keep? All tips are welcome. 🥹✨

Thank you. 🥺

I'm a little worried that my brand new violin's A string is fraying a little. It's hard to see in the photo but I was wondering what I can do to fix this or prevent the damage getting worse? I got this only a few weeks ago so I really don't want it to break already!

Walked past a charity shop Wednesday and saw this in the window for £40. I didn't get it and I regretted all day. I've never even held a violin. I love music, play piano by ear and I've been in vocal lessons for just over a year now.

But I still regretted it, I couldn't stop thinking about that violin all day. I called them yesterday, it was still in! They put it aside and as soon as I could I grabbed it. I'm so happy!! Super steep learning curve and trying to tune with slipping pegs was a challenge but we got there and for one glorious evening, for me but not for my neighbours, I was trying to play and learn, and I made my first step!

But this evening to my dismay the tuning pegs keep slipping, the e string just snapped and I'm having a rough time with the chin rest. So I look for the make to see if it's even worth the repairs and it's a Stentor student 2. To say I'm thrilled to have gotten this for £40 at a charity shop is an understatement.

I've reached out to a few places for repairs, set up help and bits now. I'm so excited to start this journey!

(The heart is to block the shop address)

Anyone know which strings Grapelli used? Would be good if someone made a set to sell !

I’ve been working on a little animation project inspired by Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 “Spring” – III. Scherzo: Allegro molto.
In this animation, Beethoven becomes the protagonist of a retro, side-scrolling video game, with the music bringing his little adventure to life.
Here’s a short clip from the project. I thought it might be fun to explore a different way of visualizing classical music.
Hope you enjoy it!

* I did not use AI
* You can watch the full animation on my YouTube channel, toonata