How To Change Our Habits On The Violin

From the very moment we pick up our violin we tend to go into automatic mode. In some ways our habits can be very helpful, but if we want to improve on the violin, we must be able to make changes over and over again. But often we feel helpless to be able to change and improve things because of overwhelming mental and physical habits that seem stuck. There are techniques and ways we can overcome inertia on the violin. Let's explore it together...Mary

[@songsabai3794]

Thank You again, Mary V, the violin beauty 🎻❤

[@zsofiarosta5018]

Thank you Mary, I am going to practice..

[@christophertelford2613]

Thank you Mary, we wait very eagerly for your latest videos in our household.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

What a lovely thing to say Christopher! Thank you very much for your wonderful encouragement.
Mary❤

[@lolamas3042]

Hola Mary! Cuánta información interesante en pocos minutos! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Me gusta la idea de volver a los básicos...hay tanto que aprender... Y qué importante es ser cosciente de las sensaciones que tenemos en brazos, muñecas, dedos... Paciencia, mucha paciencia y deseos de seguir experimentando con nuestros violines...y con nuestras cucharas de madera😊 Mil gracias y un gran abrazo, Mary!💜🎶💜🎻

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Lola! Thank you very much for your interesting insights...isn't it amazing how often we are unaware of ourselves, especially when we think we're paying attention! We really have to do these things in short bursts!😊Our wooden spoons are just as important as our violins.😅😊😅Have a lovely time! Mary❤

[@kiseryo]

So helpful!! You put out the most professional contents ever😆 I rarely see other artists talking about realistic, small details and problems that I/we usually encounter during practice sessions. Thank you for your wisdoms!!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! I'm delighted you found the video helpful; these issues are real for all of us.
I know that violin practice becomes so enjoyable and productive when being judgemental is replaced by being experimental!
Thank you very much and take care. Mary❤

[@luizalabouriau863]

This is excellent advise for all levels of playing!! Thank you so much for this ❤

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thank you very much! You have a lovely and fascinating channel, congratulations. Mary❤

[@maxraabe5745]

I'll start again these steps 😊 thank you very much ❤

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you very much. I hope you do well! Mary❤

[@chickensandsuch.1754]

Good ideas.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thanks for saying so I hope you do well! Mary❤

[@katiemartin2428]

Really helpful thanks Mary ! I really want to change how hard I press when practicing vibrato !

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Katie! Very clever of you to spot that the little left hand sliding exercise really helps to loosen and lighten the hand and the fingers.
Pressing too hard in vibrato is a temptation for all of us...You've given me an idea for another video devoted exactly to this issue. Thank you very much and take care. Mary❤

[@katiemartin2428]

I’ve just watched this again Mary as I’ve been practicing and I’m forcing myself to be lighter and like you say memorise the feeling . I think it’s helping me !! Thank you !!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

@@katiemartin2428 Great! You are getting insights about how to loosen your hand. Very important. Your fingers will also respond by going down more lightly. Take advantage of these new feelings by doing simple finger drills, 01234 43210. The more lightly you can put your fingers down the faster you can go. Train those fingers!
Thanks Katie. Mary❤

[@katiemartin2428]

Amazing thanks Mary 😁

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

@@katiemartin2428 very exciting! Mary❤

[@paullai2263]

Mary,
Thanks again

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you Paul! Mary❤

[@mflecha1]

Thank you! The reach of the G string without touching the D string with the fingers has been a struggle for me. Do you have any hints on that? Tension builds up. Thank you!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thanks for your question. I'm sorry you've been struggling.
You know, it's not strictly necessary for the fingers on the G string to be totally free of touching the D string. Rather, it's the bow that needs to be clear on each string...there are many possible reasons that playing on the G string can be a struggle, such as shorter arms, small hands and fingers, or forgetting to move the elbow underneath towards the body for the G string.
The violinist Rodney Friend has established a liberating technique of deliberately playing in 5ths with the left hand, but singly with the bow...
Techniques to reach the G string more comfortably include making sure the left elbow is turned in enough to help the hand, shifting the weight of the hand towards the third and fourth fingers, lowering the left thumb and lifting the left hand up slightly so the fingers drop down from more height to the G string and changing the position of the head...
An uncomfortable or badly fitting shoulder rest can make an enormous difference to being able to 'reach' the G string comfortably.
I do hope you find what you are looking for.
Take care, Mary❤

[@mflecha1]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv thank you so much for the comment. It helps and I will work on it 🙏🙂