I've recently started learning through your 1-30, and truly appreciate it all! I'm very early in, but progress is being made. Learning has truly helped my mental health recently so I'm very happy. One thing I've noticed is that the greater violin community can be very elitist sometimes, notably the fact that you seemingly have to defend yourself and how you do/teach things every few videos. It's a shame since you're providing so much good with everything you do. Just wanted to give support, and hope you don't ever get bogged down with the negativity. Thanks again for all you do!
Thank you and yes, its not the violin community as such, but people of the internet. Many people are quite uneducated and do like to jump in with their 2-cents worth; usually on a subject they know nothing about, but still, they like to comment. Everyone is different and thats just the price of being online. I do like to teach different to everyone else out there and at times, the things I do may seem a little unorthodox, but my teachings are the best out there on the internet and there is much proof of this, so I dont worry about it. I just make little explaimers every so often so I dont upset anyone - which is a shame really, but as I said, its the price of putting yourself out there online...
I've watched many videos of yours and I got inspired and bought my first violin at the age of 18, thanks to you I've learned so much already, I feel like I really can play a song on the violin in the future. Thank you so very much!!!
You hit the nail on the head. I've a short neck AND a protruding clavicle bone - so it's hard to wedge a regular violin between my shoulder and lower face/chin unsupported. There is now way a violin will stay in place without support from my hand.
Hi Abdul. Once upon a time I was in that spot. I rosin and rosin and couldn't make a sound. That's when I found online piano tutor. She said keep at it. A new bow takes a long time. And scratch the surface of the cake of rosin. Never forget the online piano tutor when you need help. ❤ good luck Abdul. 🎻
Omg, my family has a history with making violins. I have wanted to learn violin for forever and today finally my parents gave me a violin for Christmas. My dad said that when I get good at violin he'll buy me one that my ancestors made!
I just wanted to add that I purchased the 30 lesson violin course and the accompanying songbooks, and it was very useful for me and recommended, 👍although I recommend total immersion in lessons 1-20 and song books 1 and 2 first, and include additional supplemental beginner etudes, exercises, and tunes before diving into 21-30, because at that point it will be time for 3rd position, various bowing techniques, double stops, etc and getting serious, so you want to make sure you stay motivated and keep climbing that wall...
This was so helpful! I actually just ended up folding over and using the protective layer, that sits on top of my violin in the case 😄 A shoulder rest is too high, but the folded protective layer in my case 👍🏻 perfect!!!
I’m a 31 year old adult and I just got myself a violin for the sole purpose of playing for fun, I’m clearly not trying to be in an orchestra. This is going to be a different type of challenge BUT I’m up for it and seeing how it goes, I never played an instrument as a child so I’m making up for it as an adult.
Hello my dear....you are my inspiration...please keep going.....Ah one thing i have forgotten....that i have started to self teach violin with your lessons
Hi Alison - For a shoulder rest, I've improvised by using a 99-cent cellulose sponge scrubber and three interlocking rubber bands attached to the button and to the two corner pieces of my violin in a V-shape configuration. 😊 🎻 🎶🎵
Thank you my dear teacher Alison, I have uploaded a video about the playing with the standard shoulder rest and the homemade one. It may help the beginners here to understand the best choice for them :) The video is in my violin playlist. Vielen Dank!
Hi Allison... Thanks a lot for your videos, I've been watching and playing along since a long time. I just realised that I am holding violin and the bow rigidly after playing for some time and this is causing pain in the arms and palms. So is there any advice you have for me please 😊🤔
I've recently started practicing (about a month ago). I was hoping for some information about holding the violin with regard to the left hand, as my wrist becomes incredibly sore after an hour of practice, but it seems this was mostly about shoulder rests (which I vacillate on, personally).
You might've use the wrong force, resulting your wrist getting too tensed and sore. Try to practice playing a single note first or a simple scale and focus on the relaxation on your left hand. Make sure your wrist is completely relaxed.
Ma'am I was watching your videos for a long time and finally yesterday I got my first violin ☺ I love the 1-30 series. It's very helpful ☺☺ thank you ma'am ☺💙❤ Ma'am I have a question Should I use a shoulder rest? (I didn't brought a shoulder rest seeing you not using)
Question for you. I feel most comfortable with the position you recommended (I use no shoulder rest but higher chin rest) but my teacher has been asking me to bring the violin forward because I have trouble reaching the very tip of the bow correctly. In general, do you think it’s a big problem if, when bow arm is fully extended, your are an inch or two short of the bow tip?
I cant confirm exactly what your teacher has said or see whats going on for myself, but if you mean that your teacher is telling you to bring your violin closer to the 12 o'clock position, then this is absolutely wrong and should not be done! You should never compensate the correct posture of the instrument just because you cant reach 1 inch at the end of the bow. Why is this even a concern for your teacher? You're just starting out I assume, so there is no possible need or reason for you at this stage to be able to hit every inch of the bow! You will do so in time naturally anyway, but to move the violin and hinder your future playing by telling you to move it incorrectly to the front, is the worse possible thing to do. When I was a music examiner, I used to fail students when they were taking their violin exams just because their posture was wrong and therefore, it had a huge knock on effect for literally everything else. This is why I put a lot of emphasis all the time on my channel into posture, correct violin and bow hold etc as they are the basic fundamentals.
Heyy!! Can you please make a little video on 'positioning the left hand correctly'?? I get pain at the base of my left thumb everytime I play . Maybe I'm holding the fret board the wrong way!!
You might be squeezing the neck of the instrument! Make sure to hold the violin with mostly your jaw and shoulder, and let there be a space between the base of your thumb and the neck of the violin. You should only be touching the neck with the upper pad of your thumb. However, don’t fret because this may just be your hand getting used to playing!
I have a very short neck, 2" from collar bone to jaw bone so a shoulder rest is impossible for me, even though as an absolute beginner I would have liked the support.
You can. get right or left handed violins. If you want to play left handed, you will need a proper left handed violin - you cant just buy a right handed violin and turn it around as the pegs will be wrong. You then just learn the opposite way.
I'm a lefty learning on a standard violin don't really feel as if it's slowed me down any bowing is hard in the beginning no matter which hand you use, I suggest just getting a standard rather then getting a reversed one, learning that way will give you more options later when you want a new violin or need to replace one
Hi there I'm a 2yr university music student From Nigeria . I have many or should I say tons of questions 1.) When I'm holding the violin my elbow rests at my side without giving me a little gap in this situation what do I do? 2.) I also hear that itchy and scratchy sound from my violin and I have been trying but still gives me that. 3.) The pinky on my left hand has a case of camptodactyly if you have ever heard of it, so in my own case do I use three fingers or should I try using the whole fingers. What other advice do you have for us violinst
I love your videos Alison and am so thankful for you! ❤️ I have a question. This is going to sound so dumb, but I'm new to the violin. Maybe I'm not alone here? I can get the comfy sweet spot between 10 and 11, no problem. The proper angle of the violin for bowing, though, that's what throws me every time. I try to achieve the same one each time for maximum reach with my fingers on the fingerboard AND for my bowing, but it's nowhere near consistent. (FYI, I do use a shoulder rest because it's more comfortable for me, but even with that, I still have trouble getting the instrument angle consistent.) Is this a common problem that only time and practice (practice, practice, practice) will solve? (I.e., muscle memory!) If not, any tips would be so helpful!
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor I do play in front of a mirror, and it does help! It's a practice issue I'm sure, one that time will solve. I've reached the point where I can bow from frog to tip and back just holding the violin with my chin and collarbone (left hand off but under the neck, just in case...), but yikes, it takes forever to get the angle right. Feel like I'll be bowing open strings forever, but better that than bad habits. Thank you! ❤️
Great vids I have been using your vids for all most 2 weeks. When playing A string finger 1 2 sound good. When I get to the 3rd string it sounds flat or tinny. My tuner says its d but when I run up the A string it sounds flat. Any ideas? Is it me or.violin
Even after playing for 4 years, I've been struggling with holding my violin. I have a long neck, so I use a shoulder rest. But I find my neck getting really tired of twisting to one side and sore because of holding the violin up so my hand can move freely. Do I just need to strengthen my neck muscle or what?
Hard to comment on this one I’m afraid as I can’t see what’s going on. I wouldn’t like to say or suggest as I can’t see you so I wouldn’t want to exasperate things. Sorry
This is a really late reply, so maybe you have already found a solution to your problem. But have you also tried a higher chin rest? If you have a REALLY long neck, a shoulder rest even at max height might not be enough.
Someone mentioned it but I wanna second that a higher chin rest makes a big difference. They’re easy to find, and it’s a lot more comfortable without feeling quite so fixed and robotic as a shoulder rest can feel. If you lose the shoulder rest, do realize that it’ll take time to get used to tuning because the violin won’t sit as securely when your left hand isn’t stabilizing the instrument.
Is it normal that I'm not able to hold the violin and it hurts? Practice? Just curious if it is normal not being able to hold the violin with chin and solder at the start and need the help of left hand and it is all about practicing and getting used to it? Bough Yahama violin for 300e or so and after playing twinkle twinkle in 10minutes I noticed that as I'm not bale to hold the violin it makes it impossible to do Woblewoble sound all violist do and almost impossible to slide my finger to do sounds xD Now I decided I should first practice holding the violin before I start to learn to play the violin :D as the learning process for my self will probably be bit faster than some but I wont be able to master it as my motivation is just Hoppy :3 also after playing 1 to 10 minutes few times on first day each time I noticed the new hand posture is killing my arm and I need constant brakes which is nice. Also took a while to get those "horrible sounds" everyone always keeps talking about :D but to me, it seems to be caused because I'm holding the violin partyally with my left hand while trying to press the strings and other stupid stuff as I have not yet practiced . . . Or in other words, bit easier than Piano Song of Storms using both hands 5/5 how do people play different speeds lol.
It is something you do need to get used to and there will be some 'aching' but it shouldn't hurt at all. Sadly I cant see you so I dont know exactly whats going on here - it could be that your holding it slightly incorrectly, or you need to adjust your grip, or use a shoulder rest for example or a cloth etc.
Where do you hold/place your left hand on/under the violin, thumb position on neck/above or below, is the left arm/elbow straight under violin what position should it be. Thank you!
I have and teach with the thumb on the bottom of the neck as I teach in my initial lessons on my '1-30 Violin Course'. Some teachers have the thumb higher. Pick a way and stay with it - dont change.
I have a question, I also play without a shoulder rest but every time I play I get a bad pain in my neck close behind my ear and I don't know how to stop it. I thought I might have been straining my head or something but I don't really put that much presser on my chin rest with my at all. I just thought I'd ask if there were any tips or advice for that sort of thing... Sorry to be a bother.
I have very thin shoulders and sharp jawbones, no matter where or how I hold it, I could be doing perfectly and not know because it slips and hurts no matter what
Interesting...perhaps the raising of your shoulder is largely a consequence of raising your arm and not an active shoulder specific movement? What are your thoughts on the violin resting on the collarbone?
Hello, Alison. I'm a beginner violinist, and wanted to ask you or others if I buy a tall, full-length mirror to practice proper violin technique, is it better if the mirror is completely vertical (at no angle), or can it be tilted (e.g., leaning with the top against the wall, or on a flat base but with a swivel)? Thank you for any tips.
What to do if you are used to shoulder rest as a beginner because the violin keeps sliding to the front??? I would like to get myself used to go without it before it's too late because I feel like my neck maybe is too short since my neck feels stiff after practising..
How wrong would it be to rest the violin in the curved spot at the base of my thumb? It's how I play guitar so the hold feels really natural for me and it doesn't seem to restrict my access to the g string and makes vibrato easier to do without shaking the violin
You can do that. Shifting will then be a little different to me and you'll be doing arm vibrato when the time comes. Its a very valid option - but I just do the opposite as it were and both are correct.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor lol 15 years of guitar playing kinda drilled that position in, glad to hear it's something that works and won't slow me down in the long run, thanks for the reply
You know what I was thinking, maybe their shoulder pain is from having to twist the arm further back for a 10 o’clock or 9:30 position, because the left hand still has to work the fretboard properly, and aiming the violin too far either way will create problems and too far back will cause more discomfort for the shoulder and probably lead to a nagging shoulder pain.
Hello Alison, I noticed that my left elbow sort of sticks out further to the left when I hold the violin and looks kinda wrong, I'm not sure what the left elbow should do, is there anything you recommend? Many thanks
i just can't for the life of my hold my violin comfortably. I think my jawline is too angular and/or my chinrest is poorly designed. I've spent an hour trying every combination of angles & any time i take a bit of the weight off my left hand the chinrest digs into the corner of my jawline. With and without a shoulder rest. I'm 6'3", slim, and have a sharp jawline with no fat to cushion it. Was I doomed from the beginning?
Hello, so I’ve been watching your videos for a while because I wanted to learn to play violin and finally I got one! I learned a lot from your videos. But i got one problem that is bothering me, I bought mendini mv400 and it’s good but when I play and press my fingers on the strings I can’t get a sound unless I press too hard on it like all the way. Is this ok or no? because it’s not comfortable and hurts. Thank you 🙏🏽
That doesn't sound right at all. Are you sure your bow has rosin? Are you sure you're actually bowing in the correct place when using your fingers - as often, we concentrate on the left. hand and forget the bow is all over the place where it should be.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor yes it has rosin I can play open strings with no problem and I’m bowing in the correct place. I tried different levels of pressure whether on my fingers or the bow and changed the spots where I should put my finger just in case I’m not putting it in the right place and still get weird scratchy sound or no sound I don’t know how to even describe it but no proper sound unless I press too hard. So do I really have to put that much pressure on the strings or there is something wrong with the violin?
No, not hurt, but at first it was uncomfortable for me because it was a new thing (I’ve only been playing for 2ish months). A good shoulder rest helped me a lot.
My $0.02,, our shoulder rests are like training wheels on a bicycle; if we can get to the point where we have good facility and technique and tone on the violin instilling enough confidence to the point of finding the shoulder rest restrictive, then that confidence will allow us additional freedom of movement for playing without a shoulder rest, although a cloth or pad may be necessary if the back of violin causes player discomfort. If you ride your bicycle long enough in one outing, you may find a more comfortable seat to be a top priority. 😉
This has been the biggest problem for me,people say that the weight of the head is enough to hold the violin but even after using a shoulder rest I have to apply pressure from the chin.This becomes painful when I try to practice vibrato because during this left hand isnt supporting much and a lot of counterforce is needed from neck.Sometimes I feel like this is not even possible or the violin would rip my head off with that much force,idk what to do ,please help
i just bought a violin, but I can't hold it. when i put in on my shoulder, put my chin on the chin rest and so on, and my left hand leaves the violin, it just starts to slide down, 'till it comes almost at 12 o' clock, but not facing forward, facing down; so, it basically falls.. does anyone know what should I do? Should I try with a shoulder rest?
You have to make a conscious effort to hold it there. Its not magic - you wont just put it on your shoulder and hope it stays - you have to make it stay until this movement becomes second nature to you.
Okay, I don't understand the chin rest. Everyone seems to think that's obvious, but it isn't to me. What are people considering to be the "chin"? Because it feels like my jaw is in the rest, not my chin. If I had to put my chin on there, I'd have to really turn my head. I'm assuming that isn't correct. So what part of my chin is in what part of the rest? There's a big dip (I know this sounds pathetic, but I don't know how to describe it!) Is that where the "chin" goes? Or is that where your cheek goes? Or does your cheek go nowhere near it? Doesn't anyone else have this issue of not understanding where and what exactly goes in the chin rest? What I call my chin is the pointed part at the bottom of my jaws. The one I barely have, thanks to my father's genes, thanks dad!🤣 Good lord, I can't even get past this part of it. Anyhow, believe it or not, I can't tell from looking at others and can someone please clear this up for me so I can properly practice my first two screeching notes?! Thank you! (ps. I think the title of this should have something to do with shoulder rests, it's a bit misleading.)
Why am I hitting my stomach with my bow when I play? I asked my teacher if I was holding either my violin or my bow wrong, but he said I wasn't, and he wasn't very helpful. Should I get a new teacher?
it could be you holding your bow wrong or your bow is diagonal when your playing (by diagonal i mean its on top if the area of the finger board) or it can be that the arm that you hold your bow with is down resting on you side
Your shoulder rest is definitely set TOO HIGH for your use. IF it is 4 " in height, you should reduce the height by 50%. That is why you feel so rigid with this shoulder rest. Reduce the height and experiment again. I am sure as you reduce its height, you will feel better and better with the shoulder rest. However, I don't mean you will prefer using the shoulder rest at the end but I tried to point out that this shoulder rest was set too high causing your feeling of rigidity.
Thank you for your comment but the shoulder rest here is too high for me as I play with no rest and have done for about 35 years - so in comparison, anything will be too high. Even cloths feel too high. I have experimented with a number of different rests and heights (from the ones my students have) and everything is high.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor The physical shape of a body will decide if the the person needs a shoulder rest. In your case, as you described, you are 100% suitable to play the violin without a shoulder rest. In this case , the shoulder rest is a nuisance to you. I am glad you mentioned the use of a shoulder rest because many students, due to their physical shape, will be benefited from the use of the shoulder rest which can reduce the stress on their bodies and improve the playing. I have seen some teachers strictly discouraging their students to use the SHOULDER rest asking them by saying have you seen great violinists used shoulder rest . However, those great violinists mentioned were born before the invention of shoulder rest. I would say for the new generation , there are more and more violinists exploring the benefit of using a shoulder rest. Besides, just look at any professional orchestra, there may be more violinists using the shoulder rest than those without. However, if one DOES NOT need the shoulder rest, it is a gift !!! Enjoy your VIDEOS .. Thanks for posting.
I've recently started learning through your 1-30, and truly appreciate it all! I'm very early in, but progress is being made. Learning has truly helped my mental health recently so I'm very happy.
One thing I've noticed is that the greater violin community can be very elitist sometimes, notably the fact that you seemingly have to defend yourself and how you do/teach things every few videos.
It's a shame since you're providing so much good with everything you do. Just wanted to give support, and hope you don't ever get bogged down with the negativity. Thanks again for all you do!
Thank you and yes, its not the violin community as such, but people of the internet. Many people are quite uneducated and do like to jump in with their 2-cents worth; usually on a subject they know nothing about, but still, they like to comment.
Everyone is different and thats just the price of being online.
I do like to teach different to everyone else out there and at times, the things I do may seem a little unorthodox, but my teachings are the best out there on the internet and there is much proof of this, so I dont worry about it.
I just make little explaimers every so often so I dont upset anyone - which is a shame really, but as I said, its the price of putting yourself out there online...
I've watched many videos of yours and I got inspired and bought my first violin at the age of 18, thanks to you I've learned so much already, I feel like I really can play a song on the violin in the future. Thank you so very much!!!
You hit the nail on the head. I've a short neck AND a protruding clavicle bone - so it's hard to wedge a regular violin between my shoulder and lower face/chin unsupported. There is now way a violin will stay in place without support from my hand.
Thankyou ma'am.....for all your support......I bought a violin today and he's infront me..and I don't know what to do with it 😂😂
Hi Abdul. Once upon a time I was in that spot. I rosin and rosin and couldn't make a sound. That's when I found online piano tutor.
She said keep at it. A new bow takes a long time. And scratch the surface of the cake of rosin. Never forget the online piano tutor when you need help. ❤ good luck Abdul. 🎻
Hi I’m same as you right now 😂 do you know already how to play violin? Show some help my friend 😆
The amount of ......‘s was completely unnecessary
@@Septiksiren666 it is the correct way of spelling it out. don't mind it too much heh.
My violin is arriving today too, peob too scared to play it before watching 837372 videos
I just got a violin at a thrift store for 30 dollars I have a feeling that your videos are going to be a life saver
I'll definitely get used to it......I've watched all ur vedios....they are really useful
Omg, my family has a history with making violins. I have wanted to learn violin for forever and today finally my parents gave me a violin for Christmas. My dad said that when I get good at violin he'll buy me one that my ancestors made!
I'm struggling to play without shoulder rest.. and this video helps me a lot.. thank you.. 😊
Thank you, your clock analogy helped, I've been playing for years but I'm still pretty bad and was little self conscious of my hold.
I just wanted to add that I purchased the 30 lesson violin course and the accompanying songbooks, and it was very useful for me and recommended, 👍although I recommend total immersion in lessons 1-20 and song books 1 and 2 first, and include additional supplemental beginner etudes, exercises, and tunes before diving into 21-30, because at that point it will be time for 3rd position, various bowing techniques, double stops, etc and getting serious, so you want to make sure you stay motivated and keep climbing that wall...
This was so helpful! I actually just ended up folding over and using the protective layer, that sits on top of my violin in the case 😄
A shoulder rest is too high, but the folded protective layer in my case 👍🏻 perfect!!!
Hi....thanks for the detailed violin positioning lesson....don't worry about criticism...your on it as a player and teacher
I’m a 31 year old adult and I just got myself a violin for the sole purpose of playing for fun, I’m clearly not trying to be in an orchestra. This is going to be a different type of challenge BUT I’m up for it and seeing how it goes, I never played an instrument as a child so I’m making up for it as an adult.
Hello my dear....you are my inspiration...please keep going.....Ah one thing i have forgotten....that i have started to self teach violin with your lessons
Hi Alison - For a shoulder rest, I've improvised by using a 99-cent cellulose sponge scrubber and three interlocking rubber bands attached to the button and to the two corner pieces of my violin in a V-shape configuration. 😊 🎻 🎶🎵
You have helped me SO much, thank you!
Thank you! I’ve got a sibling to teach and no experience holding a violin-
Thank you, teacher! 😊 I learned a lot, things I thought were wrong but you assured me that it's completely fine.
Thank you my dear teacher Alison, I have uploaded a video about the playing with the standard shoulder rest and the homemade one. It may help the beginners here to understand the best choice for them :) The video is in my violin playlist. Vielen Dank!
Allyson, the 'pedantic pedagogue' @ 10:30. lol - love your generous information dissemination. thx.
Hi Allison... Thanks a lot for your videos, I've been watching and playing along since a long time. I just realised that I am holding violin and the bow rigidly after playing for some time and this is causing pain in the arms and palms. So is there any advice you have for me please 😊🤔
Thanks!! This really helped and now I can play it :0
I've recently started practicing (about a month ago). I was hoping for some information about holding the violin with regard to the left hand, as my wrist becomes incredibly sore after an hour of practice, but it seems this was mostly about shoulder rests (which I vacillate on, personally).
You might've use the wrong force, resulting your wrist getting too tensed and sore. Try to practice playing a single note first or a simple scale and focus on the relaxation on your left hand. Make sure your wrist is completely relaxed.
Ma'am I was watching your videos for a long time and finally yesterday I got my first violin ☺ I love the 1-30 series. It's very helpful ☺☺ thank you ma'am ☺💙❤
Ma'am I have a question Should I use a shoulder rest? (I didn't brought a shoulder rest seeing you not using)
I talk about this in length throughout the video.
Question for you. I feel most comfortable with the position you recommended (I use no shoulder rest but higher chin rest) but my teacher has been asking me to bring the violin forward because I have trouble reaching the very tip of the bow correctly. In general, do you think it’s a big problem if, when bow arm is fully extended, your are an inch or two short of the bow tip?
I cant confirm exactly what your teacher has said or see whats going on for myself, but if you mean that your teacher is telling you to bring your violin closer to the 12 o'clock position, then this is absolutely wrong and should not be done!
You should never compensate the correct posture of the instrument just because you cant reach 1 inch at the end of the bow.
Why is this even a concern for your teacher?
You're just starting out I assume, so there is no possible need or reason for you at this stage to be able to hit every inch of the bow!
You will do so in time naturally anyway, but to move the violin and hinder your future playing by telling you to move it incorrectly to the front, is the worse possible thing to do.
When I was a music examiner, I used to fail students when they were taking their violin exams just because their posture was wrong and therefore, it had a huge knock on effect for literally everything else.
This is why I put a lot of emphasis all the time on my channel into posture, correct violin and bow hold etc as they are the basic fundamentals.
Heyy!! Can you please make a little video on 'positioning the left hand correctly'?? I get pain at the base of my left thumb everytime I play . Maybe I'm holding the fret board the wrong way!!
You might be squeezing the neck of the instrument! Make sure to hold the violin with mostly your jaw and shoulder, and let there be a space between the base of your thumb and the neck of the violin. You should only be touching the neck with the upper pad of your thumb. However, don’t fret because this may just be your hand getting used to playing!
I have a very short neck, 2" from collar bone to jaw bone so a shoulder rest is impossible for me, even though as an absolute beginner I would have liked the support.
Please I really need advice, I'm a total beginner who knows NOTHING for the moment but is there violin for letfy and righty or is it universal?
You can. get right or left handed violins. If you want to play left handed, you will need a proper left handed violin - you cant just buy a right handed violin and turn it around as the pegs will be wrong.
You then just learn the opposite way.
I'm a lefty learning on a standard violin don't really feel as if it's slowed me down any bowing is hard in the beginning no matter which hand you use, I suggest just getting a standard rather then getting a reversed one, learning that way will give you more options later when you want a new violin or need to replace one
Hi there I'm a 2yr university music student From Nigeria . I have many or should I say tons of questions
1.) When I'm holding the violin my elbow rests at my side without giving me a little gap in this situation what do I do?
2.) I also hear that itchy and scratchy sound from my violin and I have been trying but still gives me that.
3.) The pinky on my left hand has a case of camptodactyly if you have ever heard of it, so in my own case do I use three fingers or should I try using the whole fingers.
What other advice do you have for us violinst
It would be best to ask your music teacher. I would need to see you in person to answer these questions.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor OK
Before i had a violin but dont know how to hold violin so i know how to hold it.
I love your videos Alison and am so thankful for you! ❤️ I have a question. This is going to sound so dumb, but I'm new to the violin. Maybe I'm not alone here? I can get the comfy sweet spot between 10 and 11, no problem. The proper angle of the violin for bowing, though, that's what throws me every time. I try to achieve the same one each time for maximum reach with my fingers on the fingerboard AND for my bowing, but it's nowhere near consistent. (FYI, I do use a shoulder rest because it's more comfortable for me, but even with that, I still have trouble getting the instrument angle consistent.) Is this a common problem that only time and practice (practice, practice, practice) will solve? (I.e., muscle memory!) If not, any tips would be so helpful!
Playing in front of a mirror is probably the best bet.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor I do play in front of a mirror, and it does help! It's a practice issue I'm sure, one that time will solve. I've reached the point where I can bow from frog to tip and back just holding the violin with my chin and collarbone (left hand off but under the neck, just in case...), but yikes, it takes forever to get the angle right. Feel like I'll be bowing open strings forever, but better that than bad habits. Thank you! ❤️
Thank you so much, now i know how hold the violin >∆
Great vids
I have been using your vids for all most 2 weeks.
When playing A string finger 1 2 sound good. When I get to the 3rd string it sounds flat or tinny. My tuner says its d but when I run up the A string it sounds flat.
Any ideas? Is it me or.violin
Great & clear video .
You are superb!
Love your Hair❤❤❤
Even after playing for 4 years, I've been struggling with holding my violin. I have a long neck, so I use a shoulder rest. But I find my neck getting really tired of twisting to one side and sore because of holding the violin up so my hand can move freely. Do I just need to strengthen my neck muscle or what?
Hard to comment on this one I’m afraid as I can’t see what’s going on.
I wouldn’t like to say or suggest as I can’t see you so I wouldn’t want to exasperate things. Sorry
Omg same here! It’s so frustrating, I can’t find a comfortable spot and I and up clenching my chin on it
This is a really late reply, so maybe you have already found a solution to your problem. But have you also tried a higher chin rest? If you have a REALLY long neck, a shoulder rest even at max height might not be enough.
Someone mentioned it but I wanna second that a higher chin rest makes a big difference. They’re easy to find, and it’s a lot more comfortable without feeling quite so fixed and robotic as a shoulder rest can feel. If you lose the shoulder rest, do realize that it’ll take time to get used to tuning because the violin won’t sit as securely when your left hand isn’t stabilizing the instrument.
I like your videos. Hope you come back 😁
Am in Kenya, how can I get good violin and also it's quality accessories.....the shops around have never got quality ones.
Usha join school or you're learning online?
Is it normal that I'm not able to hold the violin and it hurts? Practice? Just curious if it is normal not being able to hold the violin with chin and solder at the start and need the help of left hand and it is all about practicing and getting used to it?
Bough Yahama violin for 300e or so and after playing twinkle twinkle in 10minutes I noticed that as I'm not bale to hold the violin it makes it impossible to do Woblewoble sound all violist do and almost impossible to slide my finger to do sounds xD Now I decided I should first practice holding the violin before I start to learn to play the violin :D as the learning process for my self will probably be bit faster than some but I wont be able to master it as my motivation is just Hoppy :3
also after playing 1 to 10 minutes few times on first day each time I noticed the new hand posture is killing my arm and I need constant brakes which is nice. Also took a while to get those "horrible sounds" everyone always keeps talking about :D but to me, it seems to be caused because I'm holding the violin partyally with my left hand while trying to press the strings and other stupid stuff as I have not yet practiced . . .
Or in other words, bit easier than Piano Song of Storms using both hands 5/5 how do people play different speeds lol.
It is something you do need to get used to and there will be some 'aching' but it shouldn't hurt at all.
Sadly I cant see you so I dont know exactly whats going on here - it could be that your holding it slightly incorrectly, or you need to adjust your grip, or use a shoulder rest for example or a cloth etc.
Where do you hold/place your left hand on/under the violin, thumb position on neck/above or below, is the left arm/elbow straight under violin what position should it be. Thank you!
I have and teach with the thumb on the bottom of the neck as I teach in my initial lessons on my '1-30 Violin Course'.
Some teachers have the thumb higher.
Pick a way and stay with it - dont change.
Waiting for next video
I have a question, I also play without a shoulder rest but every time I play I get a bad pain in my neck close behind my ear and I don't know how to stop it. I thought I might have been straining my head or something but I don't really put that much presser on my chin rest with my at all. I just thought I'd ask if there were any tips or advice for that sort of thing... Sorry to be a bother.
I have very thin shoulders and sharp jawbones, no matter where or how I hold it, I could be doing perfectly and not know because it slips and hurts no matter what
Interesting...perhaps the raising of your shoulder is largely a consequence of raising your arm and not an active shoulder specific movement?
What are your thoughts on the violin resting on the collarbone?
The violin should be on the shoulder. Not collarbone.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor interesting...
Hello, Alison. I'm a beginner violinist, and wanted to ask you or others if I buy a tall, full-length mirror to practice proper violin technique, is it better if the mirror is completely vertical (at no angle), or can it be tilted (e.g., leaning with the top against the wall, or on a flat base but with a swivel)? Thank you for any tips.
Doesnt really matter - a mirror is a mirror... as long as you can see yourself at the angle you need to :)
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Thank you, Alison, for your kindness in replying.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Thank you, Alison, very kindly for your response ☺.
Thank you
Hello, I'm a newbie. Do u recommend chin rest? If yes, what brand would u recommend? Thanks.
Augh my neck hurts and it keeps falling off my shoulder 😭😭😭
AH I GOT IT YESSSS 😈
My shirt was f*cking me up 😭😭 i should buy a shoulder rest
my shoulder bones hurt, are you comfortable holding your violin with your chin and shoulder only?
I want to start learning violin
Hello, do you know where can I buy a good violin for a beginner?
The Fiddlerman do the best beginner violins: bit.ly/2TCgWk1
What to do if you are used to shoulder rest as a beginner because the violin keeps sliding to the front??? I would like to get myself used to go without it before it's too late because I feel like my neck maybe is too short since my neck feels stiff after practising..
I gradually lessened the gap by using sponges and then a cloth and then nothing.
I should add that you have to get used to not pulling the violin to the front though before you do this.
Alison Sparrow
Thank you.
How wrong would it be to rest the violin in the curved spot at the base of my thumb? It's how I play guitar so the hold feels really natural for me and it doesn't seem to restrict my access to the g string and makes vibrato easier to do without shaking the violin
You can do that. Shifting will then be a little different to me and you'll be doing arm vibrato when the time comes. Its a very valid option - but I just do the opposite as it were and both are correct.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor lol 15 years of guitar playing kinda drilled that position in, glad to hear it's something that works and won't slow me down in the long run, thanks for the reply
Teacher, I am brought a new violin. I can't understant the notes 🎼🎼. Please say what can I do? Please replay, I hope you replay me 🤗🤗😊
I teach note reading in my '1-30 Violin Course' which I talk about in this video. What lesson are you up to?
the strings are g d a e
You know what I was thinking, maybe their shoulder pain is from having to twist the arm further back for a 10 o’clock or 9:30 position, because the left hand still has to work the fretboard properly, and aiming the violin too far either way will create problems and too far back will cause more discomfort for the shoulder and probably lead to a nagging shoulder pain.
How would you describe the balance between the hand and the neck hold? I have trouble shifting because whenever I do, the violin falls in my hand.
This is discussed in detail in lesson 24 of my '1-30 Violin Course'.
amazing video
I subbed
Hello Alison, I noticed that my left elbow sort of sticks out further to the left when I hold the violin and looks kinda wrong, I'm not sure what the left elbow should do, is there anything you recommend? Many thanks
Just move it in.
i just can't for the life of my hold my violin comfortably. I think my jawline is too angular and/or my chinrest is poorly designed. I've spent an hour trying every combination of angles & any time i take a bit of the weight off my left hand the chinrest digs into the corner of my jawline. With and without a shoulder rest.
I'm 6'3", slim, and have a sharp jawline with no fat to cushion it. Was I doomed from the beginning?
You sound like Ikemen, i doubt you even need to play the violin
Hello, so I’ve been watching your videos for a while because I wanted to learn to play violin and finally I got one! I learned a lot from your videos. But i got one problem that is bothering me, I bought mendini mv400 and it’s good but when I play and press my fingers on the strings I can’t get a sound unless I press too hard on it like all the way. Is this ok or no? because it’s not comfortable and hurts. Thank you 🙏🏽
That doesn't sound right at all. Are you sure your bow has rosin? Are you sure you're actually bowing in the correct place when using your fingers - as often, we concentrate on the left. hand and forget the bow is all over the place where it should be.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor yes it has rosin I can play open strings with no problem and I’m bowing in the correct place. I tried different levels of pressure whether on my fingers or the bow and changed the spots where I should put my finger just in case I’m not putting it in the right place and still get weird scratchy sound or no sound I don’t know how to even describe it but no proper sound unless I press too hard. So do I really have to put that much pressure on the strings or there is something wrong with the violin?
Is it supposed to hurt when you hold it
No, not hurt, but at first it was uncomfortable for me because it was a new thing (I’ve only been playing for 2ish months). A good shoulder rest helped me a lot.
It’s uncomfortable at first but it’s easy after a while
I find it almost impossible to play without a shoulder rest.
My $0.02,, our shoulder rests are like training wheels on a bicycle; if we can get to the point where we have good facility and technique and tone on
the violin instilling enough confidence to the point of finding the shoulder rest restrictive, then that confidence will allow us additional freedom of movement for playing without a shoulder rest, although a cloth or pad may be necessary if the back of violin causes player discomfort. If you ride your bicycle long enough in one outing, you may find a more comfortable seat to be a top priority. 😉
This has been the biggest problem for me,people say that the weight of the head is enough to hold the violin but even after using a shoulder rest I have to apply pressure from the chin.This becomes painful when I try to practice vibrato because during this left hand isnt supporting much and a lot of counterforce is needed from neck.Sometimes I feel like this is not even possible or the violin would rip my head off with that much force,idk what to do ,please help
You might need to try other alternatives for holding the violin. its all personal preference.
i just bought a violin, but I can't hold it. when i put in on my shoulder, put my chin on the chin rest and so on, and my left hand leaves the violin, it just starts to slide down, 'till it comes almost at 12 o' clock, but not facing forward, facing down; so, it basically falls..
does anyone know what should I do? Should I try with a shoulder rest?
You have to make a conscious effort to hold it there. Its not magic - you wont just put it on your shoulder and hope it stays - you have to make it stay until this movement becomes second nature to you.
Is it okay to put my left thumb under the neck?, cause my thumb keep slipping.(i have a small thumbs😅)
Ass long as you can then move the hand round enough to get to the G string notes.
I think I’m holding it wrong I go above my clavicle and it tickles terrible and in the clavicle is hurts
Pop a cloth over your shoulder to help then and move it around until its comfortable. You might find you need a shoulder rest to help.
Okay, I don't understand the chin rest. Everyone seems to think that's obvious, but it isn't to me. What are people considering to be the "chin"? Because it feels like my jaw is in the rest, not my chin. If I had to put my chin on there, I'd have to really turn my head. I'm assuming that isn't correct. So what part of my chin is in what part of the rest? There's a big dip (I know this sounds pathetic, but I don't know how to describe it!) Is that where the "chin" goes? Or is that where your cheek goes? Or does your cheek go nowhere near it? Doesn't anyone else have this issue of not understanding where and what exactly goes in the chin rest? What I call my chin is the pointed part at the bottom of my jaws. The one I barely have, thanks to my father's genes, thanks dad!🤣 Good lord, I can't even get past this part of it. Anyhow, believe it or not, I can't tell from looking at others and can someone please clear this up for me so I can properly practice my first two screeching notes?! Thank you! (ps. I think the title of this should have something to do with shoulder rests, it's a bit misleading.)
I haven't played in a long time and have lost my ' sweet spot ' in holding it on my shoulder .😐
She is pretty.
I don't think that comes as a revelation to any of her subscribers. 😉 🎻 🎶🎵
Why am I hitting my stomach with my bow when I play? I asked my teacher if I was holding either my violin or my bow wrong, but he said I wasn't, and he wasn't very helpful. Should I get a new teacher?
that's a great question.
it could be you holding your bow wrong or your bow is diagonal when your playing (by diagonal i mean its on top if the area of the finger board) or it can be that the arm that you hold your bow with is down resting on you side
Lose weight
I’m ten so I’m still pretty clueless
yall teachers dont teach yall how to have better posture and hold bow??
Your shoulder rest is definitely set TOO HIGH for your use. IF it is 4 " in height, you should reduce the height by 50%. That is why you feel so rigid with this shoulder rest. Reduce the height and experiment again. I am sure as you reduce its height, you will feel better and better with the shoulder rest. However, I don't mean you will prefer using the shoulder rest at the end but I tried to point out that this shoulder rest was set too high causing your feeling of rigidity.
Thank you for your comment but the shoulder rest here is too high for me as I play with no rest and have done for about 35 years - so in comparison, anything will be too high. Even cloths feel too high. I have experimented with a number of different rests and heights (from the ones my students have) and everything is high.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor The physical shape of a body will decide if the the person needs a shoulder rest. In your case, as you described, you are 100% suitable to play the violin without a shoulder rest. In this case , the shoulder rest is a nuisance to you.
I am glad you mentioned the use of a shoulder rest because many students, due to their physical shape, will be benefited from the use of the shoulder rest which can reduce the stress on their bodies and improve the playing. I have seen some teachers strictly discouraging their students to use the SHOULDER rest asking them by saying have you seen great violinists used shoulder rest . However, those great violinists mentioned were born before the invention of shoulder rest. I would say for the new generation , there are more and more violinists exploring the benefit of using a shoulder rest. Besides, just look at any professional orchestra, there may be more violinists using the shoulder rest than those without. However, if one DOES NOT need the shoulder rest, it is a gift !!! Enjoy your VIDEOS .. Thanks for posting.
It takes 12 minutes to learn this wo-
Hi lol