Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn a violin or a pro, there is always a scope to improve your skills. Each musician has different ways to hold or play the instrument. It also depends on music instructors. But, if you are one of those students who want to learn violin on your own, this article is here to help you. Before we start, you have to promise yourself that you will be dedicated to your goal. If you want to get better, you have to practice a lot! We can guide you, but practice will make you unbeatable. Let’s make you better than the best with these five tips for beginning violinists.
Tip 1: Listen to soloists you admire the most
The very first step to learn any instrument is to decide a goal. If you think that you want to play the violin, you must have some inspiration in mind. Surf the internet and listen to your favorite violinist as many times as you can! Violinists David Oistrakh, Jascha Heifetz, Janine Jansen, etc. are incredible. Listen to them, understand their choices, and know how they use their skills. They will help you with your work.
Tip 2: Buy everything you need while playing
There are a few materials you must have with you on your first day. All these things will help you to achieve your goal. Make sure that you will have these things mentioned below. If you already have them, then you’re good to go. Be prepared and always be a step ahead, always!
- Extra strings
- Rosin
- Music stand
- Technique book
- Tuner/Metronome
- Rag/Wipe
- Shoulder rest for violin and viola
Tip 3: Hold your violin correctly
It is essential to get used to the instrument before starting any practice. Holding a violin is the first thing to consider for beginning violinists. So initially, relax and try to observe the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and arms. Then, lift the violin and rotate your left arm from the outer side. Rest your chin on the violin’s curved body. If you are still confused on how to hold a violin, find some pictures or explore videos on the internet.
Tip 4: Pluck the Strings
Before using the bow, you should learn to pluck some open strings. You know that rubbing your stomach and tapping your head at the same time is difficult, right? Just like that, you should know that moving both hands independently of each other is also tough! Initially, either you can put the violin on your shoulder or hold it like a guitar. Use your right hand to pluck the string. Try using each finger on various strings and observe the sound coming from each chord.
Tip 5: Know how to hold a bow
After getting comfortable with strings, now it’s time to address the bow grip. There are many techniques to learn that, but balancing is the key. You have to coordinate your hands and arms to apply the required force to stay synchronized. Place the tip of the thumb inside the top edge. The fourth finger should contact the bow at the screw. The other three fingers should curve gently back towards the fourth finger. These three fingers provide support for counterbalance and downward pressure on the strings. They are not the primary stabilizers, though.
These are the top five tips to consider for beginning violinists. Apart from that, we suggest you to play your instrument in public as often as possible. It can boost your confidence and teach you some strategies to overcome your stage fright. You can also try recordings. Record your work and listen to it carefully after each session. You can find a lot of mistakes and also analyze your playing pattern. Stay focused, curious, and never be afraid to experiment stuff. Rock the stage.
