Twinkle Twinkle Variation C Part I

So, 1st Twinkle Twinkle done and I'm now off to my second variation, which is the third variation in the Suzuki Book 1.  Beth recommends skipping Variation B for later and, although I trust her, I was a bit confused at first. After hearing the notes and watching her tutorial on Variation B in ViolinLab.com, I fully understood why.

YouTube Channels For Beginning Violinists

YouTube has come a long way since its started. And now, more and more people are tuning in to YouTube not just for movies and series, but for how-tos and tutorials as well.

ViolinLab  

Using A Shoulder Rest

One of the most difficult things I have to get over with in playing the violin is that painful dig the wooden instrument gives me when I put at the crook of my neck.  It digs to my collarbone and my then-instructor told me that the skin was starting to get raw.  Either I use a towel, or I use a violin shoulder rest.

My shoulder rest is just a simple, inexpensive black thing that I bought for just P500 (about $12 USD) in a local music store (which I will not promote because the manager is just so snotty).  And I will not

Benefits of Listening to A Music Piece

I loved the violin since I was little, and know instinctively that I should know my notes if I am to play my violin someday.  Granted that I have the inherent "ability," so to speak, to play a tune better if I know what on earth I am playing,  I wanted to get that habit out of me so I can learn how to read notes.  However, I can't seem to visualize notes better than when I hear them in my head.  And I think Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was aware that there are individuals out there like me who will only play better if they are familiar with the music that they are playing when he made his violin program.

And for that, I would like to earnestly say Thank You to Dr. Suzuki for coming up with such concept.

Second Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variation A

Been practicing my intonation for days, and finally got to record my practice. I'm not at all happy with the video quality as it's sketchy and everything. However, it did give me a few points on how I'm going about my pathetic attempts with the violin.

Update

Practicing Slowly

When you buy your original Suzuki Book, you are also given a CD to listen to and play along. But as a beginner, you are always told to practice slowly. And one way to practice slowly is to play your piece one bar at a time, as well as playing the piece slightly slower than the real beat. The former is easier to do than the latter since CD players don't give you the freedom of slowing down the accompaniment.

One of the things I like about ViolinLab.com is that the members there are willing to help each other out, and that means recommending sheet music, apps, and programs that can really be useful in your progress as a violin player. A member shared this really awesome program that can help you slow down or speed up the beat of any song you wish to play, which is Speedshifter by ABRSM.

Going Back to Violin

Finally, after several months of not being able to hold the violin, I am now back to practicing to my heart's content.  I also have Beth of ViolinLab.com for taking me back after several months of being unable to go back to the site.

Needless to say, I'm finding it difficult to go back to playing the fiddle. I'm a beginner, and stopping and going back again would mean I am starting from square one. Yes, square one, even though I know the notes of all the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star variations as well as Lightly Row in Suzuki. So, what are my present hurdles?