Bow Hold 2: Relax Your Fingers, Dude!

So, after you are done with relaxing your wrists as you do your bowing, you must now center your attention to your fingers.

Yes, your fingers.

If you look closely at all violinists, may they be part of an amazing orchestra, quartet, or being a superb soloist, you will notice that their fingers often dance as they play - especially during complicated bow strokes that can make you dizzy.

ViolinLab With ProfessorV

Two of the most amazing violin teachers have come together in Austin, Texas for ViolinLab's workshop and masterclass. Todd Ehle, known in YouTube as ProfessorV is one of the guest instructors in the workshop and Beth has graciously shared her interview and chat with this truly amazing teacher.

 

Twinkle Twinkle Suzuki Variation A

Video 1: Twinkle Twinkle Variation July 22, 2011

After 3 weeks of violin lessons, I'm finally able to do one song. As I'm doing this video, I really did my best to relax as I am not comfortable catching myself on film. I also did what Isaac Stern said when he was teaching a small child on how to play. Play as if you're listening to something beautiful.  Obviously, I still need a lot of practice as it did not work out well here. :))

Meet Beth My ViolinLab Instructor

Getting a great violin instructor is really a challenge, especially when you have a busy schedule. As working mom with a 7 y/o daughter, I certainly have to create the time to take violin lessons without having to compromise other personal and professional responsibilities. That goes without saying that I need a violin instructor who is flexible yet still give me the right amount of attention for a good start in learning the violin.


I’ve tried countless searches for a violin tutor that has a flexible schedule, and personally I prefer to have my violin lessons at home. I’ve spent 3 months browsing the net for a tutor just to get the right one. And in order to start right, I also searched for basic video know-hows in YouTube for playing the violin – This is how I found Beth Blackerby, my virtual violin tutor in ViolinLab.com.

Hello!

Welcome to my blogsite! My name is Donna and I’ve been into music since I was a kid. At the age of 5, I’ve always dreamed about playing the violin and to be included in a symphony orchestra. Since our family was not well-off, music education was not a priority at that time. However, that did not stop me from dreaming, and with the encouragement of my sister Bernadette (a great mortgage broker in Canada), I am now finally realizing my dream – to become an outstanding violinist.


This website is dedicated to people like me who started late in learning the violin. In this blog, I’ll be documenting my progress as I go through my lessons. More like an online diary, but with videos and insights on how I go around my violin tutorials. Please note that this blog is meant to inspire and be an avenue for people to share insights on violin techniques and not as a sound resource for playing the violin.


As of now, I have two teachers: Beth from Music Sanctuary, and Beth from Violinlab.com. Both teachers are great in their own way, and I’ll be giving insights on what I learned with my personal violin lessons as well as online violin lessons for adults that I have taken in from both teachers.


Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Please stay tuned for more developments, videos, and insights.