How to Produce a Bigger Sound on Violin

Being a small stringed instrument, a violin does not always project a large sound. Producing a big sound on violin requires integrating different technical skills including bowing technique, arm and elbow position, hand position, and vibrato. Sound production may also depend on other factors such as the type of strings, the type of violin, and type of shoulder rest. While it may be tempting to press the bow to force the sound out, there are better ways.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Pay attention to the right elbow position. The height of the elbow depends on which string you are playing on. The lower the string, the higher the elbow should be. The elbow should be lowest on the E string and highest on the G string. Having the right height allows the weight of the elbow to contribute to sound production on the violin. By using elbow weight, you won’t have to depend on your hands and wrists to force out the sound.

2. Pay attention to bow speed and bow distribution. If the passage requires long notes or only a few notes per bow, you can project sound by using more bow and drawing bigger bow strokes. If there is a long slurred passage with many notes per bow, you will need to save enough bow for all the notes. Otherwise running out of bow will cause the sound to become stilted towards the end of the passage.

3. Play closer to the violin bridge. To produce a bigger sound on violin, it is better to play closer to the bridge rather than the fingerboard. This is especially true on higher strings. Move the bow closer to the bridge as you move up the strings. The bow should be closest to the bridge on the E string. Because the string length is longer at the bridge, there is more room for the sound to project.

4. Make sure the vibrato hand (left hand) is relaxed. When the left hand and fingers are tense, the sound becomes constricted. Make sure the vibrato is full and open. The thumb should also be loose, not squeezing the scroll. When the vibrato hand is open and relaxed, you will be able to produce a bigger sound on violin.

Tips & Warnings

• It is especially important that both hands are relaxed. Violinists are similar to athletes in many ways. The only difference involves which muscles are being used. Because the muscles are small, it is difficult to know when the muscles are overtired or overused. Become more sensitive to what your body tells you. If there is tension, then something is wrong.
• Sometimes violin sound production depends on equipment issues: type of violin, brand of strings and type of shoulder rest. There is no one right answer as to what kind of instrument to use and which products to use. Some violinists prefer a violin with brighter sound while others prefer a darker tone. Some strings will produce a great sound on one violin but may not work for another instrument. Having an overpowering shoulder rest can sometimes muffle the violin sound. But the right shoulder rest depends on the person and the violin.