Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
You can disassemble a violin frog by following just a few basic, easy to manage steps. Learn how to disassemble a violin frog with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
Synthetic and steel core violin strings have a few very important differences that you're going to want to be aware of. Learn about synthetic versus steel core violin strings with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
Rechambering a violin bow under tension requires you to keep a few very specific things in mind. Rechamber a violin bow under tension with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
You can make the peg hole in a violin smaller by utilizing a very specific piece of equipment. Make the peg hole in a violin smaller with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
A rubber mute needs to be attached to a violin in a very specific way. Learn how to attach a rubber mute to a violin with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
Oil varnish can make even the most well worn violin look as good as new. Oil varnish a violin with help from an experienced musician and educator in this free video clip.
Performing a crescendo on the violin is something that you have to do in a very particular way. Learn how to do a crescendo on the violin with help from a professional violist in this free video clip.
Purfling is a term used to describe a very specific technique on the violin. Learn about purfling on a violin with help from a professional violist in this free video clip.
When starting out with the violin it is important to develop a repertoire. Learn about a repertoire for beginning violin with help from a professional violist in this free video clip.
Harmonizing with chords on the violin requires a few very specific techniques. Learn how to harmonize with chords on the violin with help from a professional singer and violinist in this free video clip.
Making the strings on a violin vibrate is something you can do with just the right moves. Make the strings on a violin vibrate with help from a professional singer and violinist in this free video clip.
Oiling a violin keeps it in top working order and makes sure that it's ready to play at a moment's notice. Oil a violin with help from a professional singer and violinist in this free video clip.
The guitar and the violin actually have a wide variety of things in common, despite being two very different instruments. Learn about what the guitar and the violin have in common with help from a professional singer and violinist in this free video clip.
The only thing more beautiful than playing a lullaby is playing one on a violin. Play a lullaby on the violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Different fingerings on a violin require different levels of spacing. Find out about the different spacing of the fingers on violins with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Making violin slurs is one thing - making them smooth is quite another. Make violin slurs smoother with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Fundamental frequency and tension on a violin string are directly related in a number of interesting ways. Learn about the relationship between fundamental frequency and tension on a violin string with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
The French baroque violin technique is one that is very important to learn during your musical education. Find out about the French baroque violin technique with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Playing the violin properly requires you to move your fingers in a very specific way. Move your fingers when playing the violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Playing the F sharp on a violin requires some very specific fingerings. Learn how to finger an F sharp on the violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
When researching a vintage violin you want to try to find out a little more about the history of the instrument. Research a vintage violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Playing a half note on the violin is something that you can do in a very specific way. Play a half note on the violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
Different levels of violin require different amounts of experience from the player. Learn about the levels of violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
The C major scale for a violin is comprised of half steps and whole steps. Learn about the steps in the C major scale for a violin with help from a dedicated violin instructor in this free video clip.
A violin bridge is the piece of wood that holds up the strings of the violin. The thickness of the bridge is integral in the overall sound of the instrument. A bridge that's too thick will stifle the vibrations of the violin. On the other hand, a bridge that's too thin will easily warp. Making any adjustments to the violin bridge is a delicate procedure. It's best performed by a professional instrument repair person, known as a luthier.
The sound post is a vital piece of any violin, as this small wooden dowel acts to keep the instrument structurally sound by supporting the top plate and provides acoustic enhancement through vibration transfer between the top and back plates. No violin should be without a sound post for very long, as the instrument will sound flaccid and hollow and you could be risking serious damage. A number of factors such as length, grain, thickness, placement and type of wood used for the dowel will each have different effects on the audio output of the violin.
Adjusting your violin's sound post will alter the type of sound your violin produces. This is necessary if the sound post gets loose or falls. The ideal position of the sound post is in line with the outer edge of the bridge foot and just behind the bridge foot on the treble side. Have your violin produce its intended sound by moving the sound post back into its initial position with a sound post setter.
Violin bows are second in importance only to the violin itself. When choosing a violin bow, the method of mounting affects the weight, balance and response of the bow. A bow with an improperly weighted mount will be more difficult to use. Mountings come in two styles -- half and full mounts. Most players will not notice a difference in sound between a half- and full-mounted violin bow, but higher-quality bows tend to use full mounts.
Both stringed instruments, the viola and violin have several common features. Yet despite their similarities, differences in size and sound also exist. The trained musician can discern a viola from violin at first glance or first listen, but the casual follower of orchestra instruments might have a tougher time if he can’t tell the difference by size or sound.
Whether you're playing bluegrass fiddle or classical violin, expert teachers and professional performers agree that there is no one correct way to hold the bow. Each performer needs to find his or her own comfort level; this depends upon a variety of factors, including individual height and arm length, as well as personal playing style and preference. While there are basics in playing technique that are standard and considered essential, alternate methods of holding the bow are recognized as being distinctive to each performer's style and physique.
Stringed instruments originally used strings made from sheep or lamb intestine. In the 1970s Thomastik produced the Dominant brand of violin strings with a synthetic nylon core wrapped in aluminum or silver. One of the newest brands created by Thomastik is Infeld.
Violins have four strings, tuned to the pitches "G," "D," "A" and "E." These strings do not last a lifetime. At times, the strings — which are under a great deal of tension — break. With constant use, the strings will stop resonating properly and start producing a dull, colorless sound. The first time you change a string on your violin, be prepared for a bit of frustration. Although replacing the strings is a relatively simple task, getting the string positioned properly on the peg takes a bit of practice.
The violin is a complex instrument that takes years of study to master. There are several different ways to play the violin that fit different settings and themes. Most of the playing styles were invented hundreds of years ago, but there are some styles that were invented much more recently. Changing the way the violin is played can completely change the sound and tone of the instrument, making it the perfect accompaniment to nearly any musical style.
Learning to play the violin is certainly a challenge, and one of the most difficult aspects is often the most overlooked: how to correctly hold the violin while playing. Improperly holding it can result in over-squeezing the neck, which limits your playing speed and causes much discomfort in your hand. To stop this type of neck squeezing, you must go back to the basics -- mastering the art of correctly holding a violin.
Electrifying a violin is possible with the right equipment to turn the vibrations from the body of the violin into electrical signals. Electrical signals are routed through a cable and amplified with an amplifier. This provides you with the natural resonances of the violin while providing you with the additional benefit of being able to amplify your violin. This is an ideal alternative to microphones when you need a large sound that can fill a concert hall.
The glossy finish given to violins at the end stage of their construction is more than just a pretty touch. The varnishing process helps seal and protect the wood, preventing the violin from taking in moisture that could cause the instrument to expand and lose its carefully calculated acoustic properties. Applying varnish to a violin requires great care and preparation.
Improvising on the violin is easier than most instruments because you can use the various string positions as a guide to playing in a key. This makes it easy to embellish an already established melody by using appoggiaturas, passing tones and neighbor tones. Appoggiaturas play the note just above the melody, passing notes occur between notes of the melody and neighbor tones play the pitch directly above the melody and then return to the original melody note.
The soaring crescendos of Strauss and Bach rely upon the sound of the violin. However, when performed by an individual, such as during a recital, the pressure to live up to expectations can lead to a flawed performance. By using a few techniques, though, violinists can ace a recital and leave the audience wanting more.
Playing the violin is an investment of time and money. If you spend your money on an instrument, you should also invest in the proper case to protect it. While there are many different violin cases to choose from, an airtight violin case has many benefits. An airtight case will protect your violin from trauma, the elements and changes in humidity. It will also keep your violin in the best possible working order, ensuring that the instrument does not depreciate in value over time.
A spool clamp is a crucial tool for constructing or repairing a violin. Unfortunately, they can cost $4 apiece. With a few simple tools you can build your own violin clamps and save money in the process. Gather the needed materials, get into your shop, and take the time and care to build your own clamps. Soon you will be working on your violin with spool clamps that you have fashioned with your own hands.
A violin bridge elevates the strings above the neck and has a curved top. The radius of the this curve matches the radius of the neck, so string-to-neck clearance is equal. The height of the violin varies according to where you measure it. When viewed from the side, the line of the strings going over the bridge form a triangle, with the body of the violin forming its base. The most meaningful measurement of bridge height is obtained when taken as part of this triangle. This determines the amount of tension that is applied to each string, which influences the…
Concert violinist soloists begin their careers in conservatories and orchestras, where they gain the experience necessary to interpret music and garner a reputation for themselves. Becoming a soloist requires a strong commitment, the perseverance to audition for performing opportunities and the ability to persist through harsh criticism and failed audition attempts. Once you have studied and developed the skill to play the violin at a high level, you will then need to go out and find other performers to work with and build your reputation as a violinist.
Luthiers and craftsmen have been constructing violins for several centuries, adapting the instruments to the changing technological innovations of their time. In order to display the origin of the instrument, luthiers would place a small label inside of the instrument which displayed the name of the maker along with other relevant details. This method of identification is still very much in use today. Creating a violin name label is an easy, quick process.
Violin luthiers practice a craft and art form that has existed for several centuries. Although the violin has evolved significantly since its first appearance, luthiers have consistently undertaken the daunting task of mastering the intricacies of its form and construction. For those interested in becoming a violin luthier, there are multiple paths to a successful outcome. Both schooling and apprenticeship are valid options for the aspiring luthier.
The violin has become one of the most predominant instruments in performance ensembles around the world. In groups ranging from rock bands to symphony orchestras, the violin's distinctive tone adds an essential element to each musical ensemble. The delicate nature of the violin makes it especially prone to physical damage. By following a few basic steps, the performing violinist can ensure that her instrument remains in top form.
The violin and the cello have several differences in the size, tuning, tone production and length of each string. These distinctions make the difference between violin and cello response and tone. A professional string player will choose the strings used on his instrument very carefully to match the style of playing.
Creating a tremolo on the violin requires using the bow to play between two pitches, usually on adjacent strings. When first learning to play the tremolo it is best to start with a slow speed until the motion becomes familiar. Then, once you have the motion down, you can speed up the tremolo until you achieve an appropriate sound. Tremolos typically only occur for short periods of time. However, the speed of the tremolo should move as quickly as the performer can play. There are two methods for creating a tremolo: a bowed tremolo that uses a single pitch, or…
Making an endpin for a violin is not a particular demanding task, but it is a good way for a wood turner to sharpen his or her skills on the mini lathe. Due to the small size, turning an endpin is not as demanding as a larger piece, such as a table leg, and the cost of making a mistake, even when using costly stock, like ebony, is relatively minor.
The lapping on a violin bow is the soft material that wraps around the end of the bow between the grip and the mount for the bow hair. Lapping can consist of many different materials such as rubber, plastic, leather and even metal coils. It can also consist of different materials combined. For example, you can slide a metal coil lapping onto the handle and then slide a leather lapping onto the end. The process for removing and then replacing lapping on a violin bow is not difficult.
The violin bow tip plate protects the bow and provides additional weight and stability to ensure that the bow has proper balance. The bow is held between the right thumb and the index finger. In order to maintain the balance of the bow, it is crucial to find a tip plate that is light and will not affect the weight of the bow greatly. The tip's primary purpose is to hold the hairs of the bow and is removed during rehairing -- the process of restringing a bow with new hairs.
