If you're new to the violin, you might be curious: how do the professionals make it look so easy? How do they play the violin with such apparent effortlessness, when it's obviously challenging? Today, I'm sharing my insights from over 20 years of violin playing, along with tips from some of the most renowned violinists in the game.
Slow Practice - If you're speeding through your practice sessions, you can almost guarantee the things you're rushing through are not going to stick. When people rush, they miss out on the important details needed for real mastery. Instead of wasting time on sloppy, inconsistent practice, a pro takes it slow - focusing on the details until they've nailed the passage they're working on. This careful approach helps them truly understand the material, which is key for building muscle memory and having an overall solid comprehension of the music. They pay attention to every note, phrase, and rhythm, looking at both the technical and musicality aspects. Plus, they break down tricky parts into smaller bits, practicing them slowly and thoughtfully. This way, they're not just hitting the right notes but also playing the piece in a genuine and expressive way. Pros know they shouldn't move on until it's perfect; they understand that real progress comes from aiming for excellence and putting in the time to get there. This disciplined practice not only boosts their confidence, but also gets them ready for performances where precision and artistry matter most.
Open Strings - Playing open strings might sound easy, but it's actually a little-known practice habit that top violinists like Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Hilary Hahn swear by. Even though it sounds simple, this method can boost a violinist's skills tremendously. By spending time on slow open string exercises, musicians can zero in on important parts of their playing like tone, technique, and bow control, all of which are necessary for sounding polished and making advancements in their overall playing.
When you play open strings deliberately, you get the chance to focus just on your sound without worrying about finger placement or shifting. This lets you pay attention to the tone you're creating. By focusing in solely on the bow—such as its pressure, speed, and contact point—you can see how these affect your sound. This careful attention helps you develop a rich, warm tone that really stands out, especially in solo performances where you want to be clear and expressive.
Scales - It might not be what you want to hear, but it's true! You can't become a pro without practicing your scales. This basic part of musical training often gets ignored by folks looking for quick results, but the fact is, mastering any musical skill (like playing the violin or fiddle) means sticking to those foundational exercises. Every good violinist or fiddle player knows that the best way to kick off a practice session is by slowly and deliberately running through scales.
Practicing scales does a myriad of things for you. First off, it's a great warm-up, getting your fingers and mind ready for the bulk of your practice session. Focusing on scales at the start helps loosen up your muscles and joints, so you’re all set for more challenging stuff without risking strain or injury. Plus, spending time on scales helps you work on your tone. It gives you a chance to try out different bowing techniques and finger placements, which is key for developing a rich and expressive sound.
Scales are also super important for boosting your technical skills. Each scale has its own challenges, whether it's nailing the right intonation, coordinating your left and right hands, or shifting smoothly between positions. By practicing scales regularly, you not only improve your finger dexterity but also get a better grasp of how your instrument works and how notes relate to each other. This understanding is crucial for improvising and tackling more complex pieces, as it builds a solid base for developing advanced skills.
And let's not forget, scales are essential for getting familiar with different keys. As you work through various scales, you learn about the structure and nuances of different keys, which is super important for performing and composing music.
And there you have it! Those are my top secrets from the pros. Try them out for yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how your playing changes. For more on this topic, watch the video below!
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