How to Start to Play the Violin

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:StartPlayViolin
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How to Start to Play the Violin

Introduction

The violin is the main melody instrument of the symphony orchestra. It's a fine instrument for a music student to begin at an early age.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Out

Steps

1

Step One

Find a private area with a straight-back chair and a music stand.
2

Step Two

Take the violin out of its case and place the instrument base on your lap.
3

Step Three

Pluck each string using your right or left thumb to test its tension and hear its pitch.
4

Step Four

Use a pitch pipe or a piano to tune your violin to G - D - A - E. ("E" is the top space on the treble clef on your sheet music. "G" is below the second ledger line of the treble clef.)
5

Step Five

Wrap your left hand around the upper body where the neck and fingerboard extend from the instrument.
6

Step Six

Place the base of the violin and the black chin rest below your chin.
7

Step Seven

Bring your left shoulder around so it's under the chin rest and forms a support from below.
8

Step Eight

Keep the violin level using your left hand. Your shoulder and chin provide firm, but easy contact and support.
9

Step Nine

Be comfortable and relaxed.
10

Step Ten

Place your right thumb at the corner of the fingerboard nearest the bridge.
11

Step Eleven

Put the pad of your index finger on top of the "G" string.
12

Step Twelve

Apply slight pressure so that your finger lands on the neighboring "D" string. This is "plucking" and is called playing "pizzicato."
13

Step Thirteen

Pluck the "G" string four times in a steady rhythm. Use no fingernails.
14

Step Fourteen

Repeat on the "D", "A" and "E" strings. Count with a steady beat or use a metronome.
15

Step Fifteen

Say the names of the strings each time you pluck to make a sound.
16

Step Sixteen

Mix the sequence and keep the tempo at a slow rate. Focus on accuracy.
17

Step Seventeen

Identify the location of the "D" and "A" quarter notes on the treble clef of your sheet music. "D" hangs just below the bottom line. "A" occupies the second space.

Tips & Warnings

  • A shoulder pad or shoulder rest that attaches to the base of the instrument often helps the young student support the violin. These cost between $12 and $35.
  • Focus on the goal of knowing how each of the four strings sound.
  • Train your ear to recognize pitch changes and the qualities of sound.
  • Try to reproduce the pitch of the string while speaking its name.
  • Each string is five notes (a fifth) above or below its neighboring string.
  • When tuning, overtightening any one of the strings can put too much tension on the bridge.
  • When replacing the bridge, bring all four strings to a medium tension before you begin tuning.
  • Avoid "picking" the strings vertically. This can cause a "slapping" sound when the string hits the fingerboard.

Using the Bow

Steps

1

Step One

Tighten the bow hair so there is a 3/4-inch space between the hair and the bow at the closest point.
2

Step Two

Place your right thumb on the inside part of the bow where the frog creeps forward and back.
3

Step Three

Lay your three middle fingers on the outside of the bow. Place your pinkie on top, near the adjustment screw.
4

Step Four

Rest the side of your index finger (just above its second joint) on top of the bow stick.
5

Step Five

Place the frog end of the bow hair on top of the "G" string halfway between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge.
6

Step Six

Allow your hand to fall naturally from your arm at the point of your wrist.
7

Step Seven

Apply a slight bit of pressure on the bow and draw a straight line while vibrating the string. Stop near the bow tip. This is a "down bow."
8

Step Eight

Reverse the direction and move the bow on the string from the tip to the frog. This is an "up bow."
9

Step Nine

Move the bow at a medium-slow and regular speed.
10

Step Ten

Focus on producing a steady and pleasant-sounding tone.

Tips & Warnings

  • Keep the bow hair at the same point on the string as you move it across the string.
  • Avoid drawing a curved arc when pushing or pulling the bow over the strings.
  • Loosen the horsehair of the violin bow at the frog after every playing session. An adjustment of this tightening device is an unnecessary expense at the repair shop.

Left-Hand Fingering

Steps

1

Step One

Place your left thumb under the violin's neck about 1 1/2 inches below the nut.
2

Step Two

Play two pizzicato notes on the open (no fingering) "G" string.
3

Step Three

Keep your index finger arched and press down firmly on the "G" string with the pad of your fingertip.
4

Step Four

Play two pizzicato notes on this same string. This produces the note "A" - eight notes (an octave) lower than the open "A" string above.
5

Step Five

Play this low "A" with your index finger on the "G" string. Then play the high "A" on the open string above. Listen to how they match in pitch.
6

Step Six

Adjust your finger placement on the "G" string to make the "lower A" pitch match the upper.
7

Step Seven

Put your middle finger on the "G" string one inch closer to the bridge.
8

Step Eight

Pluck the string. This note is "B" - two whole steps above the "G" string.
9

Step Nine

Play B - A - G - A - B - B - B and you've played your first tune, "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
10

Step Ten

Try these steps while using the violin bow.

Tips & Warnings

  • Be relaxed and enjoy yourself.
  • It's okay if the pitches and rhythms are not "exact." You'll improve by listening closely and practicing regularly.
  • Keep your thumb positioned in the same place on the neck at this stage.
  • Don't allow the palm of your left hand to collapse on the violin neck.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Violin Cases
  • Straight-backed Chair
  • Violin Pitch Pipes
  • Sheet Music For Violin
  • Music Stands
  • Violin Chin Rests
  • Violin Bows
  • Block Of Violin Rosin
  • Violin Shoulder Pads Or Rests
  • Metronome
  • Violin Strings
  • Violins
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