Added: 3 years ago
From: BenChanViolin
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  • I'm worried about the string(s) breaking, and whipping me in my face. Ever have any strings hit you in the face?ha

  • so enthousiastic! that's great :)

  • hey i got i a violin for my birthday and i dont know how and were to put the wooden thing under the snares of my violin

    also i got resin with it i know its for the bow but must i also use t for the snares of the violin?:o

    can you describe abit how to ''install'' my violin? :)

    great vids btw :)

  • Awesome!!!

  • lovin the sweater

  • Where on the symphony chanel is the download link...i could not find it... :(

  • Comment removed

  • hi ben i saw ur videos u played well, i m learning violin since 1 n 1/2 yr it is indian classical but i also wanna learn western classical ,can u suggesst me videos of urs for basic handling of violin

  • hey BencHan can i have a request?Can you upload A video playing Flight of bumble bee?

  • Puwahah', I caught that little wink :]

    I hope you get in the Youtube Symphony :)

  • Whoops! I meant to say my teachers name is Dr.Terry Hill.

  • Ben...what is there to say? For all we know, you could be the next Niccolo Paganini!!! Very good playing and congrats on your marriage. Idk if any1 who reads this would care....but my my current Orchestra teacher was (I think) the conductor at Carnegie Hall for around 3 years. Anyway, his name is Dr.Terry Hall. Anyway thanks 4 inspiring other people 2 tryout violin!

  • Man Can u send me the sheet music?

  • WOW!!! thats just amazing you really great

  • I love that you love your fan and alway chat with us like one of your friends.

    xoxo from Thailand

  • No problem -- it's nice having friends here!

  • Fuzzy Sweater!!!!! :D

  • No PJ pants xD But RIPPED jeans xD lol i love your style...good job making it!

  • good congrat bro

  • I love all ur sweaters u wear!

  • Ur an awesome violin player! Good luck at the YTSO!

  • are u going to play the viloa???????

  • I like the vids

  • Excellent ! you are really good!

    I hate your sweater, by the way.

  • So what's the word did you make the cut for the YouTube Symphony? I hope so.

  • Hi Ben! My name is Kim. This is the first time that I've seen you play. I've never played the violin, but I have been a guitarist. I didn't even realize until now that there was a YouTube symphony being put into place. Very informative video - excellent!!! Peace, Kim

  • Violin looks complicated, lol.

    I play clarinet and tener sax. I would LOVE to be in a symphony. but I'm only 14...so, I'm guessing that's not going to happen.

    You did a great job. I think you'd be a very good teacher.

  • hell, i just lost all my music.. i laughed like a retard. man you're really good

  • yo were u in any all national groups this yr?

  • Good work bro, enjoyed your instructional vid..

  • Aaarggh, Bartok pizz.....the bane of my existence.

    I love you and your awesome sweater, by the way.

  • You speak too slowly. LOL

    I hope you have a good part in the orchestra!

    *****

    PS: Please, ask the maestro when are you all comming to Portugal, to São Carlos's Theatre, to play Puccini with some voices. And then, tell me :-)

  • Hey i cant find how to download the music sheet, could you send me one or give me a link to it

  • i'd LOVE to get lessons from you :] so inspiring.

    after 9 years of violin.. you've got me all excited to start up again. thanks ben

  • Excellent! I fully expect you to make good on that! Let me know how it's going :)

  • Ok...

  • lmao

  • where can u get the sheet music for this?

  • great teacher! You are great playing the violin too. I play the flute but this is only my third year playing. Hopefully i can learn to play on the same level as you!

  • I am going to give it my darnest too

  • i love your winter knit jumper.

  • you inspire me to learn the violin.

    your very talented

    im sick of using vsti synthesizers to create string sounds. doesnt get the same feel and you cant add expression without spending over 1000 pounds on software.

    hope you get in

    all the best

  • :D

    Believe it or not... you're the only violinist that I listen to at the moment. Very good, sir!

  • @Tamacracker try Hilary Hahn ;)

  • mannnn,world is changing,we didnt have such a things in Soviet Union...

  • around 6:00 are you doing spiccato ?

  • Actually, it's ricochet.

  • Thank you for that part you showed about dropping the bow! I didn't audition for the YT Symphony, but I was looking around at the finalists' videos (voted for you, by the way!) and ended up here. I got to the part where you started talking about dropping your bow and relaxing the hand and arm, and it helped me a LOT for a passage in a different piece I'm playing, Passacaglia. Thanks, and good luck with getting to Carnegie Hall!

  • Hey you got favorited by YSO. Good news!

  • I don't play the violin, I did not audition for the Symphony, and I may only be marginally involved in the rating process. However, I love music, and happened on your video by accident. You are a wonderful teacher!  Even if I never get the opportunity to learn the violin, I am fascinated with the examples of posture and muscle relaxation you have just described. Great video, and best of luck!

  • hello im lexine and im a 1st . violines too. ive been playing for 3-4 years how long have u been playing . yes i know that its a short while but im only 13

  • Ok so I have to take violin class as part of being a music major. I got home and the knob to the G like comes out. I don't think the string is broken because if I turn and hold the string will tighten, It just won't stay in place....as I said the knob like comes out (but still has the string attached). Does this happen? has it happened to anyone else?

    It's apparent the violin is old. Is there anything I can do to make it stay in place? I'm scared and I know I'll have to approach the prof on it.

  • hey kid........ lol, are you new at playing violi?.. lol best of luck just keep practising ..

    if no matter how much you tighten it and the knob comes out try putting some chalk on the knob and it will help it from slipping out!

  • There's some stuff called peg dope you could buy, it's supposed to help keep the pegs in place. On my old violin I had to push the pegs inward (instead of just twisting them) cause they wouldn't stick.

  • Id love to try out but i am too young and i just started violin. :-(

  • ur the next yo yo ma, but with a violin!

  • my teacher taught my orchestra class the song alegreto :]

  • Hey Ben,

    Im auditioning for the Youtube Symphony also! It looks like competitions isnt easy this year for violins.. Do you think itll be helpful if I submitted a 3rd video for the 2nd violin part? It seems like almost all the violins are auditioning for hte first violin part.

    See Im confused because im not sure if Tan Dun is going to do the thing where people that dont necessarily make firsts would then make seconds.. you know what I mean?

    Just trying to play it safe. Carnegie hall!!

    -Daniel

  • Hey Daniel- unfortunately, it seems that this YouTube Symphony video that we're all making is not the one that gets us to Carnegie Hall. Look at the "talent video" submission rules on Symphony's YouTube Channel and you'll find out more about the requirements to get to Carnegie Hall. Otherwise, I don't know if submitting multiple videos increases or decreases your chances of getting in... at this point, just do the best you can on the part that you feel most comfortable on, I'd say!

  • hey ben, you're such a good player and good teacher, I didn't know that someone can teach orchestra repertoire in such great details. Too bad I only found out about the youtube symphony audition and I don't think I'll be able to make it this year, but if there is another audition next year, I'll definitely go for it. Thank you so much again for the wonderful video clip

  • You're very welcome, and I do hope this is the first of many YouTube orchestras to come! I'll see you there next time (and hopefully I'll make it this time around...)

  • Thanks for the coaching. I just posted a video response and would be interesting on any suggestions you might have.

  • hey awesome video! I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. For the second video on the youtube symphony audition there are a few orchestral excerpts that we can opt to play. Do they expect us to play the first violin part for those excerpts even if we choose to play the second violin part for the tan dun piece?

  • Good question, and though I can't answer for them, I'd recommend that you play the first violin part anyways. As I understand it, there are two different auditions going on here. The Tan Dun piece is strictly for the online YouTube orchestra, while the excerpts/solos are for the opportunity to go to Carnegie Hall.

  • I must say this is a great idea Ben. This might be the first cyberspace sectional rehearsal in history, which is pretty significant... It's great that you're doing this because you're giving the less experienced players a chance to do well in their audition, which is important if the true meaning of this experiment is to actually happen. I'd like to see people from all over the world and all different ages to be in Carnegie Hall that day, not just NYC players like me...

  • Ben, I think what you are doing to help people is wonderful, I'm sure that you will get a spot in the symphony orchestra. They need people who can not only play, but also help lead the others, and you are that type of person. Can't wait to see the final audition!

    ps- I like the sweater

  • Awesome dude, keep practicing and don't give up, you'll be a great addition to the orchestra and I don't think you'll have too much trouble getting in xD

  • i think you play the violin excellent !

    its awesome!

  • all props you play amazing.

  • some day I hope I can buy violin ....and learn to play like you .....I always think violin hard to learn but i don't know you make it easy to me ...and I love all your performance .you amazing and thank for tutorial

  • Aha! I tend to get that bouncy bow problem performing occasionally :S I always play with a few others and a piano accompanyment though, which usually covers it up, but nervousness isn't very friendly when you're performing, heh. :p

  • Awesome video! I'm not a violin player myself, cause I just can't stand the screeching noise that an inexperienced beginner like me is bound to make, so I've never been able to make myself practice it properly. I still liked this video, though.

  • You are amazing at playing the violin and I can't wait to take lessons! Maybe one day I could sound like you :)

    What I was wondering is if you could play Requiem For a Dream? Or it is called Lux Aterena by Clint Mansell.

    I think it would sound amazing on the violin and it is so powerful. Thank you ^^

  • muy bueno pero que muy BIEN TIO OLEEEE POR TU ARTE 5 ******* POR TI

  • he is a chinese guy,,bravo.

  • wow nice house

  • love the sweater

  • nice beginning of the video but great video

  • when i first read the youtube symphony music sheet... i just thought is some other piece and didn't pay attention.  now i am really looking forward for this symphony... thank... and i hope you get in...

  • I don't know how to say this, but I would be very happy to see you playing it, specially because you're a violin player! :)

    Congratulations, you're aweeesome, really!!!

    Sorry for the mistakes in english ^^'

    God bless you and your family!

  • Dude, Ben! It's me, Barney Lund. This is so fun to see you on here. I saw, "Ben Chan" on the Promoted Videos at the top of the front page of YouTube. Fun surprise. Good job on the video, and good luck with everything.

  • Hey Barney, long time no see! Haha, I can tell it's you by your YouTube name. And, I had no idea it was on the Promoted Videos list- crazy! Anyways, how are things going for you? Feel free to send me a message and we can catch up!

  • I would be surprised if you tell me you are not a teacher at the moment, it is very clear that you know what you are talking about and you explain it very very well. It is very easy to understand.

    Hope you make it into the orchestra :D thanks for the Tutorial

  • Dude, your idea is good, many people need help with the violin piece.

    Thanks for making this project better!

  • what kind of a bow are you using? it looks really light. on the spacatto sections it sounded really rich and full, which i have trouble with.

  • Thanks for asking! It's a Paul Prier bow I purchased while in Utah - Paul is the son of Peter Prier, who owns a shop in Salt Lake City.

  • Ben, you have a really nice "professor" voice -- good for explaining things :) I played the violin from middle school up until my senior year of high school, and this video brings back good memories. It's been awhile since I picked up a violin but I was wondering about the "bar pitz" (?). Is that the same as a pizzicato?

  • It's a more aggressive gesture, where there's a "slap" sound. A normal pizz is more subtle sounding and only requires pulling the string slightly with one finger.

  • hey im a guy who wants 100,000 views on my channel, with no videos. please help me out by just quickly glancing at my channel. Ps if you write a nice comment to me i will send a thank you email.

  • Mr. Ben Chan, you're videos are consistently excellent! You definitely deserve more subscribers!

  • hey dude im not ganna be in that orcistra of urs but i just wanted to let ur know that it sounds like a really good idea and u look like u really know what ur doin, so i hope everything goes the way u planed!

  • hey Ben !

    i dont play the violin but still looked through the whole video, and i wished i could understand a try what you're talking about xD

    Whatever, you're a great player, hope you'll make the symphony

  • U PLAY REALLY GOOD DUDE!!!

  • hi, i don't even play violin but i somehow stumbled across this vid and i watched it all the way through... you're a good teacher... made me wish i play violin c",) totally agree with pegasus too! hope you make the symphony!

  • Ben, you are so cute, I love the violin, I wish I knew how to play, you make a good teacher,good luck, keep it up....

  • Thanks for all the nice comments, guys! For those of you who post inappropriate comments, including vulgar language/thoughts or spam, I'd like to proactively forewarn you that you WILL be blocked and your comment erased. I want this video to be wholesome to the viewers, so if you mess with it, you'll lose your privilege of accessing my channel and its videos!

  • He like to Rich

  • It's so good of you to walk us through this. I'm very, very much a beginner, but the techniques you showed with the bow, and how to read different symbols on the sheet music will help me.

    I had actually quit my violin a few months back. (No instructor, so I was learning on my own... very difficult!) But your videos always inspire me to pick it back up. Thanks!

    Hope you make the YouTube Symphony!! :O}

  • thats a bangin sweater my friend

  • Good

  • good luck!! i hope you make it

  • I think the selfless approach you apply of teaching other and accepting that one of your students may one day excel above your abilities is a rare commodity in today's character. I applaud the great depth of your maturity in not only your musical skills but in your superior character too. Thank you for being you, it is a pleasure to know people like you still exist! Super!

  • Thank you very much, and it's a pleasure to know that viewers like you are watching my videos! Makes me feel like I'm doing something good for the world.

  • i didn't watch this jklol

  • Your a very talented, articulate young man. This world needs more like you. Thanks for the great video.

  • where do you download the sheet music?

  • is it possible to play a guitar with the bow? (i think bow is what the strummy thingy is, also idk if you're the dude to ask lol)

    Anyway, Great Video

    -twoguysandashow or Amy's World =P

  • no, bows are used on violins, violas, cellos, and basses.

  • Oh ok thanks, I thought I heard of the Guitarist From Heart (woo Heart XD) using a bow, and this guy seems INCREDIBLY skilled with a bow so I figured I'd ask, =P

  • no because the strings on a guitar are all parallel

  • ive added this site on my favorites for i bought a violin for my 6 yr old daughter but she doesnt want to take formal violin lessons, so i hope i can learn so many things here at least the basics of violin that can be of great help to my baby girl......

  • You, my friend, MUST check out Woogi World (see my channel page for a link). Your 6-year-old daughter can create a free woogi account and then become a free member of YY's Music Club, where I personally have set up several music games and some really fun little videos along with my squirrel friend YY. If you can get her interested in learning music in a fun way, then I'm willing to bet that your daughter will eventually want to learn violin. Please give it a try, especially since it's free!

  • I just thought I should comment on how kind and helpful you are when making videos and i'm not sucking up to you. almost everyone else on youtube is very forceful when teaching DIY's

  • uhm...how the heck do you do the RICOCHET?! heeelp! (please?)

  • this piece iz impossible---i can't audition anyways--but this piece im gonna work on :D

  • idk!! i need help too!

  • wooowpppp awsum!!!!! i can hard do it you are very good, or better that very good >>>>>

  • 好卡

  • Also how much originality do you find in this composition? I see an awful lot of quoting, especially for a five minute piece. This may be in part to appeal to outsiders. Anyway, I'm just rambling.

  • Good questions. I personally think that Tan Dun's entire purpose in writing this piece (and he probably did it in a very short amount of time) was to gauge the responsiveness of the Internet community towards classical music, specifically the idea of an online orchestra. Since they didn't know how well it would be received, I'm guessing they were very cautious not to invest too much of their time all in one shot. I'm very sure that Tan Dun can write much more elaborate music.

  • So basically, you prepare for worst case scenario (i.e. no one auditions) and you prepare for best case scenario (i.e. a world-class orchestra). Either way, I think it was wise to write a short piece with lots of energy and a familiarity amongst Tan Dun elements that appeals to the general audiences. While I don't feel very challenged by the piece, I do think it's friendly enough to attract enough people to audition. Hopefully my senses are correct on this.

  • I know one of my friends is trying out for it, and she's quite a player. I'm very curious about trying out for this orchestra. I also wonder, from the other videos of practicing musicians, if they want classical musicians only. I see fiddlers, rockers, and violinists alike trying out.

  • My question to you is: do you think the YouTube Symphony Orchestra will really expand the confines of Classical music itself? Do you think non-Classical music listeners will find this music aesthetically pleasing?

  • Ben,

    I see several outcomes of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Most likely the orchestra will be filled with youngsters just out of school, or maybe even amatures. I'm saying this because, through word of mouth, I've heard that they aren't really paying you a good amount to come out to Carnegie. But I also see several reasons to try out, two being that it's historically intruiging and it's a chance to play at Carnegie.

  • "ima give it my darndest!" lol

  • ooh ok that cool i was going to audition but idk any of the pieces for the talen video

  • This makes me want to play the violin. Really badly.

  • you've got a ned flanders vibe going, but you play well

  • hahaha sooo funny. more overrated crap. lol the ending was hilarious xD what about scooty doo? haha

  • More overrated crap? Hmm, I don't really know what you mean by that, but to be on the safe side I'd better disallow you from commenting on my channel. You see, I've created this channel and these videos specifically to uplift and inspire people to play the violin and improve on their talents, so if you think this is "overrated crap," I invited you to watch videos elsewhere. Cya!

  • You are amazing!

  • Man! Your trill is awsome!

  • pretty cool dude

  • wow man u rock

  • :/ i'm very iffy about actually attempting [to play] this piece because i'm pretty sure i'm not at the level to play it-should i still try it?

  • Still give it a try, though! Should be a good experience even if you don't make it in!

  • I have been wanting to start playing for years. Can you please tell me what I need to learn how to get started!

    LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! ♥

  • wow, the way you teach makes me want to learn violin. best of luck to you.

  • I dont get any of this, but it seems good :) Keep it up :D

  • man..you are very good.

  • this is a very noble thing that you are doing. Thank you so very much

  • you are really good man i wish i could play as good as you

  • ooo i really liked this... ive alwasy been a big fan and its good to see that its going forward in a good direction. hopefully there will be more postive resutls.

  • My bow broke. It'll be a while before I can get a new one :/

    Also Ben, there is reverse text as well as flip.

  • ˙oǝpıʌ ʇɐǝɹƃ

  • I would love to enter but the second video is so hard. Maybe I'll enter if they run it again later on when I'm a little older (I'm 14 at the moment).

  • wow that really is cool.

    i shall keep my fingers crossed for you ^.^

  • Thanks for the video!! thats so cool!!

  • Awesome !!! you'll definitely make it!

  • ˙oǝpıʌ ʇɐǝɹƃ noʎ ʞuɐɥʇ

  • Why thank you, and how the heck did you post that note upside down? Whoa...

  • Kind of funny lol :P Just google it and it came up. Search "flip text"

    sǝbɐssǝɯ ɹnoʎ dı1ɟ uɐɔ noʎ puɐ ǝʇıs ʇɐɥʇ oʇ ob ʇsnظ

  • wow i had to turn my whole laptop upside down so i could read that.......

  • awesome! <3

  • you are wonderful at playing violin how long have you played violin?

  • Since I was 5 1/2, so just over 20 years now - crazy how time flies!

  • wow tsubarashi=how wonderful

  • Ben: You are so awesome, you are entering and teaching at the same time, I'm planning to do the same thing! We think alike!! Good luck on your audition. I'm working on my video 32 and teaching videos now, so I have to run....

  • Thanks, Nina! And I'll remind you that your channel was a driving force that inspired me to create mine, so thank you for your continued work! Best of luck with your videos, and let's plan on meeting each other at Carnegie Hall! (crossing fingers)

  • Mr. Ben Chan, you have very educating and entertaining videos but please, it's 2009, get with widescreen and/or HD! :D

  • Haha- can't make me part with my beloved Fuji Finepix F20!

  • talent

  • 5 stars!

  • hoefully youll make the symphony , you have so much talentvi will definitely tell my friends to see your videos, my brother showed me your videos, i want to request a song for you to play can I?

  • Another spectacular performance! It was your videos that really helped me get pumped up about picking up violin again. Thanks for all of your great videos!! I have the upmost confidence that you will make the Youtube Symphony!

    Keep up all the great work!

    -Sonya

  • Brilliant video. This was fun and informative to watch even being a complete novice on the violin. I enjoy your teaching style! =)