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From: professorV
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  • Thak you Todd! I am 36 and I'm trying to begin play the violin. May be I am a little old... My son is 6 and he is studying whith suzuki method in Argentina. Is a shame the videos are not translated yet, because is a great effort to try understand in english. But you do an enormous job. Thank you again. Please excuse my english, I'm argentinian.

  • i just bought my violin today.. I've been watching your videos since last year.. i wonder if you could bring me to the link of your vids which teach about how to play violin? cause i can't really make it sound :| thanks.

  • Very helpful thank you!

  • May I ask how much that violin cost you / model?

  • my oh my is this a challenge to accomplish with long nails. it's more wolf then bunny

  • Hello! Its my first day with my violin and i got a book/dvd with great ratings to teach myself cause i cant afford lessons. The book uses the same technique you're using but you teach it SO much better :) i completely understand ^^. Thumbs up to you.

  • Thank you, bankachi. Good luck!

  • Surprise! ! Easy violin secret site: vii.nn.cx

  • hi um my teacher said my fingers are slanted how can i fix that?

  • thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Hi Tod Elhe! i like your videos very very much,and i learnt a lot.Thanks!....I'd like to buy a new violin,because what i have its not meine...What do you tink about a Roth & Junius RJV115 violin?or what do you recomand for a medium player?thanks very much

    ps:sorry for my english,im hungaryan

  • Is my ring finger suppost to be at the frog?

  • I learned playing Violing with watching him videos

    Can i donate anything?

    mail serraristudios@gmail.com

  • ProffesorV , i Have a big problem with my violin. My tail piece's wire broke and i brought a new wire. but when i set it up on my violin and tighten the strings with the new wire it loosens. please help sir V. thank you very much

  • when I hold the bow, I feel more pressure on my pinky. Is this supposed to happen?

  • Hi TheGMontey, once you set the bow on the string, you should allow the bow weight to be supported by the violin. Place the bow on the string, then tap your pinky up and down to create relaxation. When you lift the bow, you'll feel the "weight" in your pinky. Good luck.

  • i play a teeny weeny bit of violin and i found this video VERY useful to correct tiny mistakes i had developed with the bow hold, and i found that placing the fingers a few millimeters differently made a whole lot of difference in the angle of the wrist. is the finger curvature essentially the same for the cello bow too? i couldnt find a video that demonstrated a cello bow hold as clearly as this video on violin bow hold. thanks a lot for taking the time to post this video.

  • Hey professorV i hope you'll see this comment and write back to me.I'm now almost 18 and i've always had a passion for music ,especially for the violin and also have musical ear.I was wondering if learning to play the violin is too late for me now?Please excuse me for my not so good english.

  • @professorV i really love your videos sir! it really helps! but im just wondering if i am too old to learn violin because i am already 15 years old?

  • I love your videos! They're always so conscise and packed with information!

  • Thank you so much for these movies, Todd! I really appreciate it! I'm trying to teach myself violin and don't currently have access to a teacher; so thank you very much! :) I was wondering... I have a slight natural gap between my 3rd and 4th finger while holding the bow; should I force them together or allow them to spread a little? Thanks for your help! :)

  • Hi BOONEM1990, I assume you're talking about your middle and ring finger, which I call 2nd and 3rd. I've had several students with the same issue you mention, and I always recommend that they allow the space and not force anything. Good luck!

  • Hi Sir!

    well, I was thinking of starting to play violin.

    I play piano as well. :)

    that aside, I don't know what label for a violin is great, have you any suggestions?

    I mean, I'd like a violin that's good for beginners like me, I don't wanna destroy a good violin my Dad is planning to buy me. >_<

    Thanks for the help! :D

  • Very Nice!!!

  • i really appreciate how humble and wholesome your teaching style is, keep it up :)

  • cool

  • Ah! I'm so jealous :( I wish there's a viola teacher on youtube like you!!!

  • hi im 12 twelve and i love your videos thank you for sharing your tallents

  • Hi eddieis100, thanks for writing!

  • @professorV hi i'm 11 and just started orchestra in midlle and i picked violin so thanks for these vids

  • Hi , I am learning violin over 9 months now. My teacher use suzuki book to teach me. I couldn't do the block fingers and having string crossing... I am thinking may be I am old (45), so can't do good .

  • Nah I don't think that is because my friend she had a super good violin maybe about some 80 years, and she had good strings; though she had the same the problem so I don't think that's the case, thanks anyways.

  • I got inspired to play the violin by youtube. I'm getting my violin next week and hopefully can start my journey. Thanks alot for these videos I'm sure they'll come in handy. Please make more and more, learning is never enough!!!! THANKS ALOT

  • Mr I have a problem with my violin, and so do other people on the web, and they don't have a technical solution.

    My violin on D string makes this scratchy but silent whispering sort of sound. My ex teacher tried researching and she couldn't find out what it was, please help.

  • @heywatsupf it might be the stings or violin, are they cheap? quality in violins is quite important for sound

  • @M2BugVsCommonSense, You mean 'rosin' the bow. It's tree sap, which is sticky, and makes the bow stick to the string. With a brand new new bow it will take a lot of rosin to create a decent sound. Also, if the rosin is new, scratch the surface up a little with a nail or key, this make it easier to use. Rub the bow hairs against the rosin using long strokes, end to end. Keep testing it on the violin to see if you're getting a decent tone. There is more to it, but that will get you started.

  • Man. You are great teacher =) thanks for that! hehe

    btw it's my first day with the violin :P Wish me luck!

  • GOOD LUCK mroovax!!!

  • i'm already 19, i'm inspired by profV... i hope i can learn it with your videos.. thank you sir!!

  • @MrRam0210 by the way tis my first day with my new violin

  • there is a way to hold it without your pinky, it's a little elementary but it works none the less. it is called the frog grip(or something like that i cant remember), to use this grip you must place your thumb on the bottom of the bow, the flat part. then rest your fingers on the top. Try to keep a firm grip.

  • Dear professorV, I am starting violin in my 20s and I have a tendency to feel better with my left hand as the bow hand and my right hand as the other for the strings. I am left handed and I understand that for violins the left handed stance is really discouraged but I would like to seek you advice. Thanks!

  • Thank you, Professor!

    From Brazil.

  • At 2:48 I really started to like this guy :) I also wanna the bunny :) Who else? :)

  • Hy Todd Ehle!

    I like, what about violin you teach. I do not to speak good english language.My son study also with violin playing. He is 5 years old. I am helping study violin. You are very Great, thank you the your video's!

    Greetings: a Trumpet teacher from Hungary Balázs Lengyel:)

  • Hi gielliespie, Thanks! Tell your son that I wish him good luck! Hungary has an incredible violin tradition, he is lucky to become part of it!

  • good job

  • I really appreciate that you are giving up your time to teach strangers across the globe , thank you!

  • I can't afford an actual violin teacher, so these videos are PRICELESS! Thank you! :)

  • Thank you very much! This is very useful!

  • Thanks for this- I am a Suzuki Cello teacher but am beginning to have lots of little violin students so I need violin teaching help! Thanks! Will watch more later...teaching bunnies today... :-) Marcie in Alameda, Ca

  • Good luck, Marcie!

  • @marciebrown Hey, just popping in to let you know I HOPE YOU GET TO PLAY THE VIOLIN! :] Im rooting for you! Don't let anything get in your way, even your pinky finger! u can do it :]!

  • Bunnies play the violin!

  • @tino2kp to much shroooms eh?

  • Bunnies know how to play violins!

  • Why didn't you use an actual violin bow? Haha....

  • this video reminded me of my first music class that i ever took but it was with flute

  • I like the video, but, sorry...aren't pencils hexagonal?

  • I am 15 and want to start playing violin. What type of violin should I buy, and from where? It would have to be pretty cheap (like, under $100, if possible). I wanted your opinion before I went out and bought the first eighty dollar piece of junk I saw. Thanks! Good lessons by the way

  • @lfmskl1 check out kk music store online. They sell cecilio violins, very good quality, and great customer service. Lots of varnish colors, too.

  • I'm just starting out, and don't have a teacher. (My dad won't let me have lessons), I already taught myself piano and were taught flute by a teacher, I'm still young and so, am liable to make mistakes. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Mistake - wise?

  • Hello Mr. ssssss Today is my first day playing the violin. Im really really poor. Im using the internet because my friend lets me use his computer. The violin was given to me by my school music teacher but he dosent play violin. I cant afford a private teacher. So hopefully your videos could help me and you could answer my questions

  • 2:42 "THING: UP" lol

  • I don't have a violin teacher, or a violin...yet its always been a dream of mine to learn violin....so at least I can "virtual" learn violin with your lessons for now so when I can afford to get a good quality violin, I'll know a thing or two! ;)...great teaching, you have a very calming affect which is vital for teaching! :)

  • oh oh! I have one!

    He said "When I was a boy"

    And I was like "You are a boy"

    HAHAHAHAHHAAHHA

    BY THE WAY YOUR A GREAT TEACHER!!! THANKS A LOT!!!

  • i'm teaching myself to play violin basically to impress myself, family, and friends. I use to play a long time ago, but i basically forgot and never realized how beautiful the violin really was until i decided to take it out my old case, which the violin was in for many years. thank you for the lesson and i will continue to learn to play such a wonderful instrument.

  • love pretty like flower...

  • I've played for over 50 years and never have used my pinky to hold my bow. I have no idea what grip I use however but it is how I was taught by my teacher.

  • Kinda creepy. But nevertheless, great vid.

  • I just discovered another great site and got some great tips.

    Search for Fiddlerman. So happy these people take time to share.

  • hi its my first day at violin im noticng my father gave me a bow that is color black

    but i know the normal color of the bow is brown but what is the name of the black bow

    ls

    if it is better reply me if not still reply me pls

    well im starting me lesson next month

  • Comment removed

  • good day prof!!!

    I am a super-super beginner in violin...if i would upload my violin videos here on youtube, will you please correct me....please....please.....ple­ase....thank you....i am really-really counting on you....thank you....

  • Don't get freaked out from what I'm about to say...ZOMFG I LOVE YOU! Thank you SOOO MUCH for ALL your tutorials, they are a great help! I just started playing the violin, so I need all the help I need xD I'm not THAT bad, but still... ^_^ Thanks!!! Keep up the hard work!!!

  • i can't find any violin teacher and my dad says he's gonna buy me a violin if I play 20 songs on the piano, recorded on a camera and with perfect technic, my dream is to play violin and I know I'm gonna do it

  • The 'Bow Hold Bunny' and his bunny ears and his bunny teeth! My kind of violin lesson!

  • For a project at school, I am required to learn the violin... I have somehow managed to obtain a violin but all that's left still is learning how to play it. These lessons are very helpful so thank you! :]

  • This was a very clear video and helped clarify some things for me. Thank you.

  • prof V, I love your videos very much. Basically i'm depending entirely on your videos because I can't get any teacher. Can I have a request? can you post a video on 'the hold' but together with the way of placing shoulder rest, then a full detail on the hold with various angle? because everytime after i practice violin my shoulder aches!tx

  • mantap

  • i need traslate to spanish!!!!!!

  • Thanks for these lessons.They've really helped my out on certain issues, but currently i'm struggling with bow bouncing.There's no problem when i'm bowing up, but when I do down stroke, the bow goes crazy.Not so much on G or D but especially on A and E, more on A.Could you share a little bit light on this issue?

  • These lessons are really helpful!

    I was just wondering one thing:

    I'm a beginner violinist and I have a little problem:

    Whenever I do a downstroke with the bow it starts bouncing just enough to impair the tone. I'm trying hard to have a correct grip and to be relaxed, but it doesn't seem to stop the bounces…

    Is this a common problem? What causes it? How can it be dealt with?

    Thanks!

  • @matslexell try dropping your elbow a little by turning the violin more towards your left. watch some videos of milstein, kogan, or heifetz. this is the russian technique. on the downbow the wrist will relax, causing more pressure to be exerted on the bow, increasing control. by doing this, you might see that your bow grip needs to change. leopold auer preached this violin stance, although he said that bow grip should vary from person to person

  • i like how he explain that is very usefully

  • just bought a violin today and im watching all the vids on how to... 

    i gotta say tyvm for sharing your knowledge.

  • Sir, you remind me of Batman.

  • Tnx for teaching! :) I learn very much from you!

  • I have a question. My daughter is 7 years old and she wants to start learning violin.

    I am going to buy a violin for her, but I don't know what size the instrument must be?

    2/4, 3/4 or full size????

    thank you for you help

  • i have just bought a violin missing a string and the bow, do i need to buy a bow from the same company and a corresponding size to my violin (4/4)???

  • I've been taught to hold the bow in such a way it comes in contact not with the first, but the second crease, right in the middle of the middle & ring fingers. I find it a little tough, but my teacher says it's a better grip. Can anyone advise?

  • I've been taught to hold the bow in such a way where the bow comes in contact not with the first crease, but the second crease, right in the middle of the middle and ring fingers. I find it a little tough, but my teacher says it's a better grip. Can anyone advise?

  • @bbnell

    bbnell--my teachers confused me on that issue too. I finally realized that the answer to that question is both & neither. When you are at the tip of the bow, your index finger contacts the bow nearer the second crease. When at the frog, especially when changing from upbow to downbow, your index finger contacts the bow nearer the first crease. In my opinion, the real contact point is the PAD of y our index finger on the LEATHER STRIP on the bow. Everything else shifts around as needed.

  • "Bunny and a Wolf" - excellent !!!

    So true :)

  • alright pretty firme :)

  • hy im 22 mr. Tom do you think I can learn it I really love the violin and the trumpet plus i love hip hop I want to mix it anyway the question is do you think its too late .) please say no :)

  • thank you, thank you, thank you really appreciate your videos

  • I've just started the violin and my teacher told me to hold the bow as I please. But after watching your videos I feel like I'm holding it completely wrong... And now I'm trying very hard to hold it the way you teach but I just can't manage it :( It's really putting my in a bad mood. I feel like I'm totally useless :(

  • Thank you so much for posting these videos- I go to lessons, but this supplements them perfectly and help so SO much! (Also, your voice is really soothing, which helps me to relax as I play, haha).

  • the video tutorial is great. very helpful and instructive.

    however, hopefully you can clarify this for me. my former instructor never stressed the importance of holding the bow properly, and i seem to be unable to keep my finger curved while holding it. do you have any suggestion as to fixing that?

  • Thank you, your lessons were really useful!

    You are a great professor!

    Good luck!

  • You speak as if I'm in the room with you, I can almost smell your home, nice video, thanks a lot mate.

  • @WheresKayla creepy

  • @WheresKayla Does it smell like pie or Rosin?

  • can you teach me pls when are free

  • i dream of a golden violin a lot

    i have never played but feel i should

  • hey thank you so much for the videos. they are great for the learners.. as for me, i play the violin but a vein of mine gets stretched whenever i play it...i have stopped for around 6 months now and i feel very sad about it...i am an indian and the violin classes here are pretty expensive..i left the one where i went earlier and i cant find another...i want to learn more and so i keep looking for videos..i will different methods of holding the bow..maybe it can help...thanks again! :)

  • Great Lesson.

    Can anyone tell me if it is possible to hold the bow without using the pinky at all?

    I have a bone defect in my little finger and even resting it gently on the bow causes severe pain.

    Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  • Hi cathalbrophy, Watch a video of Heifetz and you'll notice he supports the bow with the ring finger most of the time instead of the pinky. To do this, he makes contact very high up the first finger. He uses what is known as the Russian bow hold, but there are variations on this hold so check him out specifically. Good luck!

  • @professorV

    Thanks a million for the advice. I will indeed check out his technique. There's a video on here of him playing "Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto: 1st mov" which shows this very clearly.

    Thanks so much for the advice - and for the great lessons.

    You are a great teacher!

  • wich is the price of a regular vioin

  • @xpktro128

    Depends on what your looking for. Go to Sharmusic(dot)com and you'll see a wide variety. You can even purchase one on a Flex plan that allows you to pay a monthly payment for 24 months and then you own it. After your 24 months are over, they will even take 50% of all payments made and apply that amount to the purchase of another higher grade violin, which helps when you've out grown your first violin. You still get to keep your violin you ought through flexplan purchase.

  • I recently started my violin lessons and this video was extremely useful!!! Thank u so much!

  • one question: do the two middle fingers have to touch the top of the stick?

  • awesome description! I have a new 5-year-old coming today for her first lesson and I will definitely use the "bunny/wolf" idea. thank you!

  • Your videos are FABULOUS!!! I can't thank you enough! That said, I am a very OLD beginner, and find it IMPOSSIBLE to curve my thumb AND pinky -- simply an anatomical impossibility. Have you encountered this in any students, and if so, have you any advice? Molto grazie!

  • Hi juicyjpink, Just do the best you can. I've seen some very strange bow holds on some very great players. Good luck to you!

  • I cant afford an actual teacher so your videos are great :)

    Your teaching method is great. You have a very soothing voice.

    Where do you put your fingers for each note?

    Im teaching myself. Im a first-day violinist.

    I have tried and tried to find the answer online but i cant

  • I was lucky and started learning while in High School. Our school luckily has a before school string program, with most of us just learning our instruments with maybe 4 pros.

  • Hi Mialokai, see my Violin Method which starts with Mary Had A Little Lamb.

    Good luck with your studies!

  • @professorV

    i just learnt Mary Had A Little Lamb!

    :D

  • @Mialokai

    Go to violinonline(dot)com click on violin basics at the top and then look for Playing the violin. Under this heading look for Finger Placement and Tape. There are 3 tools that should help you out with first position and finding notes from sheet music on violin fingerboard.

    Hope this helps. If you need anything else feel free to message me.

  • @Mialokai oh!!!we are very the same!!! i too can't afford an actual teacher!!! its good that prof v is here for us....teehee!!!!

  • I am so psyched to see these wonderful videos! I've always wanted to learn and my husband just rented a violin for me for a couple of months - I'll be taking lessons but this is a great supplement and enjoyable, too!!! Thank-you Professor V!!!

  • grazieeeeee

  • I'm wondering if you know how to play any Irish techniques?

  • simply oustanding videos, you have a fantastic relaxing manner for teaching, you come across as a person who truly understands and loves their instrument.

    Thank you,

  • Hey, Thank you Jamie! What a nice comment.

  • thanks

  • picking up my first violin tomorrow. been playing guitar and bass for years, figured it was time to expand my repitoire. looks like you're teaching me! lol

  • Comment removed

  • Very elaborate, Nice going.

  • Thank you so much for these videos. I'm 54 and always wanted to play the violin. My husband surprised me with a violin for mother's day. Didn't know how to go about learning - then I found your lessons and it's great. Thank you!!!!!

  • Thank you so much! I have always wanted to play the violin and these videos are so well done and easy to follow - and free! How generous of you to do this.

  • hi guys,

    im gonna begin to play the violin and i`ve been playing the guitar for 4 years and im 16.i can play the guitar very fast i mean like pro but i dont know to much theorie and now i`ve decided to begin with violin so my question is can i become i good violin player??

  • yes u can become a good violin player.

  • Tej wuja dodaj jakies lekcje bo brachol chce sie uczyc! dalej bo do jutra chce to widziec!

  • Thank you for your very nice video lessons. Hey, I have a question for violinists out there, would you prefer to use a shoulder rest? Because I'm wondering if others will call me less talented or less great or something like that if I'm to use a shoulder rest so please help me.. thx :D

  • im 21 and it has been my dream to learn the violin and I actually received my first one yesterday! I know age wise im a lil late in the game but I feel confident since ive seen ur videos. Im currently looking for a teacher but there isnt any close enough to me so for now I will do what I can to retain the knowledge you are sharing with anyone willing to listen. I only wish to find a teacher as wonderful as you.

  • Hi liz775, You can see that in part 2.

  • i agery

  • wow amazing lesson! very nice! but what shd i learn violin or piano 1st x.x? im in a great dilima...

  • i really love to learn violin! im 21 and im planning to enroll myself this summer at the school where i am teaching. i find it cool. i wish learning violin is as easy as teaching children.

  • It is =3 i been playing mine for 5 years now and im 18 X3

  • I'm 17 and I've been playing viola since I was 8, but picked up the violin about 5 years ago. I adore the violin. Everything about it. Your videos are amazing, mister Todd. I would love to talk with you someday. Just chill and talk violin. :-)

  • i'm 22 i'm learning again after 9 years of after not playing since school its a weird feeling but since i'm all mature and stuff nothing will stop me except uni studies :/ lol

  • i started to learn the violin a couple of months ago and im 24... its definately never too late... the problem people have is they want to play well now, like some others their own age who can... its this sort of mindset that prevents you from doing anything at all... do it because you want to and then u can't regret anything...

    i advise you to get a tutor...otherwise you will develop bad habits that might not seem so obvious...

  • I'm getting a violin soon, for my 18th birthday. I've always wanted to learn to play, and I successfully taught myself guitar, so I don't see why I can't do the same with violin. 18 is a bit old to be taking up an instrument like the violin, but if I don't do it, I'll regret it.

  • @438MillionBC so, after 1 year, how are you doing?

  • How long does it usually take to learn a simple song after starting learning it?

  • I'm 16 and I've always wanted to learn violin but there wasn't any chance until now that my school offers lessons after school hours. I was unsure about it, thought I'm too old to start but my friends encouraged me and today was my first class, I just got my first violin! I totally love it. I know it's hard and needs a lot of work and practice but I found violin comfortable in my hands.

    And I'm also searching YouTube for online lessons beside the class...I want more! :D

  • No, you're not too old--whether you are 7,17, 20 or 77!

    I play both fiddle and classic violin and sometimes I play fiddle tunes to warm up. Even ones I learn on Youtube, an excellent resource. Don't think or wonder about playing violin--just do it! You're gonna have fun now. Enjoy!

    Patricia Nash (playing violin for 50 years this year)

    P.S. Don't worry about holding the bow hand exactly right. If you just do it and enjoy it and spend hours, the music will flow out of you!

  • I am 17 and would love to try and learn the violin,

    too late anyone think? Would i NEED a teacher, or is it quite possible to self teach?

  • i'm 20 too =) let's learn violin

  • Losisms Fuck

  • ohh well join the club im 13 n im startin my violin lessons next month.

    and this video has really been helpfull

    thnks soo much professorV

    XD

  • ATLyssa you are right

  • wow.

    uhm, as of now, i'm just saving money to buy my own violin, i've always wanted to play it. i'm 13 now, and i thought it was stupid i just realized i really want to be a violinist, not a big time one, but i just want to learn how to play it...well.

    and hey, you're really cool, you're my idol already :)

    thanks.

  • bunny, I like it

  • Thank you so much XD I've been having a horrible time getting my bow to feel balanced. All I had to do was bend my thumb. My playing just instantly got better. you're amazing.

  • Zen-like quality to your teaching. Something about what you are saying transcends the professed "learning of the violin". This lesson is soothing and talks about bunnies. I'm taking my nap now. Thanks!

  • I play violin for many years ; )

    It's good.

  • I'm almost 20, feel like I'm an old fart - too old to start learning ;__;

    Ahh such a beautiful instrument. :/ <3

  • same! omg love your username

  • Ahw, me? Thank you<3

  • Comment removed

  • Seriously? :3 Ah, I already got a violin and I think I'm gonna give it a try, it's worth it - love the sound.

    Then good luck to you, too : )

  • youre not im 20 and im just starting

  • really? then I wish you muuch success :3

    thanks, I feel motivated and my violin is ready to be played. wooho \(*O*\)

  • I'm 22 and I just set the date for my first lesson. You're never to old... Age comes only when we let go of our youth. No ammount of time can stop the force of dedication.

  • i like violin so much!! but i started at 16 and i cannot easily read the score but i try my best!! thanx Mr.Todd bcoz taught such a good lesson!!

  • Hello Mr.Todd! Umm...Where can I find Etudes scores for free in the internet? Tnx!!

  • Can adults learn to play violin as easily as children?