I also want to thank you:-) I have a neck injury and have trouble with tension in the shoulders and neck after long rehearsals or performances. These techniques are useful and practical to improve playing and comfort. Bless you!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you... I used to be very good at violin but caught some bad habits... and as I continued to learn my shoulder would hurt with a tremendous amount of pain- so I gave up (for about half a year). I just took it back up with the idea of starting from the very beginning, this time with relaxed shoulders. I really like your paper and belt idea!
These are awesome ideas! I started playing 4 years ago (at age 46!) and tension in my neck is my worst problem. I've had whiplash twice, and have terrible muscle spasms in my neck. My ortho specialist actually suggested I find another instrument to play, but I just can't give up my beautiful violin. If a belt around my shoulder makes it possible for me to play until I'm dead, I'm all for it!
I wish I would have known this before I got my tendinitis. In order to have relaxation in the shoulders and the head the shoulder rest and chin rest have to be high enough also.
Hi professor! I'm Ivana, from Serbia. I play violin 10 years, but I learned by myself. Nobody taught me. 4 years ago I took classes, but I was disapointed. For 6 month I was learning how to hold a bow, and in other 6 month I did exercises for left hand. When I started to play with both hands, teacher said that everything is bad, and after that I made a break. Now I play again, but I don't have technique. You can listen on my channel. What can I do by myself? I don't have money to take classes.
I hate to bother you but I have a quick question, you're an exellent musician so I figured you'd know. How can I train my eyes to follow the music as I play? I've been trying to figure it out for a very long time now, and I'm afraid it's a major set back as an aspiring violinist.
professorV, thank you very much for posting this video. I've been struggling all year trying to figure out why I can't play to my capability. At first, I knew it had something to do with my shoulder rest, but I couldn't figure out what the problem was. When I saw 1:32 and beyond, I learned that I just needed to move the larger side of my shoulder rest closer to the f hole to keep balance, and now I can do the no-thumb technique with vibrato and even more alongside. :)
Hi prof V, your videos are so sound and practical and I commend you for your unselfish work in sharing so many good technical advise. I also am a violin teacher and a retired concertmaster of the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra which I served for 30 years! I studied with Dorothy Delay and I too struggle a lot teaching students even at University level to do simple things. I still believe that teaching is like re learning the instrument all over again. You have an aural of coolness in you ! J
I personally am struggling with a lot of tension/pressure issues with my left thumb... Hopefully this will help! My violin teacher said the bridge on my violin had never been shaped and the strings are way, way, way off of the fingerboard... I haven't had the money to get this fixed, yet, but I'm sure it's a big part of the problem...
Also if you get the Bon Musica shoulder rest and work with it's flexibility to fit your specific neck/chin placement, then you can created a pretty relaxed and secure hold with which you can play without left hand tension.
Todd, as always, you are an engaging and inspiring teacher.
Thinking about the intricacies of the violin hold and shoulder grip, it reminded me of the challenges of playing without a chinrest.
I know this is digressing slightly, but perhaps you could do a video on the differences, both physical and tonal, between a standard violin and a baroque violin? I would love to see the comparisons and to learn why a musician would chose one instrument over another, for say Bach.
its a good tip put the paper under the strings, but, in the case of the belt, i think that maybe it can hurt the violin, anyway thats my opinion, and for me to, its a honor put the second coment on your video, i play tonight and please, whisme good luck !!!!!
Hello my name is Davis.
I have been watching your videos for quite sometime and today i had my first lesson.Can you give me any advice to get a good bowing action?
davisjose100 3 months ago
i press my thumb against the violin and keep it there as point of refference for my first finger on the fingerboard
maryam0psy 8 months ago
I also want to thank you:-) I have a neck injury and have trouble with tension in the shoulders and neck after long rehearsals or performances. These techniques are useful and practical to improve playing and comfort. Bless you!!!
creativedreamers 8 months ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you... I used to be very good at violin but caught some bad habits... and as I continued to learn my shoulder would hurt with a tremendous amount of pain- so I gave up (for about half a year). I just took it back up with the idea of starting from the very beginning, this time with relaxed shoulders. I really like your paper and belt idea!
crabbywabbysu 9 months ago
These are awesome ideas! I started playing 4 years ago (at age 46!) and tension in my neck is my worst problem. I've had whiplash twice, and have terrible muscle spasms in my neck. My ortho specialist actually suggested I find another instrument to play, but I just can't give up my beautiful violin. If a belt around my shoulder makes it possible for me to play until I'm dead, I'm all for it!
spingirl1961 10 months ago
I wish I would have known this before I got my tendinitis. In order to have relaxation in the shoulders and the head the shoulder rest and chin rest have to be high enough also.
sarahekiefer 1 year ago
Hi professor! I'm Ivana, from Serbia. I play violin 10 years, but I learned by myself. Nobody taught me. 4 years ago I took classes, but I was disapointed. For 6 month I was learning how to hold a bow, and in other 6 month I did exercises for left hand. When I started to play with both hands, teacher said that everything is bad, and after that I made a break. Now I play again, but I don't have technique. You can listen on my channel. What can I do by myself? I don't have money to take classes.
GrupaNIT 1 year ago
I hate to bother you but I have a quick question, you're an exellent musician so I figured you'd know. How can I train my eyes to follow the music as I play? I've been trying to figure it out for a very long time now, and I'm afraid it's a major set back as an aspiring violinist.
kochi125452 1 year ago
Excelent solution I have been looking for these for ever so long!!!
StephaneGrappelli 1 year ago
professorV, thank you very much for posting this video. I've been struggling all year trying to figure out why I can't play to my capability. At first, I knew it had something to do with my shoulder rest, but I couldn't figure out what the problem was. When I saw 1:32 and beyond, I learned that I just needed to move the larger side of my shoulder rest closer to the f hole to keep balance, and now I can do the no-thumb technique with vibrato and even more alongside. :)
darkshadows106 1 year ago
You are a good teacher :)
MSzkliniarz 1 year ago
Hi prof V, your videos are so sound and practical and I commend you for your unselfish work in sharing so many good technical advise. I also am a violin teacher and a retired concertmaster of the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra which I served for 30 years! I studied with Dorothy Delay and I too struggle a lot teaching students even at University level to do simple things. I still believe that teaching is like re learning the instrument all over again. You have an aural of coolness in you ! J
MrJquirit 1 year ago
Very pleased to know you, MrJquirit. Thank you for the very kind and interesting comment. TE
professorV 1 year ago
I personally am struggling with a lot of tension/pressure issues with my left thumb... Hopefully this will help! My violin teacher said the bridge on my violin had never been shaped and the strings are way, way, way off of the fingerboard... I haven't had the money to get this fixed, yet, but I'm sure it's a big part of the problem...
EvieHippie 1 year ago
great tips, anyone know wat tune he's playing at 3:23 ?
gracenmg 2 years ago
Bach Fugue in g minor
JKS2macd 2 years ago
@gracenmg It's The Fugue of the Bach Sonata 1. Second Movement
blakedan 2 years ago
That was the theme to the Barber Concerto
BarrageHero 2 years ago
any tips on resting your left arm because my arms always gets tire of holding the violin, or do you get usaed to it?
plasmasword10 2 years ago
I love the belt technique. I have so much stress around my chin and neck area.
bigfatfoot 2 years ago
This is exactly what I need.
amoradif 2 years ago
Thanks, your videos are really helpful.
gasto5 2 years ago
Thanks a lot for this new video. :D
Linuxica 2 years ago
Comment removed
bene4587 2 years ago
It's really great, because these videos are the PREFECT augment for my private lessons.
These are helping me loads.
SriKitchi 2 years ago
Ofcourse, by prefect, I mean perfect. =D
SriKitchi 2 years ago
Also if you get the Bon Musica shoulder rest and work with it's flexibility to fit your specific neck/chin placement, then you can created a pretty relaxed and secure hold with which you can play without left hand tension.
mmnin 2 years ago
oh and of course having a chin rest that will also work with your specific chin placement is crucial having that kind of setup too.
mmnin 2 years ago
wonderful as usual. thanks for the tips.
czimon 2 years ago
wow i was just having this problem in my left hand your a mind reader thanks alot!
Wurzel9894 2 years ago
bonjour merci!
bene4587 2 years ago
Todd you always got the help I need!! Thanks a lot!!!
danielhf26 2 years ago
Todd, as always, you are an engaging and inspiring teacher.
Thinking about the intricacies of the violin hold and shoulder grip, it reminded me of the challenges of playing without a chinrest.
I know this is digressing slightly, but perhaps you could do a video on the differences, both physical and tonal, between a standard violin and a baroque violin? I would love to see the comparisons and to learn why a musician would chose one instrument over another, for say Bach.
nellievic 2 years ago
good one, tnx prof!
MaceCro 2 years ago
Even though I have played with Boston Philharmonic, I still enjoy and learn something from your videos.
Cheers
246trinitrotoluene 2 years ago
Thank you for the great ideas!
5 *****'s
amjPeace 2 years ago
AH YES THANK YOU.
During my private lessons, my teacher and I talk about relaxing. I have a very hard time doing so. :x
Naruto1334 2 years ago
what was the piece he played towards the end of the video
nejirox09 2 years ago
that one was johann sebastian Bach Fuga ?? its out of my sonatas and partitas book
69caddy 2 years ago
:) nice very interesting video. I've been playing around but I've had exams recently so I haven't been able to practise as much as I like. :)
Lypur 2 years ago
its a good tip put the paper under the strings, but, in the case of the belt, i think that maybe it can hurt the violin, anyway thats my opinion, and for me to, its a honor put the second coment on your video, i play tonight and please, whisme good luck !!!!!
jaimebricio 2 years ago
Hi professor!!
i´m the first one to comment!!
What a honor!!
thank you for another video!
we´ve been missing you!!
bye!!!
bluetche 2 years ago