Violin Stars Free Violin Course Lesson 3 - How to use the Left Hand

This is a free violin course for beginners by Violin Stars. There is an instructional PDF file that goes along with this lesson which can be downloaded for free from our website www.violinstars.com

In this lesson Kim will show you proper left hand technique. It's very important that you do not squeeze the neck of the violin or collapse your wrist. Kim has been teaching the violin for 5 years and has taught private lessons and classes in local schools. She started the Violin Stars website during the summer of 2008 and has been teaching many students online since then. She has worked with over 100 students through her online teaching and has had excellent results.

Kim enjoys teaching and she loves to chat with others about music, so if you have any questions or would just like to chat, send her an email at zclipse@embarqmail.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• how to play the violin
• violin lessons
• beginning violin

[Nixlplix]

I rosined my bow pretty well but still get that tell-tale squeak when I stop moving the bow for this lesson. I started out with a viola but traded it in for a violin after 5 days. I guess maybe violin requires more pressure to avoid squeakies? Or just more practice maybe :)

[Zclipse]

Just keep practicing. In the beginning it will make a sort of crunchie sound when you stop the bow, but that's actually good because it means you are getting the stops down. As you get better you will learn how to stop the bow without so much extra noise. However, I like to hear some crunching with beginners because it means they are using enough weight. If you don't use enough weight then you will squeak, and squeaking never goes away. The more you try to avoid it, the more it happens!

[Nixlplix]

@Zclipse Thanks, I will definitely keep practicing! I just watched your video about holding the bow, because I was getting a little bounce still. Now I see what I was doing wrong. I also thought I was bowing straight (parallel to the bridge) but when I look in the mirror it's definitely not straight.

[Zclipse]

Bowing straight takes a LOT of practice, so don't get too frustrated with that, it's just something you need to chip away at one day at a time. A bouncing bow will definitely increase your squeaking sounds, so it's good that you figured that out.

[PenanceAnima]

Thank you! :) *likes the fact you said not to skipp around XD* I do that all the time with other stuff.

I'm beginning to learn the violin too, but on my own. I don't have any teachers here (and too cheap XD)i really like these lesson. I'll subsiribe to you. Thansk! ^_^

[Zclipse]

If you find these lessons helpful, you may want to consider buying a couple of my dvds. I am starting an online coaching group for free, but you do need to have the dvds to participate. I can ship them anywhere in the world. Let me know if you have any questions about anything and I will be happy to help!

[NoraAdeleKress]

Where do I find the CD to learn where to place the tape for my fingers?

[jaketess]

Thank you!

[11secure]

@Zclipse Hmm.. I don't think teaching a complex instrument to yourself is a good idea. But for low budget a DVD might be a good idea. But it would never replace my real teacher. Your explained quite good and your left hand is quite good, but your right hand... sorry, but the bow posture is horrible, way too relaxed, hand should be farther down! and you play in a strong clipped manner, violin also sounds strange, metallic... ;/ I'm not English.

[asahely27]

i wonder how many lessaon do you have

[jay1995122]

can i use a piece of tissue to wipe the white dust on my string after playing?or is that any other method that i can use to keep my violin clean?

[CiliaDarren]

@TheParanormaldancer make sure its tuned correctly

[TheParanormaldancer]

i just started yesterday and im not making any squeaking but my violin sounds different from yours is that ok or am I doing something wrong........ I need a teacher .

[wolfeye101]

What if my 'E' string is squeky is this normal ,because my step brother yells at me for this fact

[alienallie123321]

Hey =)) I m watching your lessons for 2 days and i m playing violin for one day now , and i have a question: have the finger length a role in playing violin?

[gateway370]

@Zclipse hello i would like to know more abt violin and learn more if u cud pls mail me and help me out i am so interested to learn this.my mail id is shalil_1982@yahoo.co.in thank you and would be really greatful if u cud help m e out i am from india kerala. hoping for a positive reply from u