I was taught by a Violin Tutor at School and stopped to take my GCE Exams. He became a friend of the family. As a symphony orchestra violinist he taught me to about grade 6 but regrettably i did not take any grades. I am now 76 and taken the instrument up again. I purchased Sevcik opus 8 but it is a little daunting in exercises . I need a system to move from 1st. to 7th or 8th. position. I have purchased Williams Theme music Schindlers List and the the higher notes need finding. Also my vibrato is still in infancy. Kind Regards, Alan
hi, im really glad you are learning from these videos. whilst they are no substitute for a personal and private tutor, they are the next best thing to it and its also good to hear how everyone is getting on and that my videos are actually working and useful!! Thank you for commenting Alison
Hi Alison, I must thank you for these videos. I stumbled across these very useful clips as I've been defectively exercising my old violin skills. It's been 16 years since I did my last exam(gr.8) ! I moved to beautiful England from Canada and was unable to bring my Violin with me. But then last month a man just GAVE me a violin one drunken night and insisted that I should get back into playing. Your videos have helped me so much so that I have not given up and now plan on playing for a long time
I really appreciate this lesson on HOW TO: Shift Positions on the Violin TUTORIAL, been practicing my violin on and off i tend to forget some of the stuff i have learned from my violin teacher back then. it's a refresher.
Thanks for this I've been self teaching for about a year now and thought I'd try learning new positions other than first :) since I can't afford to get lessons, people like yourself are extremely valuable to me so I just thought I'd show my appreciation for your time and thoughtfulness. Thanks, you rock :)
You could try to old the neck of the violin with the tip of your thumb which will therefore enable you to levitate the hand if you like up and over the strings enabling you to move freely into higher positions - hope that makes sense?
I doubly protected my Violin for the coming of 21st December 2012. 22nd December and my violin breathes fresh air again, and I am so glad to wish you A Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year 2013. Now waiting for the next prediction of the End of the World when I will doubly protect my violin again !!! God bless, Alison.
Hey Alison, love your videos. Your suggestions are really helpful. I am learning to play again after 30 years in large measure due to seeing one of your videos on accident. I had forgotten how much I missed it and I have learned so much from you. Thanks ever so much. You explained Vibrato better than anyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful video ! I especially like how you take the time to stop and show us what your fingers are doing, not only from the front of the violin, but from the back as well. Looking forward to watching more of your videos ! Thank you for your great work.
I forgot how much I missed it. Now thanks to you (and your lovely nail polish), I am getting back into it without just a foggy memory to work with. Basically, I wanted to thank you. So...Thank you. - Jess
i know this is an old video, but information is still great, just a funny observation (i don't play violin yet, but i do play guitar)...you have what's called 'bendy thumb', i have it too and used to think everyone could do it (bend tip of thumb backwards) because it just comes natural to us hehe...try to remember that not everyone can do that so when you're teaching someone and say "just bend your thumb backwards and rest it on the neck" and they struggle, odds are they probably can't physically do it hehe
thanks alison i really learn everday from you by watching these videos.i owe alot to you.thank you so much for these videos.😊you are really a very nice human being and helpful for people us.
Thank you Alison from me as well as I am just starting out and really appreciate your instructions. On a side note, since I am an American guy, I hope it's OK as well to say that your hair looks gorgeous and along with your British accent, they only add to the whole learning experience. So much more refreshing that watching some old boring guy. Looking forward to your next tutorial videos.
yes its normal. you will get stronger as time goes on. As long as the pain is not intense so much so that its abnormal or it doesnt go away, then there should be nothing to worry about. You should practise as long as you feel necessary. Its like asking how long is a piece of string? You should practise until you feel you have achieved what you need to. To start with anything from 30mins to an hour a day should be sufficient...hope that helps to get you started. Alison
Hi! I just really wanted to thank you, you explain so clearly and with so much patience. Im a beginner and I have some mistakes yet, like not relaxing my thumb enough so this doesent allow me to move a lot. But Im practicing almost every day and trying to be constant. Sorry if I wrote weird :) Hugs from México!!
Hi Alison, I am picking up piano and violin again. Took lessons for a while when I was young. I am finding your videos to be very useful. I find your communication skills to be excellent. I haven't gotten through all your videos but look forward to them and others in the future.
thank yu so much Alison for the simplicity in your teaching. i guess it comes with a lot of patience too. i have to increase the practice hours though. will let you know how it comes..your methods are easy to follow. thanks. have a nice day!
Thanks! This was very useful - D major being "a bit out of tune" [sic], or not. Some people are really so ungrateful and downright graceless. For some reason, sometimes, I tend to tighten my left thumb during vibrato and keep it tightened while shifting positions. The same for when I use the fourth finger. As a result the instrument slides under my chin towards my neck; and in order to stabilise it I raise my left shoulder. I prefer to play without shoulder support.
good question and one i think on ly a video can answer as it would take me many many messages to type out an answer! hope thats ok - keep you eyes peeled.....
you are talking about a chin rest and not shoulder rest? I have never seen a violin without a chin rest (the black thing that sits next to the tail piece on the front of the violin)
Hi there, great video but I am having problems working out the notes in second and third position etc. I can playing in a number of keys in first but keep getting stuck when shifting to second. Is there a fingering diagram so I can learn them off by heart rather than trying to calculate them?
Hi. To a certain extent. You will hopefully learn the basics which you can decide what to do from there on in. These lessons - or anyone's on UA-cam (including me) for that matter will not get you up to our standard for example, BUT what I aim to do is give you the best and correct understanding of the basics so that if you were to go to a private tutor, you will not have picked up ban habits or be told totally wrong as there is a lot of that here on UA-cam. Hope that helps? Alison
in all honesty because i dont have anyone to help me film, I find it hard to play in tune whilst looking at the camera and in the screen on the side of the camera to make sure not only Im in view, but my fingers and bow all are at the same time and doing all this whilst angling my violin at an awkward 45 degree angle - so you are correct. im trying my best to fix it though. Viewers should be able to get the idea of the videos at the very least....
Hi Alison I would really appreciate it if you make another video on positions with more details because they are very important, and I hope that you give me exercises on all positions or most of them at least.THANK YOU
actually I like that take on shifting while holding with your chin I haven't played in an orchestra in over 6 years and I lost out being in varsity because of shifting failure senior year the only reason I was able to hold a strong place in the upper first section was for the mere fact that all the music we were playing could be easily played in 3rd I asked a private instructor once how to shift into the higher positions and they said to release left thumb but you tend to more individual needs
I dont know - this video is over 2 years old now. It was fine at the time. I dont think i said anything super important anyway....so you didnt miss much,
Thanks, my teacher recently started me on this and it's great to have an online resource for it. I've been trying to go through the first measures in Sevick Op.8. I sort of can move to higher positions, but moving to a lower position is something I cannot do without stopping a moving. It doesn't sounds very smooth.
+D. Løan You are possibly not letting the hand move as a WHOLE. Its hard to do, but you sort of let go, move then carry on playing. All this is done in a split second.
Its under the video tutorial i did for Echos only a few days ago. You will see it on my channel page. I will privately message you the book like anyway....
well whatever you can afford then. There are literally hundreds of brands so i couldnt advise on them all. I recommend the Stentor 2 and after seeing lots of students with various other violins i have narrowed it down to this one to make it easier to recommend a violin to everyone. The more you can spend, generally the beter it will be.
Hi, I have been playing for a year now and I'm self taught. Your tutorials have helped a lot, thank you very much. I am practicing Bach's Partita 2 and Sonata 1 right now. While changing positions I have that sliding sound (something like glissando). It does sound good in some emotional pieces but not all the time. Any tips for that ?
I wouldnt have thought so....ones hand doesnt really touch the violin much as its only the thumb and part of the index finger that has contact. I would say though that i would be wary about having talc on the part of the finger that touches the string. I shall do some further investigation and ask someone else for you and get back to you with a solution...Alison
oh...i tried playing without one cause it hurt my chin and neck and it felt alot better...but it did affect my playing a tad bit.. have you ever tried to play without one
Ah that makes shifting a wee bit clearer... was going to send you some bits from the violin book off amazon to get you to explain it a tad more..... but you just did :) ty
when i press from one string to another, i heard the string plucking.. it seems that the string is sticking on my finger tip.. how can i avoid this? thanks! :)
I have a question. I have really short fingers, therefore reaching fifth position notes are a bit of a challenge. is there anything i can do to make it easier?
i m lookin at buying a electric violin just to have fun with do you have any advice as to what i should look for? i am not a serious player im just having fun. so it wont have to be anything fancy... i subed:) you are amazing
its the UK way of establishing your musical education/knowledge. They range from grade 1 through to grade 8 then onto diplomas. If you reach grade 8 which usually takes 10-15 years (properly done i mean) then you have 'learnt' everything you need to learn, than after that you starter really learning to 'play' pieces when you take diploma exams.
Hi I have difficulty playing C sharp and D in the A string Somehow my 3rd finger can’t touch the D note I tried everything but my 3rd finger goes under the neck instead of staying over😫😫
it's extremely difficult to play on the g string in 3rd position . Can you include some tips on how to do this. I've been playing for about 5 years , only 1st position for jigs reels etc so g d and a and no vibrato but would like to learn more . Thanks for the videos Peter
Yes, thanks! I think it all started because the edge of the chin-rest digs in to my jaw bone and hurts. I have been trying to "cheat" by tightening my grip in order to compensate for loosening my chin hold; and it became a habit. I must find a more comfortable chin-rest so that I would stop doing that.
ii've got a question im sure other self taught people out there do too when they are looking at sheet music ..how do you know while looking at sheet music when to shift like ledger notes out of the stave do you shift for that? a sheet tutorial would help clear that out
when the notes go above the ledger lines, then you need to go into position, but depending on the music will depends on what position and what fingers you use when you are there. Its why i cant really make a video on that as it depends entirely on the music in question.
Let's see the titanic song there are quite many places where the notes just jump off the normal stave lol so if maybe you could associate the actual movement with a sheet example we'll all find it a lot more easier
Alison, I wanted to thank you for the videos. I do have a question. I started a couple of weeks ago with the violin and my shoulder (left) with which I hold the violin seems to get sore or tired. Is this normal? How often and for how long should I practice?
ur right. Its just getting bogged down with semantics and picking holes in things that dont matter or pointless!You all get the idea and purpose of the vid was to show and educate, not for me to audition! You need to loosen your grip in your L.H momentarily when shifting positions and the take the weight and strength of the violin under your chin so you are for a split second, holding the violin with your chin for support so the hand/fingers can shift happily into position. Does that make sense?
Hi! I have the problem of left hand finger slippage (especially the third finger and pinky ) while shifting for higher positions ( while practising D/E/F Major three octaves) Can I know how to rectify it ? And my hand frame seems to take a toll while shifting in very high positions....I would be very happy if you can help me out! Thanks!!
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor If it's fine, I can send a video recording of the problem I face while shifting....is there any way I can send that to you? Thanks for the reply!
Hey Allison, When I practice shifting from first to thrid the pad of my thumb and the neck of my violin have alot of friction. And its like almost sticky like from the humidity I guess or a build up of oils from my fingers? I am in Washington DC and I wanted to know if there was a way to counter this? Thanks!
Hmm, tricky - I know EXCATLY what you mean, but im not really sure what you can do about it. I always temporarily grip the violin with my neck so that i can release my hand grip long enough to shift it up, then when the hand is in place, it takes the weight again of the violin - if that makes sense. Having a smooth neck also helps. If you have a cheaper violin is will most likely either be not varnished nicely, or literally so saturated in gloss its more 'sticky'. There is talc you can use on your thumb? I dont know what else im afraid...sorry.
Currently starting to play without a shoulder rest and finding that I feel more relaxed in the left hand, the only downside is getting used to down shifting, any tips?
Something you have to work on - this is why not always using a shoulder rest can be a hindrance....Just keep trying with and without and then make s decision. I guess for me, I just keep the grip tight between my shoulder and neck - not deathly tight, but you know, tight enough so I can move my hand back down without the violin moving about the show.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutorThank you for the advice. I thought I'd give it a try and see what suits me best seeing as the shoulder rest debate seems to rage on.
Regarding shifting, could you comment on how you think about the fingerboard? For example, from first position, I'm learning second finger on the A string will be a C#... But should we memorize like that when we go to other positions, or should we visualize the board like a piano and just move to whatever position an then hit the note because you know that the F# on the A string is four whole steps and one half step from the nut? Do you have a video on what to think about when reading music that is in a higher position?
no i dont, because how i think will be far to different from everyone else and probably only be useful to a very small minority. Memorise them how you feel best to memorise them as long as they are memorised. I know thats no help at all, but as long as you know where the notes are in each position on each string, then you are good to go.
Hi! Allison thanks for all your upload video I really want to learn how to play violin what is the name of your site where I can print the script. Thanks a lot :-)
Hi. In all honesty, its nothing to be concerned about. Its probably happening because 1. you are new at this, 2. you wont hear it when you come to do shifting properly as part of a song and 3. sometimes your fingers stick if they are sweaty lol! It happens to me sometimes, but nothing to be concerned about. would guess that when you get going on this and shifting in real pieces, it wont be noticed. Let me know how you get on. Alison
Hey! I've got a question! How can I quickly shift from 1st position to 3rd position while shift from D string to the A string, for example I'm on the D string playing G than I have to shift to G on the A string. How can I do that? (Actually I'm playing can can hehe)
+Rebecca Biedler No i dont - the reason being is that the vast majority of my subscribers are outside of the UK so there would be little point in me going to the effort to make a video on grades, besides that info is readily available all over the internet if you do a search on Google.
no, thank you for taking the time to comment and supporting me! Be sure to subscribe so you can keep up with all the latest info I have to offer you folks...:)) Alison
Can you make a video on seventh position?? Im having a hard time shifting to a D on the e string because im suppose to play a D Major Three Octave Scale.
Nhu Nguyen Im really not sure what to say about it? Im afraid this sort of advanced stuff is not popular on my channel, which is why I dont tend to cover these topics. Perhaps its something i can just 'explain'?
it should be continuous as if you were not even changing positions. You should not let position changes interfere with the sound and therefore bow. Hope that makes sense.
I'm moving out of state soon and I'm looking for a violin to buy before I do. Where I take lessons, violins are given to us for free. The thing is, the violin given to me now is one I love (a Franz Hoffman Amadeus) and the only one I have ever had experience with. Should I buy an Amadeus or take my chance with a different brand? Also, both of my cellos are Franz Hoffman Amadeus' as well, so...
hi Miss Allison is so great i have you as a teacher on the violin an d little-bet piano i like you very much as my teacher i like the way you talk and the way you are very nice as a person and look any time i need help i look over your videos
I want to shift to 5th position from 1st position. Note: B - F or B - F# I want to know if these 2 end notes has the same arm/hand position or the arm/hand position is SLIGHTLY different when shifting to F or F#. I doubt that there's any difference at all because i use my finger to adjust to the end note. That mean, 1 hand/arm position but 2 different finger shape. Am i doing the shift right? and think i'm wrong... just wanna be sure.
pretty much same hand position - doesnt matter if its F or F sharp really, but then again, depends what you are going to do next as this might actually alter what position.
Oh Thank you so much! I thought i have to separately practice for F-5th position and F#-5th position, So it's just a matter of key then but what do you mean by the next action may alter the position?
Nicola nilo martino well its technically the same position if you are in 5th whether you are doing F or F sharp, but if your next note is higher for example, and your note of F in 5th position is actually an F sharp, then you may want to consider having the hand slightly further up in preparation for the next note which is higher.
Hi Ms. Alison. Can i ask something? i just want to make sure that i'm on the right track. I've been doing shifting for a long time and intonation has always been the thing that i'm addicted in improving and so this question popped up in my mind. What is the main guide or reference for us violinist to know that we are already on the right note? I've been reading Basics by Simon Fischer mainly and i got this 'Ghosting' technique for building shifting technique but it wasn't mentioned there what is the core technique in shifting, i only know that we are training our arm(elbow/hand) to memorize and to feel the distance. Do we always depend on the 'ghosting' to tell ourselves that we're on the right note? That little fuzzy soft sound we purposely make during the shift. Or are we always at the mercy of our arms on how 'used to' our arm in shifting to that position? Is 'Ghosting' really part of actual playing or is it only used for building Shifting technique? Some people call Ghosting as Yost Method. www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=20430 Thanks :D
yes, its all about knowing where to go and learning where and how far the gap is. You can use your ear to listen to that soft 'sound' you get right before you know you are at the right note, but ultimately, its muscle memory.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor I see. I thought so too because i feel guilty when i don't use Ghosting and depend only on my muscle memory, now i can free myself of that guilt. Thanks a lot. :D
Either the notes are too high (on the E string) and therefore you need to go into a higher position and secondly, the music often tells you. Thirdly, once you get advanced, you can manipulate the sound of playing in open, 2nd, 3rd and 4th to your advantage and change the sound, tone and expression accordingly. You would be doing no.3 once you have been playing several years. For now, the music will tell you.
Rodney Arcega what do you want to know? Just shit faster and practice the shifts. Thats it really. Make sure you shift freely as I show in the video. The video says most of it really.
I mean D(2nd) to G(3rd) and then back to D(2nd string). I press the D(2nd string) then i'm confused where i should play the G(3rd) it may be either pressing my ring finger to the A string or reaching it at the 2nd string using my pinky. Which way is better for going back to G 3rd?
Rodney Arcega I still dont understand you - when you say D2nd is that the 2nd finger on the D string as an F going to the 3rd finger on the G string? If so, then why cant you just use your 2nd finger on the D and 3rd finger on the G? I might need to see the music really in order to comment as I could be telling you wrongly depending on what the music is that you are trying to play?
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1011909195501308&set=a.737436372948593.1073741827.100000467116100&type=1&theater there it is ma'am. the sequence is red-purple-red in slur. But which purple?
One way to help with the instrument with non-smooth neck area is to buy some sort of wax and then send it with 6000+ grit sandpaper. I use paste wax on my cheap instrument, but violin makers actually use beeswax around that area.
Im not an expert but I like to put tape down on where the first finger would be in the higher position and quick alternate high notes with the lower notes... I then jam in that scale and learn quickly if I am off key or not...
I was taught by a Violin Tutor at School and stopped to take my GCE Exams.
He became a friend of the family. As a symphony orchestra violinist he taught me to about grade 6 but regrettably i did not take any grades.
I am now 76 and taken the instrument up again. I purchased Sevcik opus 8 but it is a little daunting in exercises . I need a system to move from 1st. to 7th or 8th. position.
I have purchased Williams Theme music Schindlers List and the the higher notes need finding. Also my vibrato is still in infancy.
Kind Regards, Alan
hi, im really glad you are learning from these videos. whilst they are no substitute for a personal and private tutor, they are the next best thing to it and its also good to hear how everyone is getting on and that my videos are actually working and useful!!
Thank you for commenting
Alison
Hi Alison,
I must thank you for these videos. I stumbled across these very useful clips as I've been defectively exercising my old violin skills. It's been 16 years since I did my last exam(gr.8) ! I moved to beautiful England from Canada and was unable to bring my Violin with me. But then last month a man just GAVE me a violin one drunken night and insisted that I should get back into playing. Your videos have helped me so much so that I have not given up and now plan on playing for a long time
I really appreciate this lesson on HOW TO: Shift Positions on the Violin TUTORIAL, been practicing my violin on and off i tend to forget some of the stuff i have learned from my violin teacher back then. it's a refresher.
Thanks for this I've been self teaching for about a year now and thought I'd try learning new positions other than first :) since I can't afford to get lessons, people like yourself are extremely valuable to me so I just thought I'd show my appreciation for your time and thoughtfulness. Thanks, you rock :)
You could try to old the neck of the violin with the tip of your thumb which will therefore enable you to levitate the hand if you like up and over the strings enabling you to move freely into higher positions - hope that makes sense?
I doubly protected my Violin for the coming of 21st December 2012. 22nd December and my violin breathes fresh air again, and I am so glad to wish you A Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year 2013.
Now waiting for the next prediction of the End of the World when I will doubly protect my violin again !!!
God bless, Alison.
Hey Alison, love your videos. Your suggestions are really helpful. I am learning to play again after 30 years in large measure due to seeing one of your videos on accident. I had forgotten how much I missed it and I have learned so much from you. Thanks ever so much. You explained Vibrato better than anyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful video ! I especially like how you take the time to stop and show us what your fingers are doing, not only from the front of the violin, but from the back as well. Looking forward to watching more of your videos ! Thank you for your great work.
I forgot how much I missed it. Now thanks to you (and your lovely nail polish), I am getting back into it without just a foggy memory to work with.
Basically, I wanted to thank you.
So...Thank you.
- Jess
i love my beautiful teacher and her eyes ,, love love love and great respect my beautiful teacher Alison
i know this is an old video, but information is still great, just a funny observation (i don't play violin yet, but i do play guitar)...you have what's called 'bendy thumb', i have it too and used to think everyone could do it (bend tip of thumb backwards) because it just comes natural to us hehe...try to remember that not everyone can do that so when you're teaching someone and say "just bend your thumb backwards and rest it on the neck" and they struggle, odds are they probably can't physically do it hehe
Thank you. You go into so much more detail than other videos than I've seen.
thanks alison i really learn everday from you by watching these videos.i owe alot to you.thank you so much for these videos.😊you are really a very nice human being and helpful for people us.
Thank you Alison from me as well as I am just starting out and really appreciate your instructions. On a side note, since I am an American guy, I hope it's OK as well to say that your hair looks gorgeous and along with your British accent, they only add to the whole learning experience. So much more refreshing that watching some old boring guy.
Looking forward to your next tutorial videos.
You published this on my birthday...and you look great with you hair up! Thank you so much for the lesson...
yes its normal. you will get stronger as time goes on. As long as the pain is not intense so much so that its abnormal or it doesnt go away, then there should be nothing to worry about. You should practise as long as you feel necessary. Its like asking how long is a piece of string? You should practise until you feel you have achieved what you need to. To start with anything from 30mins to an hour a day should be sufficient...hope that helps to get you started. Alison
Hi! I just really wanted to thank you, you explain so clearly and with so much patience. Im a beginner and I have some mistakes yet, like not relaxing my thumb enough so this doesent allow me to move a lot. But Im practicing almost every day and trying to be constant. Sorry if I wrote weird :) Hugs from México!!
How wonderful for you to post this. I love my freshly acquired violin and I need these type of how to's so bad!!
Thank You madam for this technique to hold violin between chin and shoulder while shifting to higher positions🎻🙏🏼
Hi Alison, I am picking up piano and violin again. Took lessons for a while when I was young. I am finding your videos to be very useful. I find your communication skills to be excellent. I haven't gotten through all your videos but look forward to them and others in the future.
thank yu so much Alison for the simplicity in your teaching. i guess it comes with a lot of patience too. i have to increase the practice hours though. will let you know how it comes..your methods are easy to follow. thanks. have a nice day!
do you mean where can you print the music I use in videos from? All the links are under each video for immediate printing.
Thanks! This was very useful - D major being "a bit out of tune" [sic], or not. Some people are really so ungrateful and downright graceless.
For some reason, sometimes, I tend to tighten my left thumb during vibrato and keep it tightened while shifting positions. The same for when I use the fourth finger. As a result the instrument slides under my chin towards my neck; and in order to stabilise it I raise my left shoulder. I prefer to play without shoulder support.
good question and one i think on ly a video can answer as it would take me many many messages to type out an answer! hope thats ok - keep you eyes peeled.....
thanks and you are very welcome!! Alison
Thank you so much. It was a very useful lesson for me as a guitar player and a beginner violinist. Also you look so beautiful.
you are talking about a chin rest and not shoulder rest? I have never seen a violin without a chin rest (the black thing that sits next to the tail piece on the front of the violin)
Thank you! Your videos are so helpful !!!
very good teaching and to talk about shifting
Hi there, great video but I am having problems working out the notes in second and third position etc. I can playing in a number of keys in first but keep getting stuck when shifting to second. Is there a fingering diagram so I can learn them off by heart rather than trying to calculate them?
I love this tutorial. I laughed out loud wen you said "grip quite tightly(ish)"! Another great lesson. Thanks so much.
Hi. To a certain extent. You will hopefully learn the basics which you can decide what to do from there on in. These lessons - or anyone's on UA-cam (including me) for that matter will not get you up to our standard for example, BUT what I aim to do is give you the best and correct understanding of the basics so that if you were to go to a private tutor, you will not have picked up ban habits or be told totally wrong as there is a lot of that here on UA-cam. Hope that helps? Alison
in all honesty because i dont have anyone to help me film, I find it hard to play in tune whilst looking at the camera and in the screen on the side of the camera to make sure not only Im in view, but my fingers and bow all are at the same time and doing all this whilst angling my violin at an awkward 45 degree angle - so you are correct. im trying my best to fix it though.
Viewers should be able to get the idea of the videos at the very least....
You are really an excellent teacher.
Hi Alison I would really appreciate it if you make another video on positions with more details because they are very important, and I hope that you give me exercises on all positions or most of them at least.THANK YOU
actually I like that take on shifting while holding with your chin I haven't played in an orchestra in over 6 years and I lost out being in varsity because of shifting failure senior year the only reason I was able to hold a strong place in the upper first section was for the mere fact that all the music we were playing could be easily played in 3rd I asked a private instructor once how to shift into the higher positions and they said to release left thumb but you tend to more individual needs
Your tips are great. Thanks for showing us
Got it! Fiddling around finding high notes. A lot of this seems to be by ear?
hey, at 2:53 there's a 5-second corruption of this video. Is there a way to fix it?
I dont know - this video is over 2 years old now. It was fine at the time. I dont think i said anything super important anyway....so you didnt miss much,
@grace li As I said to the previous person, there is absolutely nothing I can do about this now. Its over 6 years old!
Thanks, my teacher recently started me on this and it's great to have an online resource for it. I've been trying to go through the first measures in Sevick Op.8. I sort of can move to higher positions, but moving to a lower position is something I cannot do without stopping a moving. It doesn't sounds very smooth.
+D. Løan You are possibly not letting the hand move as a WHOLE. Its hard to do, but you sort of let go, move then carry on playing. All this is done in a split second.
Thank you for sharing this with me.
hi, thanks for the video, when we shift position , the bow should always stay on the string and it will stop a bit?
Its under the video tutorial i did for Echos only a few days ago. You will see it on my channel page. I will privately message you the book like anyway....
Brilliant video; thanks, Alison! I also enjoyed your one on vibrato. 🙏
well whatever you can afford then. There are literally hundreds of brands so i couldnt advise on them all. I recommend the Stentor 2 and after seeing lots of students with various other violins i have narrowed it down to this one to make it easier to recommend a violin to everyone. The more you can spend, generally the beter it will be.
Hi, I have been playing for a year now and I'm self taught. Your tutorials have helped a lot, thank you very much. I am practicing Bach's Partita 2 and Sonata 1 right now.
While changing positions I have that sliding sound (something like glissando). It does sound good in some emotional pieces but not all the time. Any tips for that ?
Apart from move quicker, not really.
I want a good and a cheaper violin...can anyone suggest anythng?
thanks for heart ,, Love u so much , my beautiful teacher one in million
I was wondering what happened to the new book you had come out with? I do not see it anymore.
I wouldnt have thought so....ones hand doesnt really touch the violin much as its only the thumb and part of the index finger that has contact.
I would say though that i would be wary about having talc on the part of the finger that touches the string.
I shall do some further investigation and ask someone else for you and get back to you with a solution...Alison
oh...i tried playing without one cause it hurt my chin and neck and it felt alot better...but it did affect my playing a tad bit.. have you ever tried to play without one
Alison how can we understand if song is in first , second or third position ??
Ah that makes shifting a wee bit clearer... was going to send you some bits from the violin book off amazon to get you to explain it a tad more..... but you just did :) ty
Wow amazing 🙏🙏🎻🎻🎻💗💗
when i press from one string to another, i heard the string plucking.. it seems that the string is sticking on my finger tip.. how can i avoid this? thanks! :)
I have a question. I have really short fingers, therefore reaching fifth position notes are a bit of a challenge. is there anything i can do to make it easier?
i m lookin at buying a electric violin just to have fun with do you have any advice as to what i should look for? i am not a serious player im just having fun. so it wont have to be anything fancy... i subed:) you are amazing
its the UK way of establishing your musical education/knowledge. They range from grade 1 through to grade 8 then onto diplomas. If you reach grade 8 which usually takes 10-15 years (properly done i mean) then you have 'learnt' everything you need to learn, than after that you starter really learning to 'play' pieces when you take diploma exams.
Hi I have difficulty playing C sharp and D in the A string Somehow my 3rd finger can’t touch the D note I tried everything but my 3rd finger goes under the neck instead of staying over😫😫
it's extremely difficult to play on the g string in 3rd position . Can you include some tips on how to do this. I've been playing for about 5 years , only 1st position for jigs reels etc so g d and a and no vibrato but would like to learn more . Thanks for the videos Peter
I do believe I have already done a video on this.
Yes, thanks! I think it all started because the edge of the chin-rest digs in to my jaw bone and hurts. I have been trying to "cheat" by tightening my grip in order to compensate for loosening my chin hold; and it became a habit. I must find a more comfortable chin-rest so that I would stop doing that.
ii've got a question im sure other self taught people out there do too when they are looking at sheet music ..how do you know while looking at sheet music when to shift like ledger notes out of the stave do you shift for that? a sheet tutorial would help clear that out
when the notes go above the ledger lines, then you need to go into position, but depending on the music will depends on what position and what fingers you use when you are there. Its why i cant really make a video on that as it depends entirely on the music in question.
Let's see the titanic song there are quite many places where the notes just jump off the normal stave lol so if maybe you could associate the actual movement with a sheet example we'll all find it a lot more easier
does shifting need to be added with glissando?
Would applying some talcum powder on my hand damage the varnish of the violin?
Would you recommend applying some wax under where the thumb slides
+danngerify No. You dont need to.
Alison,
I wanted to thank you for the videos. I do have a question. I started a couple of weeks ago with the violin and my shoulder (left) with which I hold the violin seems to get sore or tired. Is this normal?
How often and for how long should I practice?
Thank you. Very useful for me.
ur right. Its just getting bogged down with semantics and picking holes in things that dont matter or pointless!You all get the idea and purpose of the vid was to show and educate, not for me to audition!
You need to loosen your grip in your L.H momentarily when shifting positions and the take the weight and strength of the violin under your chin so you are for a split second, holding the violin with your chin for support so the hand/fingers can shift happily into position. Does that make sense?
Hi! I have the problem of left hand finger slippage (especially the third finger and pinky ) while shifting for higher positions ( while practising D/E/F Major three octaves) Can I know how to rectify it ? And my hand frame seems to take a toll while shifting in very high positions....I would be very happy if you can help me out! Thanks!!
Unfortunately this isn’t something I can help with here as I would need to see what you’re doing in order to help as I don’t know what’s going on.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor If it's fine, I can send a video recording of the problem I face while shifting....is there any way I can send that to you? Thanks for the reply!
Hey Allison, When I practice shifting from first to thrid the pad of my thumb and the neck of my violin have alot of friction. And its like almost sticky like from the humidity I guess or a build up of oils from my fingers? I am in Washington DC and I wanted to know if there was a way to counter this? Thanks!
Hmm, tricky - I know EXCATLY what you mean, but im not really sure what you can do about it.
I always temporarily grip the violin with my neck so that i can release my hand grip long enough to shift it up, then when the hand is in place, it takes the weight again of the violin - if that makes sense. Having a smooth neck also helps. If you have a cheaper violin is will most likely either be not varnished nicely, or literally so saturated in gloss its more 'sticky'. There is talc you can use on your thumb? I dont know what else im afraid...sorry.
Thank you so much!!:))) i will look into it. your videos are so helpful i m sooo glad i found you!!! Thanks!:)
Maam should we press the strings realy hard to get another tones
Currently starting to play without a shoulder rest and finding that I feel more relaxed in the left hand, the only downside is getting used to down shifting, any tips?
Something you have to work on - this is why not always using a shoulder rest can be a hindrance....Just keep trying with and without and then make s decision.
I guess for me, I just keep the grip tight between my shoulder and neck - not deathly tight, but you know, tight enough so I can move my hand back down without the violin moving about the show.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutorThank you for the advice. I thought I'd give it a try and see what suits me best seeing as the shoulder rest debate seems to rage on.
Regarding shifting, could you comment on how you think about the fingerboard? For example, from first position, I'm learning second finger on the A string will be a C#... But should we memorize like that when we go to other positions, or should we visualize the board like a piano and just move to whatever position an then hit the note because you know that the F# on the A string is four whole steps and one half step from the nut? Do you have a video on what to think about when reading music that is in a higher position?
no i dont, because how i think will be far to different from everyone else and probably only be useful to a very small minority.
Memorise them how you feel best to memorise them as long as they are memorised.
I know thats no help at all, but as long as you know where the notes are in each position on each string, then you are good to go.
Hi! Allison thanks for all your upload video I really want to learn how to play violin what is the name of your site where I can print the script. Thanks a lot :-)
That was my problem Lol:) Blessings Alison Love your Music!
Hi. In all honesty, its nothing to be concerned about. Its probably happening because 1. you are new at this, 2. you wont hear it when you come to do shifting properly as part of a song and 3. sometimes your fingers stick if they are sweaty lol! It happens to me sometimes, but nothing to be concerned about. would guess that when you get going on this and shifting in real pieces, it wont be noticed.
Let me know how you get on. Alison
Hey! I've got a question! How can I quickly shift from 1st position to 3rd position while shift from D string to the A string, for example I'm on the D string playing G than I have to shift to G on the A string. How can I do that? (Actually I'm playing can can hehe)
Do you have any suggestion on simple pieces require shifting new position? I look at the suzuki book but a bit too complicated at the beginning
kong023 Neil Mackay wrote a good book about shifting positions. Type him into google or amazon and it should come up.
Do you have a video that kind of gives an overview of the different "grades" and what is generally expected for each? (I am a beginner- obviously.)
+Rebecca Biedler No i dont - the reason being is that the vast majority of my subscribers are outside of the UK so there would be little point in me going to the effort to make a video on grades, besides that info is readily available all over the internet if you do a search on Google.
no, thank you for taking the time to comment and supporting me! Be sure to subscribe so you can keep up with all the latest info I have to offer you folks...:)) Alison
Can you make a video on seventh position?? Im having a hard time shifting to a D on the e string because im suppose to play a D Major Three Octave Scale.
Nhu Nguyen Im really not sure what to say about it? Im afraid this sort of advanced stuff is not popular on my channel, which is why I dont tend to cover these topics. Perhaps its something i can just 'explain'?
Oh okay. I'm just having a hard time trying to reach the high D with my pinky when i shift?? do you have any tips??
Tnx a lot , really i like your metod of teach.
it should be continuous as if you were not even changing positions. You should not let position changes interfere with the sound and therefore bow. Hope that makes sense.
are chin rest essiential?? or just a personal need/want for one?
james
I'm moving out of state soon and I'm looking for a violin to buy before I do. Where I take lessons, violins are given to us for free. The thing is, the violin given to me now is one I love (a Franz Hoffman Amadeus) and the only one I have ever had experience with. Should I buy an Amadeus or take my chance with a different brand?
Also, both of my cellos are Franz Hoffman Amadeus' as well, so...
Madyson Weaver I dont know anything about the Hoffmans im afraid. Perhaps someone else here can help you?
Oh, okay. Thanks anyway. :)
Thanks for the video!
When you shift should there be a slurring sound?
Yes at first but when u get good at it the slurring grows faint
I have a similar problems because I have short fingers, I am not quite sure what you are referring to.
hi Miss Allison is so great i have you as a teacher on the violin an d little-bet piano i like you very much as my teacher i like the way you talk and the way you are very nice as a person and look any time i need help i look over your videos
thanks! :)
I want to shift to 5th position from 1st position.
Note: B - F or B - F#
I want to know if these 2 end notes has the same arm/hand position or the arm/hand position is SLIGHTLY different when shifting to F or F#.
I doubt that there's any difference at all because i use my finger to adjust to the end note. That mean, 1 hand/arm position but 2 different finger shape. Am i doing the shift right? and think i'm wrong... just wanna be sure.
pretty much same hand position - doesnt matter if its F or F sharp really, but then again, depends what you are going to do next as this might actually alter what position.
Oh Thank you so much! I thought i have to separately practice for F-5th position and F#-5th position, So it's just a matter of key then but what do you mean by the next action may alter the position?
Nicola nilo martino well its technically the same position if you are in 5th whether you are doing F or F sharp, but if your next note is higher for example, and your note of F in 5th position is actually an F sharp, then you may want to consider having the hand slightly further up in preparation for the next note which is higher.
Oh i see. Thanks a lot for taking the time to explain this to me.
Thanks again. :D
Hi Ms. Alison. Can i ask something? i just want to make sure that i'm on the right track.
I've been doing shifting for a long time and intonation has always been the thing that i'm addicted in improving and so this question popped up in my mind.
What is the main guide or reference for us violinist to know that we are already on the right note? I've been reading Basics by Simon Fischer mainly and i got this 'Ghosting' technique for building shifting technique but it wasn't mentioned there what is the core technique in shifting, i only know that we are training our arm(elbow/hand) to memorize and to feel the distance.
Do we always depend on the 'ghosting' to tell ourselves that we're on the right note? That little fuzzy soft sound we purposely make during the shift.
Or are we always at the mercy of our arms on how 'used to' our arm in shifting to that position?
Is 'Ghosting' really part of actual playing or is it only used for building Shifting technique?
Some people call Ghosting as Yost Method.
www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=20430
Thanks :D
yes, its all about knowing where to go and learning where and how far the gap is. You can use your ear to listen to that soft 'sound' you get right before you know you are at the right note, but ultimately, its muscle memory.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor I see. I thought so too because i feel guilty when i don't use Ghosting and depend only on my muscle memory, now i can free myself of that guilt. Thanks a lot. :D
How do you know, when reading notes that it’s the 1st position or second, third??
Either the notes are too high (on the E string) and therefore you need to go into a higher position and secondly, the music often tells you.
Thirdly, once you get advanced, you can manipulate the sound of playing in open, 2nd, 3rd and 4th to your advantage and change the sound, tone and expression accordingly.
You would be doing no.3 once you have been playing several years.
For now, the music will tell you.
How about shifting G(2nd string) - D(3rd string) - G(2nd string)? A song have those notes, please help me.
Rodney Arcega what do you want to know? Just shit faster and practice the shifts. Thats it really. Make sure you shift freely as I show in the video. The video says most of it really.
I mean D(2nd) to G(3rd) and then back to D(2nd string).
I press the D(2nd string) then i'm confused where i should play the G(3rd) it may be either pressing my ring finger to the A string or reaching it at the 2nd string using my pinky. Which way is better for going back to G 3rd?
Rodney Arcega I still dont understand you - when you say D2nd is that the 2nd finger on the D string as an F going to the 3rd finger on the G string? If so, then why cant you just use your 2nd finger on the D and 3rd finger on the G?
I might need to see the music really in order to comment as I could be telling you wrongly depending on what the music is that you are trying to play?
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1011909195501308&set=a.737436372948593.1073741827.100000467116100&type=1&theater
there it is ma'am. the sequence is red-purple-red in slur. But which purple?
One way to help with the instrument with non-smooth neck area is to buy some sort of wax and then send it with 6000+ grit sandpaper. I use paste wax on my cheap instrument, but violin makers actually use beeswax around that area.
well it should be the same action, but faster and you will become more adapt as time goes on and you get better.
Im not an expert but I like to put tape down on where the first finger would be in the higher position and quick alternate high notes with the lower notes... I then jam in that scale and learn quickly if I am off key or not...
that was actually very helpful...so thanks