You may think he is goofy. However, I think he is a clearly eloquent gentlemen. His voice is as if he's the narrator of life. He has a classic style and carries himself with character. Well done, sir. You're very intelligent and a great teacher.
thank you for your passionate teaching i am 62 have not played since about 10 i play piano guitar ect but nothing is like the violin i wish myself well as you that play know well the passion is for me the goal and hope it becomes more the better i play all the best.
I absolutely love this guy. There is menace in his voice. If Jack Nicholson were to instruct, this is how it would be. Rarely subscribe but do to this for his almost thespian performances.
You are so classic man and very calm and that what violinest needs!、i just start looking for a good teacher to learn violin and my teacher is from rassha 、so i love to have more time to hear from you as a good teacher with a good explenations! Sorry for my bad english、we use arabic all the times.thank you teacher!
I've only been playing violin for less than 2 yrs at this point, so I'd like to take the opportunity to say that I find your patient and thorough explanations quite useful. I found your channel while you were dealing with the surgery, but what you already had up (and of course the pics on your website of violins you've made) got my attention. "Two Trees" was on my xmas wish list, and I received it as a gift. I've read it through 3 times so far. A very enjoyable read, and worth reading for 'the three secrets' alone. I don't usually use a shoulder rest. Everyone is shaped different, and I have rather prominent collarbones, so I have a bit more of a natural "shelf" for the instrument than some. But I do make it a point to play with the shoulder rest for a week every couple of months, since I don't feel it is good to get too fixed an idea of what is "best" too early. In the first few years with any instrument, any student is still a "child" regardless of their age. I know from other instruments that it takes at least a few years to get to know and understand the instrument and find what works best for yourself as an individual. At this point I try to remain open-minded on such things. I usually do use the chin rest. But sometimes I want to feel more "in touch" with the instrument and so I'll remove it. I like your image of playing without it being like dancing the tango with no clothes on. I think that sometimes, "dancing the tango with no clothes on" is exactly what one should do, even if it wouldn't be the most practical way of actually performing in public. LOL
Great stuff, love the delivery style and flare, full of delightful historic references, refreshingly accessible content, a man of fine taste and works!
I listen to this subscription more than any other because everything he says has helped me tremendously. I also admire the art in his violin. They are nothing short of masterpieces.
I just discovered your videos, they are wonderful. Have you ever tried this Kevin? . . . When I carve a custom chin rest I fill a zip lock bag 1/2 way with that expandable insulation foam and have the customer place the bag on their target instrument without a chin rest allowing the foam to expand then harden while they remain completely still with the instrument in playing position. I rough carve the perimeter of the foam block to their liking and use this to take precise measurements with my calipers to carve a rest that perfectly fits their chin every time. I was just curios if a master such as yourself has ever thought of doing this, or have done it, or even heard of it before. It was an idea I implemented 20 some years ago.
+Gene Ruffalo Gene, can you make a custom fitted chin rest for me? I've been playing since I was 5 and have struggled with finding the perfect chin rest for a long time. Please contact me at jm@janicemartin.com! Thank you!
Sir, I have just found out about your chanell. It is amazing, and the way You teach about violin, is very magical. It is charming, and very effective. Totally different from other methods, a league of its own.
@@kevinleeluthier Mr Lee, I've got a 2 and a half year young boy at home. I'm 62 year old uncle of his, an experienced classical guitarist, who is teaching him about music since birth. Recently I started watching videos about Stradivarri violins, and Paganini. That's how I have come accross Your chanell. I might want him to become a violinist, who knows.
I'd love to see you discuss the angle of the violin to the shoulder. I.e. Scroll left or scroll right and how it relates to bow angle and body geometry. I think this is another area where violinists get shoved into a "one size fits all" scenario and don't realize the ergonomically this can and should be adjusted to suit a violinists arm length and body shape. I have a tendency to, as I play and tighten up, pull the violin farther and farther left which changes everything and causes me problems. It changes the geometry of the left hand, the angle of my bowing, and everything in general and causes me even more tension because things sound bad.
You are so correct, and few musicians realize how the angle of the instrument, as well as its rotation on the shoulder affect "everything." The video that you are requesting is already on my to do list, but I am now moving it up a few notches because it is so important.
That was a very thorough and easy to understand video. Please do post more. Also I have a problem with shaky additional vibrations being produced while bowing. What should I do to correct it??
Hey! Awesome videos, but would you be able to describe in further depth what you meant by keeping the top surface of the strings level to the floor @ 1:20. Thank you!
Thank you for this video! I'm an adult beginner in my third year who never managed to get a sure grip with my chin/shoulder so the poor thing was always clutched with my hand. Thanks to you though, my left arm is free to do left arm stuff!
Disagree about left shoulder. Violin must laying on the basis of collarbone. Not shoulder, cuz shoulder must be relax - not support instrument. Its writen in 6 lessons of Menuhin book (in begining of 3rd lesson).
It is better not to lift the head before placing the violin on the shoulder - this will loosen and weaken the neck 'feeling'. Keeping the neck aligned with the spine is stronger, so just tuck the violin in and then, once more relax the shoulders so that the weight of the head alone carries the instrument.
I can't seem to find an answer to this: The jaw on the chin rest creates a grip on the violin when it is pressed to the collarbone, right? And this grip allows the player to take the left hand off the violin completely, but still hold the violin parallel to the ground, right? So ... is this grip the ONLY method I need to use to hold the violin and keep it steady? Why should I even be concerned with the thumb at all (and the base of the forefinger)? It seems to me that the action of the left hand constantly sliding up and down the fingerboard will need the jaw grip to "take over" the responsibility of steadying the violin, which would create a "push/pull" feeling on the jaw as I play. Right???? (I hope I'm making sense.)
Alcohol. Even though it can discolor some chinrests, it helps kill bacteria and limit the chances of getting an infection. YET, be extra careful to not get any on the varnish!
Your are right. I should have at least taken a minute to include that in this video, though it is shown in Lesson 1a "Getting Started" at 4:08, and will be covered even move thoroughly in the lessons to come. Thanks for your comment!
Hi!, i have a question, i get comfortable using the violin whitout the shoulder rest. Do you think that this may have a detrimental effect on the sound ? Thank for your videos!,
+Pablo gonzález Of course it's alright to not use a shoulder rest, and yes, there are some instruments that actually sound better without one. With music and musicians, there are exceptions to almost every rule and while I give advice on what is best for most people, I encourage everyone to break the rules at one time or another to find out what is really best for them. And as much as I like a properly fitted shoulder rest, there are still some instruments and occasions that I play without one.
"The top surface of the strings leveled with the floor " what do you mean by this? What is the top surface of the strings then? I can't find this position. Please help
The "perfect" angle to hold the violin is: if a level is placed on the string you are playing, the bubble is always in the center. This allows for the greatest control and accuracy. Yet!!! This angle can, and does, vary according to the infections in the music and the preferences and style of the performer.
There was no shoulder rest in Paganini's time( he had a long neck) , Heifetz wouldn't allow students into his studio with a shoulder rest ...."no one should ever have to use a shoulder rest" (Aeron Rosand) .....!?
My issue is the chin rest digs into my jaw...and when I properly place my chin and cheek on it...the edge of the violin digs into my collarbone...and that freaking hurts...i use dress socks to protect my collarbone
Does your chinrest have a "hump" at the bottom edge (edge at the edge of the instrument)? My (secondhand) violin came with one that had one and until I got a new, flatter one my jawbone ached from it digging in. I wouldn't put too much of your cheek on it, though-- I don't know what your position looks like, but most people I've seen with their cheek on the chinrest (instead of just their chin) have their head tilted sideways, which sounds both painful and difficult (who wants to read their music sideways?). It's a violin, not a fuzzy kitten. :)
Not his most insightful video, I feel. I think we can all agree that going without a chin rest is a step too far. But many players, including myself, just don't get on with shoulder rests. I MUCH prefer to play without. Yes, it takes longer to learn - you have to work out how to keep the instrument in balance. But once I got the hang, I felt liberated. Also, something I don't think he emphasises enough - many shoulder-rest users rely too much on the rest and get into the habit of pressing down too hard on the chin rest, which is dangerous for your neck. Once you learn to balance the instrument, it takes the barest contact on the chin rest to hold it in place. All the great masters before the '60s played restless, as many do to this day. So it's clearly a viable option. Others prefer the rest - I think it depends a fair bit on body shape. But to present one solution dogmatically as the ONLY correct solution is unhelpful - it's very much an individual choice.
More than anything, it's in your heart. At least, that's what I was taught at the school. In the past there have been large brick and mortar buildings located in Padua, Paris, London, and Manhattan, but most of the masters since the 1920's have taught individually in their private studios, by invitation only. I have been gathering everything I can from around the globe and am currently, physically resurrecting the school next to my violin shop. For now, I am breaking with tradition and putting as many lessons online as I can to help as many people as I can, and hope that you have enjoyed them so far. Sorry if it's been slow, but I'm trying to live about four lifetimes at once, and other than a couple donations (thank you so much to those who have given what they can), I am funding it myself.
I really appreciate your working Kevin. I'm a beginner but your videos give me a clear idea about relaxing while playing. I think it's the most important thing to learn at very first level. I have stopped my learning until I find a suitable chin rest and shoulder rest. Also, I'm looking forward to your new stuffs!
I just now got the same insight, that I've put my shoulder rest on backwards all this time. Also, I learned something valuable for when I learn to dance the tango. Most important, I know now the real goal and wherefore for violin stability.
i think im gonna need more help than a 10 minute youtube tutorial............used to play okay but that was years ago now i cant even get out one note without squeaking.
Yes, I probably should have included more info on this video. I never know how much is too much on some of them, but before these videos are done, I hope to cover everything, and then some. Since I am my own camera man and editor, I also get sidetracked at times. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to translating one-on-one personal lessons, or even classroom lessons, to UA-cam videos.
Half of being a successful violinist is learning how to "act" and put on a show. I just happen to be learning how to "act" for UA-cam videos while teaching what are normally very personal lessons. Thanks for your comment. Sorry it's been so long responding. These comments were not showing up on my time line until today!
This guy's presentation is legendary and that tango analogy was worthy of Oscar Wilde.
he's ...umm...at the highest level.
@@rickdeckard1075 You bet your tango skills he's at the highest level.
@@aaronreba everything he's says is f-g brilliant though, he's exactly right
You may think he is goofy. However, I think he is a clearly eloquent gentlemen. His voice is as if he's the narrator of life.
He has a classic style and carries himself with character.
Well done, sir. You're very intelligent and a great teacher.
I totally agree. Kevin Lee is the man. The way he speaks and presents the information is incredible and theatrical.
lol this guy is my favorite youtube teacher ever, there's something hilarious about his teaching delivery, and yet it's so true
i think it's that almost mischivious, entirely sincere, joyfull passion. it's not work, you play music.
He's dramatic, but he clearly knows his stuff. I wish he'd do some demos. And his violins are gorgeous. Works of art, masterpieces, at a minimum.
I love your understated humor in your lessons- bravo!
It is a fine line sometimes, having a sense of humor and keeping the purists happy! :) Thanks!
@@kevinleeluthier you do it well, friend. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It is much appreciated. 🙏🏼
see this is the thing you have to understand
THE GUY IS HIMSELF, A WORK OF HIS OWN ARTISTRY
thank you for your passionate teaching i am 62 have not played since about 10 i play piano guitar ect but nothing is like the violin i wish myself well as you that play know well the passion is for me the goal and hope it becomes more the better i play all the best.
Tango with no clothes on ...... GOLD🥇!!!
I absolutely love this guy. There is menace in his voice. If Jack Nicholson were to instruct, this is how it would be. Rarely subscribe but do to this for his almost thespian performances.
You are so classic man and very calm and that what violinest needs!、i just start looking for a good teacher to learn violin and my teacher is from rassha 、so i love to have more time to hear from you as a good teacher with a good explenations! Sorry for my bad english、we use arabic all the times.thank you teacher!
I've only been playing violin for less than 2 yrs at this point, so I'd like to take the opportunity to say that I find your patient and thorough explanations quite useful.
I found your channel while you were dealing with the surgery, but what you already had up (and of course the pics on your website of violins you've made) got my attention.
"Two Trees" was on my xmas wish list, and I received it as a gift. I've read it through 3 times so far. A very enjoyable read, and worth reading for 'the three secrets' alone.
I don't usually use a shoulder rest. Everyone is shaped different, and I have rather prominent collarbones, so I have a bit more of a natural "shelf" for the instrument than some. But I do make it a point to play with the shoulder rest for a week every couple of months, since I don't feel it is good to get too fixed an idea of what is "best" too early. In the first few years with any instrument, any student is still a "child" regardless of their age. I know from other instruments that it takes at least a few years to get to know and understand the instrument and find what works best for yourself as an individual. At this point I try to remain open-minded on such things.
I usually do use the chin rest. But sometimes I want to feel more "in touch" with the instrument and so I'll remove it. I like your image of playing without it being like dancing the tango with no clothes on. I think that sometimes, "dancing the tango with no clothes on" is exactly what one should do, even if it wouldn't be the most practical way of actually performing in public. LOL
The tango metaphor is priceless. Thank you!
This guy has a nice smile.
Great stuff, love the delivery style and flare, full of delightful historic references, refreshingly accessible content, a man of fine taste and works!
I listen to this subscription more than any other because everything he says has helped me tremendously. I also admire the art in his violin. They are nothing short of masterpieces.
I just discovered your videos, they are wonderful. Have you ever tried this Kevin? . . . When I carve a custom chin rest I fill a zip lock bag 1/2 way with that expandable insulation foam and have the customer place the bag on their target instrument without a chin rest allowing the foam to expand then harden while they remain completely still with the instrument in playing position. I rough carve the perimeter of the foam block to their liking and use this to take precise measurements with my calipers to carve a rest that perfectly fits their chin every time. I was just curios if a master such as yourself has ever thought of doing this, or have done it, or even heard of it before. It was an idea I implemented 20 some years ago.
+Gene Ruffalo Gene, can you make a custom fitted chin rest for me? I've been playing since I was 5 and have struggled with finding the perfect chin rest for a long time. Please contact me at jm@janicemartin.com! Thank you!
Sure thing, I'll email you
you are a life saver 💜 chin saver!
where is your shop/business? link please to have on fit for me !
Thank you for posting this. I really appreciate your use of b/w and color. It was very helpful for my emotional understanding of the video.
Love the way this guy talks
Amen brother, information is power, with out a teacher we are lost in this world
This channel was the answer to all my nascent questions.
Me voy a hacer violinista viendo sus tutoriales. Espero no deje de hacerlos. Gracias por el tiempo y esfuerzo. Le escribo desde Colombia.
Thank you very much. Awaiting for next lessons.
Thank you so much for this information. It was very helpful!
Your presentation is excellent.
Sir, I have just found out about your chanell. It is amazing, and the way You teach about violin, is very magical. It is charming, and very effective. Totally different from other methods, a league of its own.
Thank you. That's exactly how I felt after my very first lesson at The Romantic School of Music.
@@kevinleeluthier Mr Lee, I've got a 2 and a half year young boy at home. I'm 62 year old uncle of his, an experienced classical guitarist, who is teaching him about music since birth. Recently I started watching videos about Stradivarri violins, and Paganini. That's how I have come accross Your chanell. I might want him to become a violinist, who knows.
The earlier the exposure to music the better, especially the violin, yet make it fun, and be careful not to push or force anything. :)
Grazie Maestro. Spiegazione molto utile. Inglese comprensibile.
omg the tango line it's so true yo
Zach Galifianakis teaches violin?
i was just going to write that. bravo
I'd love to see you discuss the angle of the violin to the shoulder. I.e. Scroll left or scroll right and how it relates to bow angle and body geometry. I think this is another area where violinists get shoved into a "one size fits all" scenario and don't realize the ergonomically this can and should be adjusted to suit a violinists arm length and body shape. I have a tendency to, as I play and tighten up, pull the violin farther and farther left which changes everything and causes me problems. It changes the geometry of the left hand, the angle of my bowing, and everything in general and causes me even more tension because things sound bad.
You are so correct, and few musicians realize how the angle of the instrument, as well as its rotation on the shoulder affect "everything." The video that you are requesting is already on my to do list, but I am now moving it up a few notches because it is so important.
That was a very thorough and easy to understand video. Please do post more. Also I have a problem with shaky additional vibrations being produced while bowing. What should I do to correct it??
Brilliant again.
your a scream- love the scenery. and delivery.
Hey! Awesome videos, but would you be able to describe in further depth what you meant by keeping the top surface of the strings level to the floor @ 1:20. Thank you!
Super. Thanks. I may have to grow a beard.
Thank you for this video! I'm an adult beginner in my third year who never managed to get a sure grip with my chin/shoulder so the poor thing was always clutched with my hand. Thanks to you though, my left arm is free to do left arm stuff!
Fantastic! Thank you so much for your comment.
i like this guy
thanks i really like your videos
Disagree about left shoulder. Violin must laying on the basis of collarbone. Not shoulder, cuz shoulder must be relax - not support instrument. Its writen in 6 lessons of Menuhin book (in begining of 3rd lesson).
It is better not to lift the head before placing the violin on the shoulder - this will loosen and weaken the neck 'feeling'. Keeping the neck aligned with the spine is stronger, so just tuck the violin in and then, once more relax the shoulders so that the weight of the head alone carries the instrument.
I can't seem to find an answer to this: The jaw on the chin rest creates a grip on the violin when it is pressed to the collarbone, right? And this grip allows the player to take the left hand off the violin completely, but still hold the violin parallel to the ground, right? So ... is this grip the ONLY method I need to use to hold the violin and keep it steady? Why should I even be concerned with the thumb at all (and the base of the forefinger)? It seems to me that the action of the left hand constantly sliding up and down the fingerboard will need the jaw grip to "take over" the responsibility of steadying the violin, which would create a "push/pull" feeling on the jaw as I play. Right???? (I hope I'm making sense.)
You such a real luthierr and romantic man.
wow that was amazing
You are hilarious and inspirational
Wow! Then I have succeeded. :)
1:59 your daily dose of motivation
you can thank me later
Good presentation.
Thank you. It's tough sometimes, setting up the camera and doing these videos alone. But hopefully, it just takes practice! (like the violin)
Thank you 🌹🌹
Hi sir! How to do 3 octave 4 octave scake in violin thank you!
Perfect video but I have a question.
Paganini was holding the violin different right ? He rest his hand in the neck of the violin.
What do you use to clean your chin rest?
Alcohol. Even though it can discolor some chinrests, it helps kill bacteria and limit the chances of getting an infection. YET, be extra careful to not get any on the varnish!
Kevin, i'm sure this is a silly question, but is Luthier you last/Sir name? Thanks for the informative videos they are very helpful.
Will you please show the right thumb behind violin ?????
Your are right. I should have at least taken a minute to include that in this video, though it is shown in Lesson 1a "Getting Started" at 4:08, and will be covered even move thoroughly in the lessons to come. Thanks for your comment!
the way he smile.. i cant tell if charmy or creepy :v
Hi!, i have a question, i get comfortable using the violin whitout the shoulder rest. Do you think that this may have a detrimental effect on the sound ? Thank for your videos!,
+Pablo gonzález Of course it's alright to not use a shoulder rest, and yes, there are some instruments that actually sound better without one. With music and musicians, there are exceptions to almost every rule and while I give advice on what is best for most people, I encourage everyone to break the rules at one time or another to find out what is really best for them. And as much as I like a properly fitted shoulder rest, there are still some instruments and occasions that I play without one.
I too have a violin which plays better without a shoulder rest (German, with lion scroll)
Ok parl e parl ma i 24 capricci li sai suonare?
"The top surface of the strings leveled with the floor " what do you mean by this? What is the top surface of the strings then? I can't find this position. Please help
The "perfect" angle to hold the violin is: if a level is placed on the string you are playing, the bubble is always in the center. This allows for the greatest control and accuracy. Yet!!! This angle can, and does, vary according to the infections in the music and the preferences and style of the performer.
There was no shoulder rest in Paganini's time( he had a long neck) , Heifetz wouldn't allow students into his studio with a shoulder rest ...."no one should ever have to use a shoulder rest" (Aeron Rosand)
.....!?
My issue is the chin rest digs into my jaw...and when I properly place my chin and cheek on it...the edge of the violin digs into my collarbone...and that freaking hurts...i use dress socks to protect my collarbone
Does your chinrest have a "hump" at the bottom edge (edge at the edge of the instrument)? My (secondhand) violin came with one that had one and until I got a new, flatter one my jawbone ached from it digging in. I wouldn't put too much of your cheek on it, though-- I don't know what your position looks like, but most people I've seen with their cheek on the chinrest (instead of just their chin) have their head tilted sideways, which sounds both painful and difficult (who wants to read their music sideways?). It's a violin, not a fuzzy kitten. :)
a like just for his voice
Not his most insightful video, I feel. I think we can all agree that going without a chin rest is a step too far. But many players, including myself, just don't get on with shoulder rests. I MUCH prefer to play without. Yes, it takes longer to learn - you have to work out how to keep the instrument in balance. But once I got the hang, I felt liberated. Also, something I don't think he emphasises enough - many shoulder-rest users rely too much on the rest and get into the habit of pressing down too hard on the chin rest, which is dangerous for your neck. Once you learn to balance the instrument, it takes the barest contact on the chin rest to hold it in place. All the great masters before the '60s played restless, as many do to this day. So it's clearly a viable option. Others prefer the rest - I think it depends a fair bit on body shape. But to present one solution dogmatically as the ONLY correct solution is unhelpful - it's very much an individual choice.
Where is The Romantic School of Music ?
More than anything, it's in your heart. At least, that's what I was taught at the school. In the past there have been large brick and mortar buildings located in Padua, Paris, London, and Manhattan, but most of the masters since the 1920's have taught individually in their private studios, by invitation only. I have been gathering everything I can from around the globe and am currently, physically resurrecting the school next to my violin shop. For now, I am breaking with tradition and putting as many lessons online as I can to help as many people as I can, and hope that you have enjoyed them so far. Sorry if it's been slow, but I'm trying to live about four lifetimes at once, and other than a couple donations (thank you so much to those who have given what they can), I am funding it myself.
I really appreciate your working Kevin. I'm a beginner but your videos give me a clear idea about relaxing while playing. I think it's the most important thing to learn at very first level. I have stopped my learning until I find a suitable chin rest and shoulder rest. Also, I'm looking forward to your new stuffs!
Nice instructions, but I am left handed, so I assume everything your putting out should be the same only opposite...
I think strad would hav added a chin and shoulder rest should it have been required. Both shackles to all modern virtuosos.
Haifetz was strictly against shoulder rests.
At key of C major
Pure
I forgettable!❤️
I've had a violin for a few months and I've been putting my Kun on backwards the whole time. I feel pretty dumb.
+Kefka420 But all better now, right? :)
+Diane Lovejoy Ya I can actually hold it up hands free now lol. It was impossible and very uncomfortable before.
I just now got the same insight, that I've put my shoulder rest on backwards all this time. Also, I learned something valuable for when I learn to dance the tango. Most important, I know now the real goal and wherefore for violin stability.
More like dancing a tango in flip-flops.
My chin rest is inhibiting me and I need to be set free
This man is so attractive I swear to gad
Hilarious! But very informative
i think im gonna need more help than a 10 minute youtube tutorial............used to play okay but that was years ago now i cant even get out one note without squeaking.
Watch the video on how to really hold a violin bow, put plenty of good rosin on your bow, and away you go! (Just like riding a bike!)
Jack Nicholson.
Showing left thumb behind the violin must be shown!!!!!!
Yes, I probably should have included more info on this video. I never know how much is too much on some of them, but before these videos are done, I hope to cover everything, and then some. Since I am my own camera man and editor, I also get sidetracked at times. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to translating one-on-one personal lessons, or even classroom lessons, to UA-cam videos.
I say....! Do you have any Grey Poupon ?!?
Thank you so much for your sense of humor.
such grace...such elegance...I just couldn't help myself!
M confused is this tutorial or m i watching movie of wannabe actor,
Half of being a successful violinist is learning how to "act" and put on a show. I just happen to be learning how to "act" for UA-cam videos while teaching what are normally very personal lessons. Thanks for your comment. Sorry it's been so long responding. These comments were not showing up on my time line until today!
Murphy Music Academy made me UNSUBSCRIBE
You exude a rather snobbish vibe sir...