The Art of Clean Violin Playing

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  • Опубліковано 4 сер 2024
  • For those interested in Skype (or your favored video chat platform) lessons, email admin@murphymusicacademy.org.
    While there are many wonderful violinists in the world, the thing that separates the good from the greatest is most often how cleanly they play or, in more common violin terms: ARTICULATION
    In this video I will be going through why articulation is so important, the various types of articulation, and how to practice each one.
    0:00 - Why do they sound so good
    1:06 - Understanding Articulation
    2:05 - Finger Articulation
    8:16 - Bowing Articulation
    12:08 - String Crossings
    13:16 - Shifting Articulation

КОМЕНТАРІ • 57

  • @carlossantos-rios9337
    @carlossantos-rios9337 25 днів тому +50

    I recently noticed that precision is a huge deal on a violin. Even the simplest songs can sound so beautiful when played with clean precision.

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  25 днів тому +15

      Absolutely. No matter what you're playing, easy or difficult, always strive for this

    • @hamwhacker
      @hamwhacker 20 днів тому +5

      I am a firm believer that anyone can make one single note on the violin sound like the best in the world. But the real problem is how to make lots of notes sound good!

    • @jackburgess8579
      @jackburgess8579 18 днів тому

      @@hamwhacker
      >>"I am a firm believer that anyone can make one single note on the violin sound like the best in the world."
      That really isn't true.
      A great violinist can show their greatness by performing a single note with a beauty and profundity that mere mortals cannot get anywhere near..

    • @hamwhacker
      @hamwhacker 17 днів тому

      @@jackburgess8579 Thanks - I perfectly understand and accept your point!
      Please however - I wasn’t saying all single notes could be compared between a beginner and world class soloist…of course they nearly always sound better and demonstrate perfection on the simplest of phrases...
      Just I was hoping that everyone could aspire to great things when we pick one note and play it as beautifully as we can. That’s all I was saying :-) Since playing the violin well is about controlling about what you are doing on every note as we through the music, with technical accuracy and expression which can and should be destiny of any individual. Cheers

  • @illtemperedklavier-ir9fy
    @illtemperedklavier-ir9fy 23 дні тому +13

    Fascinating, I'm low-key obsessed with finding the difference between a great player playing a beginner piece, and an advanced student playing that easy piece.

  • @mellissadalby1402
    @mellissadalby1402 24 дні тому +21

    Chloe Chua is so young and so good. Very clean, very precise, plenty of expression. I hope she keeps it up.

  • @jackwarwar723
    @jackwarwar723 25 днів тому +10

    I’m currently working on Mozart 5 and just using the concept of having the fingers make a heavy drop onto the string immediately made my playing sound substantially cleaner. Incredible!

  • @RubsViolin
    @RubsViolin 24 дні тому +7

    I feel like I am doing a pretty good job at being a test subject haha. Very good video btw

  • @Faithhg310
    @Faithhg310 12 днів тому +1

    Currently struggling through the slurs in Air on the G string- glad I came across your video. Thanks for the lesson!

  • @IsabellaD.7063
    @IsabellaD.7063 23 дні тому +4

    Thank you for this great lesson 🫶 I was already in bed and stood up to grab my violin 😆 especially the thumb exercises are very helpful to me, same as shifting. This is vital knowledge, thank you so much 👍👍👍

  • @Jen-KJV1611
    @Jen-KJV1611 25 днів тому +2

    Fantastic teaching and advice!

  • @iggyzorro2406
    @iggyzorro2406 25 днів тому +10

    hey - just as prior to entering the pool, I always shower before playing the violin.

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  25 днів тому +1

      Interesting. . .Does it help??

    • @iggyzorro2406
      @iggyzorro2406 24 дні тому +4

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy sometimes I think my violin playing is beyond help. but I do learn from you -so thank you.

  • @thecatofnineswords
    @thecatofnineswords 25 днів тому +3

    I have access to a gentleman who has a truly incredible level of bow control (Daniel Rohn), and I have learned so much just by watching him closely.
    These subtleties have such an incredible effect on the quality of tone. So good!

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  25 днів тому +2

      I'd not heard of him but I'll definitely check him out!

    • @thecatofnineswords
      @thecatofnineswords 24 дні тому

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy Watching him play this Moto Perpetuo (ua-cam.com/video/hnAimyrf8To/v-deo.html) always has me in awe.

    • @andrewzhang8512
      @andrewzhang8512 23 дні тому

      @@thecatofnineswords holy... that's clean

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому +3

      Oh wow, that is some beautiful articulation! Interesting how his bow bounces in the upper half. I know some bows do that, but I've never played on one that does.

  • @user-mt3rg2yi5g
    @user-mt3rg2yi5g 18 днів тому +1

    I laid my violin down for 25 years. Had I known how much I'd loose and trying to relearn holding the bow with arthritis and other problems..Don't do it..Go for it..keep trying it's a gift

  • @mjozhou6920
    @mjozhou6920 25 днів тому +2

    very inspiring! understanding more about how these noisy sounds produced helps me to avoid making mistakes during practicing.

  • @Elena-bw5vv
    @Elena-bw5vv 25 днів тому

    Thank you, very good content. I like your videos.

  • @royalexxanderquinnniall4227
    @royalexxanderquinnniall4227 24 дні тому +1

    Wow. Thank you! You helped me a lot...

  • @kamikan22
    @kamikan22 24 дні тому +3

    there's an easier way to understand and instantly use catch & release, just put some pressure on the string with the index as showed here, but before even moving the bow release it (take the pressure off the index) and only then move the bow, it will sound perfect at the beginning even if you wait some time because the string is "catched" by the bow already, if you start moving the bow while "releasing" you get more and more articulated (you hear a click at the start) and if you start the bow before releasing you get martele
    I teach cello and double bass, making people do this is instant amazing sound to any beginner.

  • @silvanotoffolon854
    @silvanotoffolon854 24 дні тому

    You are phenomenal

  • @estrellas24
    @estrellas24 21 день тому +1

    Awesome!! What a great video!! and a reminder to do my Sevcik exercises even though I can't stand them 😂

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  20 днів тому +1

      They are a slog but trust me, even if you do a little every day, it will make a big difference

  • @KimberlyOurlian
    @KimberlyOurlian 24 дні тому

    also like when playing arpeggio runs like in the lalo symphony espagnole to practice in short staccato sequences and various rhythms to get that crisp brilliant sound. also swing your arm slightly to the right so your hitting the strings with the side tip of your fingers instead of square on with the fingers

  • @adlezink
    @adlezink 22 дні тому

    Interesting "translation" of Kalinovsky on Tonebase there in the Finger articulation part! I did feel intrigued when you on one hand said that he is a great teacher and on the other hand said that you didn't want to teach your student some aspect of his teaching. To tell the truth, I tried Kalinovsky's way but have difficulty in getting the finger articulation going on. But this is an interesting "translation" from your side. You tell the key things that haven't been said out clearly and I get immediate realization when trying. It's kind of like "Aha! That's how he did it!". You are really generous to give us lesson on youtube!

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  20 днів тому +1

      I studied with Kalinovsky for a summer over a decade ago, and it was one of the best experiences I ever had. He not only taught me technique, but how to THINK about technique. Of course, it's normal for two different violinists to come to slightly different conclusions about technique, so where I divert from Kalinovsky I respectfully do so.

    • @adlezink
      @adlezink 18 днів тому

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy Yes, I see your diversion there, hence I said "translation" - from his view to your view. I must admit that I was very confused when started to dig into various violin's "school of thought" or way of thinking. There are so many different ways, even clearly opposing each other, and there's not many who said "why". Utilizing your body, your muscle and your mind is also something that cannot be transfered completly by words, I guess. Two people doing the same thing on the surface might be utilizing different muscles and comprehend/sense the matter very differently.

  • @ShahFareed-y3k
    @ShahFareed-y3k 21 день тому

    Refreshing and enjoyable - this would appeal to accomplished players and beginners alike. It's not that all the content is new, but the way it has been put together. Chua,s clip was an eye-opener , beautiful and so were the others - no place for Kavakos?
    Articulation takes performance to another level, but to achieve this, setup has to be near perfect. Along with articulation , if there is poetry , drama , beautiful tone , you get Accardo playing Perpetuela and so on.
    By playing creatively most things fall into place and the possibilities are endless. Even mundane exercises have a better outcome if done imaginatively.
    A friend who started violin a couple of years ago , said he was helped by your video on left hand technique. He's not very good at English, so he asked me to thank you on his behalf. Thanks.

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  20 днів тому

      Well tell your friend he is very welcome and I'm glad he's enjoyed my videos.
      I love Kavakos and would definitely include him at that top level, but I can only make the video so long before people lose interest, so I stuck with the 3 violinists I had in the video.
      Thanks for your thoughtful words!

  • @johncraven4539
    @johncraven4539 24 дні тому

    Very useful advice here! Remark: collé = stuck (by any means); coller = to stick, colle (without accent) = glue.

    • @JuJu-iq4ze
      @JuJu-iq4ze 24 дні тому

      I would even say collé=glued might be more accurate?

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому

      Interesting!
      I don't speak French, so I've always just known it as "Glue"
      The idea is he same either way, of course

    • @JuJu-iq4ze
      @JuJu-iq4ze 23 дні тому

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy for sure!

  • @jerrydavis1475
    @jerrydavis1475 23 дні тому +2

    I think you learned the slapping technique from Kalinovsky !

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому +3

      @@jerrydavis1475 yes!
      I studied with him for a summer more than a decade ago and learned many things from him

  • @simon0yeung
    @simon0yeung 24 дні тому +2

    Hmm... I thought articulation != total cleanliness ? I would personally prefer a bit "messy" but spirited and emotional play versus clean but sterile play

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому

      I prefer that as well, actually, but what makes someone like Hadelich so special is he can do both!

  • @altolows7635
    @altolows7635 24 дні тому

    Would this work exactly the same on the viola? Which violists should I listen to for the cleanest articulation?

    • @louiscornell8637
      @louiscornell8637 24 дні тому

      So many great violists on UA-cam, but for articulation you could do worse than Paul Neubauer and Richard O'Neill playing Frank Bridge's great Lament for two violas.

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому +1

      I'm sure there are aspects of this that are applicable to viola, though I'd imagine you'd have to do even more as the viola responds more slowly. But I'm not a violist so don't quote me. At the very least you can try it out and see if it helps you

    • @louiscornell8637
      @louiscornell8637 23 дні тому

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy Yes, you do have to allow for the viola's slower response time, and there are differences among the response times of the individual strings that you have to take into account. That said, your comments provide some excellent advice for violists. Thanks, as always!

  • @JessicaDugard-sg4ox
    @JessicaDugard-sg4ox 24 дні тому +1

    what are the books in the background?

    • @MurphyMusicAcademy
      @MurphyMusicAcademy  23 дні тому +5

      Ivan Galamian: Principles of Violin Playing and Teaching
      Leopold Auer: Violin Playing as I Teach it
      Leopold Mozart: A Treatise on the Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing
      As well as 2 CD box sets: the complete RCA victor recordings of Jascha Heifetz and the complete recordings of the Alban Berg String Quartet
      And I have a clock with the circle of fifths

    • @JessicaDugard-sg4ox
      @JessicaDugard-sg4ox 23 дні тому +1

      @@MurphyMusicAcademy brilliant collection

  • @devyysk
    @devyysk 25 днів тому +2

    tobiah my goat

  • @jackburgess8579
    @jackburgess8579 18 днів тому

    The Soviet violinist Zoria Shikhmurzaeva (b. 1933), who is almost unknown in the West, is another one for your "Greatest violinists you have never heard of" series.
    This performance of a relatively simple miniature by Bizet that has been arranged for violin and piano is one of the most beautiful cameos that I have ever heard.
    ua-cam.com/video/Ol0OBykNtDs/v-deo.htmlsi=o6L9e6yl8l0Kh6zl

  • @oxoelfoxo
    @oxoelfoxo 25 днів тому

    !

  • @WillTreaty50
    @WillTreaty50 18 днів тому

    STOP HITTING YOUR VIOLIN !!!!!!!!! 🤬😭😭🤬🤬😡😭