It could be cool showing us all your different violins and the sounds they do. Or the difference between carbon/wood violin. :) Sorry if my English isn't right...
I rented from a local violin shop at first and found that to be a great option. All of my rental costs went towards purchasing the instrument, the shop handled any needed repairs for free, and they also allow trade-ins for the full price of the instrument. You can't get that kind of service buying online... I upgraded to an early intermediate violin after a few years and I'm really happy with it. Everyone listen to Taylor and go local if it's an option for you!
I appreciate your Q&A videos and the fact that you love to interact with your audience. My humble question is - What was/is your $500 violin and can you give more information on it and the strings/bridge you use? I am starting to investigate the wonderful world of playing the violin. I have ignored that nudging and temptation for many many years, and I am forced to realize I am not getting any younger. But, like an irresistible Siren, it continues to call to me and does not stop. I am absolutely completely in love with the rich velvety sound of your violin. Many violins I hear are way too "bright" as a matter of personal opinion. As you understand a crappy violin will just be a lesson in pure frustration. I realize it will be a long difficult learning curve, but I hope to avoid a small bit of frustration by getting a low-intermediate to intermediate level violin as my first instrument without spending too much money. An advanced intermediate violin (ie $1000+) would be way too high to start with because it is extremely doubtful I will ever play "performance" level work. This is purely for personal enrichment/pleasure. Thank you for all your work and your consideration of my question. Best wishes.
My violin was a gift from my ant :) it wasn't expensive, but it sounds good. I know what you mean with de sound of a beginner (that's how I sound), it's frustrating sometimes, but I just try to enjoy de experience most of the time. Thank you for taking the time and sharing this videos, you explain so good, and your voice it's so calm :) I can understand you perfectly, so thank you for that too, because I'm Mexican so I speak spanish. Hope to see more videos soon! Hugs :)
I recently suffered a severe leg injury in a motorcycle accident on my way to work and will be laid up for at least 12 weeks. So I decided that I'll use some of this time to start learning how to play the violin. This video (and part 1) were extremely helpful & informative and I immediately followed your channel. I have a feeling I'll be watching a lot of your content over the next weeks. Thanks for the useful information. 👍🏾
Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings I know! Just one question though. How many hours should i train everyday? And you know do i do it straight or have like 10min brakes in between?
I play guitar but I play left handed..I ordered a violin online and it is a regular violin.I'm very interested in playing but also nervous and having to play right handed will be very strange. But starting as a beginner. I'm starting a journey on a new and wonderful instrument. I enjoy your videos by the way you are an amazing violinist,Thank You for the beautiful music.
thank you for making this video its really helpful because this Saturday/Sunday my parents are buying me my first violin so please keep making these videos they are so helpful so thank you P.S could you please make a video on like tips and tricks on how to play the violin ( can't wait to see you in London for your tour in march )
Nice, interesting and well organized intro. I much appreciate the talk. I am an adult beginner and this is just for fun. I love your music (have all of your CDs/iTune albums) so like the extra insight you are giving on what you have done. Would love to hear how you balance your violin with shoulder rest. I often have problems gripping the end with my fingering hand between thumb and index finger which makes moving fingers from location to location less smooth. I notice you and other professionals make balancing and fingering the strings look so easy. Note: I am one year in and on Suzuki Book 2 with a teacher but any additional info is fun and useful. Thank you Taylor for these videos and your music!
+Michael Reif Thanks for sharing that Michael! Glad you're enjoying these informational vids! That's awesome that you're learning the violin, and I totally understand what you're talking about with the shoulder rest problem. I actually didn't use a shoulder rest for the first 14 years I was playing, and as much as I still find them a little uncomfortable sometimes, I've found it to be extremely helpful especially when shifting quickly and in higher positions. I'll do some shoulder rest vids soon!
Bow selection would be interesting. Probably similar to picking a violin, where budget & getting to play them is key, but interested on your thoughts on carbon vs. wood, etc. Thanks for putting these out!
I'm loving your videos! If you could do the videos you mentioned, that would be wonderful! I want to know more since I'm just starting out, I can't get enough information. It is exciting you are correct!
When I started out, I bought a chinese factory violin for around $400. After changing the strings, replacing the bridge with a good german teller, installing better tuners, adjusting the afterlength, buying a much better bow, going with a quality rosin, and a few more tweeks, I had a violin that sounded five times better than when I first bought it. After forty years, I still have that violin and it sounds sweet.
Thanks for this. As an adult wanting to learn to play the violin (my flute died a few years ago, and I need to pick music up again. It's either a new flute - or pick up something new. The violin actually appeals more to me than the flute at this point in my life!) I have to say all I've been able to do is look at all my choices and go cross-eyed with confusion. lol Its good to hear it's not quite so bad as it appears, and to know a little more what I should aim at. It's also a relief to hear that the 'upkeep' of the instrument is not too bad. With money so tight right now, I was so concerned about the whole string-replacing/rosin thing creating an extra money-sink - I was almost ready to give up. Even if I CAN get my hands on a violin, replacing strings often may be too much. But if I can keep them going awhile while I get out of the screechy-stage that'd help! Thank you! I feel a little more hopeful now.
+Elentarien replacing strings isn't absolutely essential actually, I've gone many years without replacing mine (obviously it doesn't sound as nice as it used to). Replacing strings is actually fairly cheap depending on where you buy them (mine were only $3 each)
Nice video Taylor, didnt even know you could switch out the chin rest. What I would like to know more about is vibratos, tremolos, amd just the different shaped shoulder rests. I can't wait to see more videos these will seriously help me out so much!
I knew there was a scratchy sound with my cheaper rosin! I knew it! Since I was a beginner I didn't know if it was just my playing or the $3 rosin that was scratchy. When I upgraded to the nicer rosin I was sure the scratchy sound went away but then other more experience players were telling me there's no difference between the cheaper and nicer rosins. Now I know I was right and it wasn't just my imagination! Thank you!
I'd be interested to see a video on things to look for when buying rosin, and also how to start using rosin once you buy a new "pack." The rosin that came with my violin was so old that I had to cut it with a knife to get it to melt under the friction of the bow. I'd be interested to see how you get a new pack to melt enough to be useful for the first time. Thanks for the videos, Taylor!
I have a friend who never had her strings changed yet and still her violin's sound is beautiful (in regards to the price) (its kinda cheap but better than mine). Mine on the other hand, I changed strings almost 2 weeks (sometimes for a month or half a year) after it was placed in replacement. Regarding shoulder rests: My violin is 4/4, I bought a 4/4 shoulder rest but it doesnt fit, but it fits in my friend's
Hello Taylor, Any advice on nice all-round shoulder rest for adult woman? It is for a John Cheng Limited Edition Christmas Present to my wife. Thank you and keep up the excellent work.
Your info for this video is spot on. I would like you to have a peek at KK music in California. They retail Cecilio Mendini instruments that I feel are very comparable to the companies we're more familiar with but at a fraction of the price. I've purchased several student level instruments from them and they're doing pretty good. I think all the student models across the board are manufactured in Asia and sold under different company names. Alison Sparrow has done a number of violin reviews to include the Cecilio Mendini line.
Hi Taylor, I loved the videos! It would be awesome if you could do one on shoulder rests as I'm actually looking for a new one at the moment! Also a video on vibrato and any tips on how to shift positions quickly would be really useful because I'm playing first violin in my county's youth orchestra and we've been given a piece that requires a lot of shifting position, so any advice would certainly be welcome :) I've been playing for about five years now (Since the start of high-school) and it's become something I love to do. You and your music inspire me everyday, thank you! x
Different shoulder rests fit different bodies. There isn't one perfect shoulder rest for everyone. Luckily, unless they are figured wood, they aren't expensive. A good quality adjustable one is a Kuhn and it won't be really pricey.
Hello, my name is Scott... im 45 years old.... I can play guitar and fretless bass , upright bass... I'm wanting to buy a fiddle and learn to play Ornge blossom in 3 months.... I feel confident from UA-cam videos I've watched ... seems like I may have a heads up on the art..... but what would you recommend for cheap that has a dark tone ? I was looking at a spruce/ maple with ebony finger board, tailpiece and chin rest... but I know ow nothing other than a couple of videos I watched... including yours... lol. I will be playing bluegrass ...
yeah, recently had one of my more costly acoustics out with me and left it in a vehicle for not too long... but at 4 degree's the top of my guitar split..... so watch those extreme temps !
Taylor, thank you so much for doin these videos..you are so charming and sweet and very knowledgeable..i even watch your commercials and don't skip them! :) As far as strings, is there a brand you prefer over others? As a guitarist, i kinda know about brands that meet the price point and quality without sacrificing tone. Any thoughts? Same for resin. And I am relearning after a long hiatus, is there a teaching program in print or online you could suggest?
Really nice video. I already have a violin and at the moment learn the viola too but your videos are still really informative and they are fun to watch. :)
When it comes to accessories, I would also recommend something that keeps the violin to have minimum/moderate moisture, like a Dampit or something. It's really hard trying to care for a violin in a very dry city. That is something I forgot to get when I got my new violin (when I was out of town). Luckily, I ordered one and it should be here soon.
Mine is full size, hence the luthier's 'unusually small' comment. They are longer than usual, so it's about the same opening area. Apparently this is just something that particular violin maker did on some of his instruments. Gives a bit more on the e string but makes the G sound worse, in my opinion.
Invest in a humidity guage and a humidifier for whatever room you keep it in if you spend any money on your instruments. Know what's going on with the air and keep them in a place that's at 55% relative humidity. They'll sound better along with not cracking, warping, or drying out.
HI😄 I'm from Egypt, I'm 24 and I always wanted to learn how to play but I never played a violn. is there any chance for me to learn or what?!!! and if there's a chance could you please help me?!
Can you do a video on vibrato? Even though I have been playing for a long time, I can't do vibrato; when I try the instrument shakes so hard my bow loses contact (or at least my volume warbles). (What's really annoying is I can do vibrato fine on a cello, but I only have a Violin and a Viola.)
+Elliot Jenner Vibrato is a tough technique to learn, it took me a long time to get comfortable with it, and especially to even get it to work at all in the beginning! I remember trying for months and being so frustrated haha! I don't know if it's something I'll be able to help a ton with through a video, but I can definitely give you guys some tips and exercises that might be helpful!
Thanks for detailed info.There is not much violin brands in my country.Theres Mendini mv300 on internet whole set.What do you think of that brand and ordering online?
I'm sort of interested in shoulder rests. Right now I'm using a wood grain plastic by Artino, and then I have a really inexpensive one by Everest. I saw one really umm expensive rest by Pirastro that was customisable.
+Sirena I'll do a video on shoulder rests :) Oh wow I had no idea on the Pirastro one, that does look really interesting but wow yea I've never seen a shoulder rest so pricey haha! I might try it out though actually, I've been using a "playonair" inflatable one and that's probably the most comfortable one I've ever used, but it falls off my carbon fiber violin easily and it's really awkward when it comes off on stage when I'm performing haha!
Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings I think my next violin will be a Janek (John) Juzek that's about $1k. It sounds good, and has a uniform sound. Others I tried for a bit less had usually two good strings that sounded the same as the Juzek, but usually the G, and D strings sound very low in quality.
I have a violin that I inherited from my great-aunt, but sadly, i don't play a lot (i live in a small apartment with really thin walls, and there's some stupid policy on instruments). anyway, the violin looks really nice, but i'd like to know if it's actually as good a violin as it looks or if it's just something cheap made to look expensive. do you have any advice on how i could find that out? I don't have a string shop near me bc i live in a very small town and i can't really get to a bigger city without sitting in a train for like an hour...
Do you think you could do a video for updating your violin. I have a student one and I wanted to start saving up. But I'm not sure what to look for in sound and quality. Thanks
Chin rest and shoulder rest - that would be awesome to learn more about. I seem to always have a struggle with my shoulder rest and it feels like the violin moves a lot when I play (a bit over exaggerated with a lot, just enough to bother me). I am doing something that is normal, or just not holding it right with my chin and shoulder?
I think it would be awesome some tips about electric violin, in witch level you need to be to buy one, in witch kind of music works good, range of money for a good enough one. Thanks being a inspiration, taylor : )
If you decide to get an electric, don't get a 4 string, get a 5. They don't require a bigger body to work well acoustically with a C string; that's why violas are larger than violins. You can find used ones on Reverb and the Yahama YEV5 is on the lower end price wise and is an extremely well made instrument. It sounds strange, but it's true; electric guitar amps don't work with the violin voice as well as bass amps. Pair your electric violin with a bass combo amp. Combo means the speaker and amp head are one unit.
Nice vid!! I am an ole country boy myself so I call them fiddles, hehehehe. Is what I would like to know is can you a good one for around $2,000? or would I need to go higher? this for an adult beginner player but she is serious about it. and I don't want to have to keep upgrading all the time. Thanks!!
Hello Taylor! For low intermediate students, that live in apartments or small houses and can't make a lot of noise, would you recommend buying an electric violin? Thanks so much for sharing these videos!!!
+Fabio M. You can also get a mute for your acoustic, which (if you have a good one) drops the volume low enough that someone a few feet away wouldn't be able to hear it. Check if you can still play like that, though; I have found that I can't tell if I am hitting my notes accurately with one of those on.
+Fabio M. I personally like acoustic instruments more, and think it's probably better to learn on an acoustic and then maybe add in an electric later on, but it's totally your preference! For acoustic noise-reduction, you can get a "practice mute", it's a lot heavier than a normal mute and it really dampens the sound so you wouldn't be disturbing your neighbors :) There are a few different types of practice mutes and some mute stronger than others. They're all relatively inexpensive, I have this $4 one in my case that I use if I'm traveling and in a hotel or need the sound to be quieter! www.amazon.com/Glaesel-GL3834-Violin-Ultra-Practice/dp/B0002II6V0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453874043&sr=8-1&keywords=violin+practice+mute
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings All right, sounds awesome. I'll definitely try it out. Thanks so much for your tips! You rock!! Best wishes from Brazil!!
I went to my first violin class after years today. I've played the violin since I was 6-12, and now I've started again (I'm almost 16) so I'm kinda out of it. I'd love it if you could make a video about very basic stuff, like the posture(?) when you play, especially how you move your the arm that holds the bow for the best sound. My teacher has told me and showed me to play so you use your back as well as your arm and generally your entire body but I'm really not understanding it. Also other basic information like placing your fingers (I know where to place them, but placing them so it sounds nice and also my hand is really stiff so I don't have the reach I need). I know I'll have to practice super hard to get into it again, but I'd appreciate your advice for getting into playing again after a long break. Keep up the good work:)
I know that this is also very subjective, but what shoulder rest do you use? I use a Comford shoulder cradle on my viola and I love it, but it's pretty pricey. My Kun collapsible that I'm currently using isn't quite tall enough and I'm clenching my shoulder when I play. What do you recommend?
I had a really "aggressive" shoulder rest in High School, and I don't remember the name but it really helped with my bad neck and back. I'd love to buy it again and start up. Do you have any clue which one it could've been? I remember it was like 2 inches wide and it WASN'T a Kun.
+TreiGamer Interesting! Bon Musica rests look kind of batman-ish haha, there are also the Wolf Forte Secundo and Forte Primo ones that are a little wider, maybe one of those? The Bon Musica is usually recommended for people with longer necks, but both that one and the Wolf ones are pretty flexible for shoulder rests so you can bend them a bit
Hi Taylor! I was wondering what your favorite shoulder rest is...or any high quality shoulder rest you would recommend. Most of the ones I've used are so uncomfortable...they dig into my collar bone and it looks like I have a bruise by the time I'm done. Maybe it's because mine is curved rather than flat??
Thank you so much for taking the time to do these tips and advice videos Taylor. They are fabulous :) I do have a question tho, regarding bows. So this is for anyone who has played or got some knowledge to it. But I cleaned the hairs in some water and I let them dry overnight, after reading and seen a few tuorials about it. But the next day they just.. I don't know, can they shrink? Cause I could barely manage to fit them back into their position again, and now I can't make them lose, they are super tight and my bow is bouncing all over the place. SO I must have done something wrong. I guess I need to change them. So can you change just the hairs or do you need to invest in a new bow entirely? And does the price and quality of the bow itself matter that much? So maybe a video with more info about what to look for in a bow, how to clean them, and if price and quality matters etc etc would be really nice. And when do you know you need to change the bow hairs if you dont mess up like I did? :P
+Renate Meyer Glad you're enjoying them! Oh wow yea I actually tried cleaning bow hair once too haha, I didn't use one of my good bows but it still was definitely not worth the risk in my opinion. You don't need to get a new bow, you just need to get new hair on the bow, which you can have done at a string shop. They just call it "re-hairing" and it's usually around $50-70 depending on where you live. They put new hair on the bow and it makes a huge difference! If you're just playing casually, you should be able to go 6 months - 1 year without needing a bow rehair. And yes the price and quality of a bow matters a lot, you can basically think of it as a separate instrument honestly because that is a main source of your sound production. An old piece of advice that I remember from growing up was that you should buy a bow 1/3 the value of your violin. Obviously it doesn't have to be exact but that's kind of a general piece of advice that I've heard from a lot of people. That doesn't matter so much though until you've upgraded to a nicer quality instrument!
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings Thanks so much. Yeah I probably won't clean them ever again haha. Not if it's really necessary. It was luckily just a 10£ bow at least :) it just felt like they dried up and are kinda weird sounding. Might just consider putting conditioner on just for the heck of it since I might change them anyway :p
+Connor K I can't personally recommend any specific beginner brands since I don't own any/haven't tried any. I might see if I can get some companies to send me some to test out so I can do a product review on here!
I would like to know about size for an adult verses a child. How do I know which is an adult violin? How do I know if it is cheap if it’s my first one? Don’t just say I can’t tune it. Show me or let me here what sounds I’m looking for, please?
Did you ever have a hard time telling if you we're on key or not while playing the violin? If so, how did you overcome it? I can tell when someone is off when I'm listening to them play but when I play myself I have difficulty knowing if I'm hitting the note just right or not.
Hi Taylor, thanks for your videos :-) Just wanted to ask what the price range of your really nice violin is, or a professional violin in general is? Thanks so much for your time ^____^
Can you please tell us what your 500$~ violin is? I have seen this comment a few times but none were answered. I'm looking into buying a new violin for an advanced student and would like as many reliable examples as possible. Thank you so much if you answer~
I purchased a violin on an auktion for about $ 55. It looks ok, but I cannot find any mark, label, name, of the instrument. Is there any possibility for me to know who built the violin?
Awesome video! Next can you do the same except professional level? I've recently started performing professionally very often and want to start recording soon, I'd like to learn more about good strings, rosin, and good electric violins, without spending too much money. Also please give a review on liquid violins!!!
I’m going to visit some family and they live near a city where they have a strings shops, I enjoy listening to the violin but I feel like I won’t stay motivated to play it because of my lack of confidence.
I bought a violin (a cheap one) some months ago because I want to learn to play violin but my problem is with the tuning pegs :/ they don't stay in the right position, every time that I move them to tune the violin they immediatly beggins to rotate back slowly, what can I do?, maybe buying new tuning pegs or... I don't know :/, since that moment I can't even practice I just left it, but I really want to try, greetings :)
Do you recommend a brand of string or violin? I understand the video but I am still worried about getting the wrong one. I just want someone to say this is a good brand.
Im actually going to rent a violin soon just so I can try it. I dont want to waste my money on a violin then never play it (Even though I really want to play the violin) Im only renting the violin for a few months and taking a few classes but this video will help me out a lot once I do buy a violin
I can't play the violin at all, but I'm loving these videos, it's quite interesting and we can tell you're super passionate about it
+HollowRiku - Thank you Moisés! :)
+HollowRiku - Moisés Nieto Same here :)
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings
may i you recomended for me about a good string?
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings can you make a video about the liquid violin
You are not Moses, but you can Open the sea! e.e ...well...thats what I can see...u.u
Taylor Davis: A passionate lover talking about how to love
It could be cool showing us all your different violins and the sounds they do. Or the difference between carbon/wood violin. :) Sorry if my English isn't right...
+Rémi M Sure, I'd like to do that!
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings Can't wait to see that! :)
sorry unrelated but your English is like really good, I thought you were a native speaker at first :))
Can you make a video about the differences between beginner and professional violins? Make, feel ect.?
The best video I've seen. Down to earth and informative.
I rented from a local violin shop at first and found that to be a great option. All of my rental costs went towards purchasing the instrument, the shop handled any needed repairs for free, and they also allow trade-ins for the full price of the instrument. You can't get that kind of service buying online... I upgraded to an early intermediate violin after a few years and I'm really happy with it. Everyone listen to Taylor and go local if it's an option for you!
Thank you for the new channel. I don't even play violin but your amazing music inspires me to learn violin. Thank you Taylor.
I appreciate your Q&A videos and the fact that you love to interact with your audience. My humble question is - What was/is your $500 violin and can you give more information on it and the strings/bridge you use? I am starting to investigate the wonderful world of playing the violin. I have ignored that nudging and temptation for many many years, and I am forced to realize I am not getting any younger. But, like an irresistible Siren, it continues to call to me and does not stop. I am absolutely completely in love with the rich velvety sound of your violin. Many violins I hear are way too "bright" as a matter of personal opinion. As you understand a crappy violin will just be a lesson in pure frustration. I realize it will be a long difficult learning curve, but I hope to avoid a small bit of frustration by getting a low-intermediate to intermediate level violin as my first instrument without spending too much money. An advanced intermediate violin (ie $1000+) would be way too high to start with because it is extremely doubtful I will ever play "performance" level work. This is purely for personal enrichment/pleasure. Thank you for all your work and your consideration of my question. Best wishes.
Your smile rocks.
Great videos. Super down to earth and to the point.
like that straight to the point
My violin was a gift from my ant :) it wasn't expensive, but it sounds good. I know what you mean with de sound of a beginner (that's how I sound), it's frustrating sometimes, but I just try to enjoy de experience most of the time. Thank you for taking the time and sharing this videos, you explain so good, and your voice it's so calm :) I can understand you perfectly, so thank you for that too, because I'm Mexican so I speak spanish. Hope to see more videos soon! Hugs :)
Thx for these videos. I bought my first violin online. Since then I have found a string shop when I get ready to upgrade.
I'd love to hear your tips on how to get proper posture as a beginner
I recently suffered a severe leg injury in a motorcycle accident on my way to work and will be laid up for at least 12 weeks. So I decided that I'll use some of this time to start learning how to play the violin. This video (and part 1) were extremely helpful & informative and I immediately followed your channel. I have a feeling I'll be watching a lot of your content over the next weeks. Thanks for the useful information. 👍🏾
hopefully you recover soon
Can't wait for the first lesson of playing! I already have a shoulder rest, rosin, bow, violin and a cloth so i'm ready to begin!!!
+Yush Awesome!
Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings I know! Just one question though. How many hours should i train everyday? And you know do i do it straight or have like 10min brakes in between?
I play guitar but I play left handed..I ordered a violin online and it is a regular violin.I'm very interested in playing but also nervous and having to play right handed will be very strange. But starting as a beginner. I'm starting a journey on a new and wonderful instrument. I enjoy your videos by the way you are an amazing violinist,Thank You for the beautiful music.
thank you for making this video its really helpful because this Saturday/Sunday my parents are buying me my first violin so please keep making these videos they are so helpful so thank you P.S could you please make a video on like tips and tricks on how to play the violin ( can't wait to see you in London for your tour in march )
+Mr Conker Oh how exciting!! Let us know how it goes and how you like your first violin ^_^ See you in London!
Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings thanks see you in London
Thank you Taylor for the help!
Nice, interesting and well organized intro. I much appreciate the talk. I am an adult beginner and this is just for fun. I love your music (have all of your CDs/iTune albums) so like the extra insight you are giving on what you have done. Would love to hear how you balance your violin with shoulder rest. I often have problems gripping the end with my fingering hand between thumb and index finger which makes moving fingers from location to location less smooth. I notice you and other professionals make balancing and fingering the strings look so easy. Note: I am one year in and on Suzuki Book 2 with a teacher but any additional info is fun and useful. Thank you Taylor for these videos and your music!
+Michael Reif Thanks for sharing that Michael! Glad you're enjoying these informational vids! That's awesome that you're learning the violin, and I totally understand what you're talking about with the shoulder rest problem. I actually didn't use a shoulder rest for the first 14 years I was playing, and as much as I still find them a little uncomfortable sometimes, I've found it to be extremely helpful especially when shifting quickly and in higher positions. I'll do some shoulder rest vids soon!
Hi Taylor. Love the sound you are able to get in your original pieces (e.g. Hidden Falls-one of my favorites of my many favorites of your music).
I love your music I love singing
Thank you for the video. It surely helps me to pick out a violin. Thank you!!
Can you do a video about choosing a shoulder rests or equipment for performing?
Thank you so much for this great advice ... You are Inspiring us
Thank you so much Taylor 🌻
Thank you.
Please make more videos like this one! Could you also make a video about how to tune your violin? Love your music, god bless you!
Thank you. I want listen to you play your violins after this speech.
I bought a violin 39 years ago £14 that was a solo violin so was extremely lucky played for 63 years lucky chap.!
Bow selection would be interesting. Probably similar to picking a violin, where budget & getting to play them is key, but interested on your thoughts on carbon vs. wood, etc. Thanks for putting these out!
Thanks so much for your amazing videos! 😊🎻💖
I'm loving your videos! If you could do the videos you mentioned, that would be wonderful! I want to know more since I'm just starting out, I can't get enough information. It is exciting you are correct!
When I started out, I bought a chinese factory violin for around $400. After changing the strings, replacing the bridge with a good german teller, installing better tuners, adjusting the afterlength, buying a much better bow, going with a quality rosin, and a few more tweeks, I had a violin that sounded five times better than when I first bought it. After forty years, I still have that violin and it sounds sweet.
Starting violin again after quitting for a year (violin broke) so this series is really helpful :D
Thanks for this. As an adult wanting to learn to play the violin (my flute died a few years ago, and I need to pick music up again. It's either a new flute - or pick up something new. The violin actually appeals more to me than the flute at this point in my life!) I have to say all I've been able to do is look at all my choices and go cross-eyed with confusion. lol Its good to hear it's not quite so bad as it appears, and to know a little more what I should aim at. It's also a relief to hear that the 'upkeep' of the instrument is not too bad. With money so tight right now, I was so concerned about the whole string-replacing/rosin thing creating an extra money-sink - I was almost ready to give up. Even if I CAN get my hands on a violin, replacing strings often may be too much. But if I can keep them going awhile while I get out of the screechy-stage that'd help! Thank you! I feel a little more hopeful now.
+Elentarien replacing strings isn't absolutely essential actually, I've gone many years without replacing mine (obviously it doesn't sound as nice as it used to). Replacing strings is actually fairly cheap depending on where you buy them (mine were only $3 each)
Nice video Taylor, didnt even know you could switch out the chin rest. What I would like to know more about is vibratos, tremolos, amd just the different shaped shoulder rests. I can't wait to see more videos these will seriously help me out so much!
I knew there was a scratchy sound with my cheaper rosin! I knew it! Since I was a beginner I didn't know if it was just my playing or the $3 rosin that was scratchy. When I upgraded to the nicer rosin I was sure the scratchy sound went away but then other more experience players were telling me there's no difference between the cheaper and nicer rosins. Now I know I was right and it wasn't just my imagination! Thank you!
Hopefully soon I'll have my own violin and begin lessons! Very excited. :) Your tips are great, too.
Thanks for your videos. I'm excited for what's next :)
I'd be interested to see a video on things to look for when buying rosin, and also how to start using rosin once you buy a new "pack." The rosin that came with my violin was so old that I had to cut it with a knife to get it to melt under the friction of the bow. I'd be interested to see how you get a new pack to melt enough to be useful for the first time. Thanks for the videos, Taylor!
Forget melting it, the heat can change it. Hit it with 220 grit sandpaper to rough it up.
Can you tell how to know what is correct size for what age and what are the factors for choosing sizes, like 1/4,4/4 etc
My first violin had the same look but I think it was a little bit smaller 😇Thank you 💙
Thank you, your videos are very helpful!!!
Great Video, what would you recommend to keep yourself motivated?
I have a friend who never had her strings changed yet and still her violin's sound is beautiful (in regards to the price) (its kinda cheap but better than mine). Mine on the other hand, I changed strings almost 2 weeks (sometimes for a month or half a year) after it was placed in replacement.
Regarding shoulder rests: My violin is 4/4, I bought a 4/4 shoulder rest but it doesnt fit, but it fits in my friend's
Hello Taylor,
Any advice on nice all-round shoulder rest for adult woman? It is for a John Cheng Limited Edition Christmas Present to my wife. Thank you and keep up the excellent work.
Thanks taylor!
Your info for this video is spot on. I would like you to have a peek at KK music in California. They retail Cecilio Mendini instruments that I feel are very comparable to the companies we're more familiar with but at a fraction of the price. I've purchased several student level instruments from them and they're doing pretty good. I think all the student models across the board are manufactured in Asia and sold under different company names. Alison Sparrow has done a number of violin reviews to include the Cecilio Mendini line.
Hi Taylor, I loved the videos! It would be awesome if you could do one on shoulder rests as I'm actually looking for a new one at the moment! Also a video on vibrato and any tips on how to shift positions quickly would be really useful because I'm playing first violin in my county's youth orchestra and we've been given a piece that requires a lot of shifting position, so any advice would certainly be welcome :) I've been playing for about five years now (Since the start of high-school) and it's become something I love to do. You and your music inspire me everyday, thank you! x
+Sophie Wallace when shifting positions, I like to take my first finger and drag it to the new position to help with muscle memory
+LeAnn Liu Thanks-I'll certainly think about/try that when I'm practicing :)
Different shoulder rests fit different bodies. There isn't one perfect shoulder rest for everyone. Luckily, unless they are figured wood, they aren't expensive. A good quality adjustable one is a Kuhn and it won't be really pricey.
I wanna do this for a living. And do videos, tours..you and lindsey inspired me,Can you please tell me how i can get started?
Get a violin and practice at least 2 hours a day
Hello, my name is Scott... im 45 years old.... I can play guitar and fretless bass , upright bass... I'm wanting to buy a fiddle and learn to play Ornge blossom in 3 months.... I feel confident from UA-cam videos I've watched ... seems like I may have a heads up on the art..... but what would you recommend for cheap that has a dark tone ? I was looking at a spruce/ maple with ebony finger board, tailpiece and chin rest... but I know ow nothing other than a couple of videos I watched... including yours... lol. I will be playing bluegrass ...
yeah, recently had one of my more costly acoustics out with me and left it in a vehicle for not too long... but at 4 degree's the top of my guitar split..... so watch those extreme temps !
Please make a video showcasing your professional vioin!
Taylor, thank you so much for doin these videos..you are so charming and sweet and very knowledgeable..i even watch your commercials and don't skip them! :) As far as strings, is there a brand you prefer over others? As a guitarist, i kinda know about brands that meet the price point and quality without sacrificing tone. Any thoughts? Same for resin. And I am relearning after a long hiatus, is there a teaching program in print or online you could suggest?
Really nice video. I already have a violin and at the moment learn the viola too but your videos are still really informative and they are fun to watch. :)
When it comes to accessories, I would also recommend something that keeps the violin to have minimum/moderate moisture, like a Dampit or something. It's really hard trying to care for a violin in a very dry city. That is something I forgot to get when I got my new violin (when I was out of town). Luckily, I ordered one and it should be here soon.
+Matthew Sanchez Tried it. My violin has 'unusually small f-holes', so a dampit can't fit.
Elliot Jenner Do you have a 4/4 (full size) violin? I think the f-holes' size varies based on size of the violin.
Mine is full size, hence the luthier's 'unusually small' comment. They are longer than usual, so it's about the same opening area. Apparently this is just something that particular violin maker did on some of his instruments. Gives a bit more on the e string but makes the G sound worse, in my opinion.
Invest in a humidity guage and a humidifier for whatever room you keep it in if you spend any money on your instruments. Know what's going on with the air and keep them in a place that's at 55% relative humidity. They'll sound better along with not cracking, warping, or drying out.
Really appreciate your videos, please, can you tell me the best brands available in America?
HI😄 I'm from Egypt, I'm 24 and I always wanted to learn how to play but I never played a violn. is there any chance for me to learn or what?!!!
and if there's a chance could you please help me?!
Hi there! So I'm about 28 yrs old and I want to start to learn how to play the violen and was hoping to get more tips for being an adult beginner.
you should do a review video about that Musafia case you´ve got on the back table
Can you do a video on vibrato? Even though I have been playing for a long time, I can't do vibrato; when I try the instrument shakes so hard my bow loses contact (or at least my volume warbles).
(What's really annoying is I can do vibrato fine on a cello, but I only have a Violin and a Viola.)
+Elliot Jenner Vibrato is a tough technique to learn, it took me a long time to get comfortable with it, and especially to even get it to work at all in the beginning! I remember trying for months and being so frustrated haha! I don't know if it's something I'll be able to help a ton with through a video, but I can definitely give you guys some tips and exercises that might be helpful!
maybe choosing a new Bow? My current Bow is alright, but I'm not sure if I should upgrade or not. I am a very casual player.
Good video Taylor!
Hello Taylor :)) The link in the describtion does not lead me back to thumb up/Watch Part 1.
Thanks for detailed info.There is not much violin brands in my country.Theres Mendini mv300 on internet whole set.What do you think of that brand and ordering online?
I'm sort of interested in shoulder rests. Right now I'm using a wood grain plastic by Artino, and then I have a really inexpensive one by Everest. I saw one really umm expensive rest by Pirastro that was customisable.
+Sirena I'll do a video on shoulder rests :) Oh wow I had no idea on the Pirastro one, that does look really interesting but wow yea I've never seen a shoulder rest so pricey haha! I might try it out though actually, I've been using a "playonair" inflatable one and that's probably the most comfortable one I've ever used, but it falls off my carbon fiber violin easily and it's really awkward when it comes off on stage when I'm performing haha!
Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings I think my next violin will be a Janek (John) Juzek that's about $1k. It sounds good, and has a uniform sound. Others I tried for a bit less had usually two good strings that sounded the same as the Juzek, but usually the G, and D strings sound very low in quality.
Taylor what is the rate of violin at least pls inform because I am going to purchase a violin in june
I have a violin that I inherited from my great-aunt, but sadly, i don't play a lot (i live in a small apartment with really thin walls, and there's some stupid policy on instruments). anyway, the violin looks really nice, but i'd like to know if it's actually as good a violin as it looks or if it's just something cheap made to look expensive. do you have any advice on how i could find that out? I don't have a string shop near me bc i live in a very small town and i can't really get to a bigger city without sitting in a train for like an hour...
That really helped!Thank you! :3
Do you think you could do a video for updating your violin. I have a student one and I wanted to start saving up. But I'm not sure what to look for in sound and quality. Thanks
Chin rest and shoulder rest - that would be awesome to learn more about. I seem to always have a struggle with my shoulder rest and it feels like the violin moves a lot when I play (a bit over exaggerated with a lot, just enough to bother me). I am doing something that is normal, or just not holding it right with my chin and shoulder?
I think it would be awesome some tips about electric violin, in witch level you need to be to buy one, in witch kind of music works good, range of money for a good enough one. Thanks being a inspiration, taylor : )
If you decide to get an electric, don't get a 4 string, get a 5. They don't require a bigger body to work well acoustically with a C string; that's why violas are larger than violins. You can find used ones on Reverb and the Yahama YEV5 is on the lower end price wise and is an extremely well made instrument. It sounds strange, but it's true; electric guitar amps don't work with the violin voice as well as bass amps. Pair your electric violin with a bass combo amp. Combo means the speaker and amp head are one unit.
Hey Taylor!!! Whats the brand on that $500 violin that you use in your outside videos? Im very interested in getting something like that !!!
Nice vid!! I am an ole country boy myself so I call them fiddles, hehehehe. Is what I would like to know is can you a good one for around $2,000? or would I need to go higher? this for an adult beginner player but she is serious about it. and I don't want to have to keep upgrading all the time. Thanks!!
Hello Taylor! For low intermediate students, that live in apartments or small houses and can't make a lot of noise, would you recommend buying an electric violin? Thanks so much for sharing these videos!!!
+Fabio M. You can also get a mute for your acoustic, which (if you have a good one) drops the volume low enough that someone a few feet away wouldn't be able to hear it. Check if you can still play like that, though; I have found that I can't tell if I am hitting my notes accurately with one of those on.
+Fabio M. I personally like acoustic instruments more, and think it's probably better to learn on an acoustic and then maybe add in an electric later on, but it's totally your preference! For acoustic noise-reduction, you can get a "practice mute", it's a lot heavier than a normal mute and it really dampens the sound so you wouldn't be disturbing your neighbors :) There are a few different types of practice mutes and some mute stronger than others. They're all relatively inexpensive, I have this $4 one in my case that I use if I'm traveling and in a hotel or need the sound to be quieter! www.amazon.com/Glaesel-GL3834-Violin-Ultra-Practice/dp/B0002II6V0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453874043&sr=8-1&keywords=violin+practice+mute
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings All right, sounds awesome. I'll definitely try it out. Thanks so much for your tips! You rock!! Best wishes from Brazil!!
I went to my first violin class after years today. I've played the violin since I was 6-12, and now I've started again (I'm almost 16) so I'm kinda out of it. I'd love it if you could make a video about very basic stuff, like the posture(?) when you play, especially how you move your the arm that holds the bow for the best sound. My teacher has told me and showed me to play so you use your back as well as your arm and generally your entire body but I'm really not understanding it. Also other basic information like placing your fingers (I know where to place them, but placing them so it sounds nice and also my hand is really stiff so I don't have the reach I need). I know I'll have to practice super hard to get into it again, but I'd appreciate your advice for getting into playing again after a long break. Keep up the good work:)
+marislung My vocabulary and English in general isn't very educated within this topic I'm sorry if it doesn't make much sense
I know that this is also very subjective, but what shoulder rest do you use? I use a Comford shoulder cradle on my viola and I love it, but it's pretty pricey. My Kun collapsible that I'm currently using isn't quite tall enough and I'm clenching my shoulder when I play. What do you recommend?
Taylor i want to play very well like you play about violin but i cant because i have learned by my self i need some guide
your vibrato!
I had a really "aggressive" shoulder rest in High School, and I don't remember the name but it really helped with my bad neck and back. I'd love to buy it again and start up.
Do you have any clue which one it could've been? I remember it was like 2 inches wide and it WASN'T a Kun.
+TreiGamer Interesting! Bon Musica rests look kind of batman-ish haha, there are also the Wolf Forte Secundo and Forte Primo ones that are a little wider, maybe one of those? The Bon Musica is usually recommended for people with longer necks, but both that one and the Wolf ones are pretty flexible for shoulder rests so you can bend them a bit
Hi Taylor, I want to start playing violin, but I also want to play bass guitar. Would there be any challenges in playing 2 stringed instruments?
Hi Taylor! I was wondering what your favorite shoulder rest is...or any high quality shoulder rest you would recommend. Most of the ones I've used are so uncomfortable...they dig into my collar bone and it looks like I have a bruise by the time I'm done. Maybe it's because mine is curved rather than flat??
Can you do lessons I’m still not sure how to play the notes
Thank you so much for taking the time to do these tips and advice videos Taylor. They are fabulous :) I do have a question tho, regarding bows. So this is for anyone who has played or got some knowledge to it. But I cleaned the hairs in some water and I let them dry overnight, after reading and seen a few tuorials about it. But the next day they just.. I don't know, can they shrink? Cause I could barely manage to fit them back into their position again, and now I can't make them lose, they are super tight and my bow is bouncing all over the place. SO I must have done something wrong. I guess I need to change them. So can you change just the hairs or do you need to invest in a new bow entirely? And does the price and quality of the bow itself matter that much? So maybe a video with more info about what to look for in a bow, how to clean them, and if price and quality matters etc etc would be really nice. And when do you know you need to change the bow hairs if you dont mess up like I did? :P
+Renate Meyer Glad you're enjoying them! Oh wow yea I actually tried cleaning bow hair once too haha, I didn't use one of my good bows but it still was definitely not worth the risk in my opinion. You don't need to get a new bow, you just need to get new hair on the bow, which you can have done at a string shop. They just call it "re-hairing" and it's usually around $50-70 depending on where you live. They put new hair on the bow and it makes a huge difference! If you're just playing casually, you should be able to go 6 months - 1 year without needing a bow rehair. And yes the price and quality of a bow matters a lot, you can basically think of it as a separate instrument honestly because that is a main source of your sound production. An old piece of advice that I remember from growing up was that you should buy a bow 1/3 the value of your violin. Obviously it doesn't have to be exact but that's kind of a general piece of advice that I've heard from a lot of people. That doesn't matter so much though until you've upgraded to a nicer quality instrument!
+Taylor Davis - Behind the Strings Thanks so much. Yeah I probably won't clean them ever again haha. Not if it's really necessary. It was luckily just a 10£ bow at least :) it just felt like they dried up and are kinda weird sounding. Might just consider putting conditioner on just for the heck of it since I might change them anyway :p
can the next video be about chin rests? mine doesn't bug me a whole lot but I'm curious now
I'd love to know more on beginner violins
like which types, brands, places to get as starters
+Connor K I can't personally recommend any specific beginner brands since I don't own any/haven't tried any. I might see if I can get some companies to send me some to test out so I can do a product review on here!
I would love to learn the violin and Which is good for beginners ? Electric or Acoustic?
I would like to know about size for an adult verses a child. How do I know which is an adult violin? How do I know if it is cheap if it’s my first one? Don’t just say I can’t tune it. Show me or let me here what sounds I’m looking for, please?
Did you ever have a hard time telling if you we're on key or not while playing the violin? If so, how did you overcome it? I can tell when someone is off when I'm listening to them play but when I play myself I have difficulty knowing if I'm hitting the note just right or not.
Of all the totes adorbs faces, yours is the most
Hi Taylor, thanks for your videos :-) Just wanted to ask what the price range of your really nice violin is, or a professional violin in general is? Thanks so much for your time ^____^
Can you please tell us what your 500$~ violin is? I have seen this comment a few times but none were answered. I'm looking into buying a new violin for an advanced student and would like as many reliable examples as possible. Thank you so much if you answer~
I purchased a violin on an auktion for about $ 55. It looks ok, but I cannot find any mark, label, name, of the instrument. Is there any possibility for me to know who built the violin?
Awesome video! Next can you do the same except professional level? I've recently started performing professionally very often and want to start recording soon, I'd like to learn more about good strings, rosin, and good electric violins, without spending too much money. Also please give a review on liquid violins!!!
+Niamh M Sure, I can definitely do some more advanced videos too!
I’m going to visit some family and they live near a city where they have a strings shops, I enjoy listening to the violin but I feel like I won’t stay motivated to play it because of my lack of confidence.
I bought a violin (a cheap one) some months ago because I want to learn to play violin but my problem is with the tuning pegs :/ they don't stay in the right position, every time that I move them to tune the violin they immediatly beggins to rotate back slowly, what can I do?, maybe buying new tuning pegs or... I don't know :/, since that moment I can't even practice I just left it, but I really want to try, greetings :)
nice
can you play of-handed, so bowing with left and playing the strings with your right hand?
***** its just something i want to actualy see in a video, a proffesional violin player learning the basics all over again
Do you recommend a brand of string or violin? I understand the video but I am still worried about getting the wrong one. I just want someone to say this is a good brand.
I’m 50 and want to learn any advice on size?
Im actually going to rent a violin soon just so I can try it. I dont want to waste my money on a violin then never play it (Even though I really want to play the violin) Im only renting the violin for a few months and taking a few classes but this video will help me out a lot once I do buy a violin
i saw one on Amazon it came with everything and was $80 should i get that or go higher