Mistakes & Lessons Learned while I was a Self-Taught Violinist | Katy Adelson
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- I started learning violin without private violin lessons for several years. A lot of people cannot afford private violin lessons, too, so I thought I'd share my experiences. I was "self-taught" while I was a kid and teenager, so many of these experiences may be different for adult learners. I thought I'd share my particular experiences so that other people learning violin without a teacher don't feel as alone with self-doubt. It's normal to have doubts while trying to learn an instrument by yourself. The most important thing is to form your own personal goals, to find positives in situations, and to not quit.
In this video, I discuss ways you can learn the fiddle on your own, and ways you can analyze your playing to try to improve it. I also talk about some of the stigmas I faced as I became an older, and some of the bad habits I formed. I also discuss ways I learned how to undo some of those bad habits once I started having classical violin lessons.
After about eight years of trying to figure out the violin on my own, I was able to find a good teacher willing to work with me to undo a lot of my bad habits. I took lessons from her for about 2 years, and I'm very thankful I had that opportunity. If I hadn't had those years of lessons, I don't think I would have ever made it into a university-level music program. Although I strongly believe people can go quite far teaching themselves violin, I think investing in a teacher is essential at some point -- especially with the "classical music" genre.
I currently do not take violin lessons, although I've been thinking I should take them up again. It's never too late to start taking lessons, and to learn and improve more advanced violin technique.
I'm a bit nervous about this video -- I'm not sure how well it's going to go over with people, but we'll see! =) I hope people come away from the video thinking it's possible to get quite far on the violin on your own, and that it's still possible to become a musician even if you need to wait until you have your own income to afford private lessons.
I was going to post a tutorial this week, but instead, I had to send my Canon 70D camera to the Canon factory for repairs. =( Apparently it was recalled:
www.usa.canon.com/internet/po...
=( This was the last video I was able to film on my Canon camera before it broke, so......I guess that makes this a special video??
In the meantime, I'm exploring other options to film tutorials! A nearby library has some resources that I reserved. Hopefully it'll work out, but time will tell! ^_^
Thank you for watching, and I hope you have a good rest of the week! =)
~ Katy
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Download/stream my "Tune Collection" album:
fanlink.to/TuneCollection
Hashtags:
#Violin #Fiddle #selftaught #beginningviolin #ViolinBeginner #Fiddlebeginner #Beginningfiddle #KatyAdelson #Music
Software and equipment used:
Full list of all my basic violin equipment:
www.katyadelson.com/about/viol...
Current Violin gear:
Violin: 1899 Ernst Kreusler “Copy of Antonius Stradivarius” violin from Germany
Bow: CodaBow Luma
Strings: Pirastro Oliv Violin Strings (with a ball E)
Rosin: Salchow Rosin
Shoulder Rest: Bonmusica Shoulder Rest
Software used (for Macintosh):
Final Cut Pro for video editing
PicMonkey.com for the ending cards
Camera:
Canon 70D + 18-135 mm kit lens, RIP...
You know what I like about you? You're the 'whole package.' I mean, not only are you out-of-this-world cute, but you play EXTREMELY well with a style that helplessly sucks the listener in. Also, your choice of material (i.e., songs) makes the listener want to hear what you're offering, and your personal mannerisms and the way you interact with the viewer is VERY endearing. We love you, Katy. Keep on playing; keep on posting!!!
Thank you so much!! =)
I'm self-taught guitar. After years of teaching myself I asked my best friend ( a teacher) to teach me. I fired him before we played a single note. He objected to the way I HELD my guitar. Electric or acoustic, I hold it like Carlos Montoya. Doesn't matter if it's Hendrix or Mozart I can still jam. Brian disapproved. I have no regrets. Katy you play wonderful.
I'm a middle-aged adult who just started violin 3 weeks ago after playing guitar for many years. I must say that I am surprised at how technical it is to play properly and how physically demanding it is as well!
I am a rather older amateur violinist who has not had many lessons from professionals and am mostly self- taught. I have been fortunate in having been accepted in many amateur groups, including a university music department orchestra. I have persevered over many years, practiced and learned as much as possible. With Katy i would say to any aspiring lover of the instrument "never give up!" This video has touched me deeply. To say I admire this young lady is an understatement.
As a novice adult starting with the violin, I appreciate a lot your advice! Thank you!
how you've been doing? Learned a lot?
This is really great advice!!! Sometimes when you see someone who plays incredibly, you can despair of ever playing well. But your story of your journey and challenges is a great reality check. The fact is that most folk musicians are self-taught, a lot of them can't even read music and they pick up tunes and techniques from playing with others. One thing that I have noticed, which watching your videos exemplifies, is that people who haven't been taught classically seem to express more joy in playing and as you mentioned are more versatile in what they can play. When you hear classical violinists play folk music is seems kind of wooden because they are too tied to the written note lengths rather than 'feeling' what will sound good,
I've been learning for about six months (after years playing guitar by ear - great for audiation) and am now playing loads of different music ( lots of Irish and bluegrass, some classical and some popular music.). If you are learning by yourself then good books are important (especially ones with digital downloads wih mp3 examples). My favorites have been 'Scales in First Position for Violin' by Harvey Whistler (way more accessible for someone teaching themselves than most classical scale books) and "Learn to Play Irish Fiddle by Philip John Berthoud, though I also whipped through "Progressive Violin: Beginner to Intermediate" by Peter Gelling in maybe a month. I practice about an hour a day, and this almost always includes scales. But I have a 30m lesson once a week, which is good for asking questions about anything that is puzzling me and getting some feedback on technique issues I may be having. And after years of playing guitar by ear, for the first time ever I am able to read music (for violin) without too much difficulty.
Best wishes to everyone learning whether from a teacher or alone - violin/fiddle is a beautiful instrument, so expressive and so versatile - just watch Katy's ragtime violin video!
Hi Katy, I’m so proud of you not just for the endurance you show in this story but also the current evidence , that you have a channel with so many excellent videos and subscribers although we haven’t a clear idea of the excellence of any particular subscriber. That is to say I was in board early I recall the video in front of the reservoir in Colorado and commenting upon it , positively I might add and having a chat about the usefulness of reservoirs as backdrops for Morrison’s jigs. You had fewer views then ; the fact that you no longer return my calls - to use a metaphor - is a quite natural. I’ve learned so much about the violin in the intervening years , and some of it owes to the inspiration you convey. And this video about your auto didactic journey is no exceptions. 😀
Most refreshing video. Had the luxury of a violin teacher for my first two years, then a twenty year break from playing, picked it up again a year ago, now self teaching, playing every day. Yes advances in internet are now a great help for self teaching.
I too started out on my own. I finally decided to look for a teacher. I responded to an ad in the classifieds of a local paper. The woman who answered the phone gave me a flat NO. She said she only taught experienced violinists who wanted to improve their skills. She did say she had a super student fiddler who never taught anyone but might suit me. So I took a lesson and I’ve never been sorry. He and I were on the same wavelength and exchanged ideas almost by telepathy. The first tune he taught me was Ashokan Farewell and his complain was that I wasn’t smooth enough.
I have to add to all you have said that meeting the right teacher is important. I have since had a lesson or two with a bad fit and it was no fun. Part of being a good teacher is when your teacher is a friend rather than a fascist dictator. (Slight exaggeration but that’s what it felt like)
So helpful, Katy! I just did my first competition. I’m a self-taught fiddler who started learning when I was 36. I’m inspired by your learning journey. Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic video Katy. You absolutely glow in this presentation! Your relating of your learning journey is very, very powerful. For anyone trying to learn an instrument, or any other self taught endeavor, your advice is golden! Your 70D may have temporarily given up, but we know you never will. Thanks for letting us hangout with you! Looking forward to more of your lovely music. 😉🌹
How fascinating to hear about how you got to this point today! I traded yard work for my first fiddle lessons and that was the best decision. It was early enough in that I didn't have too much habit reversal training to overcome. After getting the mechanics it was just so much fun to make a new discovery each day. 6 years later and I still am learning every day
You're the best! I'm mostly self taught also so all of your advice is greatly appreciated! And thank you for taking the time to share, and teach, so many great fiddle tunes for all of us to enjoy!
Katy, Greetings. I had lessons when I was a wee lad... 8 years of it... And never got past twinkle twinkle little star. I am in my 60's and have learned more from your videos than any other. For all intent and purposes, I am self taught. Had only one lesson on bowing. I first got into Blue Grass in my 40's and moved to Celtic. I still cannot read music very well, and play by ear. Thank you for your videos and instructional stuff. Very helpful...
Awesome!!! I think this is a great way to show how you can improve on your own. Nice job as always, Katy!
I'm teaching myself and find even holding the violin in the correct position hard. It is a very unfriendly instrument to begin with but must be very rewarding when you reach the level of musicianship that you have. I will keep going, I don't want to reach dizzying heights with my playing just enjoy what I do and hope to improve with practice. Thanks for a great video, I love the tunes you play, so will keep watching and learning.
don't be discouraged about your posture, it takes a lot of time (years...) to stretch everything out. don't force yourself into uncomfortable positions, it will just give you back and neck issues. like what she said in the video, if it starts to hurt, stop. it will get easier over long periods of time.
Thanks Katy! I’m glad I’m learning in the age of UA-cam!! It’s so helpful to have this treasure trove of experienced musicians like yourself giving us great advice.
Love the encouragement I have to self teach because like you right now don't have the opportunity for lesson just hope I will get there someday :)
Hi Katy, thanks for sharing. Of all the instruments I've played or tried I only lessons for guitar, which helps with violin to some degree but I could only read tablature notation so it took me quite a while to get used to reading actual music. My vibrato could definitely be better if I had a teacher. UA-camrs such as yourself are a great help though, for those who don't really have time or money to commit to lessons. Your work has been very helpful to me and it's greatly appreciated.
Im sure you have had a lot of professional violinist as a reference on your learning process.
As a new "self-taught" violinist, you have to know you are a main reference on my learning process, your good technique, beautiful sound and big smile, :)
Really thanks for your videos
Loved this video. Thanks Katy for sharing your tips on being self taught, it has given me more of a push to keep going with the violin knowing that you taught yourself as well. Because you showed the bad habits you picked up, it showed me that because of watching UA-cam tutorials like yours, it has made sure I'm off to a good start and not picking up glaring bad habits from the get go. I have been learning for around 18 months and through coming across your channel, I have realised that the music I wish to perfect is Scottish Folk, as it is part of a heritage of my own that I was never taught at school. I would love to see more Scottish music from yourself as I find you play them so beautifully, you take care, and I can't wait to see your next video. xxxx
I really like the way you talk, you look real and honest with lots of interesting information and showing the bad side with a really positive and funny self criticism.
Thanks Katy , great video . I am an older Florida contra dancer who recently picked up the electric fiddle and I am self taught and not very good yet, but enjoying the improvements. I loved your tam Lin tutorial. Your playing and videos are inspirational. Thanks again
As an alomost 63yr old learner who is lefty, and playing a lefty violin, and hearing you talk about stigma and difficulties... I hear ya! I have the same shoulder rest, the ONLY one I could find that would convert easily to lefty, it saved me from quitting. totally. I even had to make my own chinrest to start with. The struggle is real. lolol but..... I am loving the journey beyond measure. Loving your vids and thank you from across the pond in uk. Keep it up! ;o))
I think you're a great teacher and you communicate tough ideas very well like the rejection process.
Well now, good info...as a 60 year old adult beginner in violin 🎻 I do have a Masters in Performance Music on the French horn and trumpet, perhaps I might be able to learn the violin for myself.
Katy, great video! First off, Kudos to you for sticking with it over the years; We are richer for it. For those learning on their own, I would not only suggest finding a teacher (the right teacher), but also get a little theory. It helps explain the "why", instead of the "how". Please keep sharing your videos, they are greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
Such pluck! Thank you. Your spirit is wonderful.
Thank you for all you do! You're my main source of encouragement and skills for fiddle music. Keep it up!
Hi Katy, thank you so much for taking time to do this video; it was soooooo helpful and encouraging. I can relate to almost everything you discussed!
Hi Katy. I just came across this video and very much appreciate your very helpful suggestions which inspure and help maintain my motivation.
I do have a very good violin teacher but I also love learning from people like yourself on UA-cam.
I really appreciated your honesty about rejection and how you didn't let criticism stop you from making progress.
Katy, you're a fantastic teacher! Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
One year of violin here...lots of good thoughts...thanks, Katy. :-)
Katy, thank you for sharing. And all those who rejected you for this and that, where are they now ? and just look at where you are now. You excelled all of them. Everybody has heard of you, and nobody has heard of them. thank you for being true to yourself and your music, we are all the richer for it. and thank you for your tutorials to help the rest of us become better
That was a great video Katy!! Thanks for all the tips
Thanks Katy. These are great tips. Love your videos so much. They are such a big help. I am self taught and been playing for 8 years. I would love to have you as a teacher since you so understand the struggles of us self taught musicians. God bless.
Excellent video Katy. I took lessons for 2 months then went on my own. No progress, and new bad habits. Been getting lessons for 6 months now and the progress is amazing. Thanks for your inspiration with this and your amazing playing.
Came upon your channel recently. So thankful for your humility, joy and skill. I too am self taught/later with a private teacher of the violin. So thankful for you. Keep on keepin‘ on!!! God bless you
Katy - I've just discovered you and I don't yet know how well you play the violin, but I love your personality and I really hope that it comes out in your playing! 🙃
Wow! I never knew you were self taught at first! Thank you so much for sharing this ❤ I have had to do this with violin as well as I was unable to afford lessons... I always felt "guilty" for doing so because some people told me I couldn't without a teacher. Having a teacher is definitely the best way to go but I couldn't afford it. Joined a community band and it was so much fun! And the violinists were so kind and I definitely improved from that!! :)
Katy, I just wanted to say watching your videos and listening to your story is really inspiring to me. :) i havent begun learning to play the violin because its a bit daunting to me but hearing your stories are really motivating! Thank you for posting these videos katy youre truly amazing :) i hope i can learn to be at least half as good as you are when i learn to play. Keep up the good work
I have been teaching myself for a month now to learn fiddle music specifically, and your videos have been so helpful thus far! Thank you for sharing your knowlege!
👏 👍 Hi Katy - Although you’re self-taught, you sound like highly trained professional with a natural acumen for the violin - especially when you play it with lots of feeling, phrasing, vibrato, note-bending, and all that good stuff.
I, too, am self-taught with the violin (UA-cam and how-to books) but, unlike you, I’m nowhere (nor will I ever be) at your perspicacious caliber with the violin.
I agree with you that "the violin is one of the most difficult instruments to learn how to play." I’m grateful that the violin plays in the treble [G] clef since I only play treble clef instruments. That’s why, for example, I play neither the cello nor the viola.
As a violin player, I only play in the first position i.e. the first two octaves (in all major and minor keys and many genres). I’m perfectly content knowing only the first position since I only play lyrical tunes and hymns. I practice two to three days a week for a couple of hours a day. One of the things I have, along with my other instruments, is a lot of motivation - even without a personal teacher.
My only regret is after more than two years of playing the violin, I still can’t do a true wrist and/or arm vibrato. I can do a fake
finger vibrato…but that doesn’t count. Nonetheless, that has neither discouraged nor deterred me from learning to play the violin. Then, on the other hand, when I play it as a fiddle - I can forgo the vibrato, and concentrate on the staccato.
😉 🎼 🎻
Vibrato is definitely one of those things that takes a lot of patience! I remember getting frustrated at it... I'm planning to make an in-depth vibrato video soon. It seems like it has been one of the most common questions/comments I've had recently.
And speaking of other clefs, I was super surprised at how much easier it was to learn bass clef with a cello. It's odd, but a lot of the fingers work out to be the same fingers to use to play the violin as it is the cello. For example, if I were to play a 4th finger on the d string of a violin, that would be an "a." The 4th finger on the g-string of a cello is a "c." Since cello has a c-string, the g-string feels sort of like where the d-string would be on a violin, but the cello c and violin a look like the same note on the staff. It ends up somewhat feeling like I'm playing violin notes, but it's bass clef and a cello instead, lol!
@@KatyAdelson Thanks for the information. I'm looking forward to your "in-depth vibrato video." 😊 ♫ 🎻
Great video. Thanks Katy. I'm also self-taught...or I should say, self-learning. UA-cam is an awesome resource. It's been 15 months now and I've been working at it steady every day. I'm an old guy so my muscle memory is a bit more resistant than the younger folks, but it's coming along. Just starting to work on vibrato and shifting. Learning that vibrato is not "one size fits all". Some teach that the fingers roll and others teach the fingers should rock. Another said that some will rock and some will roll. One teacher said it depends on where the thumb is placed (under the neck or on the side) as to whether you will rock (back-and-forth) or roll (side-to-side) the finger. It would be great if you could give us your background on learning vibrato and if this was something you were able to discover without a physical teacher. Some teachers act as though simply following through with muscle training exercises (wrist, arm, fingers, hand) is all that is needed and one day it will happen...you will vibrate. Other teachers have said it is THE most difficult thing to teach. Professor William Fitzpatrick even said when he was struggling learning vibrato he had a dream that he could play beautiful vibrato. He woke in the middle of the night and pulled his violin out from under his bed and started to play with beautiful vibrato for the first time. At times, for those of us accepting the challenge to learn to vibrate, it might appear to be a physical impossibility, but we must be reminded that there are many that have gone before us that have successfully conquered the impossible. Thanks for sharing your story and your beautiful music.
I'm teaching myself via many UA-cam tutorials and just listening. My bad habit is playing over useful tips and instruction. This is a great video btw and you're playing is fantastic!
Thank you for all your information and encouragement!
You are a gem. A true gift.
Love you girl !
You are one of the best of the best and your unique style is very important as it is very enjoyable for those tunes !
This was very interesting. I think i'll buy the same shoulder rest you have. Thanks for your vidéo Katy, always perfect !
I am very grateful and impressed with your story and thankful for your sharing! I really appreciate the detailed understanding you have of bad habits!!!
This is great! I just started about a week ago and this is all good information to keep in mind. Thanks for the videos!
This was very, very helpful. Thank you so much, Katy!
This was much needed, thank you!!!
I myself have been attempting to teach my self the violin for a little over 2 years now. And on top of that, learning Irish music to boot. (I know right, learning one of the hardest instruments in one of the hardest styles due to all the intricate ornamentation)...lol...but I had been watching a LOT of UA-cam videos on proper holds, several different variations, and technique. I had started learning by ear off the bat and was able to play “Most Covered Mountains of Home” and “Noel How’s Lament for The Death of His Second Wife” within a few days completely. I was learning quick, but after watching some UA-cam videos, found that I was picking up some very bad habits, so I slowed down, began to learn proper technique, not perfectly bu any means, and started to teach myself how to read music for the violin. Fast forward 2 years and I am now finally taking private lessons and my instructor told me that she is really impressed with my technique for someone who is self taught. She was thrilled that she did not have to go back and correct too much. Only a few things...like my tension in my left hand on the neck, and minor stuff with my bow hold. It’s been great because I really have felt stuck in a rut with my playing and not knowing how to progress forward, but UA-cam videos, including yours, have all really helped. I just love the violin so much that I have never given into the temptation to quit, but do instead, persevere and succeed! Thank you for your videos, they’ve been great!
Wow, l really like how you express on the camera, and the tips that you give to us, really thank you Katy, you really inspired me to start to play the violin and I'd like you to make more videos of this type, kinda vlogs, and stuff like that, really thanks for still doing amazing videos
I enjoy your videos and learn a great deal from them. Thank you.
Joyous !
Hello Katy, I'm a beginner on the violin and I really enjoy your videos. Your videos help and inspire me. =)
Thank you so much, you are wonderful! =)
Thanks so very much for sharing 🙏 Your such a wonderful example for the rest of us who love music 😃
I can relate to much of your journey. Thank you for this video.
Brilliant explanations, esp. about getting rid of bad habits, so helpful. Thank you very much!
Great subject, wonderful video, love your playing style and attitude - happy musical 2019!
This is a great video. I've just started with a teacher but once I move I'll be on my own.
i can appreciate this vid so much, thank you ❤
You are awesome Katy
What a great video thank you for sharing 🌹
i had a teacher 2 years ago for one year and i learned some basic things very fast in the correct way but i couldn't play really well. Then i stopped playing for many reasons and now after a long time i'm trying to teach myself how to play keeping in mind all the things i learned (also exercises). i don't know if i will be able to can do it but i will do my best and this video really helped me, thank you very much!
Hi Katy ... glad I found this video. I started in elementary strings class because I was told "you should play the violin". Private lessons with members of a major professional orchestra on violin and viola, high school orchestras, then university. It was fun, but I never really had the passion that you have. Wish I had. Thanks for sharing!
Katy, you're amazing!
thank you so much for this and I love your playing! I'm an adult beginner (only two months), but with some other musical training (piano, dance major). I only have one half- hour lesson with a teacher a week, which I'm guessing is really not enough on its own, and I'm filling in with books and UA-cam videos. My teacher has already corrected a few things I was doing wrong, so I'm thankful for that. I only want to play Celtic music and some classical crossover music for my own enjoyment, but still, I want to be competent.
Thanks.very good advice.
Thank you for this video. You are a beautiful soul and very inspiring!
I really love your videos Katy, they are always fun and always informative. One question I have, in case you haven't covered it already in a video, is what do you do to work on intonation? I'm just a forever beginner and almost all the tunes I play are in the 1st position. Whenever I want to learn a tune that requires notes I can't play in the 1st position I have a lot of trouble making the tune sound good. Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve my intonation when I have to play high notes on the violin that can't be reached in the first position? Thank you, Larry
thank you for this video, it is good to see a professional violinist who isn't deprecating towards self learners. i personally have had a teacher since day 1 but i see a lot of self learners getting told by advanced violinists on forums not to even try to play violin if they don't have both a teacher and a quality instrument. i have found that "violin culture" can be a little bit toxic!
I think we're best friends now ☺️ the struggle is real. I keep telling myself that I'm bad at playing because I'm a beginner 😁
Cool, thnxs 4 your class
And yes me too... Brought upon classical guitar and with taking classical lessons, they are very strict but if you are creative you want to improvise. So i have decided to be a fiddler and play celtic and gypsy music. Taking private lessions with an accomplished Romanian teacher
Hey Katy! I love your videos, I have a violin, but got a bit discouraged after not improving in two years, I hit a wall with a few things. I'm thinking of trying again soon.
Could you do a video on (bare with me, I'm going to try and explain this-) how to bow? I never know when I'm supposed to stop a stroke and re-stroke/go the other way. What indicates when its time to change bow directions while playing notes? You you finish a whole bow before going the other way, or what indicates when its time to "re bow"? I hope that makes sense, its part of why I got discouraged, I was spending all my time bowing up and down and wearing myself out haha :-) I either bowed long (not knowing when it was time to go the other direction) or bowed so short it got too staccato. Again, I hope that makes sense. God bless, you seem like a very kind person :-)
This was very helpful, thanks! Have you thought about doing any tutorials on how you make your videos where you're playing multiple parts layered over each other? I'm trying and finding it difficult to exactly sync the parts so it's always a little bit off.
Hi there! I was classically trained at age ten. I played for a number of years but life happened and violin took the back seat. Ten years of marriage and four children later... I picked up a mandolin and the love came back! I hung them both together on my wall. Now I’m so excited to get back into it. I have an Irish fiddle book that I am working with. Trying to unlearn the strict classical style and just going with fiddling is kinda hard for me. So either way you work it, as long as you love it and keep trying it will all work out. I actually found you to figure out how I can get the rhythms and general feelings of American and Irish fiddle down. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Or if you already did a video like that would you refer me to it?
Thank you I! I’m excited to look into more of your performance videos.
Oh.....and I learned some cool tips for bow holds. If you are struggling...try doing these actions:
like little bunny foo foo hopping through the forest to loosen wrist and fingers... Plus windshield wipers to get smooth strength in those small muscles.
I'm definitely going to use some of these tips, i'm going to rejoin a local weekly folk session, and there's a local amateur orchestra i can join. I did have a teacher but now i don't. But I think i have prepared myself enough on my own to go for my grade 5 exam. Yet i a'm also lacking in some areas like having a more professional sound. I've noticed people a grade or 2 below me sound so much nicer and it can be so frustrating.
I took private for 2 years!! She majored in violin UF. She was a amazing. To me if someone can read notes you can taught your self BUT you need a teacher professional FOR JUST HOLDING YOUR VIOLIN...SO IMPORTANT IN YOUR PLAYING THE VIOLIN💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💪❕🎶🎼🎵🎻🎻💓🎻💓👍👑I have been a violinist for over 10 years now!! I did play in a Quartet plus cello. 🎻🎶🎼🎵thank you for posting. I have been subscri BBB end to you👍💓
Yeah -- I think learning how to hold the violin properly is way more important than learning how to read sheet music! Violin has kind of a stange position to hold it to play.
do also take into account physio warm up and warm down - get and maintain the best possible posture careful on height of bowing arm - look at alexander technique for violinist and neck - my own 2 cents - coz i can't play professionally any more because of severe spine/neck issues
Any tips on relaxing the left hand while playing? I tend to choke my violin. I really seem to struggle with this.
hm... I'm a guitar player of many years who's playing fiddle without a teacher, I kind of figured some the knowledge of theory and rhythm would make the transition easier, but it's still quite a challenge. There aren't really even many youtube lessons for how I'd like to play the fiddle, which involves lots of 5th and octave double stops.. These are the sorts of things common on a guitar. The 5th double stop is a challenge because it is hard to intone two notes correctly with one finger pad, and the octave because you have to coordinate a good stretch and keep it in tune
I think KATY is pretty cool !
Who gave this a down vote? I am an adult amateur 'cellist. I started in grade school with the local school program. My parents are musicians so I had private lessons, plus piano, etc. I was very lucky. This is good and TRUE information people. I teach now a little bit. Thanks so much Katy! BTW, my daughter is a professional violinist and teacher. Again, good stuff and thank you.
Great tips. I notice that you also play the mandolin. At what point did you start learning that instrument?
So, weird being a Bluegrass Fiddler. I never had a flat wrist on the fingerboard always Classical. Holding the bow is another rabitt hole I've tried so many.
Ok so quick question.
how long should it take to learn the violin?
I have been playing for about two months, i am self taught and i don't know how to read sheet music.
i have learned to play: the butterfly jig, silver and gold two step waltz, mordred's lullaby and drunken Sailor.
And can play them by memory
i still screech and i am rarely able to play them all the way though with out making mistakes
(But i have managed to)
Is this normal?
am i learning more slowly than most?
If you don't know the songs please listen to them before commenting
Please comment i would really like to know.
It's good to know that you're mortal! Ha Thank you for all the videos you post! This one is very encouraging!
Thomas Jefferson our 3 rd President taught himself the violin.He practiced 2 hours a day for 12 years.
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hi Katy! I'm visiting London in few weeks and I wanted to ask you if you have rec something, like a CD or whatever I Mean. I want to buy something special for my mom and she enjoies your music and your way of playing the violin so I guess It will be a perfect present. Thank you :)
pd: such a useful video! I love your work too.
Great video, I really enjoyed it! How did you manage to get good at sight reading? I also rely a lot on muscle memory and trusting what I hear. And sight reading is definitely my biggest weakness at the orchestra. Would you have tips, a book or a method to get better at that?
Thank you! Sight reading is tricky, and I think the best thing is to practice sight reading every time you practice. I used to do a lot of sight reading with the "StringBuilder" books. They are cute simpler tunes that helped me learn how to sight read a little better. I'd also go on TheSession.org and pick a random tune to play through. Some are much harder than others, so it might end up being something too hard to really sight read, but it still helps! =)
When I sight read, I first look at the key signature and the time signature. Then I glance everything over and look for accidentals or parts that look particularly tricky. The music can kind of "play in my head" when I look at sheet music, so I sort of get a sense about how it goes. Then I group phrases into what I'd consider to be "common patterns," (arpeggio-like, scale-like, open-string-crossing, 3rds, chromatic, chords...etc...), and then I'd try to play through it. I usually ignore bowings and ornaments, but that's also sort of a bad habit... I also get hints about what the music is doing by looking at the slant direction of barred notes. If it slants upward, the notes increase in pitch, and vice versa of the bar slants downward. Also, I got really familiar with what the downbeat looked like from the orchestra conductor, and always tried to jump to the beginning on the next measure when I saw the downbeat given. I think the biggest thing is to just practice sight reading a lot! =)
Thank you! I will check those out!!! And thank you for your videos, they're so fun to watch! Have a great week ;-)
Cool!!!! Could you possibly do a video on tips for vibrato? My vibrato only likes to come put on certain occasions, and usually only in the third finger. I've tried many tips, from many different teachers, but it's still pretty non existent...
Mary Ann Angst you should check out the videos from Violin lab here on youtube. That’s how I learned vibrato :)
@@simonb.903 Thanks!!! I'll have to look at them!!!
I am planning to make a whole video on vibrato soon. =) I was going to talk about it briefly in this video, but it ended up being too vague to be of any help, so I cut it out... I want the video to be helpful, so I'm going to research common questions and difficulties people have with it. I mostly have an arm vibrato, which I think is an easier vibrato to learn than a wrist vibrato. I think the trickiest part of it is the concept that your fingers are moving forward and backwards while you are trying to play a note. It feels very unnatural until you start to get used to it.
Violin lab has a great vibrato specific course. I started doing the exercises as my warm up every day for the past month, and my 4 year spastic vibrato is actually becoming a nice controlled vibrato.
@@KatyAdelson Awesome!!! I'm so excited for that!!!
I'm gonna teach myself
Oh Katy, Katy, Katy. I admire you sooooooo much. My first try playing a violine starts with the first note and ends with the first note. ;P ;P ;P I am better in making music on my DAW. Form your own orchestra! The "Katy Chamber Orchestra"! Do you remember? ;)
Violin is tricky!! That's for sure! But music production is also super tricky! 😮 I haven't forgotten about that orchestra idea, lol! ^_^
Tips:
0. If you can afford a teacher, do it;
1. Find as many opportunities to play your violin with different groups of people;
2. Participate on competitions;
3. Audition for orchestras;
4. UA-cam
5. Read "introduction to violin" books and exercises for beginners;
6. Record (audio or video) of yourself and compare with other version (on UA-cam for instance);
7. Learning the violin is hard, don't take it as a race;
Stigmas:
1. Being self-taught might make people pay more attention to what you do and notice your bad habits, en if you play it correctly;
2. After 5 years of self-taught, finding a teacher willing to give you private lessons might be hard;
Bad habits:
1. Bow hold;
2. "Flat wrist syndrome";
3. Elbow;
4. Violin posture;
5. Tense body;
You are one tough cookie 🤠