What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
At what age should string lessons begin?
Are there different size violins available for children?
What should I consider in choosing an instrument and bow?
Can an adult learn to play a string instrument?
What else do I need besides an instrument?
What are your teaching methods?
Since I am left-handed, can I learn to play and have a violin fitted for playing in the opposite way?
How should I care for my instrument?
What is the purpose of practicing scales?
How can I develop good sight reading skills?
What is the ‘string (or violin) family’?
The string or violin family consists of four instruments that are played with a bow or plucked. The violin is the highest pitched member of the family, which also includes the viola, cello and double bass. The violin has four strings, each tuned a ‘fifth’ apart: G, D, A and E (lowest to highest). Music for violin is written in the treble clef. The viola is the second highest pitched member of the family. It has four strings tuned a fifth lower than the violin, to the notes C, G, D and A. Music for the viola is written in the alto clef and sometimes in the treble clef as well. Violas vary in size, although they are always larger and tuned lower than violins. The cello (or violoncello) is also shaped liked a violin but is much larger. Supported by an end pin which is placed on the floor, the cello is placed between the knees of the musician and played with a large bow. Its four strings are tuned an octave lower than the viola’s, to C, G, D and A. Music for the cello is written in the bass clef. The double bass (also known as the string bass, bass viol, or contrabass) is the largest and lowest pitched string instrument of the family. It is usually played standing up and generally tuned in fourths – E, A, D, G – making it different from all other modern string instruments. Music for the double bass is also written in the bass clef.
What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
Actually, there isn’t one. The words ‘violin’ and ‘fiddle’ are etymologically related, both derived from the Latin vitulari, ‘to rejoice’ or Vitula, the Roman goddess of victory or jubilation. Although both words are used for the same instrument, the techniques used by traditional fiddlers are considerably different to those used by classical violinist, which are generally more standardised. A traditional fiddler might choose to hold his/her instrument like a classical player (tucked under the chin), but this is not essential as most traditional music can be played in the first position. Traditional players, therefore, might hold the fiddle against the upper arm, chest, shoulders or even the waist. Bowing styles and holds vary greatly in different regions or between individual players.
At what age should string lessons begin?
For a child, between six and eight is a comfortable range, a bit earlier for girls than boys, as they usually mature more quickly. This is the age range of our Introducing Violin for Children group course. Occasionally younger children can do well, particularly with violin, and we have had a few four- or five-year-old students who have done quite well with their lessons.
Are there different size violins available for children?
Violins generally come in the following sizes: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 (full size). Children in their early teens are usually big enough to play a full size violin. Sizing is extremely important. Playing a too-big instrument is painful and an exercise in frustration that makes it virtually impossible for a student to develop good technique and tone. If your child seems to be between sizes, go with the smaller size to ensure your child's success. Good advice is crucial for fitting the right size for the child, and they should be present when purchasing the instrument.
What should I consider in choosing an instrument?
String instruments have a greater price range than virtually any other musical instruments. You can still buy a decent starter violin, bow and case for under €100, while Stradivarius and Guarneri instruments are worth several million euro. The first question to ask is whether you want to buy a factory-made or a hand-made instrument. Factory-made violins are reasonably-priced and consistent in quality. Parents starting children on violin or fiddle should consider that quarter- or half-sized instruments will have to be exchanged for larger instruments as the child grows; for this reason, cheaper, factory-made violins are often the best choice. With hand-made instruments, quality (and price!) are often more subjective, and it is best to ask your teacher or an advanced player to try out an instrument before you decide to buy it. Waltons music shops offer special discounts on instruments to students at the school, and have a range of recommended string instruments.
Can an adult learn to play a string instrument?
Yes! Results will not come overnight, and, in fact, the learning process will likely take years to complete. Nevertheless, we must remember that those years will pass by anyways, and being older is not a reason to refuse to undertake it. There is a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction to be had in learning a musical instrument. The New School has several group courses specially designed for adult beginners, including Introducing Violin for Adults and Introducing Fiddle.
What else do I need besides an instrument and bow?
- A good shoulder rest for violins and violas (Wolf are recommended)
- Rosin (provides the bow hair with friction in order to produce a sound)
- An electronic tuner or pitch pipe to help tune the instrument
- A music stand
- A spare set of strings
- Method books/other printed materials (recommended by your teacher)
- A ‘lesson notebook’ for homework assignments and teacher comments
What are your teaching methods?
Our teachers generally use a 'traditional' approach, which means they generally incorporate note-reading, musicianship, and technique (instrument-specific skills) into each lesson. Their teaching methods are not set in stone. We believe that each student learns best when approached as having unique strengths, weaknesses and learning styles, and each lesson is tailored to the individual student.
Since I am left-handed, can I learn to play and have a violin fitted for playing in the opposite way?
We do not recommend refitting an instrument in this way (in other words, with the G string to the right, and holding the bow with the left hand). The literature is not designed for this, and the problems of adjustment in reaching higher positions seem overwhelming when you consider what the configuration would have to be. In addition, ensemble playing requires consistent bowings, and even consistency with respect to fingerings for uniformity of phrasing. Many players would argue that it is actually an advantage to be left-handed because of the requirements of the left-hand technique, and certainly there is nothing to prevent a left-handed person from taking up the instrument.
How should I care for my instrument?
A good string instrument, properly made, can last for a very long time, and will actually increase in value over the years. Professional musicians are still using instruments made by master-craftsmen in 16th-century Italy. Of course an instrument’s life-span and healthy condition is directly related to the care its owner takes. A few things to keep in mind:
Atmosphere. The effects of humidity and dryness on a stringed instrument are critical. When the air is dry, wood shrinks and is subjected to damaging inner tensions. When the air is very moist for an extended period, there is a danger of mould formation and decomposition of the wood fibres. You can avoid major damage to instruments by not placing them too near radiators, or in sun-baked cars. Try to avoid sudden changes in humidity and temperature. In winter months when central heating dries out the air, the wood may begin to crack. In summer months when there often is excess humidity the wood begins to swell, weakening the structure of the material and sometimes warping and twisting the neck of the instrument. Needless to say, it is easier to add moisture to the instrument in the winter than to remove it in the summer.
Cleaning. It is important to keep the surface of stringed instruments free of rosin, dirt and dust, but the musician is better off restricting the cleaning of his/her instrument to a daily wiping-off of rosin, dust and sweat, and leaving the serious cleaning to an experienced professional. Never use commercial cleaners on your instrument, since they often contain solvents and abrasives that can seriously damage the varnish.
The Bridge. The function of the bridge is to support the strings and transmit vibrations. It is shaped so that the surface facing the tailpiece is absolutely flat, and the surface facing the fingerboard is arched. This is why it appears as though the bridge is leaning towards the tailpiece when it is properly positioned – which makes structural and functional sense, since the gradual tendency of the bridge is to warp in the direction of the fingerboard due to the constant tuning of the strings. The strings should never be allowed to dig too deeply into the wood on top of the bridge, as this tends to muffle their sound; this is especially true of the fine-gauge E string.
Pegs and Adjusters. Both pegs and adjusters are tools to change the pitch of your strings. Pegs are used for coarse adjustments of metal strings and all adjustment of nylon and gut strings. Metal adjusters, located on the tailpiece, are recommended for fine adjustment of all metal strings (most violins are sold with an adjuster for the metal E-string). Care should be taken with wooden pegs, both for ease of use and long life. Avoid putting chalk, rosin or other abrasive material on the pegs; they will shorten the life of pegs and pegholes through premature wear. It can also be quite dangerous to wind too much string on the pegs. Sometimes the excess string gets wedged underneath the peg against the floor of the pegbox and causes cracks in the back of the pegbox.
What is the purpose of practicing scales?
For a complete beginner, scales help build finger dexterity by giving you something to play that you can work on without being slowed down by reading. They also teach you what notes are found in each key, which makes reading music go more smoothly as you'll cease having to read each note one at a time and start to see patterns within the key.
How can I develop good sight reading skills?
Sight reading is learned by doing, and it takes practice! Being a good sight reader requires a combination of two elements:
- Learning as much music theory, music history and related subjects as possible.
- Practical experience in sight reading. This is acquired by joining as many formal or informal groups as one can locate, and also regularly attending to new music in the home practice.
Three things to keep in mind:
- At the beginning of every piece of music, there are three areas to examine initially: the clef signs, the key signature and the time signature.
- One should also have some general idea about the style period.
- Glance through the piece if you have time and look at the form and chord structures. Determine, at a minimum, whether it is in a major or minor key, and note any development or recapitulation materials.
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