When playing a piece of music, should you try to avoid playing open string as sound too harsh? When should open string be played and not played?

Hello,

I am currently writing a manuscript where a character is a young violinist (set about 1890). I am a pianist myself and don't have much knowledge of string instruments. That is why I'm currently researching a lot to write about it correctly and realistically.

The character lives in poor conditions (at beginning partly on the streets) so he doesn't have a lot of resources. Later on he finds work and is able to afford a bit more things.

What I could find out by now are the main parts of the instrument and some overall informations like the use of rosin (even though I think in poor living conditions the character might not be able to afford that).

Are there by any chance some violinists here who have informations in general that could be useful for writing about the instrument, the playing itself or little bits of knowledge one might miss while researching?

Thank you all in advance!

Basically the title.

Other useful info:

I play guitar and recently started violin as well. My goal is to play live with both connected to a BOSS RC600 looper.

My current amp: Fishmann Loudbox Mini

The pickups I'm currently eyeing at:

- Fishmann V300

- Realist Copperhead

- LR Baggs Violin Pickup

Aesthetic-wise I prefer the fishmann and LR Baggs, plus they sit on top of the violin so I can easily put the instrument back in its case. I want a pickup that stays on constantly.

Sound-wise I have no clue, so I am open to any recommendation.

Thanks!

I have been playing now for almost 2 years, and I know that I worry about intonation too much. I will stop and fix a note until it sounds right, and keep going. I know it is holding me back, and yet I can't stop pausing to fix it until it is on tune, or sounds right at least. How do I stop worrying about it?

I just passed the first round in Georgia for All-State. I’m in the 9-10 category, and am in grade 10. I feel like this is the one year I could really lock in and maybe qualify? I’ve been playing for 4 years, and have been in private lessons for 3. I practice nearly every day now, and am in my school’s chamber orchestra. That said, I have never been to round 2, as I got sick last year when it occured. Does anyone have any good sightreading books or resources? I feel like I’m going to be fine on the excerpts with my teacher’s advice, but I really need to do well on the sightreading.

To be honest, I am a violist. I don’t remember the last time a violist made All-State at my school, it’s more so violins. I know they’re not the same, but I thought I could get more advice here since this subreddit is larger.

Eu toco a 3 anos, toco peças como "Por una Cabeza", "Dança hungara n° 5" (sem cordas duplas), entre outras, nesses 3 anos eu nunca estudei nenhum metodo, apenas aprendia uma musica, a tecnica pra tocar ela e segui acumulando tecnicas perdidas pra cada musica. Onde eu tenho dificuldade: afinação pouco precisa, erro algumas notas nas mudanças de posição; velocidade do arco, meu arco as vezes não vai tão rapido quanto a mão esquerda (como na segunda parte da czardas, q é bem rapidinha, minha mão esauerda vai rapida e o arco não cinsegue acompanhar); som limpo e forte, eu sempre acabo tocando muito baixo e quando tento tocar forte o som nn sai muito bonito; notas longas/legaturas com notas demais, que ja adciona um outro problema, eu uso pouco arco, só uso a ponta superior. Esses são alguns dos problemas mais criticos que eu vejo em mim mesmo, mas devem ter outros. Quero focar 1 ano apenas fazendo tecnica pra em 2028 tentar entrar no conservatorio. Qual/quais metodos de violino vocês me recomendariam para isso?

Hi, I'm a grade 9 violinist that had started 2 years ago. I used to play for a year when I was a grade 2, but had to stop because of covid. A year ago I was on Suzuki books 2 and 3, but now I am playing pieces like Winter Vivaldi 1st mov. I practice about 1-2 hours per day, and I was wondering if this progress is normal.

(I have a violin teacher and am RCM 8, I am not really struggling with the hard pieces)

Basically, I woke up one day with an insane urge to master the violin. Not to be cool, or to have a hobby, or anything like that. I want to play so I can express any and all emotion, to be able to channel my stress into the music, and to have the versatility of genre for music. I know it'll probably suck to learn, but would you recommend it? How's the learning? Do you think it's as great as it seems?

This piece is criminally underrated, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to perform it for an appreciative audience.
The composition is scored for 3 violins and continuo, but obviously the Canon is well above the viola's normal range. Thankfully the Gigue 3rd violin part perfectly fits the viola for a (amateur) quartet performance.

For a complete and historically informed performance of Canon and Gigue in D, listen here: The Academy of Ancient Music.

Hi, beginner here. I recently moved out and since then I have to be really cautious about not disturbing my new neighbours, so I wanted to get myself a practice mute. The first one was cheap and it barely fit and didn't work like at all, so I got a second one (Artino PM-01) and it just absolutely doesn't fit on my bridge. Do you think I might be putting it on wrong or something?

Someone told me to stop posting and practice instead lol but I had a really nice DM from someone checking in on me because I hadn’t posted. They told me not to give up. So here we go, half of Rieding’s Op 35 played faster than ever. Maybe my intonation isn’t up to par and I’m vibratoing, but when I play slowly and methodically I focus heavily on intonation with no vibrato. I’m just having fun here and trying to relieve some stress over a boy I barely know haha.

When we are bowing, when we switch from up bow to down bow, there is this smooth index finger animation. And this must be an indicator of something good because every good violinist I see have this animation.

You probably know what I'm talking about but I added a screenshot from a video anyway. But its very common actually, its not just about Vengerov or anything.

My questions is:

What does having this animation really mean?

Does it mean our bow hold is relaxed and there is no tension there? (which is a good thing)

Does it mean our bowing technique is correct and we use correct muscles in our right arm?

Or maybe it means something completely different.

As a student, sometimes I have this animation and sometimes I don't. I'm trying to understand what does this really mean so I can focus on that area.

Begginer exercise.( Just lazy to cut the video)

I started learning this piece around 2 weeks ago, and I have finally got down the third movement after continuous practice. For me, the hardest part was from bar number 29-31. The dynamics especially made it hard for me T-T.

But what about you guyz, where did u have the most problem

Hi, I’m an independent violinist working mostly Chamber music and a lot for famous pop musicians with my string quartet or ensemble.I freelance my whole life in orchestras but now have to do an audition again in a few weeks to be able to stay there. Any tips on Mahler 9 IV Adagio orchestra except for bowling and fingerings?

Hi, beginner here. I recently moved out and since then I have to be really cautious about not disturbing my new neighbours, so I wanted to get myself a practice mute. The first one was cheap and it barely fit and didn't work like at all, so I got a second one (Artino PM-01) and it just absolutely doesn't fit on my bridge. Do you think I might be putting it on wrong or something?

Andrzej Panufnik died on this day in 1991. His Violin Concerto is a beautiful work that derserves to be in the standard concerto repertoire.
Andrzej Panufnik: Violin Concerto - Vivace - 3rd movement
Marta Magdalena Lelek, Violinist
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Music Director
https://youtu.be/hdCcTs4I9Qw
Recorded live on December 11, 2015 in CBC-Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto

Hi! I’m a very new violinist but I love the song Honeybee by Steam Powered Giraffe and have always imagined it being a part of my wedding and I was wondering if anyone had ever tried a violin cover of this song, but when I searched it I found nothing but a few piano covers. So, I know this might be a long shot but I would love to know how this song would sound on violin but I’m not skilled enough to play it from sheet music yet so I was wondering if anyone here may have ever played it and could share a recording? Thank you!

In my early childhood I had a violin teacher, but I dropped the instruments after around 4-6 years of my parents forcing me to play pieces they wanted me to impress the relatives. Music never left me, I had a lot of fun teaching myself guitar and piano but I decided recently I want to come back to violin. (I'm still pretty young)

I'm at that awkward stage where I can technically "play" most pieces at full tempo with little practice, but they don't always sound great. Pieces exclusively in 1st and 3rd position tend to sound pretty good, but everything else goes out the door. I can do vibrate on my 3rd finger very well, on my 2nd finger alright, and my 1st and 4th are both pretty bad. I don't want to get a teacher, besides from just playing pieces over again while trying to make it sound nicer is there anything else I can do?

Edit: I want to give a bit more context after reading some very helpful comments!

1. the reason why I dont want to get a teacher is because the main reason I quit violin was because of my teacher and the pieces she and my parents forced me to play. In addition, my schedule doesnt allow much time for lessons, i could squeeze them in if they are absolutely vital but likely only once a week and i will lose some sleep for it.
2. i believe my main struggle with violin is the consistency. when i say pretty bad, i can still do it but the highest note and the lowest note i play within the vibrato are not always the same, so it sounds rather inconsistent. Same with things like fast staccato, i struggle to apply the exactly same amount of pressure onto the bow to make it “bounce” consistently. Improving this is my main goal! Thats why I believe that it might be easier for me to improve (with my specific issues) than for others.
3. Of course I’m not looking to try to become an advanced violinist at the moment, (although i might reconsider in the future). My time is split between too many instruments and other commitments for that. However, i would like to get to a stage I can move between positions more comfortably and have the pieces sound nicer (i think i need to practice vibrato on shorter notes!)
4. I know this isnt a good reference but i was the only thing i could find: im a bit under year 5 I think https://youtube.com/shorts/0ptenNmvjNk?si=axlPD4BzaecIzGys

My father said I played too safe for this piece, your thoughts?

I've been playing the violin for quite a while now, and I want to learn the Sibelius concerto mvt 1. I've tried mvt 3 and got most of it, except I'm still training to shift my third faster in that particular section, but the rest is fine. I want to learn the Velcose Sul G and the cadenza in mvt 1 for maybe a good audition choice. Does anyone have any fingerings that can recommend for those 2 sections? Especially the arpeggios after the Sul G. A photo may help if there are annotated fingerings. Thank you very much.

you

Just as the title says. It seems to me that post Brexit they ask for Global Talent self sponsorship instead of offering Skilled Worker visas.

Centre seam opening? I can't see light through it from the hole where the end peg goes in.

I'm currently at Minuet 1-3 in Suzuki book 1. So far, with the easier pieces, I get away with looking at the sheets while playing. Now with these more difficult pieces, I feel that looking at my fingers seems to be more helpful than at the sheet.

Here come the questions:

- do you mainly look at the fingers when you practice? Or what is your looking strategy?

- when memorising, do you actually remember the notes (like, humming the notes), or you just remember the finger pattern directly? Silly as it may sound, but I feel like actually memorising the notes takes an extra step to "translate" them to the finger positions. Isn't it more efficient to just directly remember the finger patterns instead?