Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Basic
10 Lessons
for
Violin
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Copyright 2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Practice Record
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Contents
Forward and Acknowledgements
Theory Review
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Forward
This tutor is titled “10 Basic Lessons” because each lesson covers some fundamental aspect of starting to learn the violin.
The content is not just “the notes” but endeavors to demonstrate movements as exercises and drills that though they may
individually appear simple, which they often are, they combine to form the violinist’s technique.
Left hand and right hand actions are presented separately at first and once introduced should form the basis of a regular
practice regime. Reading music is not required to begin because letter and finger based systems are presented along with
music notation, providing a way to start learning immediately, but in the process gradually introducing how to read music.
Though ideally intended to supplement lessons with a teacher it has been designed with a view for those seeking a means
of self instruction.
This symbol introduces material to be read, to clarify a point or present some new material that may be helpful.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the left hand.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the right hand.
Any theory, introduced for the first time, is highlighted and explained.
[6] Hot Cross Buns (1) The first number, in square brackets [6], refers to the music in the tutor book.
The second number, in curved brackets (1), refers to the music in the software program.
Open string accompaniments are written as just letter names to begin with.
Play on all strings - A, D, G, E Play on all other available strings, from memory or view the transposition in the program.
Play on any two strings - A&D, D&G, E&A Play on all other available string combinations as above.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Amalia Hall who suffered long but patiently under the hot lights to model for all the pictures and video, and
to Wen Chuan Lin who accompanied on piano for the video.
The teaching methodology has been based on that developed by the incomparable pedagogue Paul Rolland.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
The violin is like you, it doesn’t like it too hot or cold. Neither are extremes of dry or damp good.
Do not store your violin in extreme hot or cold locations. Even a short period in a car on a hot day can be very
detrimental. Instruments shouldn’t ever be left in a car, they could easily be stolen.
Dry conditions can be worse over time, the instrument may crack or seams open, but there are devices
available that you put in the case with the violin to stabalise the humidity.
Put a small amount of rosin on your bow before playing. Hold the rosin in your left hand,
place the bow hairs flat on the rosin and move the bow back and forth on the rosin.
Wear down the rosin evenly. Creating a deep groove only wastes rosin.
Be careful not to chip or drop the rosin, it will break easily. Place your thumb over the ferrule,
the metal part, to avoid it breaking the rosin.
Tighten your bow before playing by Avoid making the bow too taut, there should still be a bow in the
gently turning the tension screw. bow. You only need about a pencil width between hair and stick.
Loosen the hair on your bow before putting it back in the case. Make sure there is nothing under the violin, like the
shoulder-rest, when you close the case. This could cause the bridge to be pushed through the violin top.
Keep your nails cut. Long nails interfere with the correct angle of the fingers on the fingerboard and may even
damage the string. If the outer layer is broken it may cause the string to become unstable, and in turn uneven
edges may damage the fingerboard, causing grooves to appear.
After playing the violin, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove any rosin build-up on the
strings, fingerboard and varnish. A silk cloth works particularly well in removing rosin off the
varnish and fingerboard. A light brushing movement is all you need. A cotton cloth may be used
vigorously on the strings to remove the rosin. A drop of perfume on a cloth can help to dissolve
built-up and hard to remove rosin. Never use this on the varnish.
Polish is rarely needed, and when necessary, only a commercial violin polish should be used.
Cleaning the violin with regular furniture polish could damage the varnish and thereby the
acoustics of the violin.
A cloth over the top of the instrument may prevent any marks due to bow movement or things
coming loose in the case.
Strings should be replaced if broken or worn. A string with a damaged outer winding may mark the fingerboard. Even if
the string does not break it won’t last forever. Eventually it will lose it’s tonal quality or pitch and become “false”.
Never remove all the strings at once, the sound post may fall over. Replace them one at a time.
Store the violin with the strings in tune. Do not loosen the strings unless maybe travelling on a plane. Loosening the
strings too much may allow the sound post, inside the belly of the instrument, to fall over. The sound post serves two very
important roles: it stops the instrument from collapsing, and it facilitates the sound producing vibration of the string. It is
often necessary over time to replace the sound post, especially if moving to drastically different climates. The instrument
will respond to differences in humidity and temperature by expanding or shrinking, the sound post becoming
correspondingly too loose or too tight.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Start with heels together. Step to the left and slightly ahead. The A string is tuned first, then D,G and E.
Lower Higher
To stabilize the violin a shoulder pad, also known as a shoulder rest, is often used.
For beginners I recommend using sponge cut to shape, or a rolled up cloth.
Shoulder
A rubber band secured around the end button is then hooked over the lower bout, under the chin
Pad rest, left side.
The sponge makes it easier to fit, especially smaller sized instruments.
Wrap left hand around the neck The thumb provides counter-pressure, but should only be as little as
Make sure not to touch the bridge. necessary without squeezing between thumb and fingers.
st
The base joint of the 1 finger There is no one fixed position for
should be level with the top of the the thumb but use it lightly, the
fingerboard. Don’t trap the fingers relaxed hand finds the correct
under the neck. position naturally.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 1
Start with the hand hanging by the Gradually bring the violin up into a Point the tail piece to the centre of the
thumb near the end of the neck. playing position, the right hand may neck.
Pivot on the thumb so the little finger help, strumming continuously. Place the violin lightly on the collar
can reach the G string. bone.
Support with the left arm but use the right hand as well to begin with.
Brush the little finger lightly across the strings, lower to higher - G D A E, letting the arm swing slightly.
An ill fitting chin rest can wreak havoc with the position of the head.
The head must not be thrown back but allow the chin to sink over the lip of the chin rest.
Chin Rest
With the chin dropped the spine, at the back of the head, straightens. Head should remain vertical.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 1
This is the playing position for the pizzicato tunes and exercises
The end button should be pointing towards the centre of the neck.
With the head turned approximately 45º to the left the violin will be a little bit further left.
Playing
Another way to think about it is to line the violin over the left foot.
Position Bottom edge of the violin should be on the collar bone, next to the neck.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 1
Theory
th
Pluck (pizzicato) with left little (4 ) finger.
• Upper line - Student Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly from
• Lower line - Teacher or Advanced Student the base joint. Keep the hand still.
1.
2.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
1. Violin Salute
3. Shifting Preparation
Swing the elbow further in front of you
Move the lower arm until the hand is as the thumb goes round the neck and
Place the fingers on the string in First over the body of the instrument, this is fingers extend further up the neck into
position, start on the A string. a Middle position. a higher position.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 2
4. Violin Position
The violin may move up or down, or left to right, but keep the contact on the collar-bone.
Violin Avoid pointing the scroll down to the ground. Support with the left hand.
Position Try balancing the bow or ping pong ball on G and D strings between bridge and fingerboard.
It is safer to practice over your bed or cushion in case anything falls.
Theory
3.
4.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
1. Elbow Swing
Widen between the base joint of the fingers to give more space between the fingers and thereby a
longer reach.
Widen
Base Joint This has implications for finger placement once you start putting fingers down to make notes.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 3
Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly Move with a slight elbow swing when changing strings.
from the base joint as fast as possible.
Place finger on string before playing and move to the
Keep the hand still and finger curved. next string in the rest, that is, as soon as possible.
5. Lightly Row
Theory
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
1. “Bunny” Grip
Make a circle between right hand thumb and the middle digit joint of the second finger.
2. Balance Point
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 4
Next try finding the balance point using the right side tip of
the thumb. Keep note of where the balance point is
The fingers should be above the bow to start with, the little
finger a bit higher than the rest.
Try this over your bed or cushion in case the bow falls.
Place a pencil in the “Bunny” Grip between thumb and With the palm side up, letting the bow rest in the hand, tap
middle joint of middle finger. the thumb nail against the pencil or stick.
With the palm side down tap the little finger nail Promotes relaxation and correct finger shape and
against the side of the pencil or stick. placement.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 4
Theory
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
2. Crawling Exercise
With the bow pointing straight up walk the fingers up and down the bow.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 5
The regular hold has the thumb touching the stick between the frog and the leather grip.
st th
Feel the bow weight on the 1 finger. Bow feels lighter, soften your hold. Feel the weight against the 4 finger.
Pluck (pizzicato)
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Place your left hand into the crook of your right elbow. Keep the upper arm still.
1. Elbow Swing
Swing the lower arm from the elbow, like a door moves from its hinge.
Let the wrist rise to touch the chin without lifting the
bow or moving your head.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 6
Have the left hand above the instrument. Keeping the bow tip away from the instrument raise and lower the
Hook the tip of the bow with the curved little finger. bow from the upper arm.
4. String Crossing
Place the bow hair flat on the string between bridge and Silently raise and lower the whole arm from the lowest to
fingerboard. highest string.
Start with right arm at a right angle. The arm moves to a new position or level for each string.
Each individual string has its own arm level as does each pair of strings G-D, D-A, and A-E, for a
total of 7 bow levels.
7 Bow Levels
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 6
Theory
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Theory
Dotted Half Note 3 beats of sound Dotted Minim Note
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 7
G and D Strings
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 7
Variation 1
Variation 2
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Note-reading practice
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 8
D and A Strings
G and D Strings
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 8
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 8
All Strings - G D A E
Theory
st
1 Ending Play first time through
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Playing two strings at the same time: arm level moves between the level of the individual strings.
Each string has its own arm level as does each pair of strings G-D, D-A, and A-E, for a total of 7 bow levels.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
st
1. Establishing contact between thumb and 1 finger
Tap the fingers on the string from the base joint, keeping the finger
curved.
Aim to have the string through the middle of the finger tip.
The finger should be able to sit on the string without touching adjacent
strings.
To play the same finger on two strings at the same time place the
finger between both strings and flatten the finger more if necessary.
rd
3. Octave Practice - Locating the 3 Finger
To find a balanced hand position, one where all the fingers can reach
rd
the string at the same time without strain, tune the 3 finger to the
open string lower than the one the finger is on. That is:
rd
G open string and 3 finger G on D string
rd
D open string and 3 finger D on A string
rd
A open string and 3 finger A on E string
rd th
With the 3 finger down on the string the 4 finger should be able to
rd
easily touch the string close to the 3 finger, and still be curved.
nd rd
Place the 2 finger next to the 3 finger, still quite curved.
st nd
1 finger is half way between the 2 finger and the open string is the
squarest finger, more up-and-down than the rest, reaching back the
most.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 10
Theory
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 10
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 10
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Lesson 10
Theory
Fine Fine The end. After playing from the beginning again, stop.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
Theory Review
Fine Fine The end. After playing from the beginning again, stop.
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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
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Copyright 2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
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