GrowlersWorld Music featuring Growler's Violin - The Preludes...

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The violin, sometimes called the fiddle, is a stringed instrument with a voice that can stir your emotions.

I started learning to play the violin (at ELLSO - The London Late Starters Orchestra) from scratch at a late age (37).

Here is the continuing story of the gradual journey to a clean sound, articulated notes and playing violin music in tune.

See also , The GrowlersWorld Violin Concertos - Inspirations ,

GrowlersWorld Symphony No.1 - Violin Links

and The GrowlersWorld Philharmonic Orchestra - Classical Music Links

Rawle Austin presents...

When I first started learning the violin two things stood out to me. Firstly, you have to keep your fingernails cut low to get the best out of the finger positions. Secondly, you have to tune the instrument each time before you play it.

Some people can tune by ear but what if you can't at this stage? Well, there is an alternative. Electronic tuners. I use one that you can clip on the top of the violin and it works perfectly. You can go through the G, D, A and E strings and the light on the device moves to the centre and turns green when its in tune and red and away from the centre when its out of tune.

It's a excellent invention and really helps when you're practising at home with no tutor. Espcially in the early stages of your learning. It's a great way to dive into playing simple tunes quickly.

Violinist Sarah Chang

Click here to check out the Cherub Clip On Violin Tuner  

What's the best way of playing the violin at home that doesn't disturb those around you? The answer is a violin mute.

This little device fits over the bridge of the violin and reduces the sound. There are two types, a round, circular version which is good for orchestral playing and gives the violin an unusual tone and there is the 'comb type' which is best for practising at home as only you the violinist can hear it.

They both fit over the bridge of the violin and come in metal or rubber varieties. The neighbours or those living with you won't be able to hear your music as you play. So play and practise to your hearts content and enjoy the feeling of your musical skills improving.

Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter

Click here to see a selection of violin mutes 

I recently noticed that the elbow of my left arm (the one which holds the violin) sticks out too much when playing.

A bad habit.

It's best that your elbow is kept in towards your body so it helps your finger positioning and it just looks better.

Also, watching and studying the best virtuosi (expert violinists), they also play this way.

So I'm now re-learning all the old simple tunes and practice techniques that I've been playing previously.

Daily practice will soon get me feeling comfortable in this method.

Learning to play the violin is an exercise in multi-tasking. You have to keep the bow on the right string, keep your fingers in the right positions and read the music. All at the same time. All the while playing in tune.

It's actually quite fun though a bit of a challenge. The journey continues... ;)

Click here to check out Fiddle Time Joggers + CD by Kathy and David Blackwell

This simple folk tune is a Polka (I'll call it Polka No.1) by Jackie Daly.

It's Irish in origin (although the word has Czech roots).

It feels and sounds nice to play.

I memorised it and have been practising. Not perfect yet but you'll get the general theme of the piece.

Close your eyes, have a listen and see where it takes you...

Click here to check out Violin for Dummies by Katharine Rapoport

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