Vigan Showcase the Ilocos Sur

How to Play Violin

Beginner Guide

When it comes to violin, everyone always been fascinated because of how beautiful sound it produce. and how romantic can be play. And of course we are so adore on how violin play a major role on every movies we watch especially the disney movies. But before you play such beautiful sound many things had to be done and more patience need to apply in playing the violin instrument. And  let me lead you as a newbie in playing the violin. Here are my checklist before pursuing the long term playing of violin.

1. BUY THE INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES.

• VIOLIN :  as a beginner you have no idea what should you buy, violin was range from $60- up depends on the brand and quality, if you are planning to have one you should set your budget for a violin. Visit local shop and inquire, but reminders, cheap price of violin wont last long and the sound may a little bit scratchy, but it will take a long run to produce it in a good sound, try also to have friend with you who can play a violin too, so that he/she can tell if the violin was a good quality. Size of violin was depend on the user, for the adult size best fit was 4/4. But still its ok to buy not expensive violin for a beginner. The important is to start the training.
  

• BOW : Usually bow comes when you buy the violin to, but if you really want to have a bow or planning to change your bow, make sure when you buy the hair must be clean but not extremely yellow looking otherwise you will need to re-hair the bow, so that it will grip its best,  For as much as you play, I suggest you re-hair your bow every 6 months, but do it once a year, if  you’re not playing a lot.
  
  
  

• CASE : when buying violin case and bow are always give in package deal for a beginner. So it won't need that much to buy another one. But Violin casing has been improved now days, you have many choices in design and color, so its up to your budget if you want to have one. usually than range of a beautiful case was the same with the price a cheap violin.
  
  
  

• ROSIN : It's what the bow grip the string. Rosin, the most common use rosin in Asian Countries is the light color unlike the countries who had a cold climate use the black/gray color.  Dark rosin is softer and is usually too sticky for hot and humid weather—it is better suited to cool, dry climates. Since light rosin is harder and not as sticky as its darker counterpart, it is also preferable for the higher strings.
  
  

• SHOULDER REST : Not all violinist use shoulder some aren't but if you are a beginner i suggest you must have one because it helps you hold the violin up so you are  not clenching with your neck or lifting up your shoulder, and it provides an easier way for your hand to shift into higher positions since it takes much of the burden of holding up the instrument off of your left hand. This may come to wooden and plastic made. This aren't that expensive usually you can buy this in $3 or Php. 250.00. 
  
  
  

• MUTE : mute are usually made of rubber and metal. For me if you want to have a mute better to have a rubber one. And as much as possible don't use it always because it makes your bridge (see the photo of the parts of the violin) prone breakage, and another factor also you won't hear the real sound you produce while practicing. But anyway as a newbie you won't play that good just like what we watch on the tv or other show. Probably you'll need it too for a while because it less the sound produce while playing violin. So if your house are so near with your neighbor and you don't want to disturb them while you joyfully practicing, then use a violin mute.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• EXTRA STRING : string are require to change  every 6 months if you always play violin. And to have this also on your ase pocket is a good one, because you'll never know when you'll need it. 
  

• CLOTH : When you’re done playing, wipe your strings and violin off with a soft cloth to remove rosin. If you let it build up, it can cake on and interfere with your sound quality, and also ruin the varnish on the wood of your instrument. Buy a cotton cloth so it will make not ruin the varnish of the violin.
  

• METRONOME : actually this thing if you are playing on group basis or an orchestra this will help you a lot, because you learn to play in tempo at a steady beat. So its also good to have this too.
  
  
  
  

• FINGERBOARD STICKER : if you don't know where to put your finger on the board when looking for the note this will help you a lot. But for not so long, in future you'll get use to the sound of your violin. But for a newbie who doesn't know where to put your finger this sticker will be ok, or maybe you can ask your teacher or friend who knew to play violin to put a white tape mark on your finger board so that you can distinguish where to put your finger.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• MUSIC STAND : If you want to practice more without having troubling reading the music sheet a simple and cheap music stand will lessen your burden while practicing. Try to have one. usually it cost  $10 or Php 500.00.
  

2. PARTS OF VIOLIN AND BOW 

3. LEARN THE BASIC TECHNIQUE

• Open the Violin case get the bow, start  tighten the bow hair it a little bit just turn the end Screw to clockwise not too tight because it will produce scratchy irritating sound if its too tight. The hair of the bow should be limp. Until the space between the hair and the stick is big enough to pass a pencil through cleanly from tip to tip. Never use your pinky finger as a gauge use the pencil, because the oil from your skin will transfer to the hair, which needs to remain oil-free to get the best sound from the strings.

• Rosin the Bow. Grip the rosin and gently rub it up and down along the length of the bow hair to 3-4 times. The purpose of the rosin is to transfer some of the rosin “dust” onto the hair, making it stickier. You will need to rosin your bow about every time you practice. Too much rosin to the bow is still ok.

• Tune the Violin, this may also be done on the shop where you buy your violin they always tune your violin first. But if it out of tune you can do it on  your own, there some downloadable apps you can use to fine tune your violin. You can search on video in youtube teaching  on how to fine tune a violin, 

• Grip the bow, start by gently laying the middle part of your index finger on the grip (the slightly padded part of the stick, usually a few inches above the tightening knob). Place the tip of your pinky finger on the flat part of the stick near the base, keeping it slightly curved. The ring and middle fingers should rest with their middle parts in line with the tip of your pinky finger, and their tips on the side of the frog.Your thumb should rest underneath the stick, at the front of the frog, near or on the bow hair.It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but over time, it will form into a habit.

• Hold the violin, straight back pick it up holding the neck of the violin with your left hand and put the back part of the violin near on your neck, rest in on your collar bone and hold it place with your jaw. 

• Play the violin, try to move your bow on the string up and down with every string. String note from left to right was: G,D,A,E. This was an open note. as a newbie you can start playing open note from left to right. The bow must always stay in the center, between the bridge and the board( see part of the violin).

• Practice everyday. Read more about violin instrument and watch more videos on violin tutorial, and if you have budget you can hire a teacher for you to excel more in playing violin. 

Playing violin need more patience and perseverance, because this instrument is not that easy to play you will need more practice and many hard days. But still never ever quite because at the end all hardship is worth at all. Thanks for reading may article. Hope somehow i manage to help you in planning to play a violin or for your sister or brother. It would be my honor if you will comment about my article. Thanks again.