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Becoming a better violinist
I'm currently a freshman in high school. I've been playing the violin since 4th grade. I've never had a private teacher though. I had one in 6th grade, but she came during school, so I had lessons during class. Except the lessons didn't last very long because something happened. Since I didn't really have a private teacher for long, I'm not as 'advanced' as others. There's this school that would be considered the a 'good and smart' school.... It's just so stupid because i feel intimidated by them. They're smart, more advanced, better at everything.... All of the orchestra students from that school Robinson, well they're all first violins. I'm second violin. I don't have much of a problem with it, except it affects my confidence. How can I think positive and not let things like that get to me? I mean, they all play so beautifully.... I know I should practice a lot. You can't get better if you don't practice right? It's just that everytime I practice, I feel like I suck. Does anytime have any great tips that can help be become a better violinist? Things I have trouble with is vibrato, shifting, and sound quality and stuff. People say I'm good at playing violin, but it's weird because I honestly think I don't have much knowlege of things. Here are the things I would like to improve on.
1. Whenever I try vibrato, I just feel veryyy awkward. :\ My hand is all stiff. When I see others do vibrato, they can do it so 'smoothly' and big/widely across my string(s). What I mean by 'big', is that when I try to do vibrato, my hand/wrists only moves in little movements. I just don't feel comfortable. I can barely hear my 'vibrato' when I play it...
2. I have major problems with my 4th finger. I know I have to play on the tips of my fingers, and curve them, but I struggle with my 4th finger. D: I hate reaching for it! Sometimes it feels like my pinky is 'locked' or something, since it's usually straight. How can I feel more comfortable using my 4th finger, and get better at it?
3. I think my sound quality is horrible! Occasionally, I would squeak and I hate it. D: It drops by confidence. I'm not sure if it's my bow, I always rosin it. Or maybe if I need to get my strings replaced? Any tips on how to squeak/screech less? :|
4. How will I be able to sight-read music better? and how can I become better at playing fast notes? Today in orchestra, I just felt so slow when I was trying to play some of these fast rhythyms and notes. The first violins know their music well, but when it comes to the second violins... well I hate the thought of everyone else in the orchestra thinking we suck. Like the second violins suck, and only play second cause they can't play first. Then I think that people think first violins are the best. It's just those talented, cocky students from Robinson... Any advice on that? It's like my fingers move slower than my bowing hand. I find it hard to keep up. I can usually play the beginning of a fast measure, but never the end. o.O
5. Any tips on how to count rhythyms well? Occasionally, I would get confused on how to count certain measures. I know I should subdivide or break it down, but I still get confused.
6. Shifting! Ah, yes. How can I improve at shifting? I can listen and play notes in tune, but sometimes I have trouble with getting the correct pitch just like that. How can I learn to place my fingers in the correction place? I get lost sometimes. Whenever I actually DO play it right, I was most likely lucky. I have a playing test coming up in a couple of days and I really need to nail this. I need to use 3rd position for the spot where my playing test will be. (since some measures have some flats, it would just be hard to transition from each string... I will be shifting to first finger for the G on the D string.) This test will help determine seating arrangements, and I'd hate to be seated 'wrongly' because I screwed up on the test.
7. You know the curve/bump that below your index finger, but right beside your thumb? (sorry, I'm not sure if there's a correct technical term for that.) When you play, does that need to touch the neck of the violin? Sorry if this is confusing. I know the thumb has to touch it (of course), but does that bump need to? Does it need to touch the neck of the violin when you vibrato?
I think that's pretty much all I need advice on. Sorry if this was long, or if I seem 'needy.' I know what you're thinking, I probably should've learned all of this by now huh? Well actually, I didn't really. If anyone has any tips or advice, I will GREATLY appreciate it!!! I REALLY prefer if someone who is EXPERIENCED answers this. Like they know what they're talking about, and have experienced this before. Rather than someone just searching this up. THANKS so much!
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Maybe give some free advice about: Music?
1) When doing vibrato, you must be tensing up. Ask your violin teacher for exercises in vibrato (yes, there are some). I used to have the same trouble. I think you are pressing down your fingers (left hand) too hard and thus cause stiffness in your wrist, which interferes with making a good vibrato.
2). You seem to have double joints on your fourth finer. "Locking" is a common problem with double-jointed people (like me). Your fourth finger is pretty weak right, now, so you just have to keep practicing with it and eventually it will get strong enough so you don't have to worry about it.
3) I think right now you are screeching more due to pressing your bow down too much. Again, maybe your right and left arms/wrist/fingers are tense; try relaxing every few measures and see how that works. Your bow might have too much rosin, too; that creates screeching too. I didn't realize how much gunk was on my bow hair until my teacher brought attention to it. You could try wiping your bow across some cloth. As for strings, you could use better quality (if you aren't already). Pirastro Evah Pirazzi are good strings. Try cleaning off your strings.
4) Fast notes are always hard for everyone; you're not the only one. I know you must have heard this all the time, but go slow at first. It really helps. Go like a snail, and then when you master the notes, go faster until you get to the regular tempo.
5) Use the metronome (the dreaded metronome!). I know you probably hate it, but that's the best way to practice with rhythms. Go over rhythms with your teacher too, he could probably help.
6) Shifting requires practice, practice, and more practice. I hope you do well on your seating audition. Before that comes, pick a particularly troublesome spot and practice shifting back between the two notes until you can get it right consistently. It sounds terribly boring, but it works with persistence.
7) There is technically no right or wrong way to play, so it depends on how you feel. For example, I believe that yes, the curve should touch the violin all the time and the thumb should also be there, but beware of squeezing with your thumb, especially when shifting. It makes the violin sound strangled. But still, do what works well with you. Experiment with different ways. Eventually, you'll find that "magic position" where you feel comfortable and produce a good sound.
Good luck! I have seating auditions tomorrow and didn't practice so I'm really nervous; please wish me luck! :)
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