#the lowest string on a violin is also called a G string

[opbackgrounds]

I can't speak on any of the brass instruments, but as someone who has played a lot of strings in their life I do get a kick at how Oda draws stringed instruments. Here he's got the F holes drawn backward. To be perfectly clear, I don't blame Oda for it; instruments are complex and these characters don't show up for long, it's just very funny

[aoi-424]

Classical Music in La Corda (Part 2)

Related Links: An Introduction to La Corda Classical Music in La Corda (Part 1)

(Article also available on Medium)

===

La Corda d’Oro (Kiniro no Corda, 金色のコルダ), published by KOEI in 2003

The below list of pieces appeared in the game La Corda d’Oro that was first released on September 19, 2003.

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Air on the G String (Ｇ線上のアリア)

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (バッハ) Category: elegant (清麗) Keywords: passion, compliment, determination, reputation, aura, people, confidence, flower, life

This piece originates from Bach’s Orchestral Suite №3 that is called “Air”. In the arrangement by August Wilhelmj (in 1871), the violin melody is transposed such that the entire piece can be played on the violin’s lowest string (i.e. the G string). While the original key of Bach’s version is in D major, Wilhelmj’s version is in C major.

Romanze (ロマンスト長調)

Composer: Max Reger (レーガー) Category: vivid (彩華) Keywords: resonance, creation, bride, student, education, passion, hometown, youth, home

Romance (Romanze in German) generally refers to any vocal or instrumental piece that has a tender, lyrical quality. This piece, originally for violin and piano (original version), was first published in the magazine Neue Musikzeitung in 1901. It now has multiple different versions, including for flute, clarinet and cello.

Valse Sentimentale (感傷的なワルツ)

Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (チャイコフスキー) Category: gloomy (愁情) Keywords: despair, dream, admiration, dedication, goddess, love, encounter, suffocation, marriage

Valse Sentimentale is one of the “Six Pieces (Six morceaux) for solo piano”, Op. 51 that Tchaikovsky wrote for the bourgeois salons in 1882. Each of the piece is dedicated to a different person, and the final movement Valse Sentimentale is dedicated to Emma Genton — an important woman in Tchaikovsky’s life. The melancholic melody gives a sense of romance while vividly depicts the image of a beautiful woman. My personal favourite is this version arranged for violin.

Sicilienne (シチリアーノ)

Composer: Anonymous Category: elegant (清麗) Keywords: family, children, goal, passion, promise, prospect, career

According to the official fanbook or the game, Sicilienne is composed by the blind Austrian Maria Theresia von Paradis (パラディス). Say even in this online video, the piece is attributed to Paradis. However, latest research revealed that it is very likely a musical hoax by violinist Samuel Dushkin, who published the piece in 1924.

Sicilienne (also known as siciliano or siciliana), is a form of dance music for Sicilian folk dance in Italy, which was popular during the 17th and 18th centuries. The genre is often characterised by dotted rhythms and gives a pastoral feel.

Humoresques (ユーモレスク)

Composer: Antonín Dvořák (ドヴォルザーク) Category: vivid (彩華) Keywords: childhood, celebration, resonation, desire, heart

This piece was written when Dvořák returned to his homeland Czechoslovakia (now The Czech Republic) during the summer of 1984. He had been working as the director of the Conservatory in New York in the United States between 1892 and 1895. The piece was originally composed for the piano, comprised of both Czech and American style melodies.

Later, Dvořák’s Humoresque №7 became the tune that can be heard on passenger train toilets in the United States — the singing begins with “Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilets while the train is standing…” (full song here).

Après un rêve (夢のあとに)

Composer: Gabriel Fauré (フォーレ) Category: gloomy (愁情) Keywords: sentiment, unrequited love, reputation, farewell, self, dream, quietude, reputation, longing

Après un rêve (After a dream in English) is one of the pieces from Trois mélodies that Fauré wrote for solo voice and piano between 1870 and 1877. The lyrics originates from an Italian poem that recounts a dream where one’s beloved can be seen. The following shows the translation in English by Richard Stokes:

In sleep made sweet by a vision of you I dreamed of happiness, fervent illusion, Your eyes were softer, your voice pure and ringing, You shone like a sky that was lit by the dawn; You called me and I departed the earth To flee with you toward the light, The heavens parted their clouds for us, We glimpsed unknown splendours, celestial fires. Alas, alas, sad awakening from dreams! I summon you, O night, give me back your delusions; Return, return in radiance, Return, O mysterious night!

In the game you could play this piece with a violin duet, and I really like the arrangement. Unfortunately I cannot find anything similar online, but this is another arrangement for 2 violins and piano.

===

Thank you for reading!

Reference: 金色のコルダ コンプリートガイド

[theloniousbach]

MIDSUMMER’S MUSIC 2024–Program A

ALICE VERNE-BREDT, Phantasie Trio; WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, Quartet Number 2 in E Flat Major, K 493; FELIX MENDELSSOHN, Sextet in D Major, Opus 110

With this extended stay in Door County, I have been looking forward to becoming a regular of this venerable series. We have twice before gone to one performance while here on vacation. Since we have the bulk of the series available, we found three programs that appealed equally for which we could by a flex-pack.

It looks like the Sunday 5 pm concerts in STURGEON BAY’s HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST will best suit us. Next time, I will give up trying to see the pianist’s hands and just sit in the straight ahead and not on the side.

I wish I could have seen though Jeannie Yu’s hands as she had the best parts of all three compositions and she carried it all off admirably as far as I could tell. Bassist Kris Saebo (whom I see plays with the Mark Morris Dance Group so has likely intersected with Ethan Iverson. I didn’t have that to ask about when I did inquire about the extended lowest string which allowed him basically to play in Drop D. Saebo plays with a beaming smile and striking enthusiasm. He was quite affable in talking about the bass.) called the MENDELSSOHN sextet a “chamber piano concerto” and indeed even the ALICE VERNE-BREDT trio didn’t have on first listen enough of the interweaving of three equal voices. It was piano and strings, though the cello gets the first theme, with violin and cello alternating who “played lead” with the other in a subsidiary role.

In the MOZART, it was only a small part of the third movement where more than one string player interwove with the piano at the same time. It’s Mozart so the viola had lots to do, but they all did. But it felt like an orchestration would simply have to merely add multiple players for the same part. I had seen one of these quartets, probably the other one in G, before in St Louis and I think I had the same sense. Still there was more than enough Mozart fizz.

As Saebo pointed out, that same tendency was even more pronounced in the MENDELSSOHN. The “orchestration,” yep let’s call it that, was appealingly in the lower register with two violas, cello, and bass. Violinist David Perry (part of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra who show up regularly on Sunday Baroque) whom we have seen in previous years handled the “leads” with aplomb.

I continue to explore what constitutes the chamber in chamber music and why the strings here felt more like sole representatives of a section than individual players. This is not to show lack of appreciation for violists Sally Chisholm and Allyson Fleck and cellist Ana Kim. Rather the broader discussion might lead me to minimize the distinction and appreciate larger works.

But chamber music is easier for me. It has the intimacy of jazz and folk, where people can just play music casually, informally, for the sheer joy of it.

I am so glad that we will have an extended look this summer with this venerable series. Their program is worth studying for extended program notes. In years past the Founding Director would also deliver not very edited versions of them. Ellen even more than I was glad that the introductory remarks were briefer. But I am equally glad to still have all the information in the program.

[violintips]

How to Play the Violin - The Basic Principles

The first important thing is to decide what violin size you'll need. Adults and teenagers should be fine with a full sized (4/4) violin. However, if you are younger or have a short arm span, it may be necessary to have a smaller size; the violin sizes are measured in fractions (1/2 is bigger than 1/4 etc).

Where should I get my Violin from?

I thoroughly recommend that you look around for deals that consist of a case, bow and violin. Beginner sets are often sold with these pieces of equipment together (it may be called a "Violin Outfit"). Many large stores sell cheap violins at reasonable prices. Stores on the internet can be very good, or if you wouldn't mind having a second hand violin, maybe check out Ebay. A good quality affordable brand is the "Stentor Violin".

At some stage, you will need to purchase some violin accessories which will help the standard of your playing. For example, having a violin shoulder rest will make it a lot more comfortable and easier to hold the violin.  

Tuning The Violin

If you have an instrument such as the piano or keyboard, use the 4 notes G, D, A, E, in turn to tune each of the violin strings (lowest to highest in the previous order). If not, I would suggest buying a cheap violin tuner as in time, your ears will become accustomed to each pitch that the string should be at, and before you know it, you will be able to tune the violin by "ear"!

The violin has two types of adjuster to modify the sound: the tuning pegs by the scroll and the fine tuners behind the bridge. The pegs should only be used if the violin is extremely out of tune. Twist the violin peg softly, yet firmly clockwise to make the string sound a lot higher(sharper) for the certain string. Whilst doing this: PUSH in. If not, too much tension may be applied on the violin string and it could snap. The other set of tuners by the bridge (fine tuners) make small changes in sound. These set of tuners will be used nearly all the time for getting the violin to be the right tone. Twist one of the adjusters for selected string clockwise to create a "sharper" sound or anti-clockwise to make a "flatter"(lower) noise.

What to do first

Firstly, open the case and take out the violin; leaving the violin bow behind for now. When holding your violin, I would really emphasise the fact that you need to hold the violin correctly; or serious implications could happen in the future (pain in shoulder etc). There is a chin rest on the violin but you don't actually place it on the chin; it needs to be positioned slightly to the left of the chin. Stretch your left arm out and place the left hand at the neck of the violin. Now slightly tilt the elbow to the right so your fingers are leaning over the strings. Rest the thumb at the side of the neck. Get used to "plucking" the violin's strings. The correct way is to use the index finger to pull and place the thumb at the side of the black fingerboard (the thumb should be right at the top edge).

Although you have all of this to contend with, ensure your head is pressed against the chin rest and that your left arm holds up the violin to about head level or just below. Your left hand's wrist shouldn't be cocked up to be touching the neck, let it fall down; dream there is a thorn tree and you don't want prickles in your wrist! Check again that the left arm is out to the back of the neck of the violin. It doesn't matter if you're playing standing up or sitting down but keep your back straight; if sat on a chair, sit at the edge of it! A lot of information, I know, but that's it, you have now learnt the basic principles of how to play the violin!

These will be used to tune the violin most of the time. Twist the fine tuner clockwise for making the sound "sharper" and anti-clockwise to be "flatter" (lower).

What to do first

Take the violin out of its case and leave the bow. What I would stress the most when having your violin is to hold it the correct way. Place the chin rest slightly to left of your chin, and place your left hand at the neck of the violin; pulling the elbow around so the fingers are tilted over the strings and thumb resting at the side of the neck. Become accustomed to "plucking" the violin's strings; placing your right hand's thumb to rest against the black part of the fingerboard and using index finger to pull the string.

Whilst doing all of this, make sure your chin rest stays intact with your head and keep the violin held up with your left arm. The wrist should not be cocked up to the neck, let it rest down; imagine there is a prickly bush and you don't want your hand to get scratched! The left arm should be stretched out all the way to the back of the neck. Whether standing up or sitting down, make sure the scroll (the end) of the violin is at around head level; also keep your back straight!  That's it, you have now learn the basic principles of how to play the violin!

[hardpee]

heyhf guys wanna see the tightest shit fucking ever ?? ? ? 

so last night i was up real late looking up shit and i found this fucking incredible instrument called the Phonoliszt-Violina. its a fusion between a grand piano and three (however theres a few with up to six) violins that are self playing according to the sheet music attatched to the piece and its so. fucking. gorgeous.

is that not like one of the most fucking beautiful thing you’ve ever heard??? i was crying when i first heard it holy sh it. 

construction: aight so you see the hoop thing going around the three violins

 thats the FUCKING BOW!!!! its comprised of 1300 strands of horse hair, right?? ok but heres whats super weird. each violin is actually only being played one string each. a normal violins strings (lowest to highest) G D A E however though these all have the four strings they only play D A E with 16 metal “fingers” on E, 10 on A, and 10 on D. On the end of the fingers, there are these little cork pieces under the fingers to immitate human fingers. thats so fucking.. cool. From what i’ve heard these were used to preform however i havent yet seen a person play/operate it.

brief history: so it was made by this guy named Ludwig Hupfeld in 1914 however was named after this dude named Franz Liszt who died long before this was made however was a fuckign amazing pianist. Phonoliszt literally means “sound of liszt”. for whatever reason, a goal for a while from a span to the 1500′s to the 1900′s was to make a self playing violin and there were CONCEPTS. More famously, Leonardo Da Vinci made a sketch of a piano that immitates a piano and you can actually hear it here x  but that never came to life until much later (also wasnt even actually built by da vinci himself, just the concept was his). In 1910 the phonoliszt was first shown and people were so fucking !!???!!! about it. Its labeled as the Eighth Wonder of The World. There are only 60 of these alive (if im correct). anyway this thing is so fucking cool.

[robertbjonesus80]

How to Read Violin String Notes

How to Read Violin String Notes

Reading any kind of music can be difficult if you lack formal training. Click here to start learning how to read violin string notes.

Keyword(s): violin string notes

The ability to read violin string notes is often what separates wanna be violin players and those who play the violin and play it well.

Playing the violin is considered to be a musical achievement. It’s one of the most beautiful instruments and recognizable.

If you imagine yourself playing moving and recognizable pieces like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, you have to start by learning how to read violin string notes.

This is a basic guide that explains what those lines and notes mean, and how you can apply them to playing the violin.

Let’s get started!

Start With The Basics

Before we get into the notes, we have to start with basic symbols of sheet music. When referring to sheet music, it’s musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the violin, how long to hold the note.

Staff: The first thing that you’ll notice on the sheet music are the five lines that run horizontally. That’s called a staff. They’re numbered from the bottom up, so the bottom line is the first line, the top line is the fifth line.

A geeky side-note – the plural of staff is staves. You may occasionally two staves together, which is called a Grand Staff.

Clef: The funny looking symbol on the right of the staff is called a clef. This will tell you what notes to use on the staff. In violin, you’ll be working with the treble clef, which looks like the letter G.

In other types of tabs, you’ll notice the bass clef, which somewhat resembles the letter F. That’s very common in piano.

Key Signature: Right next to the treble clef, is the key signature. This will tell you which notes on the staff are played as normal, flat, or sharp. You can tell if a note is sharp, by the hashtag symbol and the flat symbol looks like a stylized b.

Time Signature: In order to play the music the way it’s meant to be played, you have to be able to keep a standard rhythm. You might see ¾ or 4/4. This indicates the number of beats per measure and which note is for one beat.

Think of the rhythm of the Blue Danube Waltz. That time signature is ¾, which means there are 3 beats per bar and the quarter note is one beat.

Here’s a video on How to Read Violin Strings for Beginner:

How to Read the Violin String Notes and Scale

Now that know the basic symbols of a tab, it’s time to learn how the notes are placed on the tab.

Each line and the space between the line represents a note. We’re going to start from the bottom line and move up since that’s how violin string notes are read.

E – at the bottom line

F – the first space from the bottom

G – second line from the bottom

A – second space from the bottom

B – third line from the bottom

C – third space from the bottom

D – fourth line from the bottom

E – fourth space from the bottom

F – fifth line

If you play these notes in order, that’s called a scale. Playing the notes from the bottom up is an ascending scale, from the bottom down is a descending scale.

How Do You Know How Long to Hold a Violin String Note?

Notes are also coded by how long they are played. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with the best electric violin or bow, these symbols apply.

Whole note: This looks like the letter o. It’s held for four beats.

Half note: This is a whole note with a line sticking up and held for two beats.

Quarter note: Looks similar to a half note, but it’s filled in. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth Note: Looks similar to a quarter note, but with a tail. It’s held for half a beat or one-eighth of a whole note.

At some point, you’ll see a string of eighth notes held together by a bar. These are to be played in quick succession together. You’ll see eighth notes with the top facing up or down.

Sixteenth Note: Has two tails instead of the single tail of the eighth note. This is held for a quarter of a beat.

In music, not only are you told when you play, but when you pause or rest. Rest periods have their own symbols, too.

Whole rest: A small bar facing up and held for four beats.

Half rest: A small bar facing down and held for two beats.

Quarter rest: This symbol may remind you of the zig zag on Charlie Brown’s shirt. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth rest: This symbol looks like a number seven. It’s held for a half beat.

Sixteenth rest: Similar to the eighth rest, this symbol looks like two sevens and held for a quarter of a beat.

In reading the notes and rests, you may have noticed a pattern. As you move from whole notes and rests to sixteenth notes and rests, the symbol looks similar to the one before it, with one minor change.

What’s Special About Violin String Notes

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of reading notes and tablature, there are a few things to learn about violin string notes.

Violin tablature has symbols that tell you where to move your hands up and down along the neck and if your bow is moving up or down.

The up bow motion is shown as a symbol like the letter V, while a down bow motion is like a flat table.

Violin strings are denoted by Roman numerals, starting from the highest pitch string to the lowest.

I – E

II – A

III – D

IV – G

There’s also the vibrato symbol, which tells you to hold a note and move your hand, creating a vibration effect.

Before You Start Playing…

Now that you know how to read violin string notes, you’re going to want to be sure that your violin is properly tuned.

Before you pick up the violin and start to play, Make sure you’re playing an instrument that sounds great but also fits your style and needs.

Read our in-depth reviews of violins, cases, and bows today.

The post How to Read Violin String Notes appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/read-violin-string-notes/ from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.tumblr.com/post/168656047457

[amaradjohnson]

How to Read Violin String Notes

How to Read Violin String Notes

Reading any kind of music can be difficult if you lack formal training. Click here to start learning how to read violin string notes.

Keyword(s): violin string notes

The ability to read violin string notes is often what separates wanna be violin players and those who play the violin and play it well.

Playing the violin is considered to be a musical achievement. It’s one of the most beautiful instruments and recognizable.

If you imagine yourself playing moving and recognizable pieces like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, you have to start by learning how to read violin string notes.

This is a basic guide that explains what those lines and notes mean, and how you can apply them to playing the violin.

Let’s get started!

Start With The Basics

Before we get into the notes, we have to start with basic symbols of sheet music. When referring to sheet music, it’s musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the violin, how long to hold the note.

Staff: The first thing that you’ll notice on the sheet music are the five lines that run horizontally. That’s called a staff. They’re numbered from the bottom up, so the bottom line is the first line, the top line is the fifth line.

A geeky side-note – the plural of staff is staves. You may occasionally two staves together, which is called a Grand Staff.

Clef: The funny looking symbol on the right of the staff is called a clef. This will tell you what notes to use on the staff. In violin, you’ll be working with the treble clef, which looks like the letter G.

In other types of tabs, you’ll notice the bass clef, which somewhat resembles the letter F. That’s very common in piano.

Key Signature: Right next to the treble clef, is the key signature. This will tell you which notes on the staff are played as normal, flat, or sharp. You can tell if a note is sharp, by the hashtag symbol and the flat symbol looks like a stylized b.

Time Signature: In order to play the music the way it’s meant to be played, you have to be able to keep a standard rhythm. You might see 3/4 or 4/4. This indicates the number of beats per measure and which note is for one beat.

Think of the rhythm of the Blue Danube Waltz. That time signature is 3/4, which means there are 3 beats per bar and the quarter note is one beat.

Here’s a video on How to Read Violin Strings for Beginner:

How to Read the Violin String Notes and Scale

Now that know the basic symbols of a tab, it’s time to learn how the notes are placed on the tab.

Each line and the space between the line represents a note. We’re going to start from the bottom line and move up since that’s how violin string notes are read.

E – at the bottom line

F – the first space from the bottom

G – second line from the bottom

A – second space from the bottom

B – third line from the bottom

C – third space from the bottom

D – fourth line from the bottom

E – fourth space from the bottom

F – fifth line

If you play these notes in order, that’s called a scale. Playing the notes from the bottom up is an ascending scale, from the bottom down is a descending scale.

How Do You Know How Long to Hold a Violin String Note?

Notes are also coded by how long they are played. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with the best electric violin or bow, these symbols apply.

Whole note: This looks like the letter o. It’s held for four beats.

Half note: This is a whole note with a line sticking up and held for two beats.

Quarter note: Looks similar to a half note, but it’s filled in. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth Note: Looks similar to a quarter note, but with a tail. It’s held for half a beat or one-eighth of a whole note.

At some point, you’ll see a string of eighth notes held together by a bar. These are to be played in quick succession together. You’ll see eighth notes with the top facing up or down.

Sixteenth Note: Has two tails instead of the single tail of the eighth note. This is held for a quarter of a beat.

In music, not only are you told when you play, but when you pause or rest. Rest periods have their own symbols, too.

Whole rest: A small bar facing up and held for four beats.

Half rest: A small bar facing down and held for two beats.

Quarter rest: This symbol may remind you of the zig zag on Charlie Brown’s shirt. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth rest: This symbol looks like a number seven. It’s held for a half beat.

Sixteenth rest: Similar to the eighth rest, this symbol looks like two sevens and held for a quarter of a beat.

In reading the notes and rests, you may have noticed a pattern. As you move from whole notes and rests to sixteenth notes and rests, the symbol looks similar to the one before it, with one minor change.

What’s Special About Violin String Notes

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of reading notes and tablature, there are a few things to learn about violin string notes.

Violin tablature has symbols that tell you where to move your hands up and down along the neck and if your bow is moving up or down.

The up bow motion is shown as a symbol like the letter V, while a down bow motion is like a flat table.

Violin strings are denoted by Roman numerals, starting from the highest pitch string to the lowest.

I – E

II – A

III – D

IV – G

There’s also the vibrato symbol, which tells you to hold a note and move your hand, creating a vibration effect.

Before You Start Playing…

Now that you know how to read violin string notes, you’re going to want to be sure that your violin is properly tuned.

Before you pick up the violin and start to play, Make sure you’re playing an instrument that sounds great but also fits your style and needs.

Read our in-depth reviews of violins, cases, and bows today.

The post How to Read Violin String Notes appeared first on Music Advisor.

source https://musicadvisor.com/read-violin-string-notes/ from Music Advisor http://musicadvisorcom.blogspot.com/2017/12/how-to-read-violin-string-notes.html

[musicadvisor]

How to Read Violin String Notes

How to Read Violin String Notes

Reading any kind of music can be difficult if you lack formal training. Click here to start learning how to read violin string notes.

Keyword(s): violin string notes

The ability to read violin string notes is often what separates wanna be violin players and those who play the violin and play it well.

Playing the violin is considered to be a musical achievement. It’s one of the most beautiful instruments and recognizable.

If you imagine yourself playing moving and recognizable pieces like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, you have to start by learning how to read violin string notes.

This is a basic guide that explains what those lines and notes mean, and how you can apply them to playing the violin.

Let’s get started!

Start With The Basics

Before we get into the notes, we have to start with basic symbols of sheet music. When referring to sheet music, it’s musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the violin, how long to hold the note.

Staff: The first thing that you’ll notice on the sheet music are the five lines that run horizontally. That’s called a staff. They’re numbered from the bottom up, so the bottom line is the first line, the top line is the fifth line.

A geeky side-note – the plural of staff is staves. You may occasionally two staves together, which is called a Grand Staff.

Clef: The funny looking symbol on the right of the staff is called a clef. This will tell you what notes to use on the staff. In violin, you’ll be working with the treble clef, which looks like the letter G.

In other types of tabs, you’ll notice the bass clef, which somewhat resembles the letter F. That’s very common in piano.

Key Signature: Right next to the treble clef, is the key signature. This will tell you which notes on the staff are played as normal, flat, or sharp. You can tell if a note is sharp, by the hashtag symbol and the flat symbol looks like a stylized b.

Time Signature: In order to play the music the way it’s meant to be played, you have to be able to keep a standard rhythm. You might see 3/4 or 4/4. This indicates the number of beats per measure and which note is for one beat.

Think of the rhythm of the Blue Danube Waltz. That time signature is 3/4, which means there are 3 beats per bar and the quarter note is one beat.

Here’s a video on How to Read Violin Strings for Beginner:

How to Read the Violin String Notes and Scale

Now that know the basic symbols of a tab, it’s time to learn how the notes are placed on the tab.

Each line and the space between the line represents a note. We’re going to start from the bottom line and move up since that’s how violin string notes are read.

E – at the bottom line

F – the first space from the bottom

G – second line from the bottom

A – second space from the bottom

B – third line from the bottom

C – third space from the bottom

D – fourth line from the bottom

E – fourth space from the bottom

F – fifth line

If you play these notes in order, that’s called a scale. Playing the notes from the bottom up is an ascending scale, from the bottom down is a descending scale.

How Do You Know How Long to Hold a Violin String Note?

Notes are also coded by how long they are played. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with the best electric violin or bow, these symbols apply.

Whole note: This looks like the letter o. It’s held for four beats.

Half note: This is a whole note with a line sticking up and held for two beats.

Quarter note: Looks similar to a half note, but it’s filled in. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth Note: Looks similar to a quarter note, but with a tail. It’s held for half a beat or one-eighth of a whole note.

At some point, you’ll see a string of eighth notes held together by a bar. These are to be played in quick succession together. You’ll see eighth notes with the top facing up or down.

Sixteenth Note: Has two tails instead of the single tail of the eighth note. This is held for a quarter of a beat.

In music, not only are you told when you play, but when you pause or rest. Rest periods have their own symbols, too.

Whole rest: A small bar facing up and held for four beats.

Half rest: A small bar facing down and held for two beats.

Quarter rest: This symbol may remind you of the zig zag on Charlie Brown’s shirt. It’s held for one beat.

Eighth rest: This symbol looks like a number seven. It’s held for a half beat.

Sixteenth rest: Similar to the eighth rest, this symbol looks like two sevens and held for a quarter of a beat.

In reading the notes and rests, you may have noticed a pattern. As you move from whole notes and rests to sixteenth notes and rests, the symbol looks similar to the one before it, with one minor change.

What’s Special About Violin String Notes

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of reading notes and tablature, there are a few things to learn about violin string notes.

Violin tablature has symbols that tell you where to move your hands up and down along the neck and if your bow is moving up or down.

The up bow motion is shown as a symbol like the letter V, while a down bow motion is like a flat table.

Violin strings are denoted by Roman numerals, starting from the highest pitch string to the lowest.

I – E

II – A

III – D

IV – G

There’s also the vibrato symbol, which tells you to hold a note and move your hand, creating a vibration effect.

Before You Start Playing…

Now that you know how to read violin string notes, you’re going to want to be sure that your violin is properly tuned.

Before you pick up the violin and start to play, Make sure you’re playing an instrument that sounds great but also fits your style and needs.

Read our in-depth reviews of violins, cases, and bows today.

The post How to Read Violin String Notes appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/read-violin-string-notes/

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Learn How To Play Violin  Free Online Group Classes 1

 Learn How To Play Violin, Free Online Group Classes

Learn How To Play Violin Online With an Expert Teacher

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Learn proper violin techniques from basic to advanced, including scales, rhythm, vibrato, sight reading, and much more. Our online violin classes will help you gain confidence and master the skills you need to become a successful violinist! Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, get instant feedback, and make new friends with other students at your level. Try any of these group classes and courses free for 30 days!

In this class, students will learn how to prepare for their first few violin lessons. Topics include caring for your instrument, brainstorming goals, music theory basics, warm up exercises, and more. You'll also have the opportunity to speak with a live expert instructor to get basic questions about lessons (.

In this violin class, your expert instructor will walk you through some very effective practice techniques for mastering the violin. You’ll learn how to use rhythms in your practicing so you can improve how quickly you learn passages. Come to class with a piece of music you are working on and your instructor.

Ready to take your violin skills to the next level? In this live violin class for intermediate students, your expert instructor will lead you through progressive, helpful exercises to increase your confidence and accuracy with playing the violin. Every week you will learn something new, so don't forget to sig.

The violin is an incredibly rewarding instrument to play, and an excellent choice for learners of all ages. It’s well respected for both its level of difficulty to learn and its beautiful sound.

Keep reading to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when starting to learn how to play the violin. We’ll share how to find the right violin size for you, how to tune your instrument, and more!

Is violin hard to learn?

Any instrument comes with both easy and difficult concepts to learn. The violin has only one clef and one line of music to follow. However, one challenge of the violin is that it doesn’t have frets, so a violinist's fingers need to be properly trained.

Usually within a few months though, and sometimes less, you’ll be playing simple melodies on the violin. Exactly how long it will take to learn the violin will vary depending on your age, musical background, and attitude toward learning.

Is it possible to teach yourself violin?

It can take years of determination and practice to master the violin. Because of the importance of proper technique, most students start off their journey with the help of a qualified teacher. A minority of students try to teach themselves how to play the violin.

This is a huge undertaking with great potential for learning the wrong way of holding the violin, standing incorrectly, or practicing imperfect fingerings.

However, if you want to understand the basics of the violin before taking classes or lessons, here are a few introductory steps.

1. Find the right spot

Where is the best place in your home to practice the violin? Your practice spot should be quiet and without distractions, have sufficient light, and have adequate space for your music stand.

You also might want room to store your violin and violin accessories when you’re not playing. Try out several rooms before deciding. It will make practicing a lot easier when you and everyone else in your household knows where your “official” practice area is!

2. Tighten the bow

There are several actions you need to take before actually playing the violin, and one of them is tightening your bow. Slowly turn the end screw of your bow clockwise until the space between the hair and your bow stick is approximately large enough so that a pen can pass through easily from tip to tip.

A teacher can help you judge the correct tension. Make sure that your fingers do not touch the bow hair; the oil from your fingers can negatively affect the sound and the hair. After you’re done playing, always loosen the bow hair. Leaving your bow tightened can damage the bow and hair, which can result in costly repairs

3. Rosin the bow

Rosin is a block of pine resin that you need to rub on your bow before playing so that you can create the friction needed to make sound. To rosin your bow, hold the rosin by the cardboard sides and firmly rub it up and down the length of the bow hair about three or four times.

This will transfer some of the rosin “dust” onto the hair, making it somewhat sticky. New bows often need more rosin than others. If you have trouble making a clear sound, rosin your bow with a few more strokes. Be careful not to apply too much rosin, or this will create a scratchy sound.

4. Tune your violin

Your violin needs to be tuned to ensure that you are playing the proper notes. The strings, from lowest to highest, are G-D-A-E. One method to tune your violin is to pluck the string while looking at an electronic tuner. Gently adjust either the pegs at the top of the violin, or the fine tuners (if you have them) at the bottom of your instrument.

5. Grip the bow

Gently place the middle part of your index finger on the slightly padded area of your bow, several inches above the tightening knob. Put the tip of your pinky on the flat part of the stick.

Your ring and middle fingers should rest with the middle section aligned with the tip of your pinky, and their tips should be on the side of the frog, which connects the tightening knob to your bow hair.

Your thumb should stay underneath the stick, at the front of the frog, near the bow hair. Keep your hand relaxed and somewhat curved. Your palm should not rest on the bow.

6. Hold the violin

Stand or sit with your back straight, yet relaxed. Place the thicker end of the violin to your neck. Rest the lower back of the instrument on your collarbone and hold it in place with your jaw. In time, you should be able to support your violin solely with your jaw and not with your right hand.

7. Watch bow pressure and position

Unfortunately, you can’t simply plop the bow on the strings and start sawing back and forth. To begin, place the flat part of the bow hair about halfway between the fingerboard and the thin piece of wood called the bridge, and angle the bow hair toward the bridge at a 45-degree angle.

When you are ready, pull the bow straight along each string, keeping it parallel to the bridge, while applying a small amount of pressure.

8. Play open strings

Open strings are strings that you play without using your fingers. Playing open strings will help you develop control of both your violin and bow. To play an open string, rest – but do not hold – the neck of the violin in between your left thumb and first finger.

Hold the bow with your wrist, elbow, and shoulder within a single plane on each string, then draw the bow across the string. Begin with short strokes of about six inches in the middle of the bow until you feel comfortable.

How much does a violin cost?

A violin for beginners can range from $100 to $1000. Intermediate level violins range from around $3000 to $6000, and some more expensive violins can range all the way into the millions.

For a beginning violin student, a less expensive violin is usually preferable, but be careful not to buy the cheapest, factory-made violin you can find. Lower quality violins can be difficult to tune and might not produce the purest sound.

You can purchase a violin online, at a website like sharmusic.com that specializes in stringed instruments, or at your local music store. If you’re looking to rent a violin, check out the nearest music studio.

What size violin do I need?

To size a violin, put it on your left shoulder. The end of the tailpiece should point right in toward the neck, and the instrument's scroll should point out toward the left side.

Try reaching out with your left arm and curling your hand around the scroll of the violin from underneath. When your left arm is extended, the tips of your fingers should touch the peg box on the near side of the scroll.

Usually, an eighth size violin will work for children ages 5-7, a quarter size violin for ages 7-9, a half size violin for ages 10-12, and a three-quarters size violin for ages 13-14. Keep in mind that these are only estimates, so be sure to size one for yourself.

What are the parts of a violin?

Starting from the top of the violin, here are the many parts of this diverse instrument.

The scroll is the top of the instrument above the pegbox.

The pegs fit into the scroll, hold the strings, and help with tuning.

The neck is the thin section between the scroll and the body, where the left hand grasps the violin and slides back and forth while shifting.

The strings are where you place the bow to create sound.

The fingerboard is the black portion on top of the neck and above part of body, where the fingers press down to change the notes.

The f-holes are the two s-shaped holes on either side of the body of the violin. They allow the sound to come out after the body of the violin amplifies it.

The bridge is usually lighter in color than the rest of the violin, and the strings run across it. It is a separate piece and is replaceable.

The sound post is visible when looking through the f-holes underneath the bridge. It is standing up inside the body of the instrument. This piece helps the body to more effectively amplify the violin's sound.

The tailpiece is the thin black piece below the bridge. It holds the strings from the bottom end.

The chin rest is the black piece where you place your chin. It is usually on the left side of the violin, but some are placed more towards the middle of the violin.

What are the benefits of playing violin?

If you’re thinking about taking online violin classes, get ready to discover the many benefits of playing this versatile instrument.

The benefits of playing violin go far beyond simply gaining the ability to play a new instrument. Take a look at what else the violin can do for you, below.

Physical benefits of playing violin

Increased arm strength - Playing violin can be quite tiring at first, because it’s a workout for your arm muscles and upper body! The more you play though, you’ll notice that your arms are becoming stronger, without making a single trip to the gym.

Increased finger dexterity - As you practice new violin techniques, your fingers will become more flexible. Learning difficult songs causes the fingers on your left hand to strain to reach certain strings, while the fingers on your right hand are learning to control the bow.

Improved posture - Another one of the benefits of playing violin is that it requires you to sit up straight and tall. Before you know it, you’ll find your back and shoulders becoming stronger and able to support your upper body with better posture.

Better coordination and motor skills - While playing the violin, you need to coordinate your fingers and arms simultaneously. Pressing a string with your left hand must match with the movement of the bow in your right hand. In this way, learning to play the violin increases your motor skills.

Mental benefits of playing violin

Boosted academic success - A study by the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts showed that children who play the violin often see a boost in academic achievement compared to their non-musical peers. The study explains that there’s a commonality of skills associated with playing the violin and excelling in school, including focused attention, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Better concentration - It takes a lot of mental effort to learn how to read violin music and translate notes on a piece of paper into sounds. You must remain focused while practicing the violin, so playing the instrument inherently improves your concentration and attention span.

Enhanced speaking skills - A study by the Institute for Music and the Mind at McMaster University found a relationship between a child’s musical training and their word decoding skills, a fundamental part of learning to pronounce specific words. According to the study, this occurs because music lessons train the auditory abilities necessary for correct word pronunciation.

Sharpened memory - Your muscle memory will improve as you become more proficient at playing the violin. You’ll also have the opportunity to memorize songs and play them without sheet music, which is a fun mental challenge!

Lower stress levels - On a stressful day, playing the violin is a healthy way to let off some steam. The sound of the music itself can be therapeutic, and playing a song that you know well provides even more relaxation.

Greater perseverance - Beginners to the violin should expect to complete many hours of practice in order to see improvement. These hours will lead to greater perseverance though, and at the end of it all you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the form of beautiful music that you can create yourself.

Improved self-discipline - Practicing the violin to become a better player is your responsibility alone. It’s also your job to tune, clean, and replace the strings on your instrument so that it lasts. These actions are enough to create self-discipline in any new musician.

Social benefits of playing violin

More confidence - Playing in front of a group of people at a concert or recital is nerve-racking, but stepping outside of your comfort zone will give you more self-confidence than ever. This confidence spreads to other areas of your life as well, such as speaking in public!

Greater sense of community - Playing the violin automatically creates a bond between you and others who play the instrument, as well as musicians in general. You’ll feel part of something important, which can bring great fulfillment to your life.

Opportunities to socialize - As a violinist, you’re bound to have concerts and recitals you can invite your friends and family to. This could open the door to other social opportunities, like finding other musicians to jam with.

Stronger collaboration skills - If you’re an orchestra member, then you already know how each person needs to play their individual parts just right. In this sense, playing the violin will teach you a lot about teamwork and holding up your end by mastering even the trickiest parts of a song.

How do you tune a violin?

Before joining in on group violin classes, you need to make sure your instrument is ready and tuned. Most modern violins can be tuned in two places – the pegs, located in the scroll of the violin, and the fine tuners, located in the tailpiece.

The pegs are better used for large changes in pitch, while the fine tuners are better for smaller adjustments. Tightening the strings will make the pitch higher, while loosening them makes the pitch lower.

Since fine tuners are a relatively more modern invention, some violins don't have them. For violins without fine tuners, pegs are used for all tuning, regardless of the size of the pitch change.

What are the notes on a violin?

The four strings of the violin are tuned in fifths. They are, from highest to lowest, tuned to E, A, D, and G. The G string is the G below middle C. The highest string (E) is always the furthest out toward the audience when the violin is held on the shoulder in playing position.

To play the notes in between, the player presses his or her fingers down on the fingerboard in the correct places. Generally, each finger is responsible for one note, regardless of whether it’s natural, sharp, or flat.

Over time, your fingers will learn to associate the proper position for the natural, sharped, and flatted versions of each note.

How do I get better at violin?

For beginners to the violin, the road to success is riddled with lessons in patience and self-discipline. But when met with enthusiasm and the right guidance, the journey is certainly worthwhile! Here are eight ways to improve your violin playing skills.

1. Take violin classes or lessons

The best way to ensure you’re getting the right guidance while learning to play the violin is to sign up for violin classes or lessons. Online violin classes are especially helpful for learning the proper technique so you can build on the right foundation as you progress.

An experienced teacher can help spot specific areas that you can improve on in your violin playing. When looking for a violin teacher, here are a few things to consider:

The teacher’s understanding of the violin’s mechanics

His or her knowledge of universal music and repertoire

His or her own personal playing skills

His or her communication skills

Above all of these characteristics, the most important thing to consider is the teacher’s understanding of the learning process; it must correlate with where you are as a student and your ability to learn.

2. Practice efficiently

To get the most out of your practice sessions, make sure to practice when you feel the most fresh and focused. For some, this might be first thing in the morning; for others, it could be right after school or work. Try following a routine that accommodates your natural energy peaks or dips.

If you feel drained during long practice sessions, try splitting your practice into two shorter sessions. Whatever the case, make sure that you’re practicing consistently. Also, keep your environment – where you’re playing – in mind. Make sure you’re in a quiet space that allows for minimal interruptions.

3. Focus on quantity

When it comes to your violin practice sessions, it’s less about how long you’re practicing for and more about what you’re achieving in each session. Sure, repetition of exercises can be helpful, but be careful that it doesn’t become mindless!

Mindless practice can lead to the reinforcement of mistakes. Keep your practice sessions at a length that you can maintain concentration at – this way, quality will trump quantity, and that’s what your aim should be if you’re looking to improve faster.

4. Get limber

While warming up with exercises or scales and trills can begin to feel like a chore after a while, they’re crucial to strengthening your fingers before any proper violin playing can begin.

Practice holding your bow before even picking up your violin – and when you do start practicing, ensure that you relax your bow hand in between exercises by vigorously shaking out tension without the bow in hand.

5. Practice more scales

Many people tend to rush through areas of difficulty when learning violin. Instead, learn how to play a challenging scale slowly until you get it right, and then speed it up.

You have two options when it comes to practicing a new scale: academic or physical. The academic approach relies on you being comfortable with looking at the music, learning the signature key, and then figuring out the relative minor and major keys.

The physical approach can be a little more exciting. It relates to feeling the occurring tones and semitones by observing the spaces between fingers. Either way, you should practice all scales slowly and in detail until you can do them smoothly.

Another tip is to try practicing scales in front of a mirror. This will help you simultaneously develop a few other techniques, like correct arm positioning during shifts or wrist flexibility.

6. Try bow exercises

There are many bow exercises you can start doing to improve how you play the violin in terms of grip and posture, and many of them can be done without the use of a violin at all. Here is one of our favorite bow exercises.

Step 1: Hold the bow out horizontally in front of your body.

Step 2: Assume the proper bow hold.

Step 3: Start to alternatively push your first finger down, dipping the bow down a tad to the left.

Step 4: Now push your little finger down, dipping the bow down to the right.

Step 5: Try keeping your fingers bent while repeating this movement several times.

With repetitive practice of this simple exercise, you’ll start to experience the benefits of your newly-found finger strength, flexibility, and bow balance!

7. Record yourself

Record yourself while playing the violin to discover areas that sound like they need improvement. As you listen to yourself play, see if you’re missing tones or not quite getting the rhythm right. Recording your practice sessions also helps document your development and makes you more comfortable with the idea of performance.

8. Listen to other violinists

To help you stay in tune, it’s important that you improve your ear by listening to the pieces you’re learning daily. You’ll need to hear how an accomplished violinist handles things like style, pitch, rhythm, and tone.

Worried you don’t have time? Make this a part of your daily routine by listening to violin music while you work out, cook, or during your commute. As you do this, try to get in a variety of both passive and active listening.

Passive listening includes going to inspirational concerts and live performances. Active listening, on the other hand, consists of listening to these pieces with your violin and bow in hand.

While actively listening, you can work through details relative to tune. It’s important that you listen intently, to a point that you can identify downbeats and timing with accuracy.