Hello! Thank you very much, I appreciate you saying that. Mary❤

Thank you! Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much. Mary❤

Hello Steve! Thank you very much. Mary❤️

Thank you very much Marta! It's a gorgeous song..and wonderful to play. Mary❤

Hello Ronald! Thank you very much, I'm delighted you liked it. Mary❤

Hello! Thank you. Mary❤

Thank you very much! Mary❤

Hello! I hope you play this lovely song before long... Thank you. Mary❤

Hello Brian! Thank you very much for your kind words! Mary❤

Hello! I'm delighted you find my videos helpful, thank you. For complete scales and arpeggios, try Derek Collier and Larry Clark. ABRSM do individual grades, but also a manual of complete scales and arpeggios with fingerings. Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thank you Mary, I'll look those up,right away!

😂😁😂

Dear Alice, Thank you very much...There are two things that tell you that you're in tune. The first is to have a sense of the key, and the second is to have a constant awareness of a note's relationship to our open strings. Our true guide is the open strings, not the fingers, because different keys make us adjust our intonation to what sounds right within the key... Intense ear training is required to learn to judge our intonation with precision and to replace gambling with knowing. Ear training involves tuning to perfect fifths exquisitely then playing on two strings with different intervals very slowly and listening with full attention to the notes and the vibrations produced in the violin by those intervals. As we become really conscious of the violin's vibrations through intervals, we learn to understand at our own pace how to become very attuned to intonation and to know when it sounds and feels right. This is the fundamental requirement before everything else when it comes to violin intonation. Let's talk about another crucial aspect of learning the violin successfully - mindset. Mindset can help or hinder us. You mention anxiety, gambling (guessing), not hitting the jackpot etc. It's helpful to not to worry about 'getting it right', to keep anxiety at bay, to keep on trying, to stay hopeful and most important of all, to enjoy practicing. Enjoy, enjoy... Take care. Mary❤

Thank you, I'm delighted you found it helpful! Mary❤

Dear Alice, Thanks very much. I may be stepping on the toes of your teacher, but here goes; 1. You have mentioned before that you're not sure you fully understand a technique or if you're practicing it correctly...your teacher should explain thoroughly the correct way to practice a technique and have practice sessions with you to ensure you wont have to undo wrong practices later. 2. Ave Maria is actually a poor choice to practice vibrato at this stage because it is so slow and the impulses to vibrato are much more difficult to create with very slow bows. Ave Maria should be kept for later. A better way to create vibrato impulses is playing lyrical pieces like Paradis 'Sicillienne' or Kreisler 'Sicillienne' 3. The metronome method isn't as effective as the musical method for some people...there's more than one method to create vibrato and it needs to be right for you. As usual, the fundamental principles should be simply understood. 4. One of the very best ways to develop a lovely vibrato is by playing with violinists who have a fast vibrato, both live and on video. Try playing quietly along with Heifitz using very fast vibrato playing the 'Londonderry Air'; kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWapqaCHaKqcfcU You will learn a lot! 5. You should be able to ask any questions and talk about any concerns you have with your teacher... and they should be guiding your practice too. Alice, stay calm, play with Heifitz and your vibrato will bloom! Take care, Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryvDear Mary thank you so much for speedy reply , I think some violin teachers or violinists don't believe mature adult can learn violin up to professional level , we must start young and have time & mind to percolate. My teacher think as long as I can play some sound in acceptable level , the job is done , or she doesn't know how to pin point my problem. In fact I have stopped my lesson. It is so hard to find a violin teacher in my area, they are full of little school kids to teach, your video open new horizon

@@AliceAckerman-q2b Every violinist deserves the very best efforts from a teacher, whether we are an adult or a child, whatever our potential is, and whatever level we play at. You are already a very nice player and you do need some corrections to your technique in order to make progress. Developing the ability to calmly observe ourselves when we play is something we need to do for ourselves as violinists whether we have a teacher or not. So at the moment without a teacher, see if you can analyse your basic techniques; make a lovely sound with clear long smooth bows on open strings and simple scales. Play scales at different speeds to see if your intonation is good and your sound is good when bowing faster. Develop your vibrato by understanding how your finger is being rolled and play simple, musical pieces to speed it up. All very enjoyable things, right? Slow down if things break down, then build up slowly, listening and analysing all the time. It seems a good decision to not go forward with that particular teacher. You could try online lessons if there's no one locally. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will land on the right thing for you because you really want this. Take care. Mary❤

Hello! Here's my Thais 'Meditation'; kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6W6iKNrmb1oj9E I hope you like it! Thanks, Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv czardas??

@@AjWilliams-ms1uw I haven't yet found a good accompaniment on KZbin. Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv please 🙏 😢 😭 😫

Hello! Thank you very much. Mary❤

Thank you very much! Mary❤

Hello Fiona! I sympathise - the violin can be the most frustrating thing in the world sometimes! Thank you very much and take care. Mary❤

Hello Jordan! Thank you very much! I'm delighted you found the video helpful. Mary❤

Dear Alice, Thank you very much for your lovely words and your encouragement! I'm so delighted that my videos have resonated with you and maybe helped you. Often in violin we all need a word or a thought that helps us realise something and empowers us. Your determination and your lovely playing are an inspiration Alice! Take care. Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much! Mary❤

Hello, thanks for your question about this gorgeous piece. If you count the bars (measures) from the beginning of the whole piece, as in the following link; kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2rLfIx6ms-brac I think you're talking about bar 24 which starts on a G minim, E crotchet, rest, then 8th note E. After the E crotchet there's very little time to retake to the heel for the next E and it's a matter of control and slow practice to get the mechanics right to successfully retake the bow to the heel without bouncing...possibly your bow isn't close enough to the string when starting the note... But actually the phrasing and the crescendo to Forte at the end of bar 27 would be much better without retaking to the heel all the time, so the bowing is better linked like this; bar 24 , G E slurred down, E down bar 25, A A slurred up Bar 26, A C slurred down, A down Bar 27, C E flat up, C up (forte) If you practice the bowing in this pattern, hopefully you will see that the crescendo in bar 26 is very powerful and the phrasing is shaped and beautiful. Try it and see... It's a wonderful piece and I'm glad you're playing it! Take care. Mary❤

Thanks for the detailed response. Like you stated, it's a matter of control and slow practice. Appreciate you!

Hello! I hope you enjoy the feeling when this becomes second nature - it feels really good! Take care. Mary❤

Thank you very much! Mary❤

Hello Lola! Wow, I'm so glad you like this exercise...it's wonderful when it becomes second nature to move like this in line with our bowing and quite honestly, it feels soo good too!! I'd just love if all violinists could experience what it's like to have freedom in their arms, shoulders, neck and head... I hope you're feeling great and happy too, Lola! Thank you and a big hug! Mary❤

Thank you very much! Mary

Hello Lola! Thank you very much. I'm glad you like the concept of treating the bow as an instrument...It's amazing how quickly we get locked into the same responses and actions when it comes to bowing, so it's great to break free by separating our actions from the bow, making it much clearer what is us and what is the bow. These sensations can be developed enormously as the bow becomes an extension of our arm and our intentions. It's lovely to hear your fondness for your first months studying violin. It's good sometimes to look back and then realise just how far we've come from those days!😊 I hope the summer sun in Madrid is behaving! ☀ Thank you very much dear Lola! Mary❤

Hello Brian! That's quite a search! After all your efforts I hope your new bow works really well for you... Enjoy your practice and thanks for your kind words about my videos. Mary❤

Thank you! Mary❤

Hello there! Vibrato can be wrist vibrato or arm vibrato, whatever suits you best, so you really need to experiment with both to see which works better and is more comfortable for you. These two forms of vibrato make no difference to the finger movement - it's exactly the same rolling action in the first joint. Some violinists use a mixture of vibratos, for example using arm vibrato to help boost the fourth finger... So try things out and whatever vibrato your choose as your main one, make sure your hand and arm stay nice and comfortable. Take care. Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much! Mary❤

Thanks! Mary❤

Hello, it's a full size violin. Mary❤️

@@violinstudiowithmaryv my hands is a little small. Would 7/8 be okay?

@@user-wv4rl8su9b It's very important to consider what is right for you! A 7/8 violin would certainly be a good idea for your small hands and there are gorgeous 7/8 violins out there. So if you try violins, just ask yourself, does this violin make a lovely sound and is it easy to play? Every violinist is helped enormously by having a nice instrument to play comfortably and I hope you find yourself a nice violin - soon! Good luck! Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv thank you very much:) subscribed.

@@user-wv4rl8su9b very kind of you, thank you and good luck! Mary❤

Hi Jo! Thank you so much for your loving words. A big hug! Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much, I'm glad it was helpful. Mary❤️

Hello Brian! Thank you very much, I'm very glad you're enjoying my videos and finding them helpful. One thing to bear in mind about all the violin advice on KZbin, (including mine) is that some of your ideas may seem to clash with those of your teacher. I've found this with my own students when discovering they have preconceived notions (some great, some not so helpful!) about violin playing that need to be uncovered. But good teachers have their own methods to help their student to progress and I hope you have a very successful and enjoyable experience. Mary❤

Your counsel is highly respected. Thanks again!

Dear Bonnie, thank you very much for those inspired and wise words; 'If it sounds good, it is good!' I so agree with you that the more we free ourselves from the 'shoulds' of rules and apply the 'possibles' of experiments, we can discover incredible resources inside us. With the right mindset, self observation yields knowledge about how to progress. Let's be happy violinists... Keep up your wonderful enthusiasm and thanks again! Mary❤

Thanks very much- that's the ticket! Mary❤

Hello! Thanks, I'm glad you like the video. It seems you already have a great practice routine! What routine you adopt or whether you have a routine at all is a matter of your desires and your philosophy. It's rather difficult to recommend any routine or repertoire specifically because everyone is at different stages and has different needs. For example, you may well have something in your bow arm or your left hand that should be corrected before going forward. So we must spend time directly looking at, correcting and improving our technique every time we practice...and improvements are much faster and more permanent using simple scales, studies and open strings as our means, so our 'routine' must give way to that. Warmups can be playing a few scales then a piece like the Paradis "Sicillienne' to encourage the left hand to loosen up with loads of vibrato and the right hand to use a beautiful touch, or in the colder months a thorough warmup for colder fingers with scales and the Kreutzer 2nd Etude. With some of my students we examine a single issue and use simpler exercises to enable the student to explore all the aspects we've discussed on their own during the week. At other times we explore pieces and studies that really challenge the student to produce a consistent vibrato or a particular bowing, whatever is needed to push that student, so it's all very tailored...and very flexible according to the need. Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thanks kindly for your suggestions.

Hello! I hope it's helpful! Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv as always. I am much more pain free and less tension as a result of your videos. If I only had a repertoire!

@@chickensandsuch.1754 How to you mean, 'If only had a repertoire!' ? Do you not have pieces to play? Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryv I am a multi-instrumentalist on guitar and violin. I play non-classical styles (jazz, bluegrass, country, rock, pop etc,) which is mostly improvised or with chord charts. I want to learn some basic classical stuff, but don't know where to start. In my youth, I learned a few etudes and some Kreutzer, and had some lessons from a series of good teachers, but my violin sight reading is zilch. I learned music from age 5 from piano and singing lessons, but also had a bit of Solfege and choir in school. I have a good ear and know some theory. At this point, I get paid to play, so I guess I'm a professional. BTW, I play without a shoulder rest most of the time. Where do I start? Bach? Mozart? Carl Flesch? ??

Hello, thanks for your question... Can you do vibrato, shifting and playing off the string? What pieces did you play with your teachers? Only by knowing your level of technique can I recommend pieces and studies.. Looking forward to your reply. Take care. Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much! I'm so sorry you have chronic neck pain and I'm sure that not twisting your neck to the left and having your head facing more to the front is essential to cut down on strains and pains. The same applies to every violinists; as natural as possible is best for us all. I don't understand which angle you mean that should be the opposite of what I showed...I'm really intrigued! Mary❤

@@violinstudiowithmaryvAt 1:20 into the video, you’re talking about the shoulder rest. You said by putting the shoulder rest at the angle you showed, right side of shoulder rest higher than the left, it swings the violin more toward the front. I’m pretty certain that if the LEFT side is higher, it swings the violin more to the front. It’s a brain bender but if you set the shoulder rest on a table and then hold the violin, string side up, over it straight initially. Then, twist the violin toward the desired direction (clockwise), you’ll see where the shoulder rest should be relative to the violin. Thanks for your open mind and concern for me!

Hello! Thanks very much for explaining the results of your experiments, I'm very grateful. I love that you've been experimenting. Whatever you decide to do in the end, I hope you find a truly comfortable position that enables your neck to be free of pain. We all experience pain from time to time; (my pains and strains are usually connected to gardening!) But it's very different when you have a serious condition that needs to be managed properly, especially if you play the violin!! I do hope that you find a way to be pain free because playing the violin is so wonderful and so rewarding. I wish you all the best! Take care, Mary❤

Thanks, Mary. I’m 73 and just started violin 1 year ago. That’s what I wanted to play in elementary school orchestra but the music teacher said, “Long arms, Trombone!” My wife encouraged me to take violin up. I’m so glad I did. She unfortunately passed away a few weeks ago but the gift of her encouragement keeps on giving. ❤

Hello! My deepest condolences for the loss of your wife. Her encouragement of you to take up violin at any age is a great testament to her wisdom. I hope that learning the violin will be a continuing inspiration and encouragement to you. Please contact me any time with any queries about your progress. Take care. Mary❤

Hello Lola! It's wonderful to speak about your teachers that way and to know what's right for you! I used to listen constantly to records of Leonid Kogan playing the Mendelssohn , Beethoven and Tchaikovsky Concertos and I nearly hung up my violin for good...but later when I saw Kogan on KZbin with his rather rigid, stern demeanour and huge hands I was shocked - he wasn't what I'd imagined at all! It gives me a thrill when I come across a violinist like Krill Troussev using wrist vibrato as I do, or Bomsori who has small hands like me...how they play is so fascinating and they look so different, but they both have superb techniques perfectly adapted to their different physiques. I hope it doesn't get too hot to play your violin in Madrid at the moment. There's no danger of that here in Scotland this summer; we've had nice days but with lots of rain... So my garden is beautifully lush!🌻🪷🌸 A great big hug Lola!! Mary❤

​​@@violinstudiowithmaryvHola Mary! Recuerdo tus anteriores comentarios sobre Kogan...su maravilloso sonido parecía no concordar con su manera "rígida y severa" al interpretar... Sin duda un intérprete único! Hace poco encontré un CD Leonid KOGAN - MILESTONES OF A LEGEND...y es difícil encontrar palabras para describir ese sonido tan especial... Aún no lo he escuchado todo... Espero que sigas disfrutando de tu maravilloso jardín y de la lluvia...ojalá llueva pronto en Madrid, lo necesitamos! Hoy 39°C🙄 Muy difícil practicar con el violín...Esperaré a mañana😉 Un gran abrazo, Mary, y mil gracias por tus comentarios! 👏👏👏👏👏🤗💚🎶💚🎻💚🌧😉 Por cierto, en el pasado mes de febrero pude ver y escuchar Bomsori Kim interpretar a Chaikovski...aún recuerdo que me impresionó mucho! Fue una experiencia muy intensa!

@@lolamas3042 Hi Lola! I don't know how on earth you can even think of playing (or doing anything) at 39C!! I hope you get some rain to freshen everything up- I love the smell of hot summer pavements after rain, don't you? I couldn't agree more with you that the wonderful Leonid Kogan's sound is incredible and he plays so elegantly! I especially love his legendary playing of the Beethoven Concerto with the glorious cadenza with triple chords played like one note. It's an achievement of the ages... And how wonderful to see Bomsori!! It always seems impossible when great players play a wonderful Concerto. The dedication and talent devoted to achieving such heights is incredible. What an inspiration!! I hope you are having a great summer in beautiful Madrid. Take care. Mary❤

Hello! I'm glad you got most of it! I'm Scottish. Mary❤

Hello Simon! I'm delighted that your vibrato is on its way - well done! Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much! I remember 50 years ago my beloved teacher Tom Rowlette showed me the game changing dynamism of the approach to the string. Tom had had a stroke and always demonstrated with his bowing arm. I'll never forget his brilliant expertise and wonderful encouragement...Mary❤

Hello! Thank you very much, you're very kind! Kreisler often has a touch of sadness and it's a beautiful thing to express these bittersweet notes... Mary❤