9 Exercises to Transform your Violin Technique

[@constantinelevin6950]

I don't know if this is just in my head but right off the bat I'm feeling a difference in my playing with these exercises. It's like I'm slowly getting more confident playing the harder pieces. This video is awesome thanks!

[@DanielKurganov]

Wonderful!

[@craobh30]

​@@DanielKurganov4

[@cecilia7259]

The minute. I know, me too!

[@cee-stringschristiana9204]

This improved my violin playing 😢. Thanks so much. Being a self thought hasn't been easy😊

[@gamerhatch9072]

I am a violinist of 7 years. Being a sophomore in high school, im realizing that the violin is my biggest passion by far, and I dont think I could ever see myself in another career. With 2 left of highschool, im working to be the best violinist I can be by high schools end, and I want to try and be the best violinist I can be. Im currently on vacation, so can't practice my violin, which makes me sad, but im excited to come back home, and try these exercises. I truly believe that these will be a huge help for me to correct any bad habits I have made in past years, and help me improve my technique massively.

[@DanielKurganov]

Looking forward to hearing about your progress!

[@mechanicalbrideez]

having this exact same realization! beginning of last year i realized how passionate i really was about music and i decided to hone in on it because i knew i needed to in order to pursue a career in music. im currently about to be a junior and that mindset has gotten me much farther than I was before but i know i still have a long ways to go. i wish you luck on your musical journey!

[@gamerhatch9072]

@@mechanicalbrideez So happy to hear that! the musical journey is a beautiful one, and hearing the joy others feel in it brings about so much happiness within me! going into senior year now, and I've gotten so much better. it truly such a beautiful journey, and I wish you the best of luck!

[@shokingblazemangaming]

I have also been playing for 7 years I am now a freshman in college rn But I am going to try these out

[@larrythegreatest]

I played for 20 years since high school amateurly. I play quite well but not good enough and I never had the time to find a proper teacher who can teach me in a systematic, scientific way. I wished I was like other kids who went through the whole Susuki which sets a good foundation. You’re now my teacher. Thank you

[@ronaldhurwitz1823]

Excellent exercises! When I first went to study the viola around 1968 with the great violinist Oscar Shumsky at his home, these are exactly, the same exercises you are showing here. They are a wonderful reminder, and I will go through them again tomorrow. Thank you. Ronald Hurwitz

[@lynx_phoenix3968]

god damn those are the clearest harmonics I’ve heard in a while

[@dillonharris929]

I love that you offer Tonebase videos to further support yourself, but I sincerely hope you keep uploading here to KZbin because I cannot afford Tonebase. The whole reason I subscribed to you is because you offer for free (and with amazing quality) what I could not afford growing up as an underprivileged musician, and what I cannot afford today even as an adult. Please keep adding valuable content here and keep up the awesome work. As a self-taught violinist, your videos have helped me exponentially! Almost like having a private tutor.

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks for your comment Dillon. Absolutely, I will continue making videos on my channel!

[@Sloimer]

Bro you need to get your shit together

[@nickcarroll8565]

Lots of gold to be mined from this. Thank you.

[@chrisgleeson2443]

Hi Daniel, I'm an adult beginner started just 10 weeks ago so probably way out of my league even watching your videos, but just want to let you know how much exercise 1 is helping me just getting flexibility in my left hand and releasing tension in my thumb, many thanks for your effort and time you put into your lessons you have a brilliant but very humble way of teaching. much thanks from Australia

[@concertmasterntl]

I love Samuel Appelbaum. I use all 5 books with my students, and they are so much better and more efficient than the newer stuff.

[@rasheedaogburn123]

Just started learning the violin 2 months ago and I’m so glad I found this.

[@ariellefentress866]

Hi, I'm a violist but your videos still help my technique so much!! I was wondering if you could possibly do a video on smooth bow changes/connecting notes to create a clean phrase. Thanks!!

[@samu2928]

Same here

[@violaisreallycool]

Me too, Mr. Kurganov has had a huge positive effect on my playing!!

[@Jennifer-ym9mm]

I'd be interested to hear your feedback on what I learned from my Russian, former Leningrad Phil teacher, or, to make a slight circle of the bow hairs as you change bow directions. Not sure if that's very clear... will think, and edit if I can clarify better... You're wonderful btw. I wonder how you'd sound if you lightened chin pressure, not that I hear any issue at all!

[@QWeirdness]

Nicely done, Daniel. In my youth, my occasional recording session-playing stand partner was Marin Alsop, now better-known as a conductor. (Baltimore Symphony, Vienna Radio Symphony, others.) I was, and am, more of a jazz-rock-country player than classicist. We were neighbors, so I offered to trade lessons. I asked her once how I could play better in tune in higher positions. Hand position? Muscle memory? Sight? Ear? She answered, "Use everything." Some of the best advice I ever got.

[@sarabande6670]

I am very thankful for this. You are an amazing violinist and educator, but also most generous for sharing your knowledge with us. Thank you!

[@michaelbonesmusic]

Great video and some even better tips for best practice! I think I will make a game out of the 2-finger scale and pick randomly which two fingers to use each time haha, see how I do

[@pritamroy3766]

Thank you daniel, I'll follow you for my violin study, ive studied violin for 10 years, but after my teacher passed in 2017, i stopped learning from a professional. After watching your video I'll start and follow you onwards

[@DonaldCouchie]

Thank you Daniel. This is the challenge that I needed to motivate me.

[@kyriacosklavariotis5932]

I'm deeply impressed and thankful!

[@Francis-violinist]

I am a violinist for 5 years but sometimes i get bored of old things This techniques are good and wonderful

[@chipcurry]

I am a working Fiddler, I get a lot of benefit out of your videos and refer back to them often. These are truly great exercises and part of my practice.

[@mohamedbenameur2155]

Thank you soooooo much for your valuable videos, The world is better with people like you.

[@indigomoon9]

i have auditions for my city's symphony youth orchestra in a few weeks and i felt like i was stuck in my progress with my excerpts but i found this video and it helped me tremendously and my excerpts have been taken to the next level they needed THANKYOU!!

[@DanielKurganov]

I’m so glad!

[@mozarzaryabe6592]

HI FROM MOROCCO! VERY HELPFULL!!! GREATEST THANKS!!!! شكرا جزيلا

[@erictheviolinist]

Very informative content right here. The plucking of the pinky the opposite way is something I haven’t thought about!

[@DanielKurganov]

Roman Kim style ;)

[@marwanhlal5929]

What a brilliant video ! Thank you very much.

[@soooofiiiiiaaaaacarnelli]

Mi profesor virtual favorito y el que resume a TODOS en UNO. Gracias querido Daniel 🇺🇾

[@DoraHornung]

Hi, I found your tips really helpful, I've been practicing only for a few weeks with some of the exercises, and my violin playing and confidence has already changed a lot. These are really useful and I can see how much effort You put in this video. Thank You so much. You may feel that it takes so much time and energy but we appreciate it and we really need your guide to improve a better violinist. I think this way never ends. 😀

[@DanielKurganov]

That really means a lot, thank you Dora. I have a list of 100+ video ideas I’m trying to get through, and this gives me the inspiration to do it.

[@darja1454]

really professional, I wish me violin teacher would have told me such outstandingly outstanding things ...

[@star8leafzy]

Thanks Daniel i am totally beginner this will help me a lot brilliant exercises

[@davidbrandt6925]

This is fabulous. I play viola and this will help immensely!

[@jakepietroniroviola]

Violist here- great video I’ve been looking for some new warm-up material. No. 4 in particular was new to me, what a great exercise! This collection reminds me of the Dounis daily dozen too- thanks for all of the detail!

[@olavoeliseurodrigues4893]

Amazing video.

[@ViolinWithKids]

I really needed this help- practising with kids going nuts around me so needing to make all my time count is a must!

[@flavio5046]

I was expecting more focus on the right hand, BUT these are great for left hand. I'll try all of them out, thank you

[@saharudiary]

I picked up my violin and did the exercises with you. It was useful thank you!

[@personalnotesmusic]

Excellent and captivating teaching!

[@Starmoongal]

I thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! Im going to start incorporating these in my daily practice! I need to get better at working on exercises to improve my intonation and posture, dexterity, etc. I usually just play a scale or too And get impatient and start working on my pieces. But I realize that doing these exercises will help me play my pieces and improve my overall playing! I must make the time and remember to be patient and trust the process just like wax on and wax off!☺️

[@DanielKurganov]

Yes, it’s true. Never forget that technique and mechanics can’t survive for long without being implemented into music. That’s where the mechanics practice really gets internalized - when you practice it in a piece that you love.

[@aniyagonzalez_]

love this!! i chuckled a little at the shoulder rest🫣

[@DanielKurganov]

Hey what’s wrong with my shoulder rest 🤠??

[@aniyagonzalez_]

@@DanielKurganov the rubber band is bringing back memories haha!

[@Anastasiaviolinistparis]

You are incredible, thank you for your content ❤

[@chloedunnmusic]

These exercises are so helpful. Thank you Mr Kurganov for your excellent teaching. Your video is staying on my tabs for the foreseeable!

[@seantran6961]

Thank you very much for this video. Recently been feeling like my playing can be better and my teacher knows it

[@DanielKurganov]

Great to hear!

[@rickspyder6159]

Fantastic lesson time to practice

[@gallagher4226]

I need the second part! So awesome excercises. Thanks.

[@DanielKurganov]

More to come!

[@JonnyHyperbole2090]

This is a brilliantly put together video. Top notch stuff.

[@zsuzsannatorma5031]

This video is so very useful!! You are a fantastic violinist and a fantastic teacher! Thank you for sharing your knowledge for free!!😊

[@DanielKurganov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisma3256]

Very useful and my teacher has partly shown me something similar. Thanks for sharing!

[@M-Dash]

I'm a beginner, and 'love it! 'Will be watching this again, with the violin in hand! Thank you for creating this useful content! 👍

[@suzannelambert4421]

What a comprehensive video you have put together. I can't wait to try some of these exercises. 🎵

[@MilinndSagar]

Brilliant . Thank You!

[@star8leafzy]

thanks this will help me a lot to improve my finger movements and more.

[@엄린튜브]

딸이 바이올린을 전공하고 있고 제 나이는 53세이고 바이올린을 딸에게 배우고 있습니다. 훌륭하신 가르침 잘 보고 갑니다~👍😊💕

[@umabagga6546]

How amazing your videos are!!! Hope you’re doing well!! My 5 year old twins play now!!

[@nantschev]

Digested “The way they play” as a student and still love it ! Great video, bravo!

[@DanielKurganov]

Glad you enjoyed it! One interesting aspect of that series is Applebaum’s predictions of which young talents will have a stellar career.

[@AndreaMarchhartChannelmedium]

As an adult nearly beginner I tried the one finger scale with pinky pizz. Great wonderexercise! In a few minutes another better stable feeling in left hand setting occured! Thank You so much for sharing Your wisdom and experience! Such successes keep me feel enthusiastic! ( Studied guitar and harp , which need much power. Violin doesn't need so much power. This is a very good feeling! And the long melody lines wich are possible. And much more....) I play a lot of gipsy style which needs flexibility and speed. Nevertheless playing in tune... 😉🙏

[@reinelnavarro8440]

Gracias Maestro!!! Excelente clase!!!

[@tropicjam7343]

i totally agree with what you said about bowing accuracy in the case of artificial harmonics;most of time,especially on the e string,sound doesn t come out because of bowing and not merely fingering;anyway,you re a great,clear,and very skilled teacher;

[@evertsillem1116]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@frankwang7284]

What a great teacher you are. Thanks.

[@DanielKurganov]

Thank you! 😃

[@dhritikonwar6668]

This exercises really helped me to improve

[@violinhunter2]

Wow!!! Very, very useful for my students!!! Thank you!!!! (I also didn't know Michael Tree and Sam Applebaum were related. I know someone who knows Arnold Steinhardt very well. Small world isn't it?)

[@flowergirl6400]

You are amazing! I can't wait to get to work. Thank you.

[@katherinecordova7927]

Can't thank you enough for sharing this amazing and valuable content! It helps us a lot to improve in our playing. Thank you very much, greetings from Honduras. 🇭🇳

[@brianmerk8953]

I started listening to this guy a month ago. The stuff he is talking about has really been helping me learn the violin. If he was a pro-wrestler of violin teaching, then he would be the Macho-Man of violin teaching. Oh Ya - Randy Macho Man Savage.

[@DanielKurganov]

I do think my youtube channel is one big kayfabe. Just have to figure out whether it's a work, a shoot or a worked-shoot.

[@SoN-h1s]

Hello Sir, I will do this exercises everyday 😇

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

He’s an amazing violinist!

[@meolmess_official4119]

Огромное вам спасибо! Вы научили меня играть пиццикато левой рукой, ранее для меня это было чем-то божественным!

[@marianavilela1376]

Hey! Thank you so much for this video and every video you’ve posted. You helped me so much with my intonation and technique. I follow your pdfs in every practice I make! I’m so immensely grateful for your generosity, clarity and knowledge. While watching this video I wondered: how often should we do this exercises? Is it an everyday occurrence or it also makes a difference if we do it once in a while? Once again, Thank you so much! Wish you all the best, Mariana (Portugal)

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks, Mariana! I think the goal might be to get through all of the exercises within a week or so, doing 30 minutes a day. Then re-assess: what were the most difficult ones? What have these exposed about gaps in my technique? It'll be different for everyone, of course, but the goal is to hold on to the ones you feel are good for you and practice them every day or every other day. You should always take time to reflect on whether a strategy is working (not just with these exercises). I like to have periods of intense practice, and then a 'debrief' period where I assess what to keep/throw out/adjust going forward. Hope that helps :) best wishes from Boston

[@soooofiiiiiaaaaacarnelli]

@@DanielKurganov GRACIAS 🧘‍♀️

[@AndreaMarchhartChannelmedium]

@@DanielKurganov like this strategic input very much, thank You for that, too!

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Priceless information!Thank you!

[@周靖川]

Hello teacher, I am a Chinese violin enthusiast. I would like to ask what your radio equipment is. Thank you and look forward to your reply

[@delilah_5123]

I subscribed to you because you seem nice. I think he posted a video on what he uses, unless he does a Q&A. 🤗

[@tviolin_com]

Thank you! Great exercises!

[@maximinotovar5798]

Awesome! Thanks for posting.

[@davehobbs4912]

Marvellous stuff!

[@lolamas3042]

Mil gracias, Daniel, por otra clase magistral! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Seguiré experimentando y luchando para no apretar con los dedos de la mano izquierda! 💜🎶💜🎻

[@mladenchavdarov6940]

This is amazing, thank you for sharing!

[@sergioirala5086]

Maestro, excelente explicación detallada, altamente beneficiosa para mejorar. Muchas gracias!!!

[@neilansaelle8693]

Muito feliz por encontrar um material tão vasto e tão bem explicado.

[@DanielKurganov]

Bons estudos!

[@VISHALSVLOGS-yw2sr]

Great work bro🎉

[@nicholashill9302]

Thanks, always! I never knew exercises could sound so good.

[@elisenotes]

Fantastic content. Thanks. Can I ask how you recorded this - the violin is so sonorous (I'm also intrigued with the violin ID ;) ). Thanks.

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks Elise, I appreciate this! I record with Ribbon mics (primarily the Samar AL95's, which I fully endorse). I love the natural and rich sound of ribbon mics, though of course they can be less practical than typical condenser microphones. The violin is made by Andrew Ryan.

[@AstridBlack]

This is amazing! Thank you so much! 🙏🤘🏼❤

[@johnalexander301]

Excellent instruction! Thank you 🙏

[@Heliflopters]

Omg my mind is blown! I didn't know that you COULD make the same note sound the same on different strings. I just assumed they had to have a different sound and that was that.

[@sonparsingsangkeaw1531]

Thank you so much

[@alexeyaslamas732]

You are doing great work! Thank you! Very very useful!

[@DanielKurganov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@عزيزالمصري-ش1غ]

Thanks for you great teacher

[@liudmilad4006]

Thanks for the exercises! Please consider showing Wieniawski's staccato exercises, especially down bow.

[@DanielKurganov]

Great suggestion!

[@00vrd]

This videos helped me so much! I play for 8 years and i had no idea of all the technique mistakes in my playing. Now i have motivation to work🖤🖤

[@fanupadre2003]

Hi Daniel. Thank your so miluch for the exercises. I'm a teacher myself and I use some versions of the e exercises that you've mentioned in the video. I think your versions are better and more challenging. I was wondering if you have anything for the right hand, especially with fast notes coordination, string crossing and sound quality.

[@rafaelalbertini498]

Thanks for this video, Daniel!!! It help me a lot 😻😻

[@DanielKurganov]

I'm so glad!

[@dzejblablabla]

Very very good exercises! And beautiful sound

[@margaretnichols7001]

Great! Many thanks.

[@angelh.649]

muy bien video, such good quality

[@Artoliva]

What a great video thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SandiaOufSympathique]

Thank you

[@sucrier007]

Wow! The best tutorial ever. So many questions I had unanswered waiting to be and it just happened ! Fresh air coming in! Thanks 😊

[@TheJimboViolin]

Fantastic video! What Mic setup do you use??? Thanks! 😊

[@manolisschiller3042]

Great video :) I would love to see another video more focused on the right hand and some special technics (upbow staccato, ricochet...)

[@DanielKurganov]

oh, it's coming :)

[@MrJohanmoren]

Looking forward to that! Have always had a problem being able to keep the bow stable parallel to the bridge, on as well as off the strings. When off the tip tends to fly all over the place, particularly when I do the exercise of lifting the bow from tip to frog and back. When on the string doing downbow I tend to always make some weird twitching, sideways motion just below the middle of the bow. Small but noticeable. It's better on the upbow, but in general it hardly ever looks like the bow is in the same place during the whole stroke, as it looks when you and most of the great play. I wonder if it's related to the fact that I have quite long arms and have the chinrest placed pretty much above the tailpiece. Just haven't really figured out what to do with my arm, wrist, hand and fingers to make it work properly. All insightful input is very welcome! Btw - what book were you referring to in the beginning where you found these exercises? Am also interested in the older teachers and their way of teaching and writing - they def bring some interesting historical value and aspects to todays playing! Cheers!

[@sisipollifecraft1149]

Thank you very much for your help. Could you please show me where is the pdf sheet for this nine exercices.

[@jgunther3398]

You're great at finding obscure but very useful exercises. Do you know of any exercises intended to improve sight reading? Specifically fast sight reading, which is something essential but as far as I know absent as far as exercises or violin pedagogy in general goes

[@AnRo68T]

Unbekanntes Stück nehmen, CD oder YT anmachen. Mitspielen, und versuchen rhythmisch( halb- oder ganztaktig und harmonisch) zu denken/ fühlen. Nicht an einzelnen Noten kleben bleiben. Nach und nach wird es immer besser.

[@DanielKurganov]

There are some apps that show just a bar or two at a time as you read a piece. The goal is to play 1 bar behind where you’re looking. It can be an effective of jumping into the deep end, though you can carry the difficulty. On the mechanical level that’s the best trick I’ve found. Mostly you just have to do it a lot…

[@yarah13]

How do you not have a course already?! Amazing tips, thank you!

[@DanielKurganov]

Working on it!

[@yarah13]

@@DanielKurganov Yes!! How exciting, can't wait!