Avoid These 6 Common Violin Mistakes for Rapid Progress!

[@philmundy3903]

Thank you for this video. I got frustrated because I beat myself up for not progressing like I thought I should and I thought I must be too old (64 at the time). Turns out I was being taught songs but not the fundamentals of good practice habits and pretty much most of what you talk about here. My wife and children thought I should try a different instrument (mandolin) so I did but it never spoke to me the way the violin does (if that makes sense). I stumbled across your video that addressed "Am I too old to learn the violin" and so the journey has started - I'm 68 now. I just received my Fiddlershop Concert violin (with Perfection Pegs) and am watching your videos (over and over) to guide me along the way to learn good habits and avoid the bad habits. I ordered your Violin Scale Book and just want to say thank you for that too.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're so welcome! I'm so glad you're picking the violin up again. I firmly believe you're never too old. I know a gentleman who is starting to learn violin at 94 years young. What an inspiration! Keep it up!

[@brianseybert192]

New subscriber. The journey with my Moms violin started many years ago. Through the last 57 years it has given me something to go to, like a warm blanket on a cold winters night. On a scale of 1 to 10, I am a 5. May have been a 7 at one point, good enough for me. Over the years, the violin has been something that was always there. Now my arthritis is limiting my play, so today, I bought a shoulder brace, hope it helps. In my parents last years, I could always brighten their eyes when I would bring the violin. I am fortunate to have a very good ear. I can pick out a tune, can't read music anymore, who cares, I do not. My violin is the only precious inanimate object I posses. My violin has given joy to kindergarteners, filled many kettles for the salvation army, 1st thing I went to in personal losses, and my cat would rest in my violin case when I played in the basement. There is a song sung by Ray Charles, "Baby Grand", think Billy Joel wrote it. That song comes closest to how I feel about my violin. Check it out! Stay Well!!! Happy Holidays!!!!

[@shirleylee8350]

Thank you for the tips they are very useful for me and my beginner kid. Will watch the video together with her again.❤

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I'm so glad it's helpful for both of you!

[@tantricsarcasm9133]

Thanks! This is the first video I've seen pointing out the value of practicing left & right hand separately.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thanks! I'm so glad it's helpful!

[@janabastlova2172]

Very helpful points for us - beginners, Lora, thank you so much for sharing! :-)

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you!

[@lauradesimone1811]

You're great! Simple, to the point, and very helpful. Carry on, I'll follow you.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you so much!

[@aerodrome4427]

Great advice. I watched my son get to advanced level the hard way. Rushing through the grades etc. He finished up a quality player but with a more patient approach it would have been better for all of us. Now I am learning and having seen what he went through as a child - I am keen to go slowly and do it right. I tend to practice 15 minutes at a time as I get tired quickly mainly in my bowing arm.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thanks! Short practice sessions are definitely better!

[@William3DP]

One of my biggest is one of the last things you mentioned - beating myself up. That is something I will definitely be working on correcting. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I think we all beat ourselves up too much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ksrhrieber95]

thank you for the great advice, I'm 2 years in now and keep trying to practice with intention. I'm 69 and I love it.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the advice. Keep it up!

[@joyceau670]

My challenge is to seek for best posture to relax when playing difficult music and as well another issue with ear training which make me found myself always out of tone😅

[@AVToth]

Years ago I played the clarinet in school for 8 years. With this, as my fingers go down, like away from me, the sound gets lower. On the fiddle, the sound gets higher. When I can anticipate the next few notes, I get dizzy almost because it's almost a spatial thought problem. It's getting better but I want it perfect now.

[@nicholaswilkins7499]

Hi Lora, I just found your website, which is just so very very helpful to a beginner violinist like me. Thank you so much! I'll spread the word. Your resources and videos are great.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you so much! I'm so very happy to hear it's helpful!

[@bassemaziz119]

Very good teacher

[@eastbear2]

Thank you very much! I have really been helped by this.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helps!

[@eileencornell625]

Nice video, by the way.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you!

[@Furritos]

These are very good tips, thanks. Unfortunately, unless you want to send me a better violin I have to stick with cheap as cheap can be as I am 40 with kids and they get stuff first lols. Thanks again for the tips!

[@anthonyjasiecki2619]

This was great. You have some refreshing insight. How long were you personally making these mistakes before you realized a better way? Also, what are you currently refining in your playing today? And I'm currently in the market for this one... what bow do you use? Maybe a Q & A type video would be good!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Anthony, I think I came to these conclusions gradually over several years. Even as a university music student, I found myself making many of these mistakes. Teaching has also helped me see how important these concepts are. I use a Klaus Becker bow primarily. Yes, a Q and A is a great idea! Thanks so much!

[@micheleshepherd8438]

Student has terrible left hand hold ..how do I get him to do it correctly..he's been playing for few years but the left hand is just not coming right..im teaching him very recently and that was my first concern

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

My teacher told me that teachers used to tape a thumbtack underneath the neck of the violin so if the student collapsed their wrist they would get poked. I've never used this technique but when I have a student that can't fix the left hand hold, I tell them this story and that usually fixes it.

[@eileencornell625]

From someone who's been playing for 5 years, why in the world don't violins have markings on the finger board. It seems to be a deliberate effort to make playing more difficult, and vibrato a way to fudge missed notes!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Eileen, you can buy stickers to apply to your fingerboard to show you where to put your fingers. Here's a link I made on how to apply them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6XcgqCJZ9SJeNk

[@enealiviu4797]

Playing on cheap equipment is the only option i got because i cant afford a decent violin. Believe me i gave my $100 violin to a pro and sounded heavenly. Sometimes poor technique is a major problem no matter the instruments price tag.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Do the best with what you can! 🙂

[@berenc7619]

Thank you for understanding , a lot of wallets can't afford top dollar in a instrument .

[@timwhite7127]

Too bad you didn't get to see me try to learn the violin. You would have been able to come up with a whole lot more than just six.

[@patriciahandy8447]

I got a cheap violin to start with. It stayed out of tune all the time. I still sound like crap, but I have a nice violin

[@berenc7619]

Sorry , I can't hundreds of dollars on a fiddle , I do what can with what I can afford