How NOT to play the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

For those interested in Skype (or your favored video chat platform) lessons, email [e-mail].
‪@RubsViolin‬ 's original video here: • Idiot Plays Mendelssoh...

[@RubsViolin]

haha this is great! Thank you for the advice man! (:

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

Thanks for making your great video, man. Keep up the good work!

[@leif1075]

@@MurphyMusicAcademy How do you not get bored or tired learning longer, advanced pieces like this? And how can I play as well as a prodigy without having to work so hard? Thanks for sharing.

[@DavidBergman1776]

A love for the music and a desire to improve keep you from getting tired learning the pieces. Try listening to yourself and critiquing your playing. You will be shocked by how you sound. It will be different than in your head. For the other question, there is no “shorter” way to sound like them. You have to put in just as much work as they do

[@dehanbadenhorst1398]

I just saw him the perform the concerto live for the 2nd time Saturday night, the confidence and passion really outshined any mechanical difficulties, and the audience loved it! Great video, and advice I will come back for when I learn this concerto some day

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

Just in case anyone somehow doesn't get this: I'm not calling Rubs an idiot. Rubs called himself that in the original video. Personally, I think he's got a lot of talent. :)

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

WHY ARE YOU CALLING HIM AN IDOT

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

Jokes asides, glad to see you uploading!

[@apollo7804]

@@LittleHarryBrother1 daddy chill he's just joking with him

[@pqsnet]

Hello! Just found your channel and really like your videos... Do you have any videos that adress techniques on vibrato and how to practice?

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

@@apollo7804 If you look at my comment underneath, you will understand that I was joking as well ;)

[@calliprice9320]

Even though sometimes it is not good to let a student play a piece they aren't ready for, I think there IS value in letting a student play a piece you.don't think they are ready for. Especially when it comes to the teacher student relationship. Which I think would be so awesome if you talked about!

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

This was entirely the case when I played Mendelssohn. I was in Suzuki book 7, I think, but absolutely obsessed with the Mendelssohn concerto. I figured out how to play the opening by ear and my teacher was shocked to find I'd used the correct fingering as well. He then gave me his copy of the music, hoping it would discourage me, but it inspired me instead. My mom went out and bought me my own copy and then I just kept working on it relentlessly until I learned it. If I hadn't done this I wouldn't be where I am today, I'm sure of it. That experience completely jump-started my progress.

[@stidinadia1369]

We appreciate you for sharing these important things with us. The best channel in the world

[@Wozzy343]

Great advice just straight to the point and providing great tips and explanations are great

[@BadViola]

This was super helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make this :)

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

It was a lot of fun and I certainly hope to do more videos like it in the future!

[@FCarraro1]

It takes some balls to play Mendelssohn with the orchestra, and this guy does a very good job :) the main concern I have is the right hand. True, he seems to have insanely long fingers and this may matter, but his knuckles appear way too lifted, the fingers too extended and definitely not flexible enough. Left hand has sort of the same issues, the left forearm doesn't seem rotated inwards enough and knuckles are far out. This makes him put the fingers on the string way too flat, especially the 4th, and stretched out. Some fingerings also are insane xD (12:08 g-b-d# 2-2-2 lol). Just keep up the hard work Rubs, you definitely have musicality and talent!

[@RubsViolin]

Haha, Thanks for the advice! (:

[@siegfriedquast389]

Der junge Geiger hat ein gutes feeling für das Konzert und einen guten Ton. Er muss halt noch ein bisschen an den Feinheiten üben, aber ich bin sicher, dass er es schaffen wird.

[@14sakuya26]

This was so instructive!!! Thanks Rubs and Tobias for this video! : )

[@michaelfelzien6765]

Been working on bow hold. I've always kept my thumb tucked between thumb-hold and frog. Moved it about 5mm to rest on thumb-hold and wow. Some challenges and some improvement. Thank you for your videos and teaching always helpful.

[@JSB2500]

I agree. See Itzhak Perlman's bow here at 01.00: No gap between frog and thumb grip. The pale thumb grip is clearly marked where his thumb and middle finger regularly go. The thickness of the thumb grip material helps a lot with getting the arm weight force applied at the right point on the bow for the bow hold to work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGi5dWdpqa-Fma8 That's my understanding anyway. I've had the same result as you.

[@marysherrill6918]

I love all genres of music. If I like it and enjoy it then I try to learn more about it. Watching your videos help me to appreciate all types of music more and how the instrument is supposed to be played to get the most out of it. I realize when listening to different types of music I can sometimes tell when it sounds a little off. Even when I don't know the piece and now I know why. Thank you for what you teach and I hope the kid mentioned in this video sees it and realize he can be so much better with even just a little information.

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

He’s actually my occasional student now! Great guy, and he’s made a lot of improvement since. Glad you enjoyed the videos!

[@OdedViolin]

My experience is the opposite. Things that were very hard for me as a teenager, are much easier for me today.

[@fateindustry]

I played this concerto in a professional live audition. It's a LOT more difficult if you add in nerves.

[@pqsnet]

Well, im that thumb guy. Because i play folk music. But i have long wanted to at least get a hold on vibrato. But lowering the thumb is like re-learning to play the violin... It really really is setting me back decades.

[@ioana938]

There is a MMA video from a few years ago that talks about how to transition to a lowered thumb without completely relearning how to play. I'm right there myself making this transition and it was very helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5K6ZaBoq7h6frMfeature=shared

[@chrvberg]

My heart stood still when I read the video title. Could Murphy be really that bad *ss? 😄

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

Well, I would never call someone an idiot without clear precedent 😜

[@calliprice9320]

I also think this is your best video yet!

[@wuillymay8815]

Lol homie was pissed 😅

[@georgetoth5923]

I like the video and will visit your site. I have been self teaching myself for a year and have no idea if I am playing properly.

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks. It will be some time before I get to Mendelssohn.

[@jgunther3398]

If Rob O'Neill played violin

[@Pandaisbad.]

That's definitely Hilary Hahn playing in the background.

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

Joshua Bell, actually

[@bigbossmateusd.santos1774]

I really would like to know how i could study with this guy... His class must be so fun... I really need it...

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

[e-mail]

[@adriendecroy7254]

Please do a video on shoulder rest vs no rest. I cannot fathom how people can play without one. How can you hold the violin up without using the left hand, which then reduces mobility in the left hand. P.s. Rubs' accent is South African (west coast).

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

He has already made one!

[@adriendecroy7254]

@@LittleHarryBrother1 great! thanks.

[@RubsViolin]

Haha

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

@@adriendecroy7254 Have a good one! :)

[@JosephMusgrove]

Check out his video on playing with no shoulder rest. Still new, playing 1-1/2 years now, but got rid of the shoulder rest after the first week.

[@playpianotoday6223]

What a fantastic video!! Great story telling - amusing and informative with great musical analysis thrown in. Plus, it reminds me what a masterpiece this concerto is. On a Different topic ….. I notice your violin and bow hanging on the hook on the wall. I’d love to store my violin like that but am worried that it needs to be kept safe in its case. Is it ok to permanently store my violin on the wall like that in an ordinary room of the house? Does the wood dry out or is it fine? (Maybe there are some fiddlers out there who know the real answer please).

[@alexmart45yt]

Im actually trying to learn Mendelssohn violin concerto it gets to me when im practicing because im trying to make it sound "correct" or not technically incorrect if that makes sense

[@MattB90]

4:13 - Its all in e minor and its all very exposed, and if you dont play it in tune, everybody knows...BARS

[@pqsnet]

Hello! Just found your channel and really like your videos... Do you have any videos that adress techniques on vibrato and how to practice?

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

I have two videos on vibrato (one very recent) and another on practicing. I don’t have a ton of uploads so it shouldn’t be hard to find

[@pqsnet]

@@MurphyMusicAcademy Great ill take a look! ☺

[@sadhbhdelahunt]

Great info, thanks.

[@barborajezkova8393]

how am i watching your viideos for free?? commenting to enhance the vid :))

[@stefanjepp6612]

Your video is very well done, the only issue is your microphone. I suggest, you buy a better one, so we can enjoy your violin sound.

[@grauenritter9220]

no, try not. do or do not. there is no try

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

My old teacher was very fond of saying this. Funny thing he was a massive Trekkie and didn't know this quote came from Star Wars until a student told him

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

It's a really valid quote, at any rate

[@grauenritter9220]

@@MurphyMusicAcademy I learned it from my martial arts, to tell newer students to not make excuses and just make their best effort each time. I used to be good at doing that until I am high rank, and now I am good enough to make accurate self critiques. High Level complaining is the worst because it can be actually true!

[@anlingitalia]

I just commented but it seemed to disappear. Anyhow, just wondering if you would be interested in roasting my playing! I like the tips you gave! Have a good day.

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

I might make a video asking for people's clips so I can do a series of mini-critiques. If so I'll definitely do yours

[@anlingitalia]

That would be awesome! I have a lot of work to do, but for some reason have trouble fixing problems. Probably due to underlying tension or incorrect practice techniques. I will look out for your video and appreciate any help you can offer!

[@bradsasher7196]

Misha Ellman??

[@MurphyMusicAcademy]

Where?!

[@henrigraber2741]

I don't agree at all with the term "idiot". Why has everything to be elitist ? What matters is the joy of playing music. Qu'importe le flacon, pourvu qu'il y ait l'ivresse !

[@JSB2500]

I'll try to explain, but please bear with me because it WILL be tricky! Firstly, and most importantly, absolutely no one involved here actually thinks anyone is an idiot!! Secondly, Rubs, the violinist who played the concerto, is from South Africa (I think) and might therefore be using language in a way that's unfamiliar to you. Thirdly, Rubs calls HIMSELF an idiot because he AGREES with you! He uses the term "idiot" to open up some space for non-professionals to perform works like this. How does this work? It's about pre-empting i.e. getting there first. Before someone else spoils it for him by saying, "Look at that idiot - he thinks he can play the Mendelssohn VC - he should leave it to ...", he says it about HIMSELF (pretending to be someone else, hence the dark glasses). After the first attack (in this case he attacks himself), the next player - in this case you - usually takes the compassionate / supportive line, "I don't agree with the term 'idiot'" or "Don't call him an idiot, he did really well". Actually, you were not the second player, you were the third. Tobiah Murphy was the second Tobiah actually DIDN'T take the compassionate / supportive line. Instead he played along with the "idiot" concept. That's an alternative next move in this game - one that will probably attract more attention and hence more views. However, Tobiah DOES NOT actually think that Rubs is an idiot. He has respect for him. He's reminded of when he played the piece twenty years ago, and actually says at one point that Rubs does something better than he did. I hope that helps. There's actually a lot more to it but I'll leave it there. If it doesn't help, then simply replace the word "idiot" with the "brave young musician with great potential". 😃 I think I just did an English exam 😄.

[@JSB2500]

07:47 More preempting here with the word "boring". He calls that bit boring before anyone else does. How do I know all this? Maybe I did it myself at his age 😅.

[@JSB2500]

@@Poreckylife Yes re writer. 😮😅 re emotionally compressed. I'm a kind person who tries to help people get along a little better by helping them understand each other a little better. I've inadvertently specialized in helping people who for whatever reason inadvertently take things literally. 😃

[@JSB2500]

@@Poreckylife And of course I wanted Henri to think well of the wonderful Tobiah! 😃

[@JSB2500]

@@Poreckylife I think you're right re it being tough. I'm beginning to think it's actually impossible! 😂