How To Play Chords On The Violin - Basic Tips

In this Video I show you how to play chords on the violin and what you have to keep in mind to make them sound smoother.
More from me:
Violin-Courses: violinshortcut...
My Course on Udemy: bit.ly/2L60p5O
Homepage/Blog: www.violin-edu...
Facebook: / simon.streuff
Instagram: / simonstreuff

[@HippieHodler]

I appreciate your good knowledge Simon. I am 57 years "old" and I bought my self a violin this past holiday season.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

great to hear that! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@HippieHodler]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation One of my first questions Simon Streff is my piece of rosin should be absolutely smooth when I put it on my bow..

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

sorry I saw your comment so late. To your question: as long as the surface of the rosin is enough to stick to the hair, the size and form of it doesn't matter too much! I keep mine flat though to get the most out of a cake.

[@nicholashill9302]

Have a great time!!!

[@khanisa3861]

Ever since I was 3 years old I always wanted to play in an orchestra I told myself to learn the violin so thanks this really helped I'm going to try it now

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

In an orchestra you don't need chords too often. But it helps to know how to play them :)

[@JessicaRyan408]

0:14 is literally me when I play 😂

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

:D I hope it will get better ;)

[@frostie7399]

Jessica Ryan that s good bruh

[@jimmycruz3770]

Samee😂😫

[@chadkaloy9161]

SAME HAHAHA

[@AngelinaSG]

Thank you! I'm self-teaching and couldn't figure it out, but your explanations were so easy to follow that I could play my first chord! ☺

[@Amajor0]

Heyy how's your violinn journey going??? It's been three years, I'd love to hear about it from a fellow self learner violinist!!

[@alpha_jasperflair1097]

Bro same i literally have practiced the violin for 4 months now just by self teaching, and ngl i have improved quite fast but mine sounded like an amateur.

[@jonathannewby697]

I play the guitar, drums, and the harmonica. I've never tried the violin and I'm now 40 years old. I can't wait to grab one when I get off work. Thanks for these awesome tips. Lol I can't help but wonder if I'll pick it up fast due to 27 years of playing the guitar. I hope so, my kids want to learn this instrument and I hope I can pick it up fast to help them.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I once taught a guitarist how to play the violin in a two hour lesson. He was able to play a g-major scale after this one lesson. Playing a stringed instrument definitely helps when learning another!

[@Elevenzies]

"Beautiful"...LOL. I give the doodles an A+. Alas, if it weren't 12AM I'd immediately give this a try!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I thought I might do something silly here and there! ;) Keeping things funny! Life is so serious anyways...

[@nomruru1443]

simon, you are the best violin teacher online, if you think i am right give it a thumbs up!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I gave you a thumbs up :D

[@mlelko]

This is extremely helpful. I recently bought a whole book of baroque sonatas and the chords were killing me!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you, I am glad to hear that!

[@beetmeme4206]

i dont even have a violin....what am i doing here-

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

get one ;)

[@beetmeme4206]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation but theres no frets or like keys i only plau bass guitar drums and piano

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

@@beetmeme4206 On the other hand there are some fretless bass guitars ;)

[@beetmeme4206]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation ok fine ill buy one, which do u recommend

[@husnainali-gn8bo]

I dont either but I wanted to hear a violin chord

[@yukis5625]

Thank you. My girls play the cello, not violin, but your video is the most helpful one out of all. Keep up the great work!

[@jillianh.9671]

I've never tried playing chords on the violin but your video is full of useful tips to get me started on playing chords. The drawings were helpful as well!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you!

[@sugarplumprincess6833]

@Simon Streuff Violin-Education, Thank you so very much!🙏🏻 I watched the video and then combined what you said with a tip my teacher gave and my double stop intonation is perfect! Now I just need to work on my bow. You've literally saved me from spending months extra on this piece (Seitz Violin concerto 5, 2 movement.).

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

that is great to hear! My videos should always be a supplement to "real" lessons. When I was young I wish there was something like KZbin to learn different perspectives. Have fun with the Seitz!

[@sugarplumprincess6833]

Thank you. And I definitely will!😺

[@barbara1314]

Thank you, seems easier than a guitar 🎸! I was able to understand the concept. I will buy one and try it. 🙂

[@mdmoniruzzaman6587]

Dear Simon, Fantastic intro to chords. Is it possible to show how you play some of the common chords. Also with with a simple song.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

that is a good idea. I will keep that in mind! Thank you for your comment!

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation that's what I'm looking for

[@K0naiii]

This really helped I'm going onto grade 4 and wanted to know for the future how to do chords

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

If you have further questions, just go for it!

[@TheCrystallized]

Arrived here late, but this is so nice and useful! Glad you didnt remove it!

[@cellokid5104]

Nice introduction into chords

[@toba5987]

Absolutely amazing, I like it!🥰

[@dawnkormendi7225]

Awesome explanation with the drawings! Thank you! :-)

[@israeldiaz4431]

Good tips! Thank you

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you for your comment! I am glad it helps

[@scootin123]

Few youtube fiddle instructors in discussing double stops are at a complete lost as to instructing how to go from one, two to third double stop without making a transition noise . In this video you tell us to make the double stop change at the bow change direction . Is that correct? This video is the only one I have seen that instructed how to transition the stops. A Violin Masterclass video suggested that the change is done by shift but on the same two strings. Thanks for your unique instruction

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Lior Holtslag I think that the fast changing of a double stop might be worth a dedicated video. Maybe can you send me the link from the master class so I can understand what you mean exactly? That would be great!

[@Sunshine-Light]

Superb tutorial

[@kaleidojess]

I’m so excited I’m going to get a violin pretty soon.

[@ileanna_hi8719]

I already have one

[@eddynzaramba2466]

@@ileanna_hi8719 How much money can I get it I want buy one

[@yintymarshen9337]

0:14 ok, that is me😂its hard for me!! Too hard

[@magdalenapaz402]

Thanks a lot for your tips,

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

You are welcome Magdalena!

[@MegaToti26]

Excellent!!! Wunderbar! Danke!

[@unstepintime]

Thank you very much..

[@Hannah-yy9uu]

Thank you loved this lesson

[@coolassbrian]

Great vid. Thanks

[@nicholashill9302]

Lovely stuff thanks. 😁

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you too! It's my pleasure!

[@Kae-denator]

Tribulations will come but GODS light will always sustain providing a metaphoric place for your soul to refuge. GOD is Good 🙏

[@user-cf7eh2ut5e]

Very good thank you شكرا

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you for your comment!

[@PokiiMilk]

This is very helpful , Thank you!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

You have funny glasses! Thank you! :D

[@midnightgalaxy886]

Thanks! I just got a violin.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

time to start with double stops... not :) Chords are pretty advanced. It can't hurt to try this technique early, but don't expect it to sound good until you are years and years into violin playing!

[@midnightgalaxy886]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation Okay! 😊

[@penelopehammerton2907]

Thank for your instruction, especially your white board drawings. If I might ask you about the grooves in the bridge, how deep should they be. I would be glad of your expertise on this subject.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

the grooves should be as small as possible and not deeper than needed. If the string is too deep into the groove it will hinder the vibration of the bridge and string. unfortunately not many violin makers take a good enough look at that.

[@penelopehammerton2907]

Thank you, glad of your knowledge.

[@WaylonWillieNMe]

great video!!

[@michellegeerees7313]

Excellent!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you so much!

[@LeosMelodies]

Great channel man! I'm also a musician. Can you do a video on triple stops??

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I can do that! Some principles are the same like 4 note chords. But some things are different!

[@bobolee1728]

Thank you for your video. :-D I like those paintings. XD

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Bobo Lee haha thank you!

[@victorianwakanma9895]

This is lovely nice one

[@nomruru1443]

The best

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you!!

[@IssicheaV]

I have a weird problem, when I hold the string and let go it will create base sound for example I holding down G string, when I lift my finger up It make G sound. Any idea how to fix?

[@joaquinadonascimento7537]

Thank you.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Joaquina do Nascimento you are welcome 🙂

[@m.7373a]

Danke! Wunderbar meine fruende

[@lhyn2986]

New subscriber here 🥰

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you so much!

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

I am left handed and as we are all well aware of, the majority of this world are right handed. I have always been puzzled why string instruments with a finger board add the guitar, the ukulele, bowed strings to this group are played like they are. The left hand needs to be the smarter/faster hand if it is given the finger board to play. The right hand is only given the bow or the strumming to do which is a much easier job than having to know accurately where the notes are. I would have thought for the majority this group of instruments people would prefer to play them the other way round. I played my guitar like a right handed person and am playing my violin like a right handed person too.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I thought about that a lot. In fact I had quite a few students who are lefties and who I advised to learn regularly. I would still give the same advice, but I noticed, that lefties have a harder time with the bow hold and smooth control of the bow in general. My conclusion is, that the complex movement of the bow arm is like throwing a ball or playing tennis a motion that goes through many joints or one could even say through the whole body and that that kind of combined joint movements are very hard to learn on your non-dominant side while the fine motivity of the hand on the fingerboard is kind of more subtle in a way and doesn't combine too many joints. Also the bow arm movement works much more with momentum than the fingerboard hand. Still there are great leftie violinists who play regular, but for example Leonidas Kavakos has a very odd bow hold still.

[@5688gamble]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation I believe that the reason most prefer their dominant hand is because we feel rhythm better through our dominant hand, and it has the strength to follow more when picking, strumming or bowing, you can train your weaker hand to do intricate stuff easier than to do the faster, harder motions requiring strength and more precise timing. Apart from writing and typing, I tend to do intricate work with my left and things requiring strength with my right, though for most things (violin and guitar 2 notable exceptions) I can use either, with a preference to one or the other depending. Take playing a forte piece or harder still, hitting a triple stop where all three notes sound at once where you need to hit the middle string straight on with a sharp attack and good fast follow through in order to push the string down just enough that you hit the three strings but smoothly and quickly enough that it doesn't crunch. This will be MUCH harder with the weak hand! Though some lefties do really well on a right-handed instrument, then you get Kurt Kobain, who was right-handed but preferred a leftie guitar, so it's never so cut and dry. However, if you don't find a strong preference either way in the beginning, I'd probably play righty, just because it's easier to find an instrument AND if you are playing in an orchestra you won't have to sit on the very right to avoid hitting your neighbours bow, as you will be close together, whatever lets you make/enjoy music though! After all, that IS why we do it!

[@nicholashill9302]

No trouble with fingering then just work on the bow!!!!

[@sugarplumprincess6833]

@Simon Streuff Violin-Education, when you saw my elbow should be under the my violin, do you mean I you turn my elbow towards the E string side of the violin?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Yes that is what I meant by that!

[@sugarplumprincess6833]

Ok. Thanks so very much. Ps. I'm a fan, no buts.😊😺

[@braddinator]

Came hear to learn chords.... But this was useful.

[@MyViolinJourney]

Thankyou!!!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you for your comment Daphne! I hope you are doing well!?

[@laljisavaliya4429]

Very nice

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you again ;)

[@polferx]

Oh mann! Richtig gut! Aber hilft mir weiter nicht viel :( ... mein problem ist , dass wenn ich den Winkel andäre um die nächste Achord zu spielen, spielt nur ne seite und nicht beiden auf einmal ... aber kann gut sein, dass die finger sind die sie sich nicht bewegen.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

man sollte immer die Bogenbewegung auch separat üben! Also nur auf leeren Saiten, damit du die Saitenpaare gute treffen lernst. Wenn die linke Hand auch ihre Griffe kennt, setzt man dann im nächsten Schritt beides zusammen. Beim Zusammensetzen gilt "links vor rechts" also erst die finger aufsetzen, dann denBogen bewegen. Je langsamer und aufgeräumter man den Ablauf übt, desto schneller lernt man die Bewegung auch im schnellen tempo auszuführen.

[@polferx]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation

[@yahyeet1281]

One of the first things we learned in our classes were double stops

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

are you kidding me? :D

[@yahyeet1281]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation Yeah it seems crazy, but our teacher is very good at what he does. Plus I am very passionate about the instrument! I have been playing for a year and I am almost completely done with the Suzuki Book 2!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

@@yahyeet1281 That is great. Things can go fairly quickly with a good teacher and some motivation to practice! ;)

[@NeomiNemeth]

Double stops usually don't even come up until year 4-5!!! 😮

[@mikegan73]

Good video.

[@kimquiboquibo8223]

How do i know which keys are the songs played? (Idk how to read music sheet yet so maybe by ear?) pls help me :)

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

to recognize the tonality you need to look at the beginning of the sheet music and basically count the accidentals. From there you have to determine if you are in major or minor. An easy way to do that is looking at the last note of the piece it is usually the ground note of the tonality. So a piece with no accidentals and the last note C is written in C-Major for example. By ear it is hard to determine without any harmonic theoretical background especially. But often times you can just use google and type "(songname) key" and will probably get a result where someone already determined the original key/ tonality of a song...

[@fernandooliveira3432]

Vielen Dank für dein Video über diesem Thema! Außerdem sind Sie ein Österreicher?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Hey, nein ich bin Deutscher. halb Finnisch um genau zu sein. :) Danke für dein Kommentar!

[@Timchenkoatelier]

thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank you :))

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

You are welcome! ;)

[@jayveeaurea9091]

I’m 15 years old the height only 5”5. I bought a 4/4 violin. Is it ok?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I will make a video on how to chose the perfect size of a violin! Short answer: Probably yes, 4/4 should be good!

[@kennethcayton379]

Hello sir I’m new how come the string have strong sounds? If u use electric violins ist disame sound? Ist d same strong sound how to give ur violin strong sounds

[@jharedjabon12]

i dont even have a violin , but after i watched paganini movie damn!

[@makenziesheriff4977]

The first sound you made (the kinda ugly one) before you started teaching, how did you make that sound?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

slow bow, a little more pressure than usual and quite far away from the bridge. You liked it? :)

[@makenziesheriff4977]

Simon Streuff Violin-Education I loved it. I was asking because I wanted to request of my friend to play it so that I may record it and use it in some future films. Thank you for the information. ❤️

[@ilovedc74]

First!! :D Thanks for your video!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Is that the moment when I arrive at KZbin? :D My first "first" comment! ;) Thank you for your comment!

[@Ratking-zg8nu]

um.. wats a chord?. carnt find v basic of basic, like wat does each string do and wat happens when you press string down at other end with left hand?. is it like mortal combat moves button presses.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

if you compare to mortal combat: chords are the fatalities of the violin.

[@RealBradMiller]

I've got tiny hands and fat fingers. Any tips(besides the fat fingertips I already have, lol)?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Look up Mischa Elman. Nothing is impossible! :) My hands are more viola or cello hands too. I prefer violins with bigger necks for that reason.

[@RealBradMiller]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation I will look them up right now! Thank you, I really appreciate the reply. :) Your videos are a great help.

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Thank you! Always here to help!

[@gabrielemariaesposito3971]

Pizzicato is the way

[@chesscrater6331]

I saw a chord in the suzuki book 2 and I was like wha ???!??!?? WHAAAAAAAAT!?!??!!!!!!!!

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

I am learning a piece that requires double stops and more. Getting the angle of my bow right is not easy.

[@jingsgilika3275]

Love it Of How you TEACH XDXDXDXDXD

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Sänk Yu!

[@Franciscool18]

Im here, cause im planning to learn violin but not for now cause i have no violen yet

[@Franciscool18]

Violin*

[@andreanalgspi]

Is it hard?😕

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

it totally depends where you start. It is not too hard!

[@stargazingliz]

Ich liebe diesen deutschen Akzent der ist einfach toll deutsch hahaha

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

That's great! Because it will last :D

[@rostumuy6122]

i really wanted to buy violin but i don't have money huhuhu

[@khanisa3861]

Ahh😢 I know how that feels Sorry hopefully u get one I got one last week and it's the best gift I've ever gotten

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I am sorry to hear that. My family wasn't very wealthy too, but I was lucky, that I got lessons and a loan violin early on. Maybe ask your relatives, if they together can give you a violin for birthday for example!

[@rostumuy6122]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation i hope the same to. Thank you for inspiring me♥️ You really help a lot of people because of your content. I hope you reach 100k subs soon

[@MyName-tq4ue]

Ok man hört das du deutsch bist aber trotzdem voll gut erklärt 😂

[@psychohochsieben2316]

wie man einfach hört, dass du Deutscher bist XD

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Psychohochsieben23 mein Erfolgsrezept 😏

[@undeadassassin0438]

why do you low-key sound like the character from b99

[@luwamtesfamichael2797]

It looks easy when you played it but for me it’s still hard

[@jujuu1339]

I have fat fingures or a small violin

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

or both :P

[@phy2sp33]

Hast du Videos auf Deutsch?

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Noch nicht, aber ich werde mich bald mehr auf Videos im Allgemeinen konzentrieren können. Vielleicht springt dabei auch ein deutscher Kanal raus ;)

[@gregarious1532]

Isn't a chord three notes?

[@alihaider-nz8hs]

Plzzzz I need ur help🙏🏻😢

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I am here to help but plz specify your problems!

[@alihaider-nz8hs]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation actually friend its a starting level i don't know even how to manage very starting cords

[@alihaider-nz8hs]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation i m a beginner of violin i have no time to take violin classes because of very tough schedule..... i m very fond of this instrument i want to learn about it ... i want to play it... 🙏😢😪😣

[@spydurrs8689]

On the wrong video. Need to learn to play open strings first. My music sounds like a dying seal 😂

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

I plan on making a beginner series soon!

[@spydurrs8689]

@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation In that case; I'm subscribing 😀. I also find it hard to read sheet music with the G clef. I've watched so many videos and I know what the lines and spaces are, but I don't know which string/finger. Like there are only G,D,A,E strings, where on earth is the B? And then theres so many B variations. If only music sheets had a simple note on only 4 lines with a number to show which string and finger 😂. I am looking forward to your lessons. Goodluck to you and most importantly; to me 😀

[@bettylekunze2632]

Am a violin student in Ghana who needs private lessons

[@NylonStrings83]

Oh my gosh that sounded like a horror music

[@GraalElk]

du bist süß :D

[@ShakerGER]

Ein deutscher was? :D

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Zur Hälfte!

[@alihaider-nz8hs]

I don't know how to play it correctly...😢

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

What level are you roughly?

[@jennifer2088]

so hard

[@Sisters597]

Ahhhh nooo!!!😂

[@bit6122]

How....teach me..... plz T^T im dum.. :(

[@rafaelnavoni6612]

como te cuesta el ingles bobito

[@BradySmith98]

8 min in and still haven’t learned a chord

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

Practicing helps :)