How to play grace notes (appoggiaturas) on the violin

[@bunnylove2945]

Yesssss, thank you, I always see this notes on some sheet music for pieces I wanna try and I’m always just confused at what I’m supposed to do and just skip them so this is so helpful to know 😁

[@AllysonsViolinStudio]

The accaciatura is a short, or quick, appogiatura. But I've never heard anyone actuallly use the term. In the baroque keyboard world, ornamentation can get very complex. String players usually keep things simpler, and do what seems appropriate to the music based on best understanding of the style and period. Post-baroque music generally uses simpler ornaments that were clearly indicated by the composer, so it is safe to talk about trills, mordents & grace notes and that's about all.

[@AllysonsViolinStudio]

Minuet #3 by Bach, I think is the one you mean. It's in Suzuki book 1 towards the end. Thanks!

[@rafa2k81]

Hi Allyson, I wanna say thanks for all your videos. My name is Rafael from Ecuador, South America and I´m studying violin since 6 months. I´m 33 but I love violin and your videos help me a lot..!!! I would like to share with you some songs from my country so you could help me to play them on violin please....THANKS...you´re amazing...!!!!

[@dianamcginnis8694]

Although I do not play any instrument [I was trying to learn electronic keyboard for a while], I am attempting to orchestrate [via music software] one of my original waltzes. One section of the waltz has some grace notes, so I was wondering what instruments can play grace notes. Your video demonstrated that violins can indeed play grace notes. I did not know this. Thank you. [From another video, I discovered that violins can also play trills.]

[@JLPContra]

I teach Suzuki cello, and I always take care to give my students some information about different practices for ornamentation in 18th century and 19th century music. Although the advice given here for the Gossec seems helpful, the value of the advice given in reference to Bach is disputable. I recommend Robert Donnington, The Interpretation of Early Music, for further information in 18th century ornamentation.

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super super super lovely

[@TheeAldeen]

Friggin Amazing video, thanks for sharing Allyson : )

[@pianodudeler]

I just want you to know that you have fewer dislikes than my (piano) appoggiatura video and that your violin videos are most appreciated!

[@jbi]

Sweet!

[@deseree2112]

Very helpful! 👍🏻

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super teaching teacher AUGUSTINE violinist from Malaysia

[@flutesmartz]

I have a try-out piece for a district band,and I am having trouble with the grace notes in it.It's in 3/4 time, and has six eighth notes, then a grace note connected to the half note.I'm still kind of confused about it.Would it make the eighth note a sixteenth note's value?Please help.I'm a little too obsessive-compulsive about placing in tryouts.

[@AllysonsViolinStudio]

Well...usually the grace note is very brief, and it might be estimated to be a 32nd note (one quarter of the eighth note). The time for the grace note is "robbed" from the preceding note (so the note after the grace note will start directly on the beat). But....sometimes grace notes are played as a 16th, and sometimes they are placed directly on the beat. There is no absolute rule. What piece are you playing? Can you listen to a bunch of recordings and hear what everyone else does, and then try to do it the same way? Good luck!

[@flutesmartz]

Okay,I think I get how it goes.Thanks for replying!

[@roberthickman4092]

In the last example when you play the grace, are you pressing the string to the fingerboard, or just touching it, as in a 'cut' in folk fiddle technique?

[@AllysonsViolinStudio]

No, cuts are different. That's Irish mostly, I think. In the fiddling around where I live (which is mostly old-time, Ukrainian and Métis) fiddlers do graces the same as in classical, but I have tried to learn about Irish fiddling from a book and that's definitely different and not something you can learn from a book! In regular violin the finger shouldn't press down. Keep your fingers curved in the air, then tap them down with energy that comes from the forearm. The finger will land with a certain amount of energy, particularly for a quick note like a grace, so you should hear/feel a little "thwak" against the fingerboard as it lands/rebounds. Keep your left thumb and wrist "out", as otherwise this action doesn't work.

[@Ngtomy99]

im playing pat-a-pan, could you try to find it and play it?

[@muhilan8540]

I think of it as if you made a mistake and placed down the wrong finger and you're correcting it instantly.

[@neverrrheardofme]

Hi. What is the title of your first example? I have the whole tune in my head but I can't remember the title. I want to practice it. :) i like how you teach btw :)

[@kurcacifirm2n]

MANY TOOK -______- UR not Seriousss..

[@Timewastification]

who dude you need to calm down