How to Play Viola: Lesson 6 // Bowing on the A string, Bowing Hot Cross Buns & Frere Jacques

[@mireyaiturbe592]

Great explanation! Thanks a lot! Now, holding the bow is easier!

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

I'm so glad it helped! Love your name, by the way

[@dramamamafive]

you're such a good teacher! Many thank yous from Nebraska!

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

Thank you! Please let me know if there are any videos I can make to help you!

[@dramamamafive]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran thanks! I will!

[@legostopmotionkid]

Hello, I got a viola for my 40th birthday and have started teaching myself since I can't find a teacher in my area right now. I'm loving your videos and explanations! I'm wondering if you can offer some advice....I'm finding that by the end of a song my thumb has a death grip on the neck of the instrument, especially when I'm using my 3rd and 4th fingers. I'm used to playing a guitar and holding it tighter than I think I should be holding my viola. How can I loosen my grip but still be able to press my fingers down onto the strings enough? Thanks!

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

Great question! You can practice scales or finger patterns and in between each note, tap your left thumb 3x on the neck. This helps remind your thumb that it can stay loose. The other thing you might experiment with is putting a Cheerio between your thumb and the neck. You’ll notice immediately if you start squeezing! Let me know if that helps:)

[@legostopmotionkid]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran Thanks for the tips! I tried tapping my thumb between notes, and my fingers automatically lifted off the string as well. It's going to take a lot of practice I think. (I didn't have any Cheerios to try, but I have a feeling when I do, they will be pulverized. Yikes!) I'll keep at it.

[@gioiaperriello6517]

thanks so much

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

you're very welcome! Let me know if there are any additional videos I can make for you!

[@pb1475]

Hello I just wanted to know Should I proceed further or should I perfect these two songs on the A string first. I can definitely play right now. It just sounds like I'm not placing my fingers at the correct position all the time Hope I was able to make myself clear

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

It sounds like you might have an intonation problem. Do you have a tuner? This can help identify whether your fingers are going down in the right place or not. I have my favorite one linked in the description, but there are also many free ones on any app platform. Check to make sure you are placing your fingers on the fingertips, flat fingers can affect intonation. I hope that helped, keep your questions coming!

[@pb1475]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran I think the tuning is alright. I checked with one of my tuning apps. I'll practice a bit more and see if the problem is still there Thank you 😊👍

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

@@pb1475 if you’d like, feel free to send me a video of you playing this song for some feedback! My email is Cassie. [e-mail]

[@pb1475]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran hey thanks a lot🥺 I'll play these songs a few more times and see if I can do it right💓

[@MystifyingStar]

I must be doing it wrong, when I pull the bow across the string it sounds screechy, almost like the sound of a door creaking open in a horror movie. I stopped pressing as hard, per your instruction on that, which helped, but it still sounds off, not like the sound you’re making. Any advice on what I could do differently? Thanks

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

Hi Mystifying! It could be a number of issues. You should check the following- 1. Is your bow parallel to the bridge at all times? If not, it should be. 2. Are you using some arm weight to engage the string? Not too much and not too little. 3. Are you moving the bow across the string fast enough? We want to aim for a medium speed. Can you describe the sound you're hearing when you don't press too much?

[@MystifyingStar]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran the sound it makes when I’m not pressing hard is like a cross between a whine and nails on a chalkboard. It’s not so scratchy as when I was pressing hard but something’s definitely not right there

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

@@MystifyingStar oh dear that's not good! You might not be using enough arm weight if it's making a ghostly sound. Try adding 20% arm weight and moving your bow at a medium speed. Have you rosined your bow yet?

[@MystifyingStar]

@@stringswithdrsulbaran I’m confused, how exactly do I add arm weight without pressing harder? And yes I have used rosin on the bow (how much rosin is enough?) Thank you!!

[@stringswithdrsulbaran]

@@MystifyingStar I have a video on that, check it out here- kzbin.info/www/bejne/emSWeWqlfbafaZo. Hopefully this video will help!