How To Really Hold A Violin Bow / Paganini's Greatest Secret

[@delorde]

"never fight the middle finger" sir u are truely teaching in a funny yet very effective way ! love it , many thanks

[@MrVertical267]

I cannot believe the audacity that same people have in order to call this man creepy. The amount of entitlement to information that is shown in these comments makes me speechless. This man is sharing secrets with the general public that one would usually never have access to, in a easy to understand and organized matter. If you call this man "creepy," regardless of personal opinion, you are rude, ungrateful, and quite frankly don't deserve what he is giving to you. I would like to personally, as well as on behalf of these ungracious individuals, thank you for clearly presenting this invaluable information in such a well-made video.

[@JohnDoe-mv4ks]

Btw it's logically impossible to speak on someone's behalf when they disagree with what you're saying. You can only apologize on behalf of those who's beliefs you find specious.

[@apieinthesky]

First time on KZbin? Or first discovery of humor?

[@massageplease]

Patrick Tucker , thanks for polightly expressing your concern. I agree with your comment and am greatful that this man took the time and effort to make this video and kindly share it with all of us.

[@four_4time]

Actually all of this is basic, beginner-level violinist knowledge. I've known several instructors who encourage holding a pencil as practice, a relaxed grip based around the middle finger is one of the first things violinists learn, and it doesn't take very long to realize the importance of bow placement respective to the bridge and fingerboard even without a violin teacher.

[@alyackley3624]

random dude he is so dangerously engaged in keeping us entertained

[@Jescide]

we need more people like him in life

[@usernamemykel]

Yes, more pompous, self-loving, would-be actors.

[@sadhbhdelahunt]

Yep, very entertaining.

[@DementedPony]

Most dramatic tutorial of all time, did a good job though, cheers.

[@johankaruyan5536]

Figus Heimunschplit lol

[@thelightmonkey1970]

I woke up last night and this guy was at the end of my bed.

[@LolaGGreen]

LOL

[@littlekiwi9724]

Lucky you!

[@scootin123]

Keith Jackson I believe you interpreted the presentation of this video correctly and expressed your interpretation eerily

[@ivypendragon4245]

Keith Jackson Lmao 😂. That’s a terrifying thought.... thank you 😊 lol

[@MsCellobass]

😂😂😂

[@michaelcaplin8969]

He's not creepy, he is just passionate about his craft! Aaaand a bit creepy to be honest. Actually, he is probably the most creepy man i've seen in a looong time, but damn knows how to dress well, has perfect manners, looks good, is very experienced in the field and has a wonderfully calm, clear and profoundly poetic way of talking and explaining which probably makes life easier for non-native english speakers wanting to learn the art of the violin. Overall a great, wonderfully eccentric guy producing fine videos and violins! Although I do hope to God he never utters the phrase "let's go ALL the way" again.

[@JohnDoe-mv4ks]

You're familiar with Plato's allegory of the cave? Some of this guys social contract is still pointing at shadows.

[@bencraig638]

He sounds like an Elder Scrolls NPC.

[@philipyao5989]

Ben Craig lololol at least he doesn’t crash through chairs

[@saeidyazdani]

Haha exactly

[@yuinurahilyon5711]

Lmao true

[@metamorphosis42]

As a musicologist, pianist and violin teacher I must admit: this is just g e n i u s, thank you so much! I've spent half my life searching for this kind of explanation and presentation. The secret of artistically violin and piano playing is staying smooth, loose and elastic ALL THE TIME, no matter how challenging the music is. The secret to mastery does not lie in some kinds of "techniques" and "tricks" etc. It's really just that: staying smooth every millisecond of your playing - and that's hard enough. Playing shouldn't ever be about "fighting" with your instrument, because if you're fighting - how could you simultaneously pour all your soul and musical vision into your playing? Your attention will be divided and respectively the acoustic result won't touch the people's hearts, because it won't sound "authentic". To produce an a u t h e n t i c sound you have to be fully there, your attention have to be on every single note you play in any millisecond. Otherwise it's just your hands playing while you partial focus on "fighting" with your instrument and partial illuminate the notes or musical phrases with your attention (instead of playing each and every note deliberately). We as musicians should finally acknowledge and accept the fact that if we cultivate stressful, exhausting playing all the time we practice - the musical result will be just that: tense and stressful - our playing will sound like a replica, the music won't "b r e a t h e". We should stop fighting and start c u l t i v a t i n g deliberate attentive practice with our focus on plying every note with as much effort as necessary and as little as possible. The exercises shown in this video are perfect to cultivate this.

[@metamorphosis42]

Once one of my violin teachers has shown me the exercise with the pencil and while I didn't take it so serious at first I soon noticed that my wrist got looser and the sound production was more balanced and even. Unfortunately, as I become more advanced I stopped doing this little exercise and also introduce it just to my beginner students in the first few lessons. This video was a good reminder and I will incorporate the shown exercises into my lessons and ask my students to show me how it's going more frequently! *It is so simple yet so effective* - of course only if you do it right and by this I mean, if one do the exercise with the f o c u s merely on releasing any kind of tension in any part of the body throughout the movement while not forget to b r e a t h e freely (what a lot of students and I was one of them sometimes "forget"). It's never about "what" you do with your fingers, arms etc. It's always about HOW you're doing it. And again, it's not about how it "looks" on the outside - it really is about what you s e n s e. As a teacher it's easy for me to see whether a beginner student plays with unnecessary tension or not. It's not that obvious any more if it's an advanced student (although you can 'hear' it i.e. on critical points such as bow changes, trills etc.). If you truly want to master your instrument: train and refine your senses, so you can observe and notice tension while it arise, like a seismograph.

[@musicisunity4377]

you are such a great music teacher with such great vision , having more teachers with passion and love like you (which is rare) , will absolutely make a clear obvious change in the level of playing , Not just for students But for everyone. thank you

[@septianprawisudaputra6398]

U must be his wife by now

[@darrinsiberia]

As a fellow musicologist and pianist... are you seeing anyone right now? I would like to discuss the finer points of this lecture with you in person.

[@metamorphosis42]

@@septianprawisudaputra6398 😄

[@ivenhoho]

Kevinleeluthier, I'm 61 years old and watching the first half of your video has improved my bowing tremendously. I can't wait to watch the other half! Great job.

[@pheart2381]

You should be wearing a black cloak and tophat,and drift the backstreets of london on foggy nights.

[@zasmrcaveman5725]

P Heart london doesn't have fog m8

[@JohnDoe-mv4ks]

They never found old jack, ya know...

[@T13_-]

lol

[@51394547]

I do.

[@katiestone98]

love it! I found out yesterday, embarrasingly in an interview, that I had been holding my bow incorrectly even through my Grade 8 and no one had ever told me the proper technique 😞. I am having to unlearn bad habits now and start again. This video is really helping thankyou!

[@Kateyangyuqing]

It's so hard to unlearn bad habits! Wish you the best with your progress, keep at it, you'll get there and I'm sure it will make your future violin playing easier and better sounding!

[@Tanpopohimawari]

10:45 calm down man, take everything you need just dont hurt me!!

[@yahyaayman6151]

hahahaha xD

[@orangelita1128]

Is it really necessary to zoom in his face with his eyes popping?!

[@wklai7772]

@@orangelita1128 it is extremely necessary

[@yuinurahilyon5711]

Lmao oh god hahahaha

[@DH-CA]

Hahaha...what century is he from ? Where’s the secret ?/

[@Saganist420]

He uses facial expressions as if he is an alien that learnt everything about human expressions from a book.

[@greenshp]

As a professional writer, I have to say that's a fantastic metaphor.

[@LoveCrypto1]

+greenshp analogy

[@vacant4]

a professional writer would know that it was simile, not metaphor

[@cynthiaguzman1593]

This guy, Sir Panini, is awesome. He had me mesmerized.

[@iggyzorro2406]

@@vacant4 what's a mataphor? It's when a beta just won't do.

[@alexanderjamesINC]

His speaking is of a great teacher. This was an amazing video and taught me a lot.

[@roxannekeomaka4754]

The best lesson about the bow ever,

[@richardmelhuish4733]

50 years at the violin and this is brilliant. this gentlemen is a gem and a teacher par excellence! If you watch and absorb and unlike most You Tube videos, this is not about himself, it is about his passion...thanks mate!

[@santario73]

what I like about your presentation is how you present point by point. the right way, the wrong way, the leeway, the reason why and the story about it!

[@aka1057]

just three words... Inspiring, Informative and Professional !!!!

[@aquate9637]

Scary

[@robertx1603]

Great information, and loved the delivery - almost like an old school stage magician. And when he floated the pencil in a straight line.. it really was a bit of magic.

[@meramera2510]

Why did it feel like he was trying to seduce me?

[@lauraberends8800]

You're not alone in this haha

[@heartseed478]

Lobster Dog the eyes, the tone of his voice lol hahaha

[@davidshurley1988]

"Never fight...the middle finger."

[@greenshp]

And not in a good way, either.

[@TheConcertmaster]

@4:40 he even says "let's go all the way" 😹

[@aixajohnson8333]

Dear god, this video was just too good.

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

Amen sister

[@kantraxoikol6914]

i'm 56 and bought a violin, now i need to learn EVERYthing. . . thanks for going so slow and passionately about each step. it helps

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thanks! A lot more to come, very soon.

[@gregmonks]

That is one nice-sounding violin! I was literally gobsmacked the first time I tried a really good bow. I was not used to the bow having a shared resonance with the instrument. It was like discovering a whole new world, right in my hands.

[@solo1y]

You have to hand it to this guy. He's taken a topic which most people would regard as inherently boring (classical violin technique) and made it compelling and watchable. And it's genuinely useful information.

[@auser7823]

That... That entire video was amazing.

[@NirvanicSunshine]

I'm so uncomfortable watching this, but I can't look away lol

[@irishful1]

+NirvanicSunshine ''its not what you say, its how you say it'' the way he talks binds your eyes on him

[@christopherkiyui8071]

OMG! I am falling in love with the violin. Never has the middle finger and the frog had any useful meaning to me. Another new instrument to learn this pandemic!

[@joeoffutt4598]

I want this guy to deliver my eulogy.

[@kyeluv]

Joe Offutt me too bro

[@PinkDiamonds977]

😂😂😂😂

[@fiddlefaddle1]

Joe Offutt, I want this guy to do my autopsy!

[@GuyCabliaro]

Classic.

[@whatabouttheearth]

"Here lays a man whos wrists were so supple he violently and softly carresed every subtle detail to force his listeners to yearn for a sublime ecstatic release of his pure cochlea caressing"

[@peteflores453]

Thank you for a very informative video.

[@kevinleeluthier]

You are so welcome. More videos coming soon!

[@dorisspears5921]

I love you...your passion...style...thanks for these gems. They work!!!

[@MichaelMAFox]

That's Kevin Lee. He used to be captain of the darts team down at the Queen's Legs. Never realised he played music. Now I know why he always had such a controlled wrist action when he threw his darts!

[@sixswordsamurai5830]

This guy is awesome! Sharing his knowledge and experience for all. We need more people like him in this world.

[@mohr_life]

It's actually a great video showcasing in my opinion the most important advice you'll ever receive playing a bowed instrument - bow control and technique cannot be stressed enough, it's solely responsible for bringing out the voice of the instrument. He brought up some great tips that are taught more commonly nowadays to aspiring professionals that have been passed down through generations. I've played for 23 years and I had a mentor that studied with Ivan Galamian who had me show up to a lesson with just a pencil (couldn't help but chuckle when he opened the box in the video) and had to bow with the pencil and sing the theme out loud to the first movement of the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 for her. I can't tell you how many times she told me to freeze and look at the pencil and how it wasn't straight, or how my shoulder was raised, etc. She told me to not touch my violin that week and just said to keep practicing with the pencil. I showed up to the next lesson with my violin and the moment I started playing my mouth dropped to the floor, she stopped me and said, "You finally have a sound!"

[@adriancornejo2223]

"Never fight the middle finger." Lost it at that point in the vid! XD

[@4570george]

I'm an adult beginner, perfect time for you to turn up on the scene Kevin. Thank you, your tutorial was a gem.

[@RumoHasIt]

I wouldn't change a thing in this video! :) very helpful overview, even for the absolute beginner!

[@Astarahl]

I love you. This has inspired me so much.

[@RazvanCosti]

"never fight the middle finger"! This man is a sage!

[@petpal6369]

this tutorial was a great pleasure to watch making it a great pleasure to learn. thanks

[@CookingWithTovia]

Omg this video helped me tremendously. Immediate difference.

[@manu1434u]

I love this guy, thankyou so much for the tips...

[@Kateyangyuqing]

Wonderfully thorough demonstration! And your dramatic style is very unique, love it!

[@swampfox202]

Thank you for explaining how to get that sweet sound I have been seeking for over three years. In spite of watching videos and watching how professionals hold their bows, I was never able to get it right. Your wonderful instructions gave me what I have been looking for. The results were immediate and profound. Even my wife noticed an immediate improvement in the sound. Many thanks, I will use what you have taught and appreciate your help.

[@dinoasmr1514]

Ive been practicing the violin for 2 months and Ive seen great progress, but thanks to this video I discovered something that ive been missing. It was the emotion and passion in the instrument. That playing the violin is not just stroking the bows hairs in silvwr string, but breathing life in the instrument

[@Kateyangyuqing]

As a beginner I can definitely admire that his hands flow"like silk" as he described! But this video is so far the best I've seen in regards to developing good bow technique and it's something I'm going to keep practising and practising

[@nobodyfamous5847]

Never fight the middle finger.... words of wisdom right there folks...

[@davidkennedy1271]

I like it...never fight the middle finger.

[@Veritylebrun]

+David Kennedy I never fight that middle finger either. If I even thought about it before, I definitely won't now after seeing this vid!

[@shield400]

Even if your only audience will ever be yourself, the music might as well be beautiful." Love it!

[@gaylebrown5756]

This is a great presentation on bowing. Just one more idea though.. I play old time fiddle and some ancient fiddler at a convention once told me early on that you really have to relax your whole body in addition to the wrist. It really really works!!!!!!!

[@kevinleeluthier]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Relaxing is the secret to so many things!

[@AlokBharti-Caracas]

Wonderful presentation!!! Very great tips and tricks with confidence & trust.

[@MrScougle]

Kevin I'm new to the violin and have been watching your videos and have found them to be very helpful. You have a great way of explaining what needs to be done and how to do it. I am already taking lessons and my instructor is very pleased with my bow hold and my bowing. I have you to thank for that. I hope you will keep on making the great videos you have been making. I enjoy your professionalism and highest efforts to attaining perfection. Keep up the great work and thank you very much.

[@thanhson1401]

The pencil exercise might be the hardest but most effective though, thank you so much for the video

[@yaziji]

This is the best youtube video I've seen in a long time. To all the people calling you creepy I'd say they're totally missing the humor and fun. Thanks for the great tutorial. I learned a lot.

[@kevinleeluthier]

More humor, more fun, and to some, more "creepiness," coming soon!Thanks for your comment!

[@quodlibetful]

Great presentation! It was informative and entertaining. Since I am new I will have to listen to this many times which I look forward to doing. Thank you.

[@jvl8731]

I love these videos! I think that those who say it is not in depth enough are only surprised at the seemingly simple exercise and criticize the video without having practiced or learned the nuances through the exercises. "This video contains information for both the beginner and the virtuoso, yet none of it should be considered too simple or too advanced by anyone."

[@davidjones6775]

I decided to try and play the violin and have been watching many different videos from different sources, I learned more in this 1 video than the 100 or more that I previously watched. Thank you

[@stilllife4u]

Style ,class And much more fine job .I will ask my students to watch .

[@banjomandotnet4178]

That 's the damnest thing I've seen. Your pencil bowing is so good, you look like the mime behind the glass... I've had a bow in my hand for forty years and still incredibly in awe of it. I just fell in love with that pencil

[@tiffanysmith7419]

This guy sounds like he's going to perform magic tricks. Captivating. I'm a newbie, and this is great information. Thank you.

[@fafb9441]

I have always appreciated the effort of so many masters sharing and teaching their trade on KZbin . Thanks for bringing the world together.

[@TheKiller1345]

The best instructional videos I’ve ever seen!

[@kriskulak2435]

Love it- wish Kevin had made more videos. This is pure gold.

[@visuelliot]

I can't tell if you're extremely ironic or extremely serious, in either case - you're amazing!! I'm learning so much from your videos, and they put a big smile on my face :)

[@kevinleeluthier]

I look back on some of them and get a "kick" out of them also. Thanks!

[@davidmarks509]

Totally loved this lesson. Thank you, and must entertaining as well :)

[@3345646]

He gets to the point right away. I appreciate that. The concepts are are made quite tangible. So many books I’ve seen on violin are so abstract.

[@wildorinj]

Thank you for your lessons in how to improve the playing of the violin. I have been playing for many years and wish I had seen your videos when I was young. I learned to play without a teacher, so I had many bad habits. However, it's never too late to improve one's technique, which is why I'm so grateful for your video lessons. They not only show me what I've been doing wrong, they also show me what I'm doing correctly. I can't thank you enough!

[@TigeroL42]

The finesse at which he moves the pencil coupled with the motion blur of the video makes it look as if the pencil is animated in post to the video. He is smooth!

[@LeeThey]

Wow! 2 or so minutes in and I am enthralled. I'm going to watch more of his videos

[@TheGraniteFlaneur]

Thank you for this video, not only did it brighten up my night, it helped illuminate the errors of my bowing.

[@jhoompam2897]

This is great - thank you. I used to play many years ago as a teenager but never learned the best techniques. Subsequently, I was unable to progress further. I am trying to play again as an adult. It is helpful to have videos such as this one to help correct past technical mistakes.

[@olsza7314]

I'm just starting out - this video is so helpful! You're an excellent teacher and your delivery is really entertaining! Thank you!

[@00vTv00]

Kevin, your passion is infectious!

[@ollietbow3342]

Just learning to play the violin now, this will give me something to chew on for sure. When I tried using my middle finger as the guide my hand fell right into place. I can tell you put lots of effort and preparation for this video, I'm sure I'm not the only one. Thank you!

[@rogermetzger7335]

My first violin teacher was Ilza Niemack at Iowa State about 1950. She used the Suzuki method although, in 1950, nobody knew to call it that. I imitated what she did. It was so easy for me she hardly explained anything at all. The result was that, with the exception of encouraging youngsters to imitate me, I really had no idea how to explain how to play a violin, especially how to handle a bow. I was quite sure that if someone tried to hold a bow based on my ability to explain how, it would literally be impossible. There may have been other people talk about how to handle a violin bow before now but I’ve not been aware of it. I think this video may prove helpful to a lot of people. I’m so arthritic now, I really appreciated the suggestion that I spend time with a pencil in my left hand, holding it as I would hold my bow. Everyone is ignorant, just about different things. This master violinist is no elocutionist and, judging from his facial expressions, not an actor either. But let’s give credit where credit is due. He does know a thing or two about using a violin bow.

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thank you.

[@rodrickau]

Great stuff, presentation, debonair attitude with precise dialogue. ten out of ten. I stood at the edge of my kitchen bench. The over extension tip is good.

[@dietfriedschnabel1753]

never thougt that it is possible to make videos in such a way. Very pleasant to be instructed like this. ☺

[@moment23]

I watched this on the day after my first lesson when I was struggling with how to hold the bow properly. I got that and SO much more. I literally improved 1,000 % because of this Man and his lessons. Thank you 😊 💓 ☺ 💗 💛 💖 😊

[@TheOracleofWhimsy]

This was PRICELESS! May the violin gods bless you!

[@cathylynch7701]

Loved it! I am an adult beginner violin player. Extremely helpful and motivating! Thank you.

[@mmasteller1]

Thank you very very much for planning and presenting these videos. Your instructions are extremely useful,. Some of the comments left by viewers are weird. You teach principles and insights which are often simple and valuable at the same time. People who follow your clear instructions precisely will achieve great results. You are much appreciated. Best to you.

[@garrettginn3697]

I have watched video after video trying to correct the bounce in my bowing... This video helped me accomplish that task in a relatively short period of time just by applying the concept of relaxing. Thanks!

[@kevinleeluthier]

You've made my day!

[@michaelmcwilliams4705]

Great tips presented in dramatic fashion. Loved it.

[@consiliononpetu9959]

Fantastic!! This information is nowhere to be found but on your chanel! Thank you so much!

[@themoodiesfan]

this is the greatest tutorial I have ever watched. thank you, Kevin Lee Luthier.

[@kevinleeluthier]

Thank you for watching!

[@ddcll9538]

The best tutorial I have seen on anything so far

[@yintaichi]

Thank you for your very interesting and enlightening instructional video presentation.

[@debj685]

Loved it. Let's go all the way. Ok, I just couldn't be serious there. But, great tips. Thank you so much.

[@billyfromla1117]

Thank you so much for your videos. Your knowledge isn't easily found in books and your presentations are wonderful. I hope you continue teaching on KZbin, violin isn't easy to learn about in rural America. Thanks again.

[@richardsguitarstudio]

This is awesome. I can't stop watching this guy

[@Survival_Shelter]

I never got all this informations explained so good. Especially I apprechiated all the demonstrations.

[@lurklingX]

This is amazing. (Not just engaging to watch but the info is top notch) And i love the theatrical approach, it’s done so well. And the setting and outfit. I mean just A++

[@hodasaeedi7308]

This video literally saved my life😍thanks for ur great work🌹🌹🌹

[@ascendingmoth]

High quality, grand master level information. Arigato, sensei.

[@nyhyl]

If you think this is ''creepy'' you have some issues do deal with which I think this guy can not be made responsible for. I found this video incredibly informative. That which some of the commenters called creepy I in fact call entertaining. It's like he's playing a role of a teacher from 150 years ago. Not natural indeed but that's what makes acting entertaining in the first place.

[@EpicGifted]

+nyhyl no

[@kelliemishmish]

yes

[@JohnDoe-mv4ks]

An anti-smoking campaigner is at a podium, preaching to a room full of AJW's (anti-smoking justice warriors). The campaigner says something that immediately prompts the crowd to react with aggravation- with the exception being yourself; you find nothing the campaigner said to be provoking, and marvel at the audience's reaction. This markedly increases the likelihood you are a smoker, work for a tobacco company, or simply didn't understand the rhetoric of the speaker.

[@TimeStrider]

Couldn't agree more! I found his approach very entertaining, and even though he may have intentionally adopted a slightly 'unusual' affect I wasn't creeped out by it at all, in fact I found it a bit humorous. Kudos Kevin, keep up the great work, and maybe, just maybe, you might find work in Hollywood.

[@PhilipAndresen]

Awesome advice. There was so much tension in my hand that didn't need to be there. This will help so much as I learn.

[@GulienIthilmir]

I seriously like your style of storytelling and had a lot of fun while watching this video- will definitely use it to improve my bow technique, thank you so much for uloading :)

[@KikiAelita]

This is one of the greatest videos on KZbin.

[@dietmarterdenge5864]

I admire your Videos and the calmness you send .Good bless you and the people, who manage to inspire others. ( I' m German - sorry fir my english ) G.b.y.

[@ViolinStimme]

Excellent detail and expressed clearly in a necessarily restrained manner. Well done and thank you. I will be sending this video to some of my students to reinforce what I tell them (which does not differ). There are so many violin teaching videos which are seriously flawed in one way or another that it is refreshing to find such a reliable analysis!

[@kevinleeluthier]

I am honored. Thank you.

[@dinoasmr1514]

This is the best violin bowing video! Very informational!