How To Play With Emotion | LAJ #41

[@9000ryan]

I don't play any bowed stringed instrument, I'm just a bedroom guitarist working a crap job. But recently I took an interest in viola/violin and just found your videos, and I just want to say I love them! Your personality is uplifting and I enjoy watching you play and go about your day in your vlogs. Such passion and optimism. Best of luck in your endeavors man.

[@ThatViolaKid]

Hey Ryan, I truly appreciate hearing that! I'm having a blast making these and I think I'm gonna start making more of them! =)

[@9000ryan]

Laziness4 you're right, I usually see "stringed instrument" in reference to classical fretless bowed Instruments and was unsure.

[@laurenwash7459]

the love and passion you put into making people happy and into music in general makes me remember why i started this journey in the first place. you inspire me to work extremely hard for my college auditions, and hopefully if/when i move to NYC for school i can listen to your wisdom and thoughtfulness in person. i love you man

[@ThatViolaKid]

I wishing you all the best, Lauren! Keep working hard homie! You're gonna do great things!

[@ThatViolaKid]

When you fall, just get back up and move to the next thing! You can really only fail once, and that's when you decide NOT to get back up. =) #FailForward

[@TheCharlesfastiggi]

yea man I guess lol

[@ericklora7340]

ThatViolaKid Very true

[@yasha12isreal]

ThatViolaKid hey I play the keyboard at my church and I've never tried to learn to read music (because I don't want to and also I feel I don't need to). I've "always" played by ear! Can I do the same with the viola??

[@ThatViolaKid]

Sure you can! I highly advise that you learn to read music though. It won't take anything away from you. It'll actually make you more hirable =)

[@emasambilay1229]

ThatViolaKid what was the name of the piece you played in the beginning of the vid?

[@muzumuller4661]

Thanks for all the work and hours you put into creating your videos! I always enjoy them and get new perspectives and ideas and I'm sure many others do too. So just Thank You! Greetings from Germany:D

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thank YOU for watching, Muzu! It means the world to me that people like you from across the world care about what I create! =)

[@timothymai1828]

So glad I found this channel. You've got some of the most helpful tips I ever heard from a KZbin channel

[@Atalinay]

8:48 No joke I thought you were going to say " The shady dude taking a dump in the subway". ;P

[@ThatViolaKid]

LMFAO I should have. Missed opportunities xD

[@elizabeth2918]

Broo this helped me so much! I'm a flute player but your idea of imagining a story to go with the music really worked for me. I used to do that listening to music in general but never thought of applying it to the music I play. I'm mind blown really hahaha. Thank you so much! Also I love your videos!

[@tanyathep1]

Awesome tips! It's always so much fun to watch these blogs :)

[@ThatViolaKid]

I'm so glad you have fun watching these! I have fun making them!

[@TheCharlesfastiggi]

This is very inspiring thank you for posting. I do following pretty exclusively for the past few months. You know, auditions are so nerve racking. It's really awesome that even though you only got 3rd place, you still have things to look forward to when you get back to NY. I auditioned recently for The President's Own Marine Chamber Orchestra in DC, and it was pretty competitive. You walk into this warm room, dead silence, you don't see them, they don't see you. Maybe, you should do a video on how to be efficient and be succesful in auditions. I like these videos though thanks.

[@ThatViolaKid]

When I figure out how to be successful in auditions, you'll be the first to know -_- lol

[@arrowbow122]

I had the opportunity to listen to a quartet from that orchestra a couple months ago. They were really fantastic! I hope you get in.

[@ThatViolaKid]

Quartet from what orchestra??

[@arrowbow122]

The President's Own Marine Chamber Orchestra. They were going around to different high schools performing for the Orchestra students!

[@TheCharlesfastiggi]

I didn't it was a little over a year ago. And yea they're stellar.

[@Haladriel]

That is a really good perception and suggestion. Create a terrain. : ) Thank you for inspiring

[@tamarawee5607]

Thank you so much for sharing your helpful tips! You play beautifully.

[@pearlwhitney5088]

okay so first thing that caught my attentiom about this video was the music. Obviously. Beautiful. Second thing was your eyebrows. I love them?? Thank you for existing, man. You've brightened my day. :)

[@EudoraPrice]

🎻🤩❤❤❤👍🌺🎵Sounds wonderful Great to see you again!

[@hlkearns]

Third place is just a stepping stone.......I have every confidence that you will make it! You are driven, talented, hard working and have an incredible soul.

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thanks Hennigan! =)

[@reededward9490]

Even though you didn't win I feel proud that you were the only viola #violapower

[@ThatViolaKid]

YASSS #ViolaNation on DECK

[@saskia7511]

I am a beginning viola player and I found your videos and was super happy that there is a person who loves viola as much as I do.

[@kiaraeijo]

Love this video! Every teacher that I've had since high school have told me "If you can sing it , then you can play it". When I play, I usually come up with a story in my head and that usually helps me put emotion to the music. My orchestra director from my undergrad used to always tell me to show my character ( What he meant by that was that he wanted my personality to show through my playing). Congrats on that solo opportunity that you got by the way 😃

[@ThatViolaKid]

That's soooo cool Kiara =)

[@stevencamacho6474]

hey thats the rio! i used to go to that theatre as a kid. kind of miss gaithersburg...

[@MckayStradivarius]

Highly inspirational! T

[@beae3946]

Yes!! I always love your vids!😍❤️

[@ThatViolaKid]

I love that you watch them =)

[@dwaynesapling9468]

I'm really digging your videos. Love your energy and attitude.

[@kerry00]

I love your attitude man x

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thank you so much!!!

[@vinniefran383]

Hey im a high school violist from cali. I’ve been watching for a while and i love all of the solo literature that have exposed me to I love the content. Thank you for that

[@lukej.hughes7761]

this is great! I have found that imagining the violin is an intimate partner that I dance with helps a ton with the emotional element. :)

[@caterinadalmaso3298]

uuuhhh that "sing what you play" tip works amazingly for me, even if I play the piano, it really helps me sense where the music is going, what dynamics needs to be used according to how I personally feel the piece! for me it's.amazing when I manage to feel towards the piano the same connection I feel with my body when singing

[@ThatViolaKid]

It's like magic O_O

[@Yourrrr]

love the editing of this video!! & the use of hiphop/rap... also, thanks for the tip on having emotion while playing, thats so hard for me so i needed that lol

[@ThatViolaKid]

My pleasure! And I'm glad you liked the editing! I worked hard on it =)

[@Anca1200]

That piece at the beginning is incredibly beautiful:)

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thank you!!! =)

[@chrispez8087]

Thank you so much ThatViolaKid!! Those tips on putting emotion into my viola playing made it💯

[@ThatViolaKid]

I'm so happy that I was able to help!

[@prod.pink3]

Every time I watch you it inspires me to practice😁

[@vaporlav]

It's late and I play flute idk why I decided to watch this

[@vaporlav]

This actually helped me though so that's pretty cool

[@ThatViolaKid]

Glad to hear it! =)

[@pearlwhitney5088]

i put in that last comment not even halfway into the video so here's my second comment now that i've actually watched: thank you so much for the singing and story analogy ideas! I've been looking for ways to explain this to my students, and this is a fantastic way to do it. Thank you!

[@lavinder11]

The singing part is great advice and noting the way your body reacts to the notes. I didn't think of that one because I tend to be stiff.

[@EudoraPrice]

So right!!Viola Kid😍❤ I try to play like I sing now and its going better

[@jahazield.4437]

I was in need of a video like this. about time Drew 😂

[@ThatViolaKid]

Better late than never? ;)

[@achoraleofsound]

When I was in college, I sang in my school's choir as well as played instruments. My last semester, we put on a musical - coincidentally the same one I did pit for in high school and I'd been wanting to dip my toes into musical theater for a long time. I'd never sang in front of someone by myself and I was a very insecure singer - tl;dr I bombed that audition so badly my voice would not come out in front of the entire music faculty and the theater director. I was so upset at myself because I knew I was at least slightly better than that and knowing that was now the impression my choir director had of me when I'd been sitting in his class for months. A few months later, the women's choir I was in did auditions for solos for our concert and I was able to eventually audition in front of a couple of people for that and actually got one of those solos - something that would have likely never happened if I didn't bomb that musical audition since I now had something to prove. So not only is not winning a good learning experience, completely bombing stuff can be an (eventually) positive experience!

[@ThatViolaKid]

Exactly! Thanks for sharing your story!

[@tomxxdee]

when it's 2am and u know you should go to bed but then TVK uploads a video....

[@ThatViolaKid]

Whoops haha

[@squizmister14]

Another banger of a video, thanks TVK!

[@ThatViolaKid]

My pleasure homie! So glad that you enjoyed it!

[@violarules6553]

FORSYTHE CONCERTO!!! That’s my concerto this year 😋

[@aficionao1234]

congratulation for third place!!!

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thank you!!! =)

[@dohyunlee193]

Very nice! Opinions on a modern viola and baroque bow combo?

[@cielovillarreal3812]

Hii!! I really like your videos And you should give tips to how to control the nerves in a presentation or audition. It would help me a lot, thanks !! :)

[@familiekornmann6032]

thx man! I'm auditioning for a school soon and this really helps :)

[@TheStupidityBuster]

Dont upload so late! get sleep

[@ThatViolaKid]

Too late hehehe

[@mcrettable]

Are you in a quartet or have any recorded quartet performances? Great video by the way very interesting

[@ThatViolaKid]

I'm not in a quartet right now, but I'm looking to form one =)

[@mcrettable]

I'm REALLY curious to know what quartets you like as a violist, or ones you like in general. I know Beethoven does great stuff with the viola but everyone knows that lol. I can't wait to buy your recordings

[@ThatViolaKid]

Big fan of Mendelssohn and Shostakovich Quartets

[@mcrettable]

Omg yes mendelssohn's 4th and 6th are sick. haven't heard much of shosta, i'll try him out

[@thoyo]

3:05 a glitch in the matrix 😲

[@ThatViolaKid]

Purposeful ;)

[@Pewdzuga]

This video is so old but thanks for the help! My solo sounds pretty good but this is what I needed to make it sound even better- earned a sub from me!!

[@axelowenmena1510]

What is that song of the begin? Sounds so goos

[@shellyxavier508]

I had a state solo and ensemble and I went to state🙃 but the paperwork got messed up or something and I had to play a new song and I had to learn it in a week and a half. Unfortunately it was to complicated and I ended up literally failing at state and it was just horrible and embarrassing 😔

[@stifflacefronts8810]

Im about to audition for a school thanks for advice ! i really wanna get into this school and i dont really feel confident :(

[@Okeymood]

I like the sound of your Viola. How many cm is?

[@ThatViolaKid]

It's a 16.5 incher

[@yasha12isreal]

hey I play the keyboard for my church and I do not know how to read music I have always play by ear. Can I do the same with the viola?

[@jay-3386]

I've never been so early !

[@ThatViolaKid]

Notification Squad???

[@brianamcintyre978]

Love how there are 0 dislikes , better ,these vids are too good to hate on

[@ThatViolaKid]

You're too kind, homie! Thank you!!! I'm not big enough to get that massive influx of haters haha =)

[@hannahfaust530]

Heyyy I made a fairy tale like story for one my my pieces which has variations that represent trolls cats ballroom dancers and thunder. after making the story it really helped me picture how,say, a cat would stretch and then bringing that image into my playing :)

[@emijune2171]

Hey, TVK! I was wondering what type/models of cameras you use to film. Any specific suggestions for filming?

[@amandairacema4702]

Qual nome da música do início?

[@daliablackman7374]

what mic and camera do you use to film when you play?

[@Jacob-iz6rr]

I really need a viola for college 😭😭😭

[@ThatViolaKid]

You don't have a viola at all???

[@Jacob-iz6rr]

ThatViolaKid Nope 😥 my highschool provides instruments but I have to give it back as soon as highschool ends.

[@carlostaal]

Any tips on choosing a performance piece for college auditions?

[@ThatViolaKid]

Consult your private teacher! They'll know your skill level better than I do!

[@Guuzaka]

Vibrato is also a good, cheap way to play emotionally! 😅🙃 Of course, it doesn't work for fast passages or notes of very short duration, but hey! It's still awesome! 😤🌠⚡

[@ElizaBradshaw]

how does your face get into it? I look like potato when I'm playing.

[@Lepewhi]

Hey, if someone completes in the Olympics and wins Bronze, they kiss the ground. BE PROUD!!

[@andrelousada]

Nice!!!!! :)

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thanks! =)

[@alipatton7724]

YOU WENT TO JUILLIARD?!?!!!!!

[@ThatViolaKid]

Hahaha yeppp

[@alipatton7724]

ThatViolaKid you've now become my inspiration. I also play viola

[@rikoanton7692]

Cecile fourshyt concerto

[@ukinea]

You are gonna play Forsyth? omgf!!!! *0*

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

1:40 the best attitude to have when all is said and done :) 4:51 they call him "the dumpster"? 8:47 or even that dodgy taking a dump guy on the side of the cliff (that would be more punk style I'd imagine).

[@diamondemerald116]

The size of that violin...

[@walwal6449]

my teacher keeps recommending me to play with... _emotions, feelings_ BUT I FIND IT SO HARD TO PLAY UPBEAT AND HAPPY SONGS AND I AM A UNEMOTIONAL RESERVED PERSON ONTOP OF THAT- i feel like i lack passion or there's something wrong with me.... it sounds so dead like a rock every time i play :(

[@ThatViolaKid]

You just have to give it some time, Shiina. I promise it'll hit you one day. It's hard to be passionate when you're still starting out =) Playing our instruments takes WORK--so once you get a better handle of playing, your mind will be free to consider other things like emotions haha. It also helps to sing your part--singing helps you get right to the root of what you want to say musically

[@guerrero4982]

"Music notes are not like people, they don't deserve equality" ~ ThatViolaGuy

[@fpires7]

Cool tips. I've been studying Mikhail Glinka's sonata and it is quite hard to express the emotions over there. Actually I've heard a damn load of different interpretations. Just adding, one thing that helps also is to study the author. Get interested in his time and the person that wrote it. The style of music. Get to know the music you are playing. Don't play Schubert the same way you would play damn Tchaikovsky, etc

[@ThatViolaKid]

Perfect! Thanks for the addition!

[@zhouyun654_]

4:19 , you can rap? Wow

[@ThatViolaKid]

I do rap, but this is Cise Starr!! You can hear a couple of my songs on Spotify if you're curious! =)

[@michaeltrujillo8365]

hi I'm Michael I'm a young violist I have ambitions to be one of the best thank you so much for your videos it really appreciates

[@ThatViolaKid]

Hi Michael! I'm wishing you all the best homie! =)

[@michaeltrujillo8365]

+ThatViolaKid omg you replied that means so much to me thank you for even bothering to reply to Me

[@JohnDoe-qq8ws]

Instruments are like musical notes. Not all of them need equality. Like the viola. *I am kidding, I needed to make a viola joke, I'm sorry.*

[@tchaikoffkey]

rip I left my dampits at my private instructors house

[@tchaikoffkey]

also, really great vlog!

[@ThatViolaKid]

Thanks homie!!! =)

[@patrickthedoublebassist5505]

do you still take lessons? when do uou stop taking lessons?

[@ThatViolaKid]

I don't take lessons at the moment because I don't have the financial capability! I'll probably go back to school in a few years and start taking lessons again =)

[@andreaa.9709]

I can't sing :/

[@pumpkindonuttt]

This is not playing with emotions. This is just a show, which you make to impress the people. We are not in circus. We are on the stage. Why you can't just play music and don't pretend? You don't have to make this "inspired face" to impress the people. You have to do it with your music. I hate musicians who does things like this. (Yes, I'm professional musician)

[@ThatViolaKid]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm a professional musician too =)