"With Nicky" - Back to Basics

[@KikePinto]

When an amazing virtuoso violinist like Nicola Benedetti says "I keep on trying to improve this..." that's inspiring not only for any student, teacher, performer but for every human being. Thank you!

[@cliffnunn9410]

Nicki you are an inspiration. I did learn violin for 4 years during WW1 and played occasionally (no practice) for 10 - 15 years. Now 91 years old I have been given violin for birthday and all the juices are starting to run again but it is back to basics before anything else. I'll be following your videos. Thank you.

[@deltafour1212]

Why doesn't this channel have a gazillion views and subscribers?!? Nicky's Back To Basics video series is pure gold and a game changer! People, you need to wake up! Subscribed/Bell

[@77thNYSV]

Thanks for your videos. I'm a 33 year old adult student who has been playing for 5 years now with a teacher doing the suzuki method. Your videos are an excellent inspiration for me to consistently practice and to not get ahead of myself and to always focus on the basics. I tend to get impatient and to want to progress fast, but your videos keep me grounded. Thanks!

[@erminejose4188]

Sorry for me asking... Did u develop your ear?... Like can u identify the notes and play?

[@zk1885]

My daughter (aged 12) already finding this very helpful - thank you! It's the first time she has been shown exercises like these before playing.

[@Violin_715]

Hi Nicky! Surya Wang here. My experience at the Benedetti sessions was absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed it 😊 I Never thought music could sound so wonderful. It has made me enjoy playing the violin and music even more than ever. Thank you

[@lbsaltzman]

I am loving this entire series. I was an amateur viola player and not bad. But if I had had the level of intelligent and humane teaching that is present in this series I would have been a better player.

[@tysondacosta7802]

Well said Nicola... you are a good starting liners... all things are connected... it is so good to learn from you as you teach with a lot of humility and sincerity... thanks a million... i have to say you are one beautiful violinist... Beautiful player and beautiful and gorgeous

[@frenchpianism]

Thks. I am still studying violin with my child, in my 13th yr now and been teaching many beginners. This video summarizes many points I learnt from various teachers and also use to help my students both children and adults. Wonderfully made and interesting too.

[@normaspark6794]

Fantastic resource for all of our young people - wonderful. From the Every Child a Musician programme.

[@jimbob5848]

Wow. Very fine. Such talent!

[@steveashton990]

So good to see you in action... It's prerequisite for all Coaches, Teachers, Artist Developers to say 'RELAX..!' p.s... This was brilliant!

[@yacoubgirgis6400]

I really appreciate these advices, kind regards

[@cecilymoorsom1804]

I wasn’t expecting to find TwoSet here! For me this only improved the video (although it has little need of improvement).

[@aveasan1787]

Saludos desde Nicaragua! Sos maravillosa y gracias por tus consejos. Los he aplicado :)

[@DesentIntoCerberon]

This videos are very helpful, thank you very much

[@thecraftyr3511]

Hello Nicky! I am amazed by you and aspire to be you. I have studied violin for 5 years, am at grade 6 but have struggled with some neck and shoulder pain. This video helped a lot, thankyou!

[@khosrotohidi7575]

You started when you were 7 years old , I started five years ago when I was 68.

[@leahhamdaoui7755]

Superb and thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and skills with us all XX

[@Mezilesialan]

A superb gift from Nicola.

[@UmutYuksel9]

What an admirable video. I loved it. I would love to watch you live in Istanbul.

[@irinabell550]

How well you took everything from Natasha and now applying it in your own teaching method! I’m definitely recommending this video to my students!

[@lararimac258]

You are my fave violinist nowadays, and also my fave celebrity person 😂 only kindness and good vibes ❤

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Beautiful,honest and extremely helpful videos!Great work !!

[@antonioromera8880]

Thank you very much for sharing us this kind of videos. Every second has been a real pleasure. All the topics were no doubt, very well explained... my poor English can not express the magic you were able to teach through the video. Thanks a lot. Hopefully you continue making much more videos! 👍🏅👏👏

[@Violinman73]

Free lessons from an International artist! What a great thing, & to put this out through KZbin is so useful. I have been encouraging all of my students to watch these lessons and some of those pupils really have benefited from spending time with you!. But also, this particular video reminded me to really do more of the physical stuff away from the instrument. Thank you for doing this.

[@ayoungethan]

Not every renowned artist has an ability and passion to reflect, break down positions and movements and explain clearly to others how to practice and move and even think about their relationship with the instrument to advance their musical journies. I've studied under some amazing artists who just couldn't teach and some very "decent" players who were FANTASTIC teachers. Nicola seems like a fantastic teacher.

[@avadellapina7389]

Hi! During lockdown I haven’t been able to have a lesson and going back to basics made my day better! Thank you x

[@forsythyouthorchestra1909]

Thanks for this great inspirational video series Nicky! Sharing with all the families in my violin studio.

[@pippa7447]

Thank you so much for your generosity in putting this up

[@cherylslater564]

Thank you so much for starting this awesome project. I am so excited and will look forward to every video :-)

[@haroldshwerzinger3966]

I absolutely love your videos, I have been playing violin for 2 and a half years , my dad helps in sistema too

[@skull5366]

Very helpful and professional! Subscribed!

[@UlyssesJonah]

God I can watch your videos for hours and not get bored! Can't say the same for many other good channels I've seen ... Very engaging! Grazie!

[@tangodaze]

Hi Nicky, Ewa Bujak here..thank you so much for this!! I am so very excited to learn great tips from you..! Still hearing your thoughtful and artistic interpretations at the Schubert Club..Best Wishes Always!

[@janem3942]

it was really helpful during the lockdown!!!!:)

[@aranzaibarra581]

This is so perfect!!! Thank you for make this amazing project. Congratulations!!!!

[@cassidymccormack1562]

My violin teacher showed me this and it really helped, thanks Nicky!!

[@jenniferl.6981]

Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@kendallvelazquez7754]

De verdad muchas gracias, es un video increíble.

[@sandraleete4682]

Fantastic series...Would love it if you would discuss sometime the musicians dilemma of having to play a concert when something in our lives has gone south. A relationship, illness in the family, a child home sick with the flu. When you’re young and single a little yoga helps… But later on when things get serious and the show must go on

[@2ysur]

an excellent primer in the interaction of the body with the instrument... i'm a beginner, and have been quite tense, especially at the neck... you're first to actually address this with any degree of detail. I thought it was the brackets holding the chin rest in place that were causing me problems, so I bought a side chin rest, but the problem is still there. I think I have a short chin so the violin goes straight into my neck. I feel like I need to put a pillow there to keep from hurting my neck!

[@jackiexu3683]

Ohh Thank you so much for sharing this! Hope there are more teaching videos to come, covering about moe basics and techniques on violin. Definitely great suggestions for violin player to recheck and follow. And btw you must like Bruch hhhh, because the background music Scottish Fantasy is great, too!

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi Jackie! Thank you for your kind comments. There are loads more videos to come - every Tuesday at 12.00 GMT we'll be releasing a new one. We'll be covering all sorts of topics over the series so definitely more violin techniques in the future!

[@brenocaram5395]

Very good information

[@jodiestace1304]

This really helped me with my violin thank you

[@herrunsinn774]

That was very useful information, Nicky. Have you done a video on the best "angle" to hold the bow as the hairs slide over the strings? Should the hairs of the bow be completely flat as they pass over the strings, or should the bow be slightly canted toward the head of the violiin, so that not all the hairs are contacting the strings at one time? I've yet to find a video that addresses this issue. Thanks again for sharing so much of your knowledge.

[@sergiogassmann]

188/5000 Excellent!! I loved it ... I have recently started to study violin self-taught (I play the piano) this video has been very pedagogical and easy to see ... I look forward to the next Nicky :)

[@lproserpine872]

This helped a lot! Thank you Nicola ❤️

[@andrewroberts8139]

Nicola, I can't tell you how much I love this - I'm sure you didn't envisage when you did it that so many people would be turning to online videos to cope with lockdown. I'm so thankful for your generosity of spirit to find time in what is no doubt an extremely busy life to pass on your immense expertise. I watched a few of these and just today worked through this one. I also watched your masterclass on Poeme, a piece I didn't know, and the plan for lockdown is to learn it!

[@EudoraPrice]

Thank you Soo much!!! I am an "Adult Beginner":)) So your Videos Are a Goldmine!!! People said I cant learn you must be a Child! yes..... to be in an Orchestra Or great Soloist like You but I am learning to play other beautiful Music! I am Singer ..But I am enjoying the Violin very much! Blessings to you!!

[@gregorstewart4604]

Hi, Sharon here, amazing video, Amelia loved it too and already her bow hold is so much better. It always helps to hear that her little finger must be bent from someone else. I can't wait for the next one.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Amazing to hear! Well done Amelia - keep it up!

[@lynxpermafrost9835]

thank you for doing this series. its perfect and so useful

[@wendyshell8679]

I have very small hands and have to use the edge of the fingerboard! I felt inadequate at first, but it was really the only way I could try anything up high! Thanks for showing someone else doing it this way!❤️

[@iamjane9628]

Thank you for this. I just found your channel. I am an adult returning to the violin after a lapse of many years. I am struggling with discomfort every time I practice, so I look forward to the assistance this series will provide!

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

So pleased to hear this - we hope this will help you with becoming more comfortable when you play.

[@adultcellobeginner7513]

Yes, staying relaxed is SO IMPORTANT! I'm piano player but in January I picked up cello as second instrument. After playing 4 weeks without a teacher I finally got the lesson, and guess what... I had to unlearn all I had learned and get back to positioning my instrument and fingers on fingerboard... Stay flexible! :D

[@sunmusicstrings]

Very useful, especially in working with young beginning students!

[@MusicaAngela]

This is excellent!

[@chilldynasty1258]

Finally know why teacher told me to do that! Nice video!

[@kleinesonne3032]

Thank you for this exercises! I have wait very long for this \o/

[@liudmilabocharova6080]

This is very helpful, thank you! It would be great to have a video on vibrato. Thank you so much!

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi Liudmila. Thank you for your lovely feedback. We're pleased to tell you vibrato will be coming very soon!

[@liudmilabocharova6080]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial I am so excited!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@AlexaLoCruz]

This is pretty cool! 😎

[@valeriemaltais1782]

You’re my new friend. I have a violin teacher, but I seem to be self-directed. I’m an adult new learner.

[@VlnAlexandrosIakovou]

Congratulations! very importants and understandables advices!

[@carolineandtigger]

Thank you for sharing this video. I learned a lot.

[@donnakona7615]

Thank you for this first video. I am excited to see what you have planned for next week's episode. I recently went to UC Berkeley to watch you perform at Zellerbach Hall and you were fantastic! My favorite song that you played that afternoon has to be the last encore song, which I believed is called Meditation, by Massanett. Until then, I'm going to be practicing those relaxation techniques that you showed us!

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi! Thank you for such lovely comments - really pleased to hear you enjoyed the concert in Berkeley. Happy practising!

[@mentorgratis]

Claudio Arrau felt the same way for the piano of course!!

[@arobso]

Amazing! Thank you very much for sharing. Obrigado 🙏🏾

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Ps I am using more of a Russian bow grip because my pinky is so short on my right hand,so I place my pinky on bevel of bow nearest my rt cheek, not on top of bow. I LIKE THE CONTROLL I FEEL PLACING MY HAND ON BOW THIS WAY. ALSO MAKE SURE THAT I LOWER THE ELBOW BELOW MY WRIST. GOODNIGHT FROM YOUR LOYAL STUDENT IN USA.😊

[@Amal-ks8ln]

I remember hearing or reading about a musician describing how lightly, gently and naturally Yehudi Menuhin (or Jascha Heifetz?) held his violin, they said that they were afraid to breath next to him and cause his violin to fall off... I can’t remember where I read this. I love it! Please let me know if any of you know who said this!

[@janemallinson7553]

Elderly viola learner, Big Noise volunteer and retired librarian here. May I suggest that you number each of your videos to make it easier to watch them in sequence? So 'With Nicky 1: subtitle' , 'With Nicky 2: subtitle' and so on ... Thanks for such clear videos. I look forward to following and putting your teaching in to practice.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

A great idea, we’ll do this.

[@janemallinson7553]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial A good example is The Consort Counsellors, who have now posted more than 50 videos, all numbered.

[@johnronane3933]

Fantastic, please come to Ickford School, Bucks.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Thank you! Do keep your eyes peeled for future events your students might be able to attend & get in touch with us (contact info on my website)

[@chloeevans4894]

YES!!! My all-time favorite violinist has come out with a basic violin course. Just in time as I venture out into being a violin teacher! Love you, Nicky!!☺️❤️🎻

[@anamolnar3246]

You are lovely Nicola! I think this series will be so so useful for everyone from a beginner level to professional players! Thank you for being so open, honest and straightforward! PS: I'm sure you already thought about going into depth about the position and the set-up on your violin, but I would be very grateful if you could share what kind of shoulder rest are you using in this video?

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi Ana! Thank you for your lovely comments. My shoulder rest is a Libero - there is a little reference to it in this film, but don't worry there will be a whole other film on shoulder rests and equipment coming soon.

[@anamolnar3246]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial I have just watched your video again and observed the reference! I'm sorry for my negligence! Thank you for responding even though it was mentioned! I can't wait for your next videos! Congrats for this project and all the best in everything you do ❤

[@mcarthneylaron8582]

God bless you.. please stay healthy

[@Sabine-lu1rm]

Thank you fo all these useful tips. Would it be possible to give a lectur on upbow staccato? I would be very thankful for that as upbow staccato is a real challenge!

[@calvinsalim2375]

wow this is very amazing There are lot's of content in 16 minutes Really excited for the next one

[@Normanskie]

Thank you, not the most riveting of KZbin video's but nevertheless extremely helpful. It sounds like I am in a Shotokai karate training session with total relaxed body and repetitive actions, brilliant.

[@andrewroberts8139]

I found it pretty riveting - what did you want, car chases?

[@victornelson5568]

I found this very very relaxing Nicky! :-) Keep up the good work! Luvin` the videos!

[@phoobydoo86]

I loved this video soo much! Really helpful. When will there be a video on vibrato? Because that is next to impossible for me! Thank you Nicky! 😀😀😊

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

So pleased to hear you enjoyed it! Yes there will definitely be a video on vibrato very soon!

[@bencze465]

I have been playing since almost 2 years and a lot of these are familiar from my teacher (including the brush thing from the other video). I'm just a bit ashamed she brings such awesome examples and 90% of it is wasted on me, I understand the explanation (I'm an adult.. since a long time...) but I just can't replicate. She must feel like talking to the walls all the time. I feel it's super useful to see all of these in this level of detail at this point, I think I understand a little bit better now what they mean. Definitely struggling with these basics a lot. I know I'm probably clumsier than most, but I thought these were mostly first year stuff, apparently not :D

[@carolinedavis4701]

Thanks so much for this Nicky! Sharing with my pupils 👍 When I realize I’m saying relax all the time I switch to soft... but sometimes that sounds a bit weird! 🤣

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Great tips Caroline! Thank you for sharing and so glad you enjoyed it.

[@arkytkt2382]

i played many years back and now i am back. My maestro was very critical about never using shoulder rest and now when i started to practice again i just cant imagine using that thing it`s so uncomfortable. It is also very few people on YT that give advices for non shoulderrest players

[@DickenKrr]

Hi any tips on improving intonations?? Love your video much!👍👍👍

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Yes absolutely. There will be a video on intonation soon.

[@popitoto]

Thank you for your first video of these series...Just to note that playing is also mental not only physical...So the pshycological condition is also important

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

We completely agree! There will be lots of discussion surrounding this topic in our future videos. Thank you for watching today.

[@JustFiddler]

terimakasih banyak nicky! video ini sangat membantu. salam dari bali island.

[@larsprins3200]

Lift up "through" your instrument (not "for") at 4:00

[@irlandesarette9776]

I love to lppk at your video my fingers are heavy for my learning on left hand 👍

[@mulianyyuu9047]

Good teacher

[@hannahlight8630]

These videos are really helpful for teaching and personal development. Thank you. I noted that you have your left hand thumb quite high, and certainly higher than I use or teach. Is this part of your journey to reduce thumb tension?

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Remember everyone’s hands are different shapes and sizes so they will all look different - don’t worry if mine is higher than other peoples.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

DEAR Nikki! Hi guess what? I GET A GOLD STAR TODAY! I PRACTICED IN THE MORNING AND THEN THEN AGAIN IN THE EVENING! C.E CE.USA❤❤❤

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

1:30 agreed, same was 1st. lesson in kung-fu class for beginner's! Our emphasis was so phunny, we were told, shake your hips! Can you just see it, bunch of "adults" shaken their asses! I still laugh butt it was to emphasize the total (connectedness) of our whole body which ultimately developed a phenomenal level of power available; usable in all directions & within all distance's. Quite a useful tool I still use, 30 years later. Sew, eye No, you're correct, and besides, we Americans always believe when there's an accent from the great united Kingdom of Ireland, Scotland, & the British Isles! ;-)

[@rozarustemi3524]

Thank you very much! You are beauty women beauty soul, you are a great violinist, but this do not mean that a great violinist can be a great teacher! But you are too, a great teacer and a simple person!

[@patmcdermott4832]

Great start to the series & I love your amusing "emoticon" faces! Just one technical issue which might only apply to my PC, but if you go to full screen the pause/stop icons do not work. I have to return to the thumbnail picture to control these functions. (For information of the IT folk this is on Firefox browser using WINDOWS). Thanks again for the great video looking forward to the next one! :-)

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Thank you for watching! We checked this out with our IT expert and it sounds like it might just be your computer. We hope you enjoyed the video - really glad you liked our emojis!

[@patmcdermott4832]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial Thanks, Nicki, but I don't have this problem with other You Tube videos so I don't think it is my PC but may be the way the video has been set up for FIRTEFOX?

[@patmcdermott4832]

@Nicola Benedetti Official (FIREFOX not FIRTEFOX!). I should have said I don't have this issue with your other You Tube videos as a subscriber to your fine channel :-)

[@rorysmith9382]

Nice video.

[@dayaneoliveira1122]

I want your shoulder rest! 🙏🏼🙏🏼😍

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

You'll be able to find out more about it in a future video!

[@dayaneoliveira1122]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial Fantastic, thank you so much! I can't wait! 😍 😍 😍 Love you! ❤️

[@janisremiesiewicz3547]

How do you keep from neck pain?

[@miajc6606]

It's ok if you repeat relax a million times... It really seemed to help me with my bow hold which in turn meant better control

[@noelcorriveau8617]

Hi my name is Élianne. I’m patiking the violin for 5 years. What is you trick before a concert? Because today I did a concert and I mist a whole part.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi Elianne! We'll be addressing the mentality of practice and performance in another video so look out! And everyone makes mistakes! Do not feel alone or worry!

[@staceycorriveau5147]

Thanks.

[@shmalfie8674]

can you please go on two set

[@boomchikabennett1702]

When I'm practising my violin I always end in a tune I'm good at that is why I end my practise playing jingle bells!! 😂lol😂 -Emily Bennett age 10

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

This is so lovely to hear! Keep up your practise Emily.

[@오즈마법사-j2g]

Really thanks to your video. It will help me to understand right position and practice more correctly.

[@crcooney]

YESSSSS

[@noelcorriveau8617]

Hi, Nicola. It’s still Élianne and do you remember when at one of your concert I’d come with my sister, my dad and my teacher?