"With Nicky" - Developing your sound

Developing and producing sound on your instrument is a journey inside your mind and inside your hearing. To really create a sound you love and are comfortable with, you need plenty of space and peace within your practice; take things slowly, don’t put pressure on yourself and take the time to hear and feel things clearly.
The sound we make is the most personal thing about our playing - everyone’s tone is unique. No two violinists sound the same, nor should they sound the same. Be inspired by other musicians’ sounds, of course, but remember to be yourself. The route we each take to developing our own sound is a voyage of experimentation and discovery: rewarding, completely engrossing, and of course it can also be frustrating at times! But it is about finding a balance and remembering to take the time you need to work on it.
The videos have been generously supported by ESTA UK, MiSST - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme, and Oasby Music Group and I am very grateful for their support.
Huge thanks to our media partners Classic FM, The Strad, The Violin Channel and WQXR who will be sharing the videos with their audiences each week when released.
Finally, these videos wouldn’t have been possible without an amazing team: Scott Jaeger, our film maker, Laura Gardiner, our Education Manager, Rebecca Driver, PR Manager and Hannah King, Online Media Manager. I want to say a huge thank you to all four of them for being with me on this journey.
If you have any questions, or you want to know more, leave me a message in the comments.
Nicky
00:06 Producing Sound
04:12 Contrasting Sounds
06:26 Experimentation
12:31 Exercises
16:21 Collective Sound
Film produced by www.jaegerfilm.com
Join in live or online with the Benedetti Foundation at www.benedettifoundation.org
Notes from the Film:
To see more of Julian Rachlin teaching, this would be a good place to start:
Julian Rachlin | Bowing Masterclass | Part 2 | 'Optimum bow angle, contact point & change technique' • Julian Rachlin | Bowin...
To see more of Pinchas Zukerman teaching, you could start here:
Violin Position - Bow In & Out (Pinchas Zukerman) - • Violin Position - Bow ...
Kreutzer Studies referred to in the film can be found here:
imslp.org/wiki/%C3%89tudes_ou...)
KZbin links:
Below are the links to the clips used in this film if you want to find out and watch more:
Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata No.9 - Patricia Kopatchinskaja & Fazıl Say - • Beethoven Kreutzer Son...
En Aranjuez con tu amor - Andrea Bocelli - Concert. One Night in Central Park - • En Aranjuez con tu amo...
Nicola Benedetti: Beethoven on period instruments - • Nicola Benedetti: Beet...
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 - Julian Rachlin - Orchestre National de France - Daniele Gatti - • Shostakovich Violin Co...
Pinchas Zukerman, Marc Neikrug: Johannes Brahms - A major Violin Sonata No.2, Opus 100 - • Pinchas Zukerman, Marc...
Janine Jansen: "Melodie" (Pyotr Tchaikovsky) - encore 30.03.17 - • Janine Jansen: "Melodi...
Nicola Benedetti Masterclass at RWCMD - Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 by Tchaikovsky - • Nicola Benedetti Maste...
Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor - I. Vorspiel: Allegro moderato (Zukerman / Mehta) - • Bruch - Violin Concert...
Vengerov - Waxman - Carmen Fantasy - • Video
Cadenza- Beethoven violin concerto - Anne Sophie Mutter - • Cadenza- Beethoven vio...
Milstein plays Brahms - • Milstein plays Brahms
Hilary Hahn - Glazunov - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op 82 - • Hilary Hahn - Glazunov...
NCO: Symphony No. 5 - 1st movement, Tchaikovsky - • NCO: Symphony No. 5 - ...

[@richard141724]

I started having lessons with a brilliant concert soloist. After two lessons she announced that she was going to teach me the hardest thing of all, how to make a good sound. And it was all about letting go of tension. I find it so hard after so many years, to let go of tension in the thumb, the forearm and the shoulder. Only then can the violin speak. At this point one is free to experiment with pressure and bow speed, but the pressure comes from the body leaning into the string with no tension. And you have to learn to control the wrist so that the bow is balanced without the need to use the thumb to manage the weight of the bow at the Frog. The thumb can kill the sound if so used. So for me, rather than bow pressure or position, it was tension that was the key. It's not so different on the piano. The piano will sing if you transfer your weight from one key to another rather than using mechanical finger pressure.

[@MatthiasBrandes]

At nearly 70 years I'm re-beginning now after a pause of decades. You are encouraging me! I appreciate the mental approach you are teaching. Thank you a lot!

[@travisfimmel6143]

congrats sir !

[@saea58]

Me too after 51 yrs!

[@mikegreenguitar]

I'm an amateur guitarist who plays mostly pop and rock. I'm also a fan of classical music. It's an amazing privilege to have this kind of access to a world class musician. 20 years ago, you'd be lucky to attend a master class and receive a tenth of what's presented here. Superb video editing as well- I love the way Nicky inserts parenthetical ideas throughout. Thank you, and God bless you for your generous spirit!

[@vivalamusica2576]

Wow, thank you for this video! 😊🎉

[@petercurrie3098]

Man, I would so love to lessons with this Bonnie lass. Such an inspiration and motivator

[@user-lw4ht9fw8l]

你是当今世界一流小提琴演奏家，常常聆听你的演奏曲目，是你最虔诚的粉丝。欢迎有机会再来日本演出。

[@joylowther199]

Excellent advice

[@Jeff034]

Just don’t know if to be utterly inspired or badly depressed listening to the possible!

[@pengchang3035]

Thank you so much. It’s very inspirational.

[@fernandosilberstein4642]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@gabriel1chan]

This video is valuable to us , thank you VM for

[@jimmymoser]

Loved this video. While I mimic some things other violinists do, I realize I can't mimic their sound, but I can accept that provided I am creating an equally pleasing sound. Thanks.

[@mrzog12]

I'm getting as much ASMR trigger as I am violin tips from your channel. Your voice is almost as wonderful as your playing.

[@sarahaylott8128]

Thank you so much Nicky! I’m just beginning violin age 44 and I love it!,, I watch your videos all the time and am gleaning wisdom And inspiration. Your videos mean a lot to me. Thank you xx

[@mikeladzesoso]

This girl is amazing; my love to violin becomes hundred times watching/listening her and her perfect manners!

[@dayaneoliveira1122]

Thank so much for this series, I'M ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT! You're brilliant! 😍 ❤️🎻

[@tartini2000]

Best video ever!! I like when your student demonstrates and your demonstration afterwards.

[@denysmcnair302]

I'm probably one of your oldest 'students'. I am so grateful to you for taking time to create these excelent tutorials, which are really helpful in reinforcing and supplementing tuition from my violin teacher. I recently performed in front of an audience for the first time in 52 years. I have NEVER felt so nervous, and it showed! When I'm nervous and tense I lose control of my bow, by lifting my shoulder, my bowing arm becomes stiff, and the bow starts to 'chatter' and bounce on the strings. My violin teacher advised me that when this happens I should play with longer bow strokes and allow the natural weight of my arm lower my shoulder. My bowing hand also tends to form an accentuated swan neck shape at the wrist when playing at the heel. I notice that when you play, your wrist looks really flexible and fluid and that the back of your bowing hand is almost in line with your forearm. After so many years of poor bowing technique I've discovered that I need to retrain and strengthen my bowing hand. Are there hand exercises that you can recommend? I'm also wondering whether the physical weight of my bow is a factor. I love the bow that I'm using because it really does release and project the sound of my violin when I am busking. Last year I compared 30 bows at Stringers in Edinburgh, and this bow was an outright winner, but it is heavier than my original bow. I discovered that a good quality bow, strings, and rosin, (I use Melos) makes a major difference to playing.

[@olgam4884]

Thank You so much!!!!! Please, do not stop to make videos like this!

[@violinistagostoso239]

So beautiful

[@franklinrodriguez3370]

Thank you Nicky❤

[@thevet2009]

She makes loves to the violin.

[@SydneyEnsemble]

I like the term 'weight' rather than pressure. I think I'll adopt that term! Simon Fischer goes into great detail in his 'Basics' book in the Tone Production section with sound point, bows speed & bow pressure/weight with many exercises & examples in repertoire. The video examples in this video are excellent. So many of the musicians from the older generation had such unique and individual sounds and played with such personality. I think today with video & sound recordings the sound production & interpretation has become standardised to a degree, and many violinists try to emulate the sound of their idols, but just end up sounding all alike.

[@duncanandrew3307]

I think that the digital age has much to answer for in terms of recording and especially the compression frequently used to pack more in to the replay. You can't beat hearing it live, if you are lucky enough to access it.

[@ivanmcdrago]

Brilliantly explained Nicky! Great examples. Thanks for sharing.

[@danielabastos7184]

It's very generous of you to share this type of videos. Thank you very much, Nicola!!

[@carlosivan1332]

This was like a master class, I'll put in practise everything. you are magnificent Nicky!!

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Hi Nicky! addressing your comments on this channel, I would like to sound as taffy smooth as Nicola Benedetti reknown violinist. Particularly on her Meditation recital it's charmingly smooth. Thank you Nicky!😅

[@rebeccamouse9294]

That was an excellent video. I was searching for something that went beyond weight, sound point, bow speed. This was extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@leopardtiger1022]

Anne Sophie Mutter best in cadenza for Beethoven concert.. violin is also special.. Stradivarius fantastic quality sound.

[@chuan-kangshih78]

What a great teacher! Just watched your two videos on vibrato and this one. Liked every bit of information and the way they are presented. Have subscribed your channel and will watch every piece. Thank you very much for sharing and highest regards to you.

[@SamanthaHallam]

This is a great video thanks! It answered so many of my violin curiosities especially the part regarding the Kreutzer exercise!

[@DieterLo1]

Thanks for that very good video! I am a beginner with violin!

[@hannesfrischat7138]

I think Nicky is a sort of angel in violinist form :-D Serously, this is so good, encouraging an exploration and journey on which we violinists can find our individual sound and be ourselves even more!

[@mgxterragonzalez97]

You inspire me ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@janus1363]

Another great thought-provoking video. Keep it up! Thinking about smooth bow changes, my mentor (the much missed Max Gilbert - yes, I'm a viola player) used to say: "the speed of the CHANGE of the bow is the SAME as the speed of the bow." Imagine the nut is attached to a conveyor belt. When it reaches the end it does not stop (change direction and restart), it simply goes around the end at the same speed. It makes sense when you think about it - and more important it works in practice!

[@rsingh1252]

as a metal guitarist this helped me so much! I don't mean to dirty classical violin, but if you replace bow with pick, it's pretty much the same idea! Thank you so much, no disrespect meant

[@tullochgorum6323]

I love the advice about practising with your ears. I find that if I listen for an effect intensely and experiment, my body will usually find a way to produce it - eg a tone, or an attack, or something as simple as playing cleanly on a single string. If you want to explore tone production systematically, check out Simon Fischer's tone exercises. Pretty much everyone from beginners to advanced pros finds them a real eye opener and I've never heard anyone say a word against them. You'll find them in his Basics book, his Violin Lesson book, and in a dedicated DVD he made on the topic. For me, they are a game changer.

[@randlyons7278]

Brilliant, Nicola, finally us beginner wantabe's have found a Master Class teacher.

[@resharpsharpening3024]

Thanks for doing this series. It’s most helpful and inspiring

[@davidmanhart2980]

Love it! Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@stephenjohnson-tseu3872]

This is such a helpful video. I'm so glad I bumped into this by accident while looking for materials on what to show my students about sound production. Thank you so much!! xx

[@MusicaAngela]

This series is so valuable!!! Thanks so much for making them! ❤️🎻🎶

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

Pure genius and so generous of you to share!

[@luvkayakn]

Thank you. Your lessons are informative and inspirational

[@jamesbishop2315]

Best instruction ever! Thank you so much for doing this. Eager for the next one :-)

[@leahhamdaoui7755]

Thank you for another inspiring video.

[@jjramsden5243]

A brilliant series - so good one wonders why we've had to wait so long. Well done! Keep them coming . . .

[@danielnguyen1466]

I love this series ! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule Nicky, the videos are very helpful.

[@kellenbetty]

I’m so grateful for this channel. Your videos are so valuable. You have a lot to teach, no doubts about it. Thank you for sharing your passion in such a thoughtful and inspiring way.

[@brunabach1959]

Grazie Nicola, saluti da Bologna!

[@alessandrovaccari782]

saluti da Mirandola (Mo)

[@tartini2000]

Yeah! Back to basics!!! Thank you so much for being a kind mentor for many of us!

[@LetsPlayPianoMethods]

This was wonderful. Thank you.

[@sulyma47]

I liked the video......Congratulations.....A big hug from Brazil

[@johomer2599]

What I love about this is that the way it's done makes me feel you are talking directly to me! It is all fascinating and there is so much that could help people here. As always, you have put in painstaking thought and dedication in the preparation of this. The comments about other violinists' styles are so informative and interesting too. There are other good videos around but this is like no other. Thanks so much.

[@tobiaslagerberg8962]

Very good very important

[@robertcocovinis2]

Thanks Nicola. I found this informative, fun and inspiring.

[@SethNoorzad]

I am starting to practice again after a hiatus of a couple years and I am feeling how important it is to listen intently to my own sound and there is a continuum of listening and intending the sound to be the way you want to be. I used to get hung up thinking it was just about learning how to move correctly but it is also about listening to yourself. Thanks for the video! It really helps communicate a way of thinking about how to play and practice.

[@malcolmmckitterick250]

Thank you for a very useful teaching.

[@dannyworms5144]

Thank you so much for this! This is a wonderful help :)

[@brendachatterjee1758]

So very very informative , quite inspirational , thank you .

[@donnakona7615]

I really like your emphasis on finding peace and the middle ground with the violin. Often, I find myself ruthlessly slashing away at the violin, not giving any thought of the tone quality, not taking time to hear and feel it clearly. This made practicing so excruciating and sometimes, I felt as if my brain was trying to fine tune the mistakes inside my mind so that I hear a rather pleasant note, instead of what everyone else hears and what I was actually playing- out-of-tune notes with awkward wavelengths

[@lynseysegal1141]

Thanks so much! Excellent video. The emojis and comments are cute. Nice that you have kiddos helping out and also the videos of the different violinists demonstrating what you are discussing. Excited for your future videos. 🎻❤️

[@darb.musica]

Great video, really useful. Thank you!

[@Lalo1]

This videos are very helpful and inspiring. We need more videos like this one with explanations and practice exercises. Thank you!

[@coloreo1171]

I totally agree, each sound is different, unique. Our real work is to find our real one, being the most confortable possible. Thank you for your aportation, because I am specially working on it.

[@siananaomi]

All of this is put so well and is so true, you are wonderful! All the love you put into helping others, I want to send love back to you 💛

[@poojars5594]

❣️❣️❣️

[@vizolhouliepienyu9786]

thank you

[@JustFiddler]

thank you! greeting from bali island

[@TheJensenInterceptor]

Fabulous tips and very rewarding to watch once again - Thank you

[@manu-gt9gr]

nice video, Thanks for the video nicky!

[@MusicaAngela]

I'm a cellist and find this so inspiring! How amazing that everyone's sound is unique and that to develop your sound is really to develop yourself.

[@carolinaguimaraes1609]

I love you thank you so much for this

[@carohill6085]

Thanks Nicky!

[@TENGKURYO]

Thank you Nicky..this is mean a lot to me, wish you all the best always.

[@3smworld]

Artistic guidance heart touching advice. Want more such precise technique & more such inspirational videos. Lots of thanks.

[@gjijbuis1]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing with us what you have found in your own musical 'quest' ! Though not playing the violin (but an oboe) I find great advice and tips in your videos for deepening the feel for musically expressing oneself, as I always experience it in your playing. It's certainly a pleasure of being offered a look into your musical world via these videos which I find, you're able to make with such a directness that they almost feel like private instruction.

[@basiaszendrei1603]

I enjoy this immensely, reminds me to review all the exercises I used to do. Working on violin sound never ends!

[@csmihaly]

Absolutely fascinates me, making a single sound. (On the violin). The neuromuscular control and infinite variety of pressure, angle, speed, etc etc involved, I m not aware of any other instrument that is so technically difficult to play.

[@patmcdermott4832]

Another great instructional video presented in such a natural way and the "Emoji's" help lighten the videos too! I'm sure your presentational style makes these videos so watchable. Thank you so much for sharing your craft & giving up your time to benefit younger players. :-) (P.S. Just to note that the full screen/pause problems on video 1 are no longer present!)

[@MarcoVieira-gp9fp]

Apaixonante

[@normanfreund]

Thanks for the video Nicola, perhaps a beginners question, how do you overcome the challenge of the violin sounding different to the player (being very close to the violin), versus what the audience hears (at a distance), where the sound quality is very different?

[@tadrenfro]

Just what I needed to see... Just returned home after performed using a new choice of violin strings (Thomastik Infield Vienna Vision Titanium Orchestra + Larson Tzigane E) and a new chin rest (Kreddle). ...Wow, what a dramatically improvement in my violin sound, comfort, and confidence. Always searching for ways to improve in any way. Finally this violin feels awake and ready to play whatever I ask of it! I had been visiting luthiers to have a new setup performed (bridge + sound post), but I think I first need to learn this new violin sound and let my playing style adjust to it. It's dramatically different and I now play without fear pushing the instrument too far. It's really a nice place to be. :)

[@T-Slider]

Great info! Please angle the camera so we never lose sight of your bow hand. Cutting into your hair line is actually a common photographic technique. Especially when it is your bow hand we need to see. Thanks for doing this.

[@antonioromera8880]

Nice video. A bunch of great ideas to dive deep on. It’s a great opportunity to re-think about a matter that sometimes pass through a little bit undervalued in class or during the practising. Thank you very much. These videos are really inspirational; a great present.

[@kyrryk4427]

Man ... I miss playing.

[@jkruse2089]

Love your series SO TOTALLY! The contents and the care with which you bring it. Regarding bowing and sound production: Some years ago I followed the videos "THE SECRETS OF TONE PRODUCTION" by Simon Fisher. This changed my bowing and sound production really OVERNIGHT to such a beautiful and effortless level. Some exercises were used by Mozart! And Simon is (also) a true master in the way he presents it! Really recommend to do this in addition to Nicky's beautiful, fantastic series. Love you Nicky, Jochem

[@Lepetitortu]

What a beautiful violin you have! It matches at An unbelievable level with you!! What shoulder rest do you use it looks way more comfortable then mine

[@arnaugali4970]

Many many thanks for the video! I'm struggling to reach a better sound.. I just discovered that there is another issue in the bow that affects a lot the quality of my sound. This is the tension of the bow itself, how soft or tense is the hair..it makes also a big difference in sound..

[@joanandreubellaarroyo9798]

Amazing videos!! What do you use to protect he wood against your neck? I liked it because it seems covers only the wood and not the chin rest. Thank you again for all! your advices!

[@cooldude5699]

Very interesting video with a different approach to tone than any I have seen. I consider Pinchas Zukerman to be the best tonalist in the world today, but I don't know why the word "slow" was used to describe his tone. Maybe his vibrato or tempos, perhaps? As far as greatest tone of all time, I would submit 1. Fritz Kreisler 2a. Mischa Elman/2b.Toscha Seidel.

[@stene.ranwald5701]

"LOVERLY"!

[@jiefuster]

wow

[@elmagraham9506]

What a great series of videos. Maybe the best on the internet! Each one so valuable and inspiring. Too bad about the 'Up-talk'.

[@paulagreg3832]

Thank you so much for this helpful video with such many tools for improving with the instrument! Right now I'm studying Devil's Trill from Tartini, it has many contrasts that I find it really important to care the sound in each part. Hope this brings me ideas. Greetings!

[@SayianZZ]

The hardest thing for me is string crossings from the heel of the bow without making a scratchy sound.

[@poojars5594]

Apply the pressure of thumb and pinky finger when playing on that part

[@andrewroberts8139]

This is wonderful - and with coronavirus I will have time to study. But is there such a thing as a person's sound divorced from the composer? Isn't it going to be very different playing Mozart from Shostakovich?

[@tessfra7695]

Thank you very much for making almost personalized videos like this...much appreciated...if you can find the time to address a problem that has been bothering me for some time, pls do a video on bow bounce...I know my technique's not good to begin with, but I really want to get to the root of it, & can't find a proper answer on any KZbin channel so far to help me out...thank you.

[@childofdestiny2811]

Love you, love your channel! Professional violist recovering from an injury. Your videos are invaluable helping me get back in shape! Very curious about your shoulder rest. Any info that you can share about the make and model?

[@alejandroormeno5009]

Thanks a lot Nicky for your time and effort on this videos, specially coming for you. I would like to know if your sound depends as well on kind of violin you have. Please help us with more about the strokes of the violin´s bow. Grazie mille.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Yes absolutely it makes a difference - but also is very much to do with the technique you have as well.

[@alejandroormeno5009]

@@NicolaBenedettiOfficial Hello Nicky! Thank a lot for your time answering my question. Sorry for replying late. Sometime this crazy life...Well, today I saw another video, it was great because I learn many details from this amazing instrument. Let me tell you that I started playing the violin at age 28 and it helps me in many ways. I don´t want take your time to long. I will continue watching your helping videos. Big hug from Lima-Perú. Alejandro Ormeño

[@nicolasmarquesruiz7556]

Thanks for this wonderful video. I would like to ask about which violin set up do you use (chinrest, shoulderrest and strings) thanks again :)

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Hi! My shoulder rest is a Libero.... there will be a video all about equipment coming out soon!