r/violinist

There are so many practice methods out there.

Was there one habit that noticeably improved your playing? It could be recording yourself, using a metronome, shorter practice sessions, slow practice, or something completely different.

I'd love to hear what worked for you.

I learned violin in orchestra from middle to high school and still play regularly. I would say I’m somewhere between intermediate to advanced.

A church member asked me to teach their daughter (2nd grade) violin as a side gig. But I’ve never taken formal violin lessons. What book series do you recommend? Any other tips?

I've heard various people say different things.

My biggest issue has been my chin and shoulder don't give 100% support, and so those times when you're playing and your hand and thumb moves to a different part of the violin the violin slides ever so slightly to my front-facing direction, and over time those little movements add up and then I have to readjust the violin.

A Youtuber I like a lot said he give like 50% support from the hand and 50% from the chin. But it looks like magic to me how the violin doesn't start it's inevitable movement inward to front-facing direction since the string hand moves a lot and can't support the neck of the violin all the time.

Thank you

Long post ahead!

Desperately in search of help with performance anxiety and GAD.

Has anyone experienced success/progress with EMDR therapy helping their performance anxiety (mainly shaking bow hand and intrusive thoughts)? Or what has helped people accept and overcome these physical symptoms while performing.

I've played the violin for over 20 years and my career is currently performing and teaching as a professional violinist in my city's main symphony orchestra. When I was young I did not really suffer from any excessive nerves while playing or performing, I would only get a little nervous, with my physical symptoms not going further than a dry mouth and maybe a slightly faster heartbeat/little sweat.

This all changed once I was around 16 years old. Suddenly I would get horribly shaky when performing, the change felt as if it happened overnight. A couple of shaky performances over a few months really affected my self esteem, as unfortunately being a "good" violinist was a huge part of my identity and self-worth. Playing the violin was what I was known for around my school/city, and it was important to me to keep up this persona.

In search of help, I was instantly given beta blockers (propanolol) when I was 16 by musicians I trusted around me (without ever visiting a doctor). Beta blockers worked instantly and I was very happy to have found a working solution. At that age I never really questioned my usage of them, the fact that I was taking heart medication didn't really bother me at the time.

Over the next decade I grew very dependant on beta blockers. When I was 16 and above, and in my undergrad years, I would have taken them only for performance class at school or at competitions, concertmaster solos etc. however as I got older and progressed professionally I ended up taking them for virtually everything... even private lessons if I was playing for someone unknown!I

A few years ago I was on trial for a job with an orchestra and it suddenly dawned on me how terrible it was that I was this dependant on beta blockers. Every day I'd be taking 20mg of propranolol if I had 2 calls in that day. At this time I felt very low and tired every day, and frustrated as I felt the medication affected my ability to exercise and think clearly.

I decided to quit my trial for a few reasons, but one of those reasons was to pursue more study with the intention of weaning myself off beta blockers.

When back at school I unfortunately didn't have the courage to fully quit beta blockers when performing solo... I only got to the point where I could do lessons and play in orchestra without them, as well as a couple of gigs without them, and was again confronted with the awful shaky sensations that come when I perform, but it was something! I also was able to perform in professional orchestras a few times without them, which was a huge achievement for me- I felt very proud of myself for that. However unfortunately while performing I would constantly be focusing and observing my anxiety levels on stage... instead of the actual music!! My enjoyment of making music had reached a tipping point.

Anyway, since then looking for any symptoms of performance anxiety/bow shakes has become a huge mind game.

Lately it's been the worst it ever has been. Almost 2 years ago now I had to perform a piece in a chamber orchestra that has very soft and slow notes. In one of the performances I remember feeling an extremely shocking sensation in my body, my heart lurched (as much as it could on beta blockers) and a feeling of total dread filled me and I felt like I could almost pass out. I wonder if it could have been an anxiety attack of sorts? Since this experience, my bow hand/arm will now shake on slow notes even when I'm alone practising in a room. It's like my body has memorised the feeling of loosing control. I really don't know what is happening to me and wonder if I've developed focal dystonia as a result of all this stress. On the job if I feel exposed during soft, quite long notes, or soft off the string playing it's like I loose control of my arm. It's been really tough.

A year ago I started seeing a therapist about my anxiety but ended up very frustrated with the process as months of therapy resulted in being suggested an SSRI prescription, which I don't want to do.... the whole point of therapy was trying to be medication free!!

Lately I'm interested in EMDR and curious if anyone has found it helpful. If so I would love some therapist suggestions, I'm open to any country in terms of seeking help as I hear that it's an effective treatment online. Appreciate any thoughts or help, thank you!

I recently wanted to get back into violin, i used to play it 5 years ago but havent played it for more than 2 years now, when i went to the store i came across a gewa pure, which was a 3/4 violin, the sound sustenance in it was really impeccable, and it fit me like a glove, it was so easy to carry. Now i am 169 cm tall and i know a 4/4 violin is the industry standard, but i liked the sound and the comfort of this 3/4 violin, so i am confused.

Help me out with this one guys!

Thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/vj86gi7uwebh1.png?width=982&format=png&auto=webp&s=ded929ee16ebfb0956df467cceca15341e901f5e

https://preview.redd.it/jss5db6wwebh1.png?width=998&format=png&auto=webp&s=b11beb41fb00d2d0a46a4f04a6c02be2b7bbcd4a

https://preview.redd.it/3fqnhibxwebh1.png?width=991&format=png&auto=webp&s=f11f09767f9a970ae61841b13132e236018b0f91

My old teacher always gave me a combo - Flesch's scales+arpeggios and these double stops. I have no idea where he got them from and I would love to know. He scanned the pages with his phone and trimmed them, so only one line was visible, so I have no clue how the rest of the page looks. I would assume that the double stops are sorted by type first (thirds, sixths, octaves), then by key.

I've been learning violin for about half a year now. But everytime after a long practice session, the shoulder and wrist of my bowing hand will ache and be sore for the rest of the day. It also makes my bow to shake while i'm using the middle of the bow. Is there any excercises or something to help me maybe build up the muscle or is that kinda normal and it'd be better the longer you play?

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community.

I'm a violinist (and a bit of a guitarist too), and I joined because I genuinely need some advice.

I've noticed that so many talented violinists and musicians barely get any views, and I'm starting to understand that feeling myself. I put everything into my content. I produce the music in FL Studio, design my own thumbnails, record and edit my videos using just my phone and computer, and I spend hours trying to make every upload look as professional as possible.

But no matter how much effort I put in, my long-form videos usually stop around 300–500 views. Then I create Shorts hoping they'll bring people to my long videos, but they also stall at around 700 views.

At this point, I honestly don't know what I'm missing.

For those of you who've managed to grow your music channel:

• What was the one thing that changed everything?
• Was it the content, thumbnails, titles, consistency, or just time?
• How did you get your first few thousand genuine viewers?

Also, would it be okay if I shared one of my videos here? I'd really appreciate honest feedback on my playing, production, thumbnails, editing, or anything else you think could be improved. I'm not trying to self-promote—I genuinely want to learn what I'm missing.

Thanks in advance! 🎻❤️

I’ve been playing for around 12 years and technique has often been neglected in my lessons to prioritize auditions and rep. Now, at 25, I play with a lot of tension which has caused some tendinitis, shoulder pain, etc. I’m at a point where I could focus close to 100% of my practice time just on technique and unlearning bad habits to prevent injury. Has anyone gone through a similar situation? I’m planning on starting private lessons again(haven’t had a lesson in 5 years) to unlearn bad habits, and I’m worried it will be difficult since I’ve done them for so long. I’m willing to be extremely disciplined. I don’t want to keep playing in pain.

I currently have an extreme cheap bow due to my other bow completely breaking. I have no idea as to what the bow was as it is long gone now.

The bow i use now is Giuliani Premier violin bow ($80ish bucks) and it just feels harder to bow with, not smooth, chalky (which may be the rosin) etc.

I honestly have no idea what rosin i use but it sucks. I would prefer light rosin!!

My only requests are:
A wooden bow, preferably not terribly expensive
Light rosin

Thank you!!!