5 Ways to get a Good Tone and Sound from the Violin | Violin Lounge TV #281
A good tone production makes it possible to make beautiful music!
In this video I give you 5 tips to improve the sound you make on the violin:
Tip 1: Have a flexible bow hold
Bow holds can look very different. The most important thing is that you keep your fingers slightly curved and relaxed. In this way you can move along with the bow strokes, make smooth bow changes and maintain a full sound on the violin.
Click here to watch other videos about bow hold.
Tip 2: Bow straight on the same contact point
Bowing straight means that you have a ninety degree angle between the bow and the string
If your elbow is in the right position, you create a square with your arm, the violin and the bow. The bow must remain in the ninety degree angle throughout the whole bow stroke. This mean you have to compensate the round movement of your arm into the straight movement of the bow. This requires a flexible wrist and fingers.
Lots of violinists know this, but many of them don’t bow straight even after years of playing. This can cause a lot of problems in creating a beautiful sound. You can check if you’re bowing straight in the mirror or ask someone to check and correct for you.
Stay on the same contact point between the bridge and the fingerboard
Some people bow straight, but the bow moves sideways on the string between the bridge and the fingerboard. Every contact point between the bridge and fingerboard has it’s own sound and you should consciously choose what contact point matches the sound you want to make.
Tip 3: Relax and lower your right shoulder, arm and wrist
A lot of violin players lift their elbow too high. This can cause uncontrolled jumps and bow shakes. Besides that it’s really difficult to put weight into the bow to create a full sound. Players compensate the lack of weight by using more pressure, which suffocates the sound. Release the optimal sound from your violin, by relaxing your shoulder and arm.
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Tip 4: Tilt your hand for a good pronation
Pronation allows you to transfer the weight of your relaxed arm into the bow. You’ll feel like the bow is an extension of your index finger, which gives you a sense of control. Pronation is like turning a key to the left with your right arm, so you can lean on your index finger. Your index finger is very important to create a deep and sustained tone.
Tip 5: Smoothen your bow changes
By combining a relaxed right arm with a flexible bow hold, you can almost make silent bow changes. In this way the sound of your violin can keep ringing and resonating through the bow changes. Not doing this and keeping everything stiff, gives you the typical beginner sound where the sound stops at every bow change.
Watch this video about bowing smoothly to learn more!
Do you want to learn the 5 secrets to create a professional sound on the violin?
Click here to sign up for my free lesson, where you’ll learn more in depth about creating a beautiful tone.
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