Play the Violin Fluently and Comfortably
Learn to have a relaxed posture, so you can play the violin beautifully for hours
Choose a comfortable chinrest and shoulder rest that ensure a good violin hold, train a flexible bow hold and learn a healthy way of violin playing
Should You Stand Up or Sit Down when Playing the Violin or Viola?
Should you ALWAYS stand up straight when practicing the violin or viola? Is it bad to practice sitting down?
Can You Over-Drop Your Right Elbow or Shoulder while Bowing?
I recommend making a nice square with your elbow slightly below that. This is very comfortable for your arm and produces a nice tone from your violin or viola. Here’s how to do that.
How To Hold Your Arm (left and right) when Playing on the G String
In this episode I’m answering a question from one of my viewers. I’m Thiago, 31 years old and from Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, I play the violin for about 5 months. My question is about playing on the G string. What’s the best arm position to play on it? See you on the...
Should You Lift or Rotate Your Shoulder when Bowing on the G String
In this episode of Violin Lounge TV I answer a question from a viewer. Mike Pearson writes as a comment on my video ‘What to do if your shoulder hurts when playing on the G string': How important is it to rotate your shoulder forward when playing on the G string? My...
How to ‘Twist’ Your Arm around the Violin Without Pain
This episode of Violin Lounge TV is about the pain your can experience when you ‘twist’ your arm around the violin. People try to twist their arm to reach the positions on the string with your fingers. I’ve received a very vulnerable e-mail from Dot. I admire her...
How to Play ‘In the String’ with Weight and without Tension
Rae-Ann writes... Dear Zlata, I am a subscriber to your violinloungetv program. As an adult beginner on the violin, with no previous musical experience, I have now been studying for about 10 years. For the past 3 years, I have been taking lessons from a wonderful...
How to Breathe while Playing the Violin or Viola
Valyncia asks in a comment on my video '5 exercises to learn vibrato’ (click here to watch)... Little by little I am practicing vibrato - but I notice if I don't breathe I tense up in my back and shoulder... At least when I notice this I can stop and focus and start...
Do You Get Nervous and Scared when Performing? I Do!
Many musicians get nervous and scared when performing, including me. Sylviane writes: Hello Zlata, I can't wait to see the pictures and movie of your recital with your piano accompanist. It must be great!Is it true that you also get nervous and scared? But you are so...
How to Have a Comfortable Violin Hold when You Have a Long Neck
Holding your violin comfortably when you have a long neck Holding your violin comfortably when you have a long neck Our viewer Phung asks: “I’ve played the violin for 3 years and I’ve never felt comfortable when holding my violin. I have a long neck and a thin body...
How to Stop Your Bow from Jumping
What to do if your bow jumps or shakes when you don’t want it to? What to do if your bow jumps or shakes when you don’t want it to? Having trouble to create a steady sound when bowing on the violin? You’re not alone. In this video we show you how to stop your bow from...
What To Do if Your Shoulder Hurts When Playing on the G String
Do you have pain in you shoulder when you are playing on the G string on the violin a lot (C string in case you play the viola)? Why does my shoulder hurt? Lifting the shoulder String changes should be done by moving the elbow and upper arm up and down. The...
What To Do When Your Left Thumb Hurts When Playing Violin or Viola?
Harold asks: My left thumb hurts after playing. Especially with the viola. What should I do? I've been playing violin for almost 2 years and viola for six months. In this video I will share 4 tips to solve this issue and play without pain: 1) Check the size of your...
How to Lose Your Fear of the Frightful Frog
Let's talk about a fobia lots of violin and viola players suffer from... In this video, I'm going to talk about the phobia that many violin players have, and that is.... the Fear of the Frightful Frog! (woooo) We have quite some bow, but for some reason, many violin...
Is Your Body Suitable for Playing the Violin or Viola? Find Out!
Marcus asks: Is there any physical attributes or lack of certain physical attributes that might make violin playing more difficult to learn? For example is having longer slender fingers a benefit and having shorter thicker fingers a detriment? And lastly what is the...
How to Hold Your Violin or Viola in a Comfortable and Relaxed Way?
How to hold your violin or viola? There are some very basic skills you should know when it comes to violin or viola playing. One of them is the correct way to hold your instrument. In this blog, I will therefore explain you everything you need to know on how to hold...
How to Hold Your Violin or Viola Bow?
How to build up your own bow hold! I’m making a few videos on the basics of violin playing. In this video I will explain how to build up your own bow hold. Make sure that you keep your bow straight and you use your left hand as a help hand. The easiest way to do it is...
How Much Muscle Power to Use in Violin or Viola Playing?
Do you have to be physically well trained to play the violin or viola? How much muscle power should you use when playing the violin? When you play the violin you really need to use your fine motoric skills and practice using your muscles very precise. Some people...
4 Tips to Play in the Music Lesson as Good as You Really Are and Without Tension
Do you recognize this: You have practiced very hard on a difficult piece and you got some great results. You can't wait for your teacher to hear it... then the lesson starts... you start playing... and it goes really wrong. In this video I share with you 4 tips to...
6 Steps to Select Your Ideal Violin or Viola Chinrest and Play Comfortably
Is your violin hold a struggle? Do you have pain during of after practicing the violin or viola? Do you sometimes doubt if you have the right chinrest? In this video I will share with you 6 steps to select your ideal violin or viola chinrest and start playing...
What To Do if the Ball of Your Thumb Hurts While Playing Violin, Viola or Cello
Does the ball of your thumb (thenar eminence muscle) hurts while or after playing violin, viola or cello? What To Do if the Ball of Your Thumb Hurts While Playing Violin, Viola or Cello Do you feel your hand cramps and your bowing becomes stiff? Watch this video to...