Going through a rough day? Some soothing music is all you need to lift your spirits up! A great stress buster, music is the universal language that speaks to your very soul, transcending all borders of caste, creed, and gender uniting hearts across borders. Listening to marvelous music has an almost cathartic effect on your soul, purifying it from all the stress and chaos of reality. And if you can create music, then consider yourself blessed!
It’s a Violin, not a Guitar
Most people think playing the violin is similar to a guitar, both being string instruments. But the violin is much more complicated, only mastering the technical nuances won’t help you, you need to perfect your tone as well. We’re sure you’re ready to know more about the different tricks to master the art of playing the violin; so without further ado, here’s the secret to finding the sweet spot of your violin.
Find the Sweet Spot
In this world of contradictions and paradoxes, we all strive to find a silver lining. The same principle applies to your violin as well. In order to perfect the instrument, you need to find that “sweet spot”, a fulcrum point of sorts where the bow meets the strings creating the most resonance.
This is the point where the strings are the most responsive, to the bow without any harshness in tone. Generally it is found at the very end of your fingerboard though this spot is not the same in every violin; it varies from instrument to instrument. A fabulous violin player finds this sweet spot, the perfect balance, very naturally; creating beautiful a tone and melody.
Violin Bowing, and How’s it Done?
The first thing your violin instructor teaches you is about the bowing technique, the perfect way to hold the violin. Master the art of using the bow and half the battle is won! There is a graceful flexibility in every stroke of the bow, allowing you to create a smooth natural melody.
Consider the following tips to perfect your bowing technique and achieve the best tonal quality:
Apply Pressure on the Bow
Once you’ve got the posture correct and learned how to hold your violin properly experiment a bit by gradually increasing and decreasing the pressure of the bow. This will definitely affect your tonal quality. Play slow and long notes initially and then increase the speed and pressure of your fingers, increasing the bow pressure on the strings. With practice you will learn more about the different pressure points of the instrument.
Find the Perfect Angle and Tension Point
Now that you’ve got the pressure points right, you might want to concentrate on the arm position and bow movement. Take note of the angle at which the bow meets the strings section. Remember to keep your bow as straight as possible, so that it intersects with the strings at right angles hitting the perfect notes. Practice under your professional instructor, or in front of the mirror to get the posture correct. Also check the tightness of the bow hair, the tension must be perfect to create the perfect sound without any unpleasant squeakiness.
Check if the Bow Hair is Flat Enough
Most professional prefer 3/4thof bow hair flatness this means approximately three fourth of the bow hair must meet the string when you draw the bow. This can only be perfected with a lot of trial and error, experiment and learn more about the different variations of tones changing the bow hair tension.
Check the Rosin
In order to get that perfect tone, you must apply just the right amount of rosin. Using too much of rosin results in a harsh sound while you hear anything if you apply low rosin. If you have applied extra rosin do not clean the hair instead wait for it to dissipate naturally. The bow hair tension would be ruined if you apply more cleaners.
Other Tips
It is best that you join violin classes and learn how to play the instrument under a professional. Patience and perseverance are your best friends when learning how to play the violin. So surrender to the music and embrace the violin to experience the magic!
The violin is perhaps one of the toughest musical instruments to master. It requires a lot of practice and immense concentration to play the violin, but the effort is worth it! Playing the violin is not only a musical but a spiritual experience as well; the intimate embrace in which when you hold the instrument it enables you to feel the rhythm flowing through your very body!
Featured Image: Image Credit
The world’s tiniest violin was “quite funny the first time you heard it, but increasingly annoying thereafter.” 1932 pic.twitter.com/S4kMLBniBf
— Histry in Pictures (@Histreepix) April 28, 2016
Listen to this first 3-D printed violin. #technology to change the world of #music. https://t.co/O1LHNrEzmK pic.twitter.com/sh8axgNZVZ
— Techfest, IIT Bombay (@Techfest_IITB) April 28, 2016
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