Practice Advanced Violin Techniques

This is a video tutorial on how to use a violin mute.

Steps

1. 1
   The violin mute helps to give a violin a soft, gentle, and warm sound

   .

   The mute can be made from different materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal. The one in the video is made of rubber.

   

   Advertisement

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The mute is placed between the A and the D strings below the bridge

   .

   

   Advertisement

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Let us demonstrate the difference

   .

   The first demonstration will be without the mute, and the second one will be with mute. Please listen closely to the difference.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Now, place the mute between the A and the D strings to mute the sound

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
5. 5
   When you have finished playing with the mute, you can slide it back under the bridge

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to use the violin mute. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about how to use the violin mute, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Mute

This is a video tutorial on how to play staccato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   Staccato is played by swift movements of the bow

   .

   The notes are very short. Press down on the bow and then swiftly strike back as shown in the video.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Now, do it a little faster

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play staccato on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing staccato on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Staccato

You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to play tremolos.

Steps

1. 1
   Tremolos are played with the quick movement at the bottom of the bow

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The whole arm needs to be relaxed and loose

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   The bow should be firmly placed on the strings followed by swift back-and-forth movement of the bow hand

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play tremolos. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about tremolos or if you want to know how to play them effectively, please leave the comments, questions, or concerns in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Tremolo

This is a video tutorial on grace notes on the violin. There are two kinds of grace notes. There are a short one and a long one.

Steps

1. 1
   A short grace note is crushed over in the note head, which is why it sounds very abrupt and short compared to the longer grace note

   .

   The note is called acciaccatura.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The second grace note is a longer version called the appoggiatura

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on grace notes on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about long grace notes (appoggiatura) or short grace notes (acciaccatura), please leave them in the space below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Grace Notes

This is a video tutorial on glissando.

Steps

1. 1
   Glissando is played by sliding your finger from note to note

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   All the notes must be heard in between the notes that you are playing

   .

   For example, you may have B and D. Slide back and forth between these notes.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Watch that the fingers do not leave the final notes

   .

   Slide between the notes as when performing a legato slur.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Your fingers must slide steadily and calmly

   .

   For example, you can play from C to A with glissando, then slide your finger first and place it on the final note afterwards.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play glissando on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing glissando on the violin, please leave them in the space below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Glissando

This is a video tutorial on embellishments.

Steps

1. 1
   In order to play embellishments, you must play several notes in sequence in order for it to sound complete

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   In order to go from F (fa) to A (la), you must play a short, soft, and light ornamental note between the notes to create a beautiful, rich, and delicate sound

   .

   Every note must be heard.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on embellishments on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about embellishments, please leave them in the space below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Embellishment

You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to play vibrato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   On the violin, vibrato starts from the third position as you place your second finger on the note that you want to play

   .

   The finger should stay steady as it should be able to glide back and forth gently.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Remember to keep the finger in its proper form and shape

   .

   With this kind of movement, you exercise your finger in order to create a systematic and beautiful vibrato.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Please listen closely to the example of vibrato

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play vibrato on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing vibrato on the violin, please leave them in the space below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Vibrato

This is a video tutorial on how to play trills on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   When you play trills, your first finger must be firmly placed onto a string

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Then, place the second finger

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   You must swiftly move your fingers in order to perform and execute trills effectively

   .

   Watch closely.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   There is also a technique called "trills from the top"

   .

   First, place your third finger on the string and quickly move your finger up and down.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play trills on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing the trills on the violin, please leave them in the space below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Trill

This is a video tutorial on how to play sul tasto on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   In sul tasto bowing, the bow should be as close to the fingerboard as possible

   .

   It should not be near the bridge like in ponticello or in the middle like con arco. This gives the melody a more beautiful, soft, and airy sound. Please listen closely to sul tasto bowing.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play sul tasto on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing sul tasto on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Sul Tasto

You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to play legato slurs on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A legato combines a couple of notes in a phrase and slurs them together

   .

   Once you change the position of the bow, the change from one note to another must happen smoothly. The change takes place from the top of the bow to the bottom without lifting up the bow from the strings. Please listen closely.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The difference may occur when you change the direction of the bow movement

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play legato slurs on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing legato slurs on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Legato Slurs

You're watching VisiHow. This is a tutorial on stacatto and legato bowing on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   To combine both stacatto and legato bowing, combine a four-note passage

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The first two notes will be with a legato slur

   .

   They will be followed by two short stacatto notes.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Please listen carefully to the following examples of stacatto and legato bowing

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to use stacatto and legato bowing on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about using stacatto and legato bowing on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Stacatto and Legato Bowing

This is a video tutorial on how to play spiccato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A spiccato is played by firmly placing the bow upon the strings

   .

   To further accentuate the notes, press the first finger firmly upon the bow.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Now, please listen closely

   .

   These notes are short. This must be done with the bottom of the bow, as you have more force in control.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play spiccato on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing spiccato on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Spiccato

This is a video tutorial on how to play portato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A portato is a violin bowing technique that sequences two or more notes together with different sections of the bow

   .

   Each note should be outlined and be of the same length. All of the notes should be equal to each other.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Begin by mentally dividing the bow in sections for each note and then start playing

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   A portato should not be played like displayed in this section of the video

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Each note should have same equal parts

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play portato on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing portato on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Portato

You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to play portamento on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A portamento is similar to a glissando

   .

   You gradually slide into the next note, but shorter with a portamento. When you play any type of melody, you must place your finger first and then play the note in order to be sure that the note is accurate.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Now, please listen to the following example of portamento bowing

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   The fingers are placed on the note that you need to play

   .

   Then, you play the melody. Slide gradually into the note that you want to play with a portamento.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play portamento on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing portamento on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Portamento

This is a video tutorial on how to play ponticello on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   To play ponticello correctly, place the bow as close to the bridge as possible, not in the middle or near the fingerboard

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Place the bow and make swift movements up and down and from top to the bottom without moving or bending the bow in any direction other than parallel to the violin

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play ponticello on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing ponticello on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Ponticello

This is a video tutorial on how to play pizzicato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   You can play pizzicato with both hands

   .

   Place the thumb of the right hand against the fingerboard and follow by plucking either with the first, second, third, or fourth finger like in the video.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   As for the left hand, the fourth finger does most of the work

   .

   You can also pluck with the first, second, or third finger, which is shown in the video.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play pizzicato on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing pizzicato on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Pizzicato

This is a video tutorial on how to play overtones on the violin. Overtones can be played in two different ways.

Steps

1. 1
   The first way to play an overtone is playing an open overtone, which sounds as shown in the video

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   In order to play an open overtone, place the finger very lightly on the string

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   An open overtone will not be played in any place

   .

   It is only relevant for some places on the fingerboard that provides certain quality and a particular sound of the harmonics. A good overtone sounds as the one in the video.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   If you want to play a different overtone, you must place your first finger on the string and the fourth finger has to aim at the note while we play

   .

   An overtone is shown in the video.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
5. 5
   Remember that while playing overtones, there might be some squeaky sounds that come from the violin if the finger is not placed correctly

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play overtones on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing overtones on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Overtone

This is a video tutorial on how to play martele on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   Martele bowing starts from the frog with a swift slide of the bow to the head and back

   .

   Please listen closely to the first example.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   The accent is made on the frog of the bow and should be placed firmly on the strings with a swift movement

   .

   Remember to use the whole bow, from bottom to the top, in order to complete martele bowing.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play martele on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing martele on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Martele

This is a video tutorial on dynamics: crescendo, decrescendo, piano, forte, and forzando on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   In the first example, piano and pianissimo are shown

   .

   Please listen closely to these.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Now, a forte and fortissimo are shown

   .

   As you can hear, more force is used on fortes and less pressure is applied to the bow while playing a pianissimo.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   In the next example, sforzandos are shown

   .

   These are played with swift strikes of the bow starting with a forte and going to a piano.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   For a crescendo and decrescendo, let us go from a piano to a forte and then back to a piano

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play dynamics on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing dynamics on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Dynamics

This is a video tutorial on how to play detache on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A detache starts with the middle part of the bow and then grows into the rest part of the bow

   .

   First, you should start off with a piano. Then, you should increase to a forte. Eventually, you will return to a piano. Now, please listen closely to the following example of detache bowing.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Detache bowing is where the bow never stops playing

   .

   There are no outlined notes, and the bow plays complete and full notes.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play detache on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing detache on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Detache

This is a video tutorial on how to play col legno on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   A col legno is played with the wooden part of the bow and not with the ribbon

   .

   You must bend your bow a little and hit the strings lightly.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   You can also bend your bow to the other side

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   This side is more comfortable to use while playing

   .

   It is a preference for most musicians while playing the violin.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

This has been a video tutorial on how to play col legno on the violin. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing col legno on the violin, please leave them in the space provided below.

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Col Legno

This is a video tutorial on bowing agitato on the violin.

Steps

1. 1
   Unlike staccato, agitato has a much more rough sound

   .

   The technique is the same, as you must press the bow down hard starting at the string and not pressing down from the air.

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   You must have your bow on the string to press down hard like in the example in the video

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   The difference between staccato and agitato is that stacatto is a lot softer

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Now, let us play agitato

   .

   

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about agitato bowing, please leave them in the space provided below. Thank you for watching VisiHow!

Video: Practice Advanced Violin Techniques Bow Agitato

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

Comments