Every violin enthusiast who is mesmerized by the violin music the violinist played on stage, would love to mastered the violin one day. They would love to play that same melodious music, and just be like that violinist, charm the audience.
While the violinist made violin playing so easy on stage, many would claim many reasons why the violinist can play so well. Is it that he is using a famous and expensive violin? Or exceptional violin strings? Or he’s naturally gifted?
There can be many claims, but in actual fact, it takes more than all those claims to achieve high level of violin playing.
I believe if you’re on this page, you are a violinist yourself, or hope to be one in the future. And I would definitely hope you can play your favorite violin music, and charm the audience from stage one day!
To help you, I would like to share with you what are the important keys to achieve violin playing success. Here’s the 3 keys for you.
.
1. Practice
You would probably hear your violin teachers say that word more than a 100 times. And wonder why do they keep telling you to practice? Because its practice which bring them from a normal violin player to a skilled n teacher!
However, as students, we all know that ‘practice’ can be an annoying word. We sometimes procrastinate to practice. But if you really want to reach the top level of violin playing, practice is the way to go.
How to cure your procrastination to practice violin? Make practice enjoyable! I personally make my practice short and meaningful. I only practice a maximum of 30 minutes per session, and focus on one set of skills only. That’s all. 2 hour of continuous practice kills.
With this, you will not be stressed and tired out after practice. Instead, you might feel more motivated to practice more!
.
2. Don’t play alone.
Violin is a really fascinating instrument that allows you to play with 2 or more people! Hence, find another violin friend to play along with you! Or join an orchestra!
Playing the violin alone will restrict your growth potential, as you lack a yardstick to measure your violin skills. By playing with a partner, or in an orchestra, the other violin players will pull you up to match their violin skill level, and you also know where you stand among them.
In this encouraging and uplifting environment, you will be motivated to improve your violin playing, and hence, raise your overall standard too! What’s more, a violin is not made for it to play solo only! Getting someone else to play with you will keep you motivated to play more!
.
3. You must have a violin tutor
This is one of the biggest mistake I had in my violin learning. After achieving my Grade 8 in Violin playing, I thought that I had learn enough to learn on my way.
Indeed, I do pick up songs and pieces, and played with ease, but I also realized that there’s a glass ceiling that restricts my upward improvement in violin skills! And that’s where I realized I really need a violin tutor to push me through this ceiling, to reach a higher level.
So please, don’t make the same mistake as me. We always need a violin tutor besides us to help us see our own blind spots in violin playing. Only with them, then we can push through the glass ceiling, and have a new breakthrough in our violin playing.
Remember, no matter how high you go, you always need a violin tutor, mentor or instructor beside you.
There you go, the 3 keys to violin play success. Keep in mind these 3 tips the next tip you pick up the violin. I would definitely love to see you up on stage, and like one of the famous violinists, enchant the audience with your lovely violin music!
P.S. Now it’s your turn! Do share with us some important violin playing tips that help to bring you to where you are today!
Looking for violin lessons in Singapore to master Violin Playing? Check out how our Violin teacher can help you!
Hi,
I think you have very much hit the nail on the head with the 3 keys you have listed. In my opinion the length of time you practice for in a session is very individual. Personally I like to practise for more than 30mins at a time, I find that by that point I am really getting loosened up and into it, relaxing more and becoming more fluent. So an hour is more the norm for myself but some days I can just keep going and I want to play 90 mins or even 2 hrs with just a few mini breaks that keep my concentration sharp. Then on others days 45 mins is enough and i will do more shorter sessions. It is highly individual and everyone has to find there own optimum. Also I found that it changes as you progress and build playing stamina. There comes a stage when you need to build this if you want to play full concertos, then longer sessions are purposeful. Other than that my mine recommendation on finding the right duration for practise is not to play for any longer than you find enjoyable. After all that is the main reason most of us take up an instrument, to enjoy it. I like to think of it as ‘playing’ rather than ‘pracise’. Make your practise playful and you will enjoy it, play more and progress more.
Hi Nick, you’ve got it. We shall make our practice enjoyable, rather than a pain. Sometimes when I’m so into my practice for a piece I love to play, I can go on for 2 hours without stopping. Sometimes even more. And I love your quote at the end “Make your practice playful, and you’ll enjoy it, play more and progress more!”