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Andrew Gibson
www.theviolintutor.com
Copyright 2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
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Practice Record
Week
Date
Assignment
Mon
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
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Tue
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
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Contents
Forward and Acknowledgements
Care and Maintenance
Terminology of the Violin and Bow
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Forward
This tutor is titled 10 Basic Lessons because each lesson covers some fundamental aspect of starting to learn the violin.
The content is not just the notes but endeavors to demonstrate movements as exercises and drills that though they may
individually appear simple, which they often are, they combine to form the violinists technique.
Left hand and right hand actions are presented separately at first and once introduced should form the basis of a regular
practice regime. Reading music is not required to begin because letter and finger based systems are presented along with
music notation, providing a way to start learning immediately, but in the process gradually introducing how to read music.
Though ideally intended to supplement lessons with a teacher it has been designed with a view for those seeking a means
of self instruction.
This symbol introduces material to be read, to clarify a point or present some new material that may be helpful.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the left hand.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the right hand.
The symbols combined require the use of both hands.
Any theory, introduced for the first time, is highlighted and explained.
[6] Hot Cross Buns (1) The first number, in square brackets [6], refers to the music in the tutor book.
The second number, in curved brackets (1), refers to the music in the software program.
Open string accompaniments are written as just letter names to begin with.
Play on all other available strings, from memory or view the transposition in the program.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Amalia Hall who suffered long but patiently under the hot lights to model for all the pictures and video, and
to Wen Chuan Lin who accompanied on piano for the video.
The teaching methodology has been based on that developed by the incomparable pedagogue Paul Rolland.
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Avoid making the bow too taut, there should still be a bow in the
bow. You only need about a pencil width between hair and stick.
Loosen the hair on your bow before putting it back in the case. Make sure there is nothing under the violin, like the
shoulder-rest, when you close the case. This could cause the bridge to be pushed through the violin top.
Keep your nails cut. Long nails interfere with the correct angle of the fingers on the fingerboard and may even
damage the string. If the outer layer is broken it may cause the string to become unstable, and in turn uneven
edges may damage the fingerboard, causing grooves to appear.
After playing the violin, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove any rosin build-up on the
strings, fingerboard and varnish. A silk cloth works particularly well in removing rosin off the
varnish and fingerboard. A light brushing movement is all you need. A cotton cloth may be used
vigorously on the strings to remove the rosin. A drop of perfume on a cloth can help to dissolve
built-up and hard to remove rosin. Never use this on the varnish.
Polish is rarely needed, and when necessary, only a commercial violin polish should be used.
Cleaning the violin with regular furniture polish could damage the varnish and thereby the
acoustics of the violin.
A cloth over the top of the instrument may prevent any marks due to bow movement or things
coming loose in the case.
Strings should be replaced if broken or worn. A string with a damaged outer winding may mark the fingerboard. Even if
the string does not break it wont last forever. Eventually it will lose its tonal quality or pitch and become false.
Never remove all the strings at once, the sound post may fall over. Replace them one at a time.
Store the violin with the strings in tune. Do not loosen the strings unless maybe travelling on a plane. Loosening the
strings too much may allow the sound post, inside the belly of the instrument, to fall over. The sound post serves two very
important roles: it stops the instrument from collapsing, and it facilitates the sound producing vibration of the string. It is
often necessary over time to replace the sound post, especially if moving to drastically different climates. The instrument
will respond to differences in humidity and temperature by expanding or shrinking, the sound post becoming
correspondingly too loose or too tight.
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2. Tuning
Step to the left and slightly ahead.
Lower
Higher
Shoulder
Pad
To stabilize the violin a shoulder pad, also known as a shoulder rest, is often used.
For beginners I recommend using sponge cut to shape, or a rolled up cloth.
A rubber band secured around the end button is then hooked over the lower bout, under the chin
rest, left side.
The sponge makes it easier to fit, especially smaller sized instruments.
3. Rest Position
Wrap left hand around the neck
Make sure not to touch the bridge.
4. Thumb Position
The thumb provides counter-pressure, but should only be as little as
necessary without squeezing between thumb and fingers.
st
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Lesson 1
5. Left Hand Strumming
Start with the hand hanging by the
thumb near the end of the neck.
Pivot on the thumb so the little finger
can reach the G string.
7. Playing Position
Point the tail piece to the centre of the
neck.
Place the violin lightly on the collar
bone.
Support with the left arm but use the right hand as well to begin with.
Brush the little finger lightly across the strings, lower to higher - G D A E, letting the arm swing slightly.
Chin Rest
An ill fitting chin rest can wreak havoc with the position of the head.
The head must not be thrown back but allow the chin to sink over the lip of the chin rest.
With the chin dropped the spine, at the back of the head, straightens. Head should remain vertical.
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Lesson 1
This is the playing position for the pizzicato tunes and exercises
Playing
Position
The end button should be pointing towards the centre of the neck.
With the head turned approximately 45 to the left the violin will be a little bit further left.
Another way to think about it is to line the violin over the left foot.
Bottom edge of the violin should be on the collar bone, next to the neck.
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Lesson 1
Theory
Quarter Note
1 beat of sound
Crotchet Note
Quarter Rest
1 beat of silence
Crotchet Rest
Time Signature
4
4
Bar Line
Measure
Music Staff
th
Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly from
the base joint. Keep the hand still.
1.
2.
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3. Shifting Preparation
Place the fingers on the string in First
position, start on the A string.
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Lesson 2
4. Violin Position
Violin
Position
The violin may move up or down, or left to right, but keep the contact on the collar-bone.
Avoid pointing the scroll down to the ground. Support with the left hand.
Try balancing the bow or ping pong ball on G and D strings between bridge and fingerboard.
It is safer to practice over your bed or cushion in case anything falls.
Theory
Half Note
2 beats of sound
Minim Note
Half Rest
2 beats of silence
Minim Rest
3.
4.
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1. Elbow Swing
Play with a slight elbow
swing to promote a relaxed
shoulder joint and to allow
the little finger to reach the
string without strain.
On the G string the fingers
will be straighter, on the E
string more curved.
The lower the string the
more the elbow needs to
move to your right.
Widen
Base Joint
Widen between the base joint of the fingers to give more space between the fingers and thereby a
longer reach.
This has implications for finger placement once you start putting fingers down to make notes.
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Lesson 3
Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly
from the base joint as fast as possible.
5. Lightly Row
Theory
Eighth Note
Quaver Note
Eighth Rest
Quaver Rest
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2. Balance Point
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Lesson 4
Find the balance point of the bow by balancing it on a finger
or the thumb of the right hand. Support the bow with the left
hand, either at the middle or the tip.
Next try finding the balance point using the right side tip of
the thumb. Keep note of where the balance point is
The thumb needs to be curved and pointing slightly up, as
though on a diagonal.
The fingers should be above the bow to start with, the little
finger a bit higher than the rest.
Try this over your bed or cushion in case the bow falls.
With the palm side up, letting the bow rest in the hand, tap
the thumb nail against the pencil or stick.
With the palm side down tap the little finger nail
against the side of the pencil or stick.
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Lesson 4
Pluck (pizzicato)
7. Skip To My Lou
Theory
Time Signature
2
4
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2. Crawling Exercise
With the bow pointing straight up walk the fingers up and down the bow.
th
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Lesson 5
3 B. Windshield Wiper Exercise - Regular Bow Hold Position
The regular hold has the thumb touching the stick between the frog and the leather grip.
st
Pluck (pizzicato)
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th
Place your left hand into the crook of your right elbow. Keep the upper arm still.
Swing the lower arm from the elbow, like a door moves from its hinge.
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Lesson 6
3. Holding Instrument and Swinging Bow
Have the left hand above the instrument.
Hook the tip of the bow with the curved little finger.
Keeping the bow tip away from the instrument raise and lower the
bow from the upper arm.
4. String Crossing
Place the bow hair flat on the string between bridge and
fingerboard.
Silently raise and lower the whole arm from the lowest to
highest string.
7 Bow Levels
Each individual string has its own arm level as does each pair of strings G-D, D-A, and A-E, for a
total of 7 bow levels.
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Lesson 6
Theory
Down Bow
Up Bow
Comma
Repeat
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th
Theory
Dotted Half Note
D and A Strings
3 beats of sound
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Lesson 7
2. Circle Bows - Double Down Bowing
Play a down bow and without stopping lift it off the
string and return it to its starting position with a
circular motion, then stop.
Keep the bow pointing in the same direction off the
string as on.
The little finger must be curved and still, to balance
the bows weight.
The bow should be placed silently and lightly on
the string before the next note is played.
Use the fingers like springs to produce a soft
landing.
Play from the string, relax unwanted tension once
the bow is on the string again.
G and D Strings
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Lesson 7
Theme and Variations
Theme
Variation 1
Variation 2
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D and A Strings
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Lesson 8
D and A Strings
G and D Strings
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Lesson 8
G and D Strings
A and E Strings
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Lesson 8
All Strings - G D A E
Theory
st
1 Ending
Repeat Sign
nd
Ending
G, D and A Strings
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23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
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The base joint of the 1 finger should be level with the top
of the fingerboard. Dont trap the fingers under the neck.
There is no one fixed position for the thumb but use it
lightly, the relaxed hand finds the correct position naturally.
Taking the thumb off the neck to avoid squeezing is the
surest way to relieve unwanted tension.
rd
th
With the 3 finger down on the string the 4 finger should be able to
rd
easily touch the string close to the 3 finger, and still be curved.
nd
rd
nd
1 finger is half way between the 2 finger and the open string is the
squarest finger, more up-and-down than the rest, reaching back the
most.
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Lesson 10
Theory
Time Signature
3
4
Note Names
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Lesson 10
Play on any two strings
A&D, D&G, E&A
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Lesson 10
Play on all strings A, D, G, E
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Lesson 10
Theory
Da Capo
D.C.
Fine
Fine
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1 beat of sound
Crotchet Note
Quarter Rest
1 beat of silence
Crotchet Rest
Half Note
2 beats of sound
Minim Note
Half Rest
2 beats of silence
Minim Rest
Eighth Note
Quaver Note
Eighth Rest
Quaver Rest
3 beats of sound
Time Signatures
4
4
3
4
2
4
or
or
or
Bar Line
Measure
Music Staff
Down Bow
Up Bow
Comma
Repeat
Da Capo
D.C.
Fine
Fine
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Copyright 2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
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