This is Week 3 of the New Year Term! We introduce the first new Saturday options this week, for violinists who have completed Course D already. All times are UTC (currently the same as London time) - convert to your time zone here Saturday classes are live in London - email us if you'd like […]

This is Week 2 of the New Year Term! Our new Tuesday Course A starts this week, at 7pm UTC. All times are UTC (currently the same as London time) - convert to your time zone here Saturday classes are live in London - email us if you'd like to visit in person! Tuesday 18th […]

Term begins this week (10th January). We have additional Fundamentals classes taking place this week, including How to Get Started and How to Tune on Monday, Violin Fundamentals 1 and 2 on Wednesday. All times are UTC (currently the same as London time) - convert to your time zone here Saturday classes are live in […]

The best way to get a sense for all the different things that happen at ViolinSchool is just to jump in and take part! Therefore, we're delighted to introduce a new 1-Month Trial Pass for violinists new to ViolinSchool. Join us for a month, and come along to whichever classes and events you'd like to! […]

Tem begins next week (10th January), and all of this week we're running Pre-Term check-ins, plus some Fundamentals sessions for first-time learners. Come and join us! All times are UTC (currently the same as London time) - convert to your time zone here Saturday classes are live in London - email us if you'd like […]

It's 2022! And the New Year is a perfect excuse to bring a new habit into your life ... in fact, did you know that January is the second most common time of the year for people to start learning the violin! Maybe it's time for you to start, too? Or if you're already learning, […]

What a year 2021 has been! But wherever you are and whatever you're doing today, please allow us a moment to wish you ... A 2022 that's full of music. Whatever else 2022 brings (and it's going to be quite a ride...), may it bring you the infinite joy and solace that melody, harmony and […]

Hello everyone! We're trying something new this week, in preparation for some big changes that you'll see coming to ViolinSchool in the New Year. Here's the live schedule for this week's classes and events. If you're enrolled at ViolinSchool, you can log on anytime using the December Zoom link! If not, contact [email protected] to request […]

A useful analogy for good Violin Practice is the Practice Menu! If this idea is new to you, then here's a 3-page summary that explains the importance of good planning in your violin practice: If you'd like a hi res PDF copy of this summary, then email us at [email protected] and we'll send a copy […]

The German pianist and composer, Carl Bohm, really knew how to write a good tune! This is a fine example of a Sarabande — a slow, stately dance with 3 beats in a bar. Take a listen here: This is the second of two pieces that will feature in Week 1 of this term's Ensembles […]

Do you ever find yourself landing on the wrong string, or hitting other strings whilst playing? Do you find that your stream crossings are not consistently smooth? These could be signs that your bow arm is not consistently at the right level. Instead, your bow arm could be too high, or it could be too […]

This is a simple idea, but it really really works. If you're practising a piece of music but you're not sure how to make it better, then just ask yourself these questions: The reason this works so well is that the absolute most crucial elements of the music - timing, frequency and sound, are prioritised. […]

Here's a new lesson that we've just added to Course B, to help you develop your bow division using and A major scale pattern: You can also find a library version of the piece, complete with backing track and piano accompaniment, here: Click here to have a listen!

If you're just starting to read music for the first time, you might come across these symbols which are especially for string instruments... This is called a down-bow ... ... and this is called an up-bow: Here's a newly updated lesson from our Starter / Musical Fundamentals courses, which explains everything you need to know:

Here's a short welcome message from our director Simon Hewitt Jones, for learners joining us for the upcoming Autumn Term, starting 20th September! Not yet enrolled for the upcoming term? Click here to read more about the options available this term! Or click here to browse all of our courses.

If you’ve ever found your fingers have drifted out of tune without you realising it, then you’re falling into the same trap as the boiling frog! Do you know the apocryphal story? It’s not very nice, so if you’re a frog lover, brace yourself… A scientist places a frog in a pan of boiling water, […]

One of the things you’ll always hear us say as we start people off on the violin for the first time – especially in our Violin Fundamentals classes - is "check your checklists"! This is because checklists are superb tools for remembering complex sequences of tasks. And there are few things that require more complex […]

Livestream & Music Video The Violin Orchestra travelled to Edinburgh last week, to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on Saturday 7th August. The Violin Orchestra is a unique orchestra for violinists of every age and level. Because we use our own musical arrangements for each project, it’s possible for anyone to join in – […]

ViolinSchool‘s blog is returning for the 2021/22 season. This will be the place to find all the most recent updates on ViolinSchool. Our new feature articles and videos will also be published here, before moving across to our learning center or YouTube channel. If there’s something you’d particularly like us to write about, Please send […]

Information For Continuing Learners: Earlybird! Re-Enrolment now available for a limited time Save $70 / €50 / £50 when you enrol today! If you are re-enrolling at ViolinSchool for Autumn Term, read on to see the options that are available to you as a continuing learner! Earlybird Enrolment has now opened for Autumn (Fall) Term […]

In the G minor scale, we use Finger Pattern 2 on the G string, then Finger Pattern 1 on the D string, but with the 1st finger extended back.

Without using the bow, let's learn how to tap the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers in the right place ... first on your arm, and then on your violin!

Check your hand shape before you start! These finger patterns will help you develop your left hand technique and make your fingers fast and strong!

Here is a piece of music in which the tune comes back again and again. In bars 13 to 16, you can create your own melody in a similar style!