Leap acrobatically up and down the chromatic scale, checking each note in relation to the open string to make sure you are jumping exactly the right distance!
Leap acrobatically up and down the chromatic scale, checking each note in relation to the open string to make sure you are jumping exactly the right distance!
Jump from the open string to the notes of the chromatic scale with grace, agility and precision! Listen carefully to the intervals as they expand and contract.
Try these exercises and you’ll soon be double stopping at the double! Practise getting the bowing arm at just the right level to play two open strings at the same time.
J.S. Bach was one of the most famous composers of the Baroque era. He wrote this piece for singers and orchestra in 1742.
If you always know how to improve then you'll always be getting better and better! And this Practice Menu helps provide a clear structure for your violin practice.
Largo' is the opening aria from the 1738 opera, Serse, by Handel. It's sung by Xerxes I of Persia as he admires the lovely, sweet shade of a plane tree!
You'll need to divide the bow with mathematical precision to conquer these exercises. ViolinSchool strongly recommends using a mirror to get a good perspective!
This rousing melody by Henry Purcell was written to accompany the dramatic and tragic late 17th century play, Abdelazer. You'll need agile fingers to play this one!
Bear Dance is great for practising rapid string crossings and quick, short, energetic bow strokes! It's not so great for downstairs neighbours, as you'll see...!
Ludwig van Beethoven wrote the uplifting 'Ode to Joy' melody as the main theme for the final, majestic movement of his 9th Symphony, for full choir and orchestra.
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:
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!
B sits on the middle line and the tail can go either up or down. B sits next to Open String A on the stave, and is played with the 1st finger.
Learn notes quickly by tapping different parts of your body with both hands. Each part of the body represents a different note!
We place the fingers on the strings of the violin to create the notes. Here are some 'finger numbers' and grid patterns that you can use to make it easier!
This exciting tune from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' needs to be played quite fast!
Check these 'musical sums' carefully ... there’s a mixture of plus and minus symbols!
An Adventure in the Air! Can you fill in the note names to discover what happens to the hot air balloon? Only those who know where the notes go can find out the end of the story! Click here to download the story!
Did you know, we now publish multi-level ensemble repertoire for strings? These scores allow players of different experience levels to play together! Here's 'Ragtime', performed exclusively for ViolinSchool by the Carducci Quartet!
Here's a clapping game that will help you to stop rushing when using a metronome by 'subdividing' the notes ... follow along with Simon from ViolinSchool as you clap and play the notes ... exactly in time with the beat!
How do you learn where to place your fingers on the violin? One of the easiest and quickest ways to learn how to get the right notes is by learning FINGER PATTERNS. Here's Finger Pattern 1 ...
I Am The Captain Of A Pirate Ship is a favourite Beginner Duet from the book Lollipop Man by Anita Hewitt Jones. It's a great piece for Beginner violinists (Level 1) and is based on the D Major scale in 1st position.
The first digital notation is now being added to our scales pages. Here's G Major in 1 Octave (separate and slurred bowings) ... click the image to listen and play with the music!
Offenbach's famous 'Can-Can' is a classic of the genre... a high-octane dance that's full of energy, and sure to get your feet tapping! Here's an easy version in G major for Beginner violinists to try!
