Violin For Dummies 2nd Edition

g Easier!
Making Everythin
n
i
l
o
i
V
Learn to:
Hold, tune, and play your violin
Understand musical notation, rhythm,
and harmony
Play popular classical, jazz,
gypsy, and fiddle tunes
Audio and video samples and
tutorials on the companion CD
Katharine Rapoport
2nd Edition
Contents at a Glance
Introduction ................................................................ 1
Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin ........................... 7
Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin .................................................................................... 9
Chapter 2: Getting Started with the Violin ................................................................... 17
Chapter 3: Holding Up Well ............................................................................................ 39
Part II: Getting Started: The Basics ............................ 53

Chapter 4: Taking a Bow ................................................................................................. 55
Chapter 5: Getting the Left Hand Right ......................................................................... 73
Chapter 6: All Together Now .......................................................................................... 91
Part III: Reading Music for the Violin ........................ 107

Chapter 7: Translating Five Lines onto Four Strings ................................................. 109
Chapter 8: Making Rhythm Count ............................................................................... 127
Chapter 9: Measuring Up: A Guide to Meter............................................................... 141
Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony .......................... 163

Chapter 10: Weighing In on Scales............................................................................... 165
Chapter 11: Cracking Key Signatures .......................................................................... 189
Chapter 12: Making Sweet Music Together: Harmony .............................................. 197
Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles .....207

Chapter 13: Becoming Fluent in the Language of Bowing ........................................ 209
Chapter 14: Putting Your Finger on It ......................................................................... 241
Chapter 15: Playing with Style...................................................................................... 285
Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear................ 309

Chapter 16: Finding the Right Violin and Bow for You ............................................. 311
Chapter 17: Protecting Your Assets: Violin Care and Maintenance ........................ 329
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Part VII: The Part of Tens ......................................... 355

Chapter 18: Ten Performers and Their Recordings.............................................. 357
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Go beyond This Book ........................................................ 363
Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Tips on Finding a Teacher.................................................. 373
Appendix: How to Use the Audio and Video Tracks ..... 383
Index ...................................................................... 395
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................. 1
Why This Book Is for You ............................................................................... 1
Foolish Assumptions ....................................................................................... 2
How This Book Is Organized .......................................................................... 2
Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin ................................................. 3
Part II: Getting Started: The Basics ...................................................... 3
Part III: Reading Music for the Violin ................................................... 3
Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony .................................................... 3
Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles ........................ 3
Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear.......................................... 4
Part VII: The Part of Tens ...................................................................... 4
The Audio and Video Tracks ................................................................ 4
Icons Used in This Book ................................................................................. 4
Where to Go from Here ................................................................................... 5
Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin ........................... 7

Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Meeting the String Family ............................................................................... 9
Tuning up .............................................................................................. 10
Holding on............................................................................................. 10
Bowing Out Some Sounds............................................................................. 11
Looking closely at the bow ................................................................. 11
Using both your hands ........................................................................ 11
Reading between the Lines .......................................................................... 12
Knowing the notes ............................................................................... 12
Getting rhythm ..................................................................................... 13
Digging Deeper into Music ........................................................................... 13
Scales and key signatures ................................................................... 13
Harmony................................................................................................ 13
Getting Stylish ................................................................................................ 14
Dazzling technique .............................................................................. 14
Multicultural music.............................................................................. 14
Having Your Own Violin ............................................................................... 15
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Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2: Getting Started with the Violin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Examining the Violin ..................................................................................... 18
How Violins Work .......................................................................................... 21
String vibration and string length ...................................................... 21
Using both hands to make a sound ................................................... 21
How the bow helps .............................................................................. 22
Using the Violin Case .................................................................................... 23
Taking the violin out of its case ......................................................... 23
Putting the violin away........................................................................ 24
Protecting your violin.......................................................................... 25
Tuning the Violin ........................................................................................... 25
Working the pegs and fine tuners ...................................................... 26
Tuning with the piano ......................................................................... 29
Using an electronic tuner.................................................................... 30
Using a pitch pipe ................................................................................ 32
Using a tuning fork ............................................................................... 33
Troubleshooting Guide to Dealing with Pegs and Fine Tuners ............... 34
Peg problems ........................................................................................ 34
Fine tuner problems ............................................................................ 36
Chapter 3: Holding Up Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Understanding the Importance of a Good Violin Hold ............................. 39
When standing...................................................................................... 40
When sitting.......................................................................................... 42
Reading from a Music Stand......................................................................... 43
Finding a Good Fit: Chinrests and Shoulder Rests .................................... 44
Chinrests ............................................................................................... 45
Shoulder rests ...................................................................................... 47
Fixing Common Problems with the Violin Hold......................................... 49
Keeping the scroll afloat ..................................................................... 49
Watching the horizontal angle ........................................................... 50
Keeping your elbow under ................................................................. 51
Gripping too much with the shoulder ............................................... 52
Part II: Getting Started: The Basics ............................. 53

Chapter 4: Taking a Bow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Saying Hello to the Bow ................................................................................ 56
Preparing the Bow ......................................................................................... 57
Tightening and loosening the horsehair ........................................... 58
Using rosin on the bow ....................................................................... 59
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Getting a Grip on Your Bow Hold ................................................................ 61

The famous diva method .................................................................... 61
The hidden treasures method............................................................ 62
Conquering common problems with the bow hold......................... 64
Setting the Bow on the Strings ..................................................................... 65
Bowing on different strings ................................................................ 66
Understanding bowing signs .............................................................. 67
Playing Your First Concert! .......................................................................... 67
Mr. Smooth and Mr. Clean: Two Bowing Styles ......................................... 70
Chapter 5: Getting the Left Hand Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Shaping Up Your Arm and Fingers .............................................................. 73
Getting your arm in shape .................................................................. 74
Taking your fingers to tap dancing class .......................................... 75
Making a hand frame that works ....................................................... 75
Keeping your thumb loose on the violins neck .............................. 77
Putting Your Fingers on the Strings ............................................................ 78
Getting groovy fingertips .................................................................... 78
Counting your fingers .......................................................................... 79
Knowing which finger to use for what note ...................................... 80
Lifting and placing your fingers ......................................................... 80
Getting It Taped ............................................................................................. 81
Preparing Your Pizzicato .............................................................................. 84
Exploring the fingerboard guidesthrough pizzicato ....................... 85
Threes Company: Putting Finger 2 to Work .............................................. 87
Chapter 6: All Together Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Using Your Hands Together ......................................................................... 91
Starting to use both hands ................................................................. 91
Developing fitness for hands together .............................................. 92
Crossing Over to a Different String ............................................................. 95
Crossing strings with the bow............................................................ 95
Crossing strings with the fingers ....................................................... 98
Playing Music with Both Hands ................................................................. 102
Warming up to the task ..................................................................... 102
Topping the charts: Three simple songs ........................................ 103
Expanding Your Bow Strokes ..................................................................... 105
Using more bow, gradually ............................................................... 105
Preparing to play Pachelbel ............................................................. 105
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Part III: Reading Music for the Violin ........................ 107

Chapter 7: Translating Five Lines onto Four Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Lining Up the Music..................................................................................... 109
Keeping up with the clef ................................................................... 110
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (and so do girls!) ...................... 112
Climbing the ledger lines .................................................................. 112
Naming Your Notes, String by String ........................................................ 113
Knowing 17 notes ............................................................................... 114
A string ................................................................................................ 114
E string ................................................................................................ 115
D string ................................................................................................ 117
G string ................................................................................................ 118
Meeting the Sharps, Flats, and Naturals ................................................... 119
Looking at sharps, flats, and naturals ............................................. 119
Playing sharps and flats .................................................................... 120
Playing Music by Reading the Notes ......................................................... 120
Playing Loud and Soft Dynamite Dynamics! ........................................ 121
Making loud sounds........................................................................... 123
Making soft sounds ............................................................................ 123
Adding crescendo and diminuendo ................................................ 124
Chapter 8: Making Rhythm Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Dissecting a Musical Note .......................................................................... 127
Adding Up the Value of Notes .................................................................... 128
Whole notes ........................................................................................ 129
Half notes ............................................................................................ 130
Quarter notes ..................................................................................... 131
Eighth notes ........................................................................................ 132
Sixteenth notes................................................................................... 133
Triplets ................................................................................................ 134
Adding Dots .................................................................................................. 135
Dotted half notes................................................................................ 135
Dotted quarter notes ......................................................................... 136
Taking a Rest ................................................................................................ 136
Youve Got Rhythm: Pieces to Play! .......................................................... 137
Chapter 9: Measuring Up: A Guide to Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Measure for Measure .................................................................................. 141
Keeping Time: Time Signatures ................................................................. 143
Tapping into the beat ........................................................................ 143
Counting rests .................................................................................... 145
Emphasizing the right beat ............................................................... 145
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Using Metronomes ...................................................................................... 147

Mechanical metronomes................................................................... 147
Electronic metronomes ..................................................................... 148
Making friends with your metronome ............................................. 150
Making Music in 44 Meter ............................................................................ 151
Counting and Playing in Threes ................................................................. 153
Doing (Just About) Everything Else from Fours and Threes ................. 154
4
4 time .................................................................................................. 155
6
8 time .................................................................................................. 156
Getting Up to Speed: What Those Tempo Markings Mean..................... 157
Time for Some Songs ................................................................................... 158
Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony........................... 163

Chapter 10: Weighing In on Scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Climbing Up and Down ............................................................................... 165
Marching through the Major Scales .......................................................... 166
Building major scales ........................................................................ 167
Major scales you need to know........................................................ 168
A major scale ...................................................................................... 168
G major scale, upper octave ............................................................. 171
G major scale, two octaves ............................................................... 173
E major scale ...................................................................................... 174
A major scale, two octaves ............................................................... 176
F major scale....................................................................................... 178
Casting Light on Those Minors .................................................................. 179
Building a minor scale ....................................................................... 179
Playing A melodic minor scale ......................................................... 179
Playing A harmonic minor scale ...................................................... 181
Meeting Other Scales in Brief ..................................................................... 182
Natural minor scales ......................................................................... 182
Pentatonic scales ............................................................................... 183
Chromatic scales................................................................................ 183
Harping On about Arpeggios...................................................................... 184
A major arpeggio ................................................................................ 185
A minor arpeggio ............................................................................... 186
Major (and Minor) Achievements ............................................................. 186
Chapter 11: Cracking Key Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

The Keys to Reading Music ........................................................................ 189
Getting keyed up about key signatures........................................... 189
Reading the key signatures for major keys .................................... 190
Keeping order ..................................................................................... 192
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Unlocking the Music with the Right Key................................................... 193
Figuring Out Minor Keys ............................................................................. 193
Forming the relative minor ............................................................... 194
Recognizing minor keys when reading music ................................ 194
Having the Last Dance ................................................................................ 195
Chapter 12: Making Sweet Music Together: Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Making Sense of Chords and Harmony ..................................................... 197
In the Big Leagues: Major Chords.............................................................. 198
Finding the primary triads ................................................................ 199
Breaking out in chords ...................................................................... 200
Digging for Minor Chords ........................................................................... 201
Making the Most of Major and Minor Chords .......................................... 202
Meet the Bossy Chords: Dominant 7ths ................................................... 203
Harmonizing in Thirds and Sixths ............................................................. 205
Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles... 207

Chapter 13: Becoming Fluent in the Language of Bowing . . . . . . . . .209
Two Notes (Or More) with One Stroke: Legato ....................................... 210
Changing bow direction smoothly................................................... 211
Starting to slur two notes ................................................................. 212
Slurring across strings ...................................................................... 216
Playing three notes in a bow stroke ................................................ 219
Fitting four notes in a bow stroke .................................................... 222
Getting Up to Speed and Figuring Out Bow Division .............................. 223
Deciding how much bow to use on a note or measure ................. 224
Doing the math: Dividing the bow by note values ......................... 225
Dividing the bow strokes in anticipation of the next note ........... 226
Adjusting the amounts of bow for dynamics ................................. 226
Mais Oui, Maestro: Taking On Ze Accents................................................ 227
Accenting the positive....................................................................... 228
Hammering it out: Martel ................................................................ 230
Meeting the Fanciest Bowings ................................................................... 233
Slurred staccato ................................................................................. 233
Meet the off-the-string family ........................................................... 234
Chapter 14: Putting Your Finger on It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Two Notes Are Better Than One: Easy Double Stops ............................. 241
Preparing your bow for double stops ............................................. 242
Going from one string to two and back again ................................ 244
Ballet dancing with your fingers on the lower string .................... 246
Playing double stops where both notes use fingers ..................... 247
Playing double stops galore ............................................................. 249
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Pulling Out All the Stops: Three- and Four-Note Chords ........................ 250
Three-note chords ............................................................................. 250
Four-note chords ............................................................................... 252
A grand finale with chords................................................................ 253
Getting into the First Four Positions ......................................................... 254
Finding first position ......................................................................... 254
Smoothing out the second position ................................................ 255
Putting second position to work ...................................................... 256
Playing in third position.................................................................... 258
Venturing forth in fourth position ................................................... 260
Knowing what position youre in ..................................................... 263
Changing Position ........................................................................................ 263
Easing into shifting positions ........................................................... 264
Getting to know the four kinds of shifts.......................................... 266
Changing position to go to a different string ................................. 272
Playing a shifty song .......................................................................... 273
All Aquiver: Vibrato ..................................................................................... 274
Getting started with vibrato ............................................................. 275
Good vibrations: Using your vibrato in a real song....................... 279
Tapping into Trills ....................................................................................... 279
Building speed of repetition ............................................................. 280
Speeding from finger to finger .......................................................... 280
Trilling techniques ............................................................................. 281
Chapter 15: Playing with Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Fiddling Around with Country Music ........................................................ 285
Familiarizing yourself with fiddle music ......................................... 286
Fiddling in different styles ................................................................ 288
Sounding like a fiddler ....................................................................... 289
Fiddling your way to songs ............................................................... 291
Grooving to Jazz .......................................................................................... 293
Listening to some jazz violin ............................................................ 293
Getting the jazz sound ....................................................................... 294
Jazzing up your violin........................................................................ 297
Enchanting with Gypsy Violin .................................................................... 300
Listening to some great gypsy violin............................................... 300
Romancing the violin ......................................................................... 301
Playing in the gypsy style ................................................................. 305
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Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear ................ 309

Chapter 16: Finding the Right Violin and Bow for You . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Picking a Violin Thats Right for You ........................................................ 312
The price is right................................................................................ 312
Tip-top condition ............................................................................... 313
Old news ............................................................................................. 315
Sound advice ...................................................................................... 315
All about appearance ........................................................................ 316
Sizing Up the Violin ..................................................................................... 317
Buying the Best Bow ................................................................................... 319
What bows are made of..................................................................... 319
How the bow feels.............................................................................. 320
Buying or Renting Your Violin ................................................................... 321
Buying.................................................................................................. 321
Renting ................................................................................................ 322
Renting to buy .................................................................................... 323
Finding Your Violin...................................................................................... 324
Getting Plugged into Electric Violins ........................................................ 326
Acoustic pickups................................................................................ 326
Electric violins .................................................................................... 327
Chapter 17: Protecting Your Assets: Violin Care and Maintenance . . . .329
Cleaning Up .................................................................................................. 329
Daily dusting ....................................................................................... 330
Cleaning the strings ........................................................................... 330
Polishing the wood ............................................................................ 332
Changing Strings .......................................................................................... 333
Taking off the old strings .................................................................. 333
Prepping the pegs and string ........................................................... 336
Putting on strings attached at the tailpiece ................................... 337
Putting on strings attached to fine tuners ...................................... 338
Tightening the strings ....................................................................... 339
Protecting Your Violin ................................................................................ 340
Practicing safety at rehearsals ......................................................... 340
Traveling with your violin................................................................. 340
Upgrading Your Case .................................................................................. 342
The makings of a good case ............................................................. 343
Testing a case ..................................................................................... 345
Looking at extra features .................................................................. 345
Changing Chinrests ..................................................................................... 346
Taking off the old chinrest................................................................ 347
Attaching the new chinrest .............................................................. 348
Rehairing the Bow ....................................................................................... 348
Finding Useful Accessories......................................................................... 349
Necessities .......................................................................................... 350
Extras................................................................................................... 350
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Part VII: The Part of Tens .......................................... 355

Chapter 18: Ten Performers and Their Recordings. . . . . . . . . . . . .357
Niccol Paganini (17821840) .................................................................... 357
Fritz Kreisler (18751962) ........................................................................... 358
Jascha Heifetz (18991987) ........................................................................ 358
Stphane Grappelli (19081997) ................................................................ 359
Yehudi Menuhin (19161999)..................................................................... 359
Itzhak Perlman (1945) ................................................................................. 360
Nigel Kennedy (1956) .................................................................................. 361
Mark OConnor (1961)................................................................................. 361
Natalie MacMaster (1973)........................................................................... 361
Rachel Barton Pine (1974) .......................................................................... 362
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Go beyond This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363

Subscribing to a Magazine.......................................................................... 363
Attending Concerts ..................................................................................... 364
Joining a Community Orchestra ................................................................ 365
Going to Summer Camps ............................................................................ 365
Playing in Small Groups .............................................................................. 366
Participating in Festivals ............................................................................ 368
Local music festivals (competitive and noncompetitive) ............ 368
International music festivals ............................................................ 368
Building a Music Collection ........................................................................ 369
Watching and Collecting Videos and DVDs.............................................. 369
Visiting Competitions.................................................................................. 370
Performing at Hospitals and Seniors Homes .......................................... 371
Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Tips on Finding a Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

Networking ................................................................................................... 373
Calling the Local Orchestra ........................................................................ 375
Inquiring at Music Schools ......................................................................... 375
Checking Out Community Colleges ........................................................... 376
Asking at the University.............................................................................. 377
Hearing Students Play ................................................................................. 377
Asking at the Music Store ........................................................................... 378
Mentioning Your Quest Everywhere ......................................................... 379
Checking Out Violin Lessons on the Internet .......................................... 379
Looking for a Good Gut Feeling before You Start .................................... 379
Meeting a Teacher for the First Time........................................................ 381
Auditioning ......................................................................................... 381
Planning lessons ................................................................................ 382
Making business arrangements ....................................................... 382
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Appendix: How to Use the Audio and Video Tracks ...... 383
Relating the Text to the Audio and Video Tracks ................................... 383
Hearing the audio tracks ................................................................... 383
Watching the video tracks ................................................................ 384
System Requirements ................................................................................. 384
Using Microsoft Windows........................................................................... 384
What You Find on the Audio and Video Tracks ...................................... 385
MP3 audio tracks ............................................................................... 385
Video tracks ........................................................................................ 390
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................... 393
Index ....................................................................... 395
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Chapter 1
Introducing the Violin

In This Chapter
Getting to know the instrument
Making sounds with the violin
Reading and playing music
Putting music theory into practice
Trying different playing styles
Choosing and caring for your instrument
ou dont have to be a professional musician to enjoy playing the violin.

Learning to play for your own enjoyment for the joy of making music
can be really satisfying. If youve always wanted to play but have never had the
chance, or if youve taken some lessons or played a bit at school, this book is for
you: It starts right from the first time you open your case and takes you step-bystep to playing real music on your violin.
Meeting the String Family

The violin is a member of the string family, which also claims the illustrious
viola, the magnificent cello, and the imposing double bass as its own, actually
totaling 16 strings among them or even 17, as some basses have five strings!
People also often include such instruments as the guitar and the harp in the
string family, but these relatives lack an essential accoutrement: Players dont
need a bow to make sounds. So the string family has become known by another
name too: bowed strings. All of the bowed strings family members bear a distinct
resemblance. The overall shape of the instruments is similar, and their sound is
instantly recognizable.
The smallest member of the string family, the violin, is an instrument thats
familiar to people all over the world. Just because the violins the smallest in
size, however, doesnt mean its the least important or least powerful quite
the contrary. The violins special soprano voice can express a whole gamut
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10
Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin

of emotions, even those beyond the power of words. The violin can produce
tone colors and intensities like the greatest of painters, and it has fascinated
and moved players and audiences alike for generations.
Making a violin requires great skill, honed through a long apprenticeship,
to get more than 70 component parts put together into one beautiful instrument. But many violinists wouldnt know their scroll (the beautifully carved
whorl of wood at the end of the violin, farthest from the player) from their
saddle (the small ebony ridge that supports the whole course of the strings).
This unawareness isnt surprising; although most people are familiar with
cars, they cant name auto parts either.
Plenty of experienced violinists cant name all the component parts of a
violin, mainly because many parts are completely hidden inside the violin
after its put together. They can name the key ones, though. I discuss the key
parts of the violin in Chapter 2 as I take you on a tour of your violin. I also
discuss in Chapter 2 some different violin-making processes, and I walk you
through the steps for getting your violin safely out of its case when you begin
your playing session, and for putting it away when youre done.
Tuning up
After being properly introduced to the violin, you need to tune your instrument before you begin to play. Each string has its own set note that you tune
to, so that when you put down your fingers, you get the sound you expect.
Tuning the violin can be intimidating: Those four strings need a checkup
tuning every time you start your daily playing session, and they occasionally
slip out of tune as you play. This frequent tuning seems a bit unfair. After all,
pianists dont have to tune for themselves; they just have to call in a professional piano tuner a couple of times a year. And flautists use a fairly simple
process to adjust the tuning of their flutes. On the violin, some aspects of
tuning can be pretty tricky, so I offer tips on how to tune and how to deal
with managing the tricky stuff too (see Chapter 2).
Eventually, the tuning process becomes second nature, and violinists dont
mind tuning their instruments, because proper tuning makes them sound
good. And think of those pianos with several notes slipping out of tune, and
the tuner not due for months pianists have to grit their teeth and wait!
Violinists can fix out-of-tune strings right away.
Holding on
In addition to your violin being undoubtedly the most elegant of instruments,
another part of its appeal is how debonair violinists look when theyre actually
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Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin
11
playing. Great violinists often look like their instrument is an extension of themselves but this seemingly effortless posture actually involves a lot of practice.
Apart from looking great, taking time to get the instrument comfortably lodged
and balanced prevents your playing from becoming a literal pain in the neck.
Your arm and finger functions also work best when all their muscles are free
to move as needed, with no excess tension or creaky joints. Chapter 3 shows
you how to hold the violin really well, and provides a few tips on finding useful
accessories to help you in your quest for balance and comfort.
Bowing Out Some Sounds

The violin may get most of the glory, but its renown wouldnt be possible
without its slender companion, the bow. The bows job is to activate the
vibrations of the strings so that your violin can sing out. When you look at
the narrow bow stick only 29 inches long with a ribbon of powdery-white
horsehair realizing how much sound a bow can draw out, and in how
many different ways, is quite amazing.
Looking closely at the bow

The bow may have fewer components than its more celebrated case-mate,
but it has its own quirks and nuances. How can you not appreciate something
with a part named frog? I introduce you to the frog and more prosaically
named parts of the bow (no toads or princesses) in Chapter 4, which also
tells you how to care for your bow so that it stays in tip-top condition.
Although your bow doesnt require tuning, it does need its own type of attention before and after every use. And just like the violin, you need to hold the
bow a certain way. Chapter 4 introduces you to holding the bow properly and
even shows you how to bow out a few tunes.
Using both your hands

Think of trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time (or is
it the other way around?). Playing the violin is a good exercise for your brain
and hand coordination because your two hands move very differently to make
sounds. If youre an adult taking up the violin for the first time, you can earn
extra points for all that new brain activity.
Your left hand has a lot of responsibilities on the violin, making notes both
by landing and by lifting fingers on and off the four strings. Fingers also
have to move horizontally and laterally to reach various notes on different
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strings. Eventually, the left hand also moves to different locations farther up
the strings to find those impressive high notes. Chapter 5 gets your left hand
actions off on the right track, showing you the finger-numbering system for
the violin and the way to successfully land your fingers on the strings without
getting a pilots license.
But all that left-hand work cant make an impact if the bow doesnt stroke the
strings and thats your right hands important job: holding your bow just
right. When you assemble all your bowing skills, the bow can make a whole
range of sounds, from singing sweetly in lyrical music to hammering out
sounds in passionate passages. Chapter 6 sets you on the right path by bringing your hands together to bow and finger the notes simultaneously. You
make music by using some simple charts, and you finish up with songs that
put all your skills into action.
Reading between the Lines

The first songs you meet in this book dont require the ability to read music,
because theyre written out in handy charts. The charts allow you to play
simple songs right away as you begin to play your violin. However, when you
find out how to read actual musical notation, you can play more advanced
music and enjoy a wealth of songs and pieces.
Printed musical notation is a shorthand system that communicates a whole
world of playing instructions to musicians. These instructions include information about which notes to play, and at what speed and rhythm; how loud
or soft the music needs to be; and a rich resource of other visual information
that helps you to make the sounds right. As an added advantage, the ability
to read music allows you to understand music thats been written for any
instrument or singer, not just for the violin.
Knowing the notes

Reading music is a bit like reading a language written with a different alphabet than the one youre used to. Printed music has similarities to what you
already know; you just need to get to know the new system. The notes belong
on those famous five lines, which function much like a ladder: the higher the
notes climb the ladder, the higher the sound you get. Notes have slightly different appearances according to their time values. Various symbols tell musicians about the volume, how to attack the notes (just with a bow, no arrow
necessary), and so on.
To crack the secret code, see Chapter 007 (or Chapter 7, if youre not the
espionage type), which takes you through the symbols and signs and shows
you how to make them into musical sounds.
05_9781118273593-ch01.indd 12
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13
Getting rhythm
All the melodies in the world would be a lot less listenable without rhythm.
Dancers would trip over one another, soldiers would fall over like dominoes,
and toe-tappers would be toe-tally frustrated. Rhythm gives life and energy to
music and lets you dance along to many different drummers (or violinists).
Chapter 8 introduces you to the most important elements of rhythm and
shows you how to count your way through the different values. In Chapter 9,
you put those rhythms together into different measures so you know when to
waltz and when to polka.
Digging Deeper into Music

Reading notes on the page and knowing the time values of the notes is just
the start of playing music. After you know those basics, doors open to the
big leagues.
Scales and key signatures

I know that scales often inspire dread because they used to be drilled and
repeated endlessly in the bad ol days. But scales are really the building blocks
to music, enabling musicians to find their way around just about any piece.
Knowing your scales well gives you fluency and confidence nothing wrong
with that! Chapter 10 covers some of the most essential scales for a violinist.
After you know some scales, you have the picks to unlock key signatures.
These little signs, containing up to seven sharps or flats, occur at the very
start of each piece of music and are repeated as reminders at the start of
every line throughout the piece. A key signature is a way of telling musicians
exactly which notes to play in a particular piece. Chapter 11 shows you how
to read and recognize the different key signatures.
Harmony
Although violins usually play the melody one note at a time, one of the advantages of a string instrument is that its four strings enable players to play up
to four notes at once, when needed. But just as pickles and ice cream dont
mix, not all notes work well together. Chapter 12 combines some of these
notes into sweet harmonies, so you dont marry dill and vanilla.
05_9781118273593-ch01.indd 13
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14
Getting Stylish
The violin is well loved for its versatility and for the panoply of sounds it can
make, from the gentle singing of a slow, peaceful lullaby to the dazzling cascade of brilliance in a virtuoso showpiece. Youre probably already itching
to tackle some fancy tricks and to coax all kinds of exotic sounds out of your
violin. The good news is that you can begin to do some really neat things as
you look into the chapters about fancier techniques and styles.
Dazzling technique
After you master some different ways of playing with the bow, you can add
new dash and panache to your sounds. Even the names of the different bowings sound fancy. When you bump into your friends, you can casually let
drop that youre playing spiccato, and then after a suitable pause for effect,
you can let them know that this is a bow stroke where the bow bounces off
the violin strings.
Seeing the words brush stroke may make you wonder what a violinist is
doing with a brush, but you dont have to transform into Chagall to play
your violin you just add an artistic brushing movement to your bow
strokes, bringing a whole new palette of sounds to your fingertips. Chapter 13
introduces you to a choice menu of bowings, some in the meat-and-potato
department, and some in the sinful dessert category!
In Chapter 14, you go through a similar journey of discovery with your left
hand, getting your fingers to dance across the strings (almost doing a violin
version of the Highland fling) and do other neat moves. Not only do your
fingertips lift and land on one string, but they also slide and hop to different
spots on that same string, ready to leap across to another string at any time.
Sometimes two different fingers play on two different strings at once. Just
when you have those fingers in line, you find out how to move your left hand
to high positions (and back again) so that you can play high notes or make
slinky-sounding slides.
Multicultural music
The violin is like a chameleon its at home just about anywhere. In addition
to the more classical styles of playing, cultures all over the world have their
own unique styles featuring the violin and its relatives from the Chinese
two-string erhu, which has a ravishing and magical vocal sound, to the Indian
sarangi, an expressive and exotic instrument with three gut strings to play on
and a whole array of metal strings that vibrate sympathetically.
05_9781118273593-ch01.indd 14
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15
But you dont need to get hold of an erhu or a sarangi to play in different
styles. Chapter 15 takes you on a visit to some different musical styles that
you can play with your very own violin. You can fit right in, whether youre
at a joyful ceilidh, at a smoky jazz club, or in a sultry gypsy caravan.
Having Your Own Violin

As you embark on your important and exciting violin project, you may be so
in love with the instrument that you want to buy one right away. However,
you may feel cautious about jumping in, so you may rent an instrument for a
while. Either option is a good way to get started.
Finding the right instrument with the right price tag for you, whether its
through buying or renting a violin, is a personal decision that affects your
enjoyment and progress. You want to feel satisfied with the instrument you
play, so your violin needs to sound good enough. Chapter 16 discusses some
of the issues to consider before you make a decision about whats best.
After youre equipped with all the gear, you can find out how to take good
care of it and do the necessary maintenance. Keeping your violin and bow
in tip-top condition takes only a few simple steps. Chapter 17 covers these
in detail (even talking about what to do if an accident occurs to your violin),
discussing daily care, changing strings, and traveling safely with your violin
in hand (or should I say, in case?).
05_9781118273593-ch01.indd 15
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16
05_9781118273593-ch01.indd 16
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Index
Numerics
eighth notes, 132133
eighth rest, 137
fifth position and higher, 262
first position, 254255
4/4 time, 143145, 151153
four-note chords, 252253
four-note slurs, 222223
fourth position, 260263
second position, 255258
17 notes, 114
6/8 time, 156157
sixteenth notes, 133134
sixteenth rest, 137
sixth interval below note, 205206
third position, 258260
three notes in a bow stroke, playing,
219222
3/4 time, 153154
three-note chords, 250251
three-note slurs
arpeggios, adding three-note slurs to, 221
overview, 219221
songs, adding three-note slurs to, 221222
2/4 time, 155156
two-note slurs
fingers, slurring between, 213214
half a bow, using, 215216
overview, 212213
scales, adding two-note slurs to, 214215
song, adding two-note slurs to, 215
A
A harmonic minor scale, 181182
A major arpeggio, 185
A major key signature, 191
A major scale
ascending, 169170
descending, 170171
overview, 168169
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 395
A major scale (two octaves), 176177

A melodic minor scale, 179180
A minor arpeggio, 186
A string, 114115
accelerando (accel.), 158
accents, 227232
accessories, adding, 349353
accidentals, 119, 194
accidents to your violin, coping with, 342
acoustic pickups, 326327
adagio, 157
adjustable music stands, 44
Alberti, Domenico (composer), 201
Alberti bass, 201
allegretto, 157
allegro, 157
alto clef (C-clef), 110111
Amazon (web site), 369
American Federation of Violin and Bow
Makers, 314
American String Teachers Association
(ASTA), 376
andante, 157
anticipation of next note, dividing bow
strokes in, 226
Appalachian Fiddle (Krassen), 286
appearance of violin, assessing before
buying, 316317
arm, left hand work exercise for, 7475
arm steering, 98101
arpeggios
A major arpeggio, 185
A minor arpeggio, 186
overview, 184185
three-note slurs, adding, 221
articulations, 209
The Art of Henryk Szeryng (video), 370
The Art of Violin (video), 370
Asian Mood, 86, 219
associations, professional teaching, 376
auctions, buying a violin from, 325326
2/27/12 3:17 PM
396

audio tracks (MP3)
list of, 385390
listening to, 383
with Microsoft Windows, 384385
system requirements, 384
troubleshooting, 393
auditioning teachers, 381
augmented second, 181
Aunt Rhody, 187
B
Bachs G Minor Gavotte, 195
back of violin, 18
bagatelle, 86
Baillot, Pierre (violinist-composer), 45
ball-end strings, 338
bar. See measure
bar lines, 119, 141142
basic major scales, 168
bass bar, 18
bass clef (F-clef), 110111
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles
Father (mnemonic device for
remembering order of flats in key
signature), 192
B flat major key signature, 192
BBC Music Magazine, 364
beam, 128
beat
described, 129
emphasizing correct, 145146
Beethoven, Ludwig van (composer and
pianist), 146, 227
Bill Monroe: The Essential Collection
(Monroe), 287
Blue Lake (music camp), 366
bluegrass, 286287, 288
blues scales, 296297
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, 287
body of violin, 18
Boil the Cabbage Down, 121, 139
bow
brazilwood, 319
buying a, 319320
case, 23, 352
composite, 319
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 396
condition of, checklist for, 320

cost of, 319
crossing strings with, 9598
double stops, preparation for, 242244
eye, 56
famous diva method for holding, 6162
feel of, assessing, 320
ferrule, 56
frog, 56
grip, 56
hidden treasures method for holding,
61, 6264
holding, 12, 6164
horsehair, 5657, 5859
lapping, 57
left hand, using, 74
material used in making a, 319
more bow, gradually using, 105
overview, 1112, 22, 5657
parts of, 5657
pernambuco, 319
point, 57
preparation, 5761
rehairing, 56, 348349
rosin, 5961
screw, 57
spare, 351
stick, 57
strings, setting bow on, 6567
winding, 57
bow circles. See circular retake
bow division
anticipation of next note, dividing bow
strokes in, 226
dynamics, adjusting amounts of bow for,
226227
measure, deciding how much bow to use
on a, 224225
note, deciding how much bow to use
on a, 224225
note values, dividing bow by, 225
overview, 223225
bowed strings, 9
bowing. See also bow division
accents, 227232
the beat, 144145
brush stroke, 235
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
dtach style, 7071
on different strings, 6667
down-bow, 67
expanding strokes, 105106
legato
contact point, 211212
direction, changing bow, 211212
marking for, 210211
overview, 210211
slurring across strings, 216219
slurring two notes, 212216
speed, 211
219222
weight, 211
martel strokes, 230232
pizzicato, 238239
separate bows, going from one string
to two strings and back again with,
244245
seven bow levels, 97
signs, 67
slurred staccato, 233234
spiccato, 236237
staccato style, 71
styles, 7071
troubleshooting, 66
up-bow, 67
Brahms Lullaby, 204205
brazilwood bow, 319
bridge
assessing before buying a violin, 314
described, 19
broken chords, 200
broken strings, taking off, 334336
brush stroke, 14, 235
business arrangements with teacher,
discussing, 382
buying a violin
acoustic pickups, 326327
appearance, assessing, 316317
from auctions, 325326
bow, buying a, 319320
bridge, assessing, 314
carbon fiber violins, 317
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 397
397
for children, 317318

condition of violin, assessing, 313315
cost of, 312313
cracks, checking for, 314
electric violins, 326327
ethical issues, 321
factory outfits, 313
finding your violin, 324326
fingerboard, assessing, 314
fractional size violins, 317318
handmade violins, 313, 314
from individual private sellers, 325
joints, assessing, 315
from music stores, 324325
neck, assessing, 314
older violins, 315
outfits, 313
overview, 15, 311312
price bracket, choosing a, 312313
from private dealers, 325
reasons for, 321322
renting instead of, 322324
renting to buy, 323324
size of violin, 317318
sound, assessing, 315316
from specialist violin stores, 325
wood, assessing, 315
workshop violins, 313, 316
from your teacher, 321
C
C (common time), 143144
C major key signature, 190
Cajun and Zydeco music, 288, 289
CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians/
Musiciens amateurs du Canada)
(music camp), 366
Cancan, 200201
carbon fiber violins, 317
care and maintenance
accidents, coping with, 342
bow, rehairing, 348349
case, upgrading your, 342346
chinrests, changing, 346348
2/27/12 3:17 PM
398

care and maintenance (continued)
cleaning your violin, 329333
protecting your violin, 340342
repairing your violin, 342
strings, changing, 333340
carrying strap, 345
cars, protecting your violin in, 341
case
carrying strap, 345
compartments for accessories, 346
cover, 344
fasteners, 346
features of, 345346
humidifier, 346
hygrometer, 346
instrument blanket, 346
protecting your violin, tips for, 25
putting violin away, 24
shape of, 343344
string tube, 346
subway grip handle, 346
taking violin out of, 2324
testing, 345
upgrading, 342346
weight of, 343344
case bags, 351
case strap, 351
C-clef (alto clef), 110111
Celtic music, 286, 288
changing position
finger-substitution shifts, 270272
intermediate-note shifts, 268270
open-string shifts, 266267
overview, 263266
same-finger shifts, 267268
Chicken Reel, 293
children, buying violins for, 317318
chinrests
attaching new, 347
changing, 346348
choosing, 4647
Flesch, 46
Guarneri, 47
history of, 45
holding your violin, 4447
overview, 19, 4546
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 398
taking off old, 347

Tekka, 46
Vermeer, 46
chords
breaking up, 200201
dominant 7ths, 203205
forming, 198
major
overview, 198199
primary triads, 198200
minor, 201202
overview, 197198
recognizing, 198
chromatic scales, 183184
chromatic tuners, 31
circular retake, 138, 253
cleaner, polish, and cloth, 352
cleaning your violin
dusting, daily, 330
overview, 329
polishing the wood, 332333
strings, cleaning, 330332
Clements, Vassar (Livin with the
Blues), 294
common time (C), 143144
community colleges as place to find
teachers, 376
compartments for accessories in case, 346
competitions
International Tchaikovsky Competition
(Moscow), 371
Queen Elizabeth Competition (Brussels),
370
visiting, 370371
Wieniawski Competition (Warsaw), 371
composite bow, 319
concerts, attending, 364365
condition of violin, assessing, 313315
conducting to the beat, 144
contact point, 122, 211212
coordinating fingers and bow in string
crossing, 101
corner blocks, 20
cost of buying a violin, 312313
country and western music, 287, 288
Country Club, 298
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
cover for case, 344
cracks in violin, checking for, 314
crescendo (cresc.)
adding, 124125
described, 122
Cripple Creek, 292
D
D major key signature, 191
D string, 117
decrescendo, 122
degrees of a scale, 167168
dtach style of bowing, 7071
different string, changing position to
go to a, 272
diminuendo (dim.)
adding, 124125
described, 122
dominant, 167
dominant 7th chords, 203205
dominant triad
in major keys, 199
in minor keys, 202
dots, 135136
dotted half notes, 135
dotted quarter notes, 136
double bar, 142
double stops
both notes using fingers, 247248
bow preparation for, 242244
emotional intensity with, 242
fuller sound with, 242
lower string, with fingers on, 246247
overview, 241242, 290291
separate bows, going from one string
244245
shading with, 242
single string to two strings and back
again, 244246
slurred bows, going from one string
245246
using, 249250
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 399
399
downbeat, 145
down-bow, 67
Drink to Me Only, 234
dropped stroke, 236
duration of notes
described, 127
half notes, 130131
quarter notes, 131132
triplets, 134135
whole notes, 129130
dusting your violin, 330
DVDs/videos, watching, 369370
Dvoraks New World Symphony, theme
from, 68
dynamics
bow for, adjusting amounts of, 226227
contact point, 122
crescendo (cresc.), 122, 124125
diminuendo (dim.), 122, 124125
forte (f), 122
fortissimo (ff), 122
loud sounds, making, 123
mezzoforte (mf), 122
mezzopiano (mp), 122
overview, 121122
pianissimo (pp), 122
piano (p), 122
soft sounds, making, 123
speed, 122
weight, 122
E
E major scale, 174176
E string, 115117
eighth rest, 137
elbow, positioning, 5152
elbow steering, 98101
electric violins, 326327
electronic humidity and temperature
sensor, 353
2/27/12 3:17 PM
400

electronic metronomes, 148150
electronic tuner, 3031
emotional intensity with double stops, 242
end button, 19
erhu, 14
ethical issues and buying a violin, 321
European String Teachers Association
(ESTA), 376
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
(mnemonic device for remembering
order of notes on lines of staff), 112
exercises
for left hand work, 75, 102103
for string crossing, 9798, 99101
for using both hands, 9295
vibrato, 276278
expanding bow strokes, 105106
eye, 56
F
f (forte), 122
F major key signature, 191192
F major scale, 178
face in the space (mnemonic device for
remembering order of spaces between
lines of staff), 112
factory outfits, 313
famous diva method for holding bow,
6162
fasteners, 346
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
(mnemonic device for remembering
order of sharps in key signature), 192
F-clef (bass clef), 110111
ferrule, 56
festivals
international music, 368369
local music, 368
participating in, 368369
Festive Strings (Martin), 367
Feuermann, Emanuel (musician), 359
ff (fortissimo), 122
f-holes, 19
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 400
fiddle music
Cajun and Zydeco, 288, 289
Celtic, 286, 288
country and western, 287, 288
double stops, 290291
origins of, 287
overview, 285286
shuffles, 289290
slides, 291
tags, 291292
finding your violin, 324326
fine tuners, 19, 2627, 3637, 338339
finger patterns, 8788
finger techniques
changing position
overview, 263266
first position, 254255
knowing what position youre in, 263
trills
finger to finger, speeding from, 280281
with flats, 282283
with naturals, 282283
overview, 279
repetition, building speed of, 280
with sharps, 282283
timing for, 281282
vibrato
exercise with violin and bow, 278
exercise with violin and without bow,
277
exercise without violin and bow,
276277
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
overview, 274276
preparation for, 276
using, 279
fingerboard
assessing, 314
described, 19
fingerboard guides, 8184, 8587
fingering, 80
fingernails, importance of keeping short,
169
fingers. See also finger techniques
finger 2, 8790
grooves on your fingertips, placement of,
7879
lifting and placing, 80
on lower string, double stops with,
246247
marking spots for placement of, 8184
numbering, 7980
placement of, 7879
slurring across strings and between
fingers, 217218
slurring between, 213214
string crossing with, 98101
strings, putting your fingers on the, 7880
first position, 113, 254255
five-line system. See staff
flats
order of flats in key signatures, 192
overview, 119120
playing, 120
trills with, 282283
Flesch chinrests, 46
Folk Strings (Martin), 367
forming chords, 198
forte (f), 122
fortissimo (ff), 122
4/4 time, 143145, 151153
fractional size violins, 317318
Frre Jacques, 104
frog, 23, 56
fuller sound with double stops, 242
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 401
401
G
gavitte, 194
G major key signature, 191
G major scale (two octaves)
with four-note slurs, 223
overview, 173174
G major scale (upper octave)
ascending, 172
descending, 172173
overview, 171172
G major scale with slurs, 218
G string, 118
Gil Shaham Mozart Violin Sonatas
(video), 370
glissando, 301302
Gramophone (web site), 369
The Gramophone (magazine), 364
Grand Finale, 254
Grand Old Duke of York, 232
Grappelli, Stphane
Satin Doll, 294
violinist, 359
Grigorian (web site), 369
grip, 56
grooves on your fingertips, placement
of, 7879
Guarneri chinrests, 47
Gypsy (St. John), 300
gypsy music
glissando, 301302
gypsy scale, 301
harmonics, 302305
origins of, 300
overview, 300301
tremolo, 302
trills, 305
gypsy scale, 301
The Gypsy Violin (Laszlo Berki Gypsy
Ensemble), 300
H
half notes, 130131
2/27/12 3:17 PM
402

half rest, 137
half step, 120
hand exercises, 177
hand frame, 7577
handmade violins, 313, 314
hands. See also left hand work
both hands, playing music with, 102104
bow, crossing strings with, 9598
checklist for using both hands together
properly, 94
exercises for using both hands, 9295
hopping your fingers around exercise,
9495
marching your fingers exercise, 9394
preparation workouts for using both
hands, 9295
starting to use both hands, 9192
string, crossing over to a different, 95101
using together, 2122, 9195
harmonic minor scales, 179
harmonics
octave, 303304
overview, 302303
third-finger, 304305
harmony. See also chords
described, 13, 198
third interval above note, 205206
Heifetz, Jascha (violinist), 358359
Heroes (OConnor), 286
hidden treasures method for holding bow,
61, 6264
holding bow, 12, 6164
holding your violin
chinrests, 4447
elbow, positioning, 5152
at horizontal angle, 5051
importance of a good hold, 3943
music stand, reading from, 4344
overview, 1011, 39
problems with, 4952
scroll, positioning, 4950
shoulder, positioning, 52
shoulder rests, 4445, 4749
while sitting, 4243
while standing, 4042
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 402
Homage to Kreutzer, 228, 231, 233,

235, 237
hopping your fingers around exercise,
9495
horizontal angle, holding your violin at a,
5051
horsehair
overview, 5657
tightening and loosening, 5859
hospitals, performing at, 371
Hot Cross Buns, 103104
humidifiers, 346, 352
Hungarian Dance No. 1, 306307
Hunting Horn Song, 250
hygrometer, 346
I
individual private sellers, buying a violin
from, 325
The Inner Mounting Flame (Mahavishnu
Orchestra), 294
instrument blanket, 346
international music festivals, 368369
international pitch, 26
International Suzuki Association, 376
Internet, checking out violin lesson on, 379
intervals, 120
Irish Washerwoman, 157
iTunes (web site), 369
Ive Been Workin on the Railroad, 6970
J
jazz
overview, 293294
sul ponticello, 295296
swing rhythms, 296
syncopated rhythms, 295
Jingle Bells, 6869, 89
joints, assessing, 315
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, 202203
Joy to the World, 258
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
K
Kalinka, 306
Kennedy, Nigel (violinist), 361
key note, 167, 189
key signatures
A major, 191
B flat major, 192
C major, 190
D major, 191
F major, 191192
G major, 191
major keys, 190192, 193
minor keys, 193194
order of sharps and flats in,
remembering, 192
reading, 190192
The King of Western Swing: 25 Hits
(19351945) [Bob Wills and His Texas
Playboys], 287
Krassen, Miles (Appalachian Fiddle), 286
Kreisler, Fritz (violinist), 358
Kreutzer, Rodolphe (violinist), 227
Kreutzer Sonata Op. 47 (Beethoven), 227
L
Lang, Eddie (Wild Cats), 294
lapping, 57
largo, 157
Laszlo Berki Gypsy Ensemble (The Gypsy
Violin), 300
leading note, 167
Leahy Family: Live (Koch Entertainment),
286
learning styles, 380
ledger lines, 112113
left hand, using, 1112
left hand work
arm exercise, 7475
exercises for, 7475, 102103
finger exercise, 75
hand frame, 7577
overview, 73
thumb grip, 7778
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 403
403
left-handed violins, 74
legato
contact point, 211212
marking for, 210211
overview, 210211
slurring across strings
from an open string to a finger, 216217
and between fingers, 217218
overview, 216
speed, 211
three-note slurs
arpeggios, adding three-note slurs
to, 221
overview, 219221
songs, adding three-note slurs to,
221222
two-note slurs
overview, 212213
scales, adding two-note slurs to,
214215
weight, 211
Leguia, Luis (inventor of carbon fiber
violins), 317
length of strings, 2122
lento, 157
lifting and placing fingers, 80
Little Brown Jug, 138
Livin with the Blues (Clements), 294
local music festivals, 368
local orchestra as means of finding
teachers, 375
long notes, playing, 160
loop-end strings, 338
loud sounds, making, 123
luthier, 19
M
MacMaster, Buddy (Traditional Music from
Cape Breton Island), 286
MacMaster, Natalie (violinist), 361
2/27/12 3:17 PM
404

Maelzel, Johannes (manufacturer of
metronome), 146
Maelzel Metronome (M.M.), 150
maestoso, 253
Maestronet (magazine), 364
magazines, subscribing to, 363364
Magic Flute Overture (Mozart), 237
Mahavishnu Orchestra (The Inner Mounting
Flame), 294
maintenance and care
bow, rehairing, 348349
case, upgrading your, 342346
chinrests, changing, 346348
cleaning your violin, 329333
protecting your violin, 340342
strings, changing, 333340
major chords
overview, 198199
primary triads
finding, 199200
overview, 198199
major keys
dominant triad, 199
identifying major keys in key signatures,
193
in key signatures, 190192
subdominant triad, 199
tonic triad, 199
major scales
A major scale, 168171
basic, 168
building, 167168
F major scale, 178
G major scale (two octaves), 173174
G major scale (upper octave), 171173
key note, scale named after, 167
overview, 166
pattern, 167
practicing, 169
whole step in, 167
makers label, 20
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 404
marching your fingers exercise, 9394

Mark OConnor Fiddle Camp, 366
marking spots for placement of fingers,
8184
martel strokes, 230232
Martin, Joanne (author of books for Suzuki
students), 367
Mary Had a Little Lamb, 216
Master of the Russian Gypsy Violin
(Ponomarev), 300
measure
described, 141
how much bow to use on a, 224225
mechanical metronomes, 147148
mediant, 167
meeting teacher for first time, 381382
Meissner, Eric (worlds smallest violin),
318
melodic minor scales, 179
melody, 198
Menuhin, Yehudi (violinist), 359360
meter. See also time signatures
beat, emphasizing the correct, 145146
described, 142
downbeat, 145
measure, 141
metronomes, 146151
repeat sign, 142
rests, counting, 145
tempo markings, 157158
upbeat, 146
metronome marking, 150
metronomes
electronic, 148150
history of, 146
mechanical, 147148
steps for using, 150151
using, 147151
mezzoforte (mf), 122
mezzopiano (mp), 122
middle C, 111
minor chords, 201202
minor keys
dominant triad, 202
key signatures, 193194
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
subdominant triad, 202
tonic triad, 202
minor scales
building, 179
harmonic, 179
melodic, 179
overview, 179
M.M. (Maelzel Metronome), 150
moderato, 157
Monroe, Bill (Bill Monroe: The Essential
Collection), 287
More Festive Strings (Martin), 367
More Folk Strings (Martin), 367
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
(composer), 167
Mozart Clarinet Quintet, 186
MP3 files with this book
audio tracks
list of, 385390
listening to, 383
technical support, 393
video tracks
list of, 390392
watching, 384
multicultural music, 1415
music
Asian Mood, 86, 219
Aunt Rhody, 187
Bachs G Minor Gavotte, 195
Boil the Cabbage Down, 121, 139
Brahms Lullaby, 204205
Cancan, 200201
Chicken Reel, 293
Country Club, 298
Cripple Creek, 292
Drink to Me Only, 234
Dvoraks New World Symphony, theme
from, 68
Frre Jacques, 104
Grand Finale, 254
Grand Old Duke of York, 232
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 405
405
Homage to Kreutzer, 228, 231, 233,

235, 237
Hot Cross Buns, 103104
Hungarian Dance No. 1, 306307
Hunting Horn Song, 250
Irish Washerwoman, 157
Ive Been Workin on the Railroad,
6970
Jingle Bells, 6869, 89
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, 202203
Joy to the World, 258
Kalinka, 306
Little Brown Jug, 138
Magic Flute Overture, 237
Mary Had a Little Lamb, 216
Mozart Clarinet Quintet, 186
My Dame Hath a Lame Tame Crane, 270
Nutcracker Sweet, 139140
O Come, All Ye Faithful, 146
Octave Ping-Pong, 8687
Ode to Joy, 125
Old French Folk Song, 159, 221222
Old MacDonald, 151152
Oranges and Lemons, 160161
Pachelbel Canon, 105106, 129, 130131,
152153, 279
Pussycat Pussycat, Where Have You
Been?, 154
Shortenin Bread, 90
Simple Gifts, 159160
Speed, Bonnie Boat, 273274
Surprise Symphony, 229
Sweet Georgia Brown, 299
Symphony No. 1 by Brahms theme, 158
Trio from Haffner Symphony, 271272
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, 155156
music collection, building a, 369
music festivals
international, 368369
local, 368
participating in, 368369
Music of the Heart (video), 370
music schools, inquiring for teachers
at, 375
music stand, 4344, 350
music stand extenders, 352
2/27/12 3:17 PM
406

music store
buying a violin from, 324325
finding teachers through, 378
musical key, 189
musical notes. See notes
musical styles
fiddle music
Cajun and Zydeco, 288, 289
Celtic, 286, 288
country and western, 287, 288
origins of, 287
overview, 285286
shuffles, 289290
slides, 291
tags, 291292
gypsy music
glissando, 301302
gypsy scale, 301
harmonics, 302305
origins of, 300
overview, 300301
tremolo, 302
trills, 305
jazz
overview, 293294
swing rhythms, 296
overview, 285
rock music, 297
musician, help from an experienced, 28
mute, 350
My Dame Hath a Lame Tame Crane, 270
N
naming notes, 113118
natural minor, 182183, 194
naturals
described, 119
trills with, 282283
neck block, 20
neck of violin, 19, 314
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 406
neighboring strings, 96
networking as means of finding teachers,
373374
nodes, 302
non-neighboring strings, crossing, 9697
note head, 128
note names, 112, 113118
note values, dividing bow by, 225
notes. See also scales
A string, 114115
accidentals, 119
beam, 128
D string, 117
deciding how much bow to use on a,
224225
duration of
described, 127
half notes, 130131
triplets, 134135
whole notes, 129130
E string, 115117
flats, 119120
G string, 118
half notes, 130131
intervals, 120
naming, 113118
naturals, 119
note head, 128
overview, 12, 114
parts of, 128
reading, 120121
17 notes, 114
sharps, 119120
stem, 128
tail, 128
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
triplets, 134135
value, 128135
whole notes, 129130
numbering fingers, 7980
nut, 19
Nutcracker Sweet, 139140
O
O Come, All Ye Faithful, 146
OConnor, Mark
Heroes, 286
violinist, 361
octave, 116, 166
octave harmonics, 303304
Octave Ping-Pong, 8687
Ode to Joy, 125
Old French Folk Song, 159, 221222
Old MacDonald, 151152
old strings, taking off, 333336
older violins, 315
open string to a finger, slurring across
strings from, 216217
Orange Blossom Special (Rouse and
Wise), 289
Oranges and Lemons, 160161
orchestra, joining a community, 365
outfits, 313
P
Pachelbel Canon, 105106, 129, 130131,
152153, 279
Paganini, Niccol (violinist), 45, 118,
357358
peg dope, 34, 36
pegbox, 19
pegs, 19, 26, 2829, 3637
pencil shelf, 352
pentatonic scales, 183
Perlman, Itzhak (violinist), 360
pernambuco bow, 319
Persinger, Louis (violinist), 359360
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 407
407
Peterson, Oscar (musician), 360

phrases, 129
pianissimo (pp), 122
piano (p), 122
piano, tuning with, 2930
Pine, Rachel Barton (violinist), 362
pitch, 2526
pitch pipe, 32
pizzicato, 8487, 238239
placement of fingers, 7879
planes, protecting your violin on, 341
plastic rib protector, 353
point, 57
polishing violin wood, 332333
Ponomarev, Oleg (Master of the Russian
Gypsy Violin), 300
Ponty, Jean-Luc (rock violinist), 297
position, changing. See changing position
practice mute, 351
practicing major scales, 169
preparation, bow, 5761
preparation workouts for using both
hands, 9295
prestissimo, 157
presto, 157
price bracket for buying a violin, choosing
a, 312313
primary triads
finding, 199200
overview, 198199
Primrose, William (musician), 359
private dealers, buying a violin from, 325
professional teaching associations, 376
protecting your violin
in cars, 341
on planes, 341
at rehearsals, 340
tips for, 25
on trains or buses, 341
traveling with your violin, 340342
purfling, 19
Pussycat Pussycat, Where Have You
Been?, 154
2/27/12 3:17 PM
408

quarter rest, 137
SAA (Suzuki Association of the Americas),

375, 376
saddle, 10, 20
sarangi, 14
Satin Doll (Grappelli), 294
scales
chromatic, 183184
degrees of a scale, 167168
major
A major scale, 168171
basic, 168
building, 167168
F major scale, 178
G major scale (two octaves), 173174
G major scale (upper octave), 171173
key note, scale named after, 167
overview, 166
pattern, 167
practicing, 169
whole step in, 167
minor
building, 179
harmonic, 179
melodic, 179
overview, 179
natural minor, 182183
pentatonic, 183
songs utilizing, 186187
two-note slurs, adding, 214215
screw, 57
scroll
described, 10, 20
positioning, 4950
semitone, 120
seniors homes, performing at, 371
17 notes, 114
R
rallentando (rall.), 158
reading
key signatures, 190192
music, 1213
notes, 120121
The Red Violin (video), 370
rehairing bow, 56, 348349
rehearsals, protecting your violin at, 340
relative minor key, 193194
removing bow from bow case, 23
renting a violin, 15, 322324
renting to buy a violin, 323324
repeat sign, 142
rests
counting, 145
eighth rest, 137
half rest, 137
overview, 136137
quarter rest, 137
sixteenth rest, 137
whole rest, 137
rhythm
duration of notes, 128136
musical examples, 137140
overview, 13
rests, 136137
ribs, 19
right hand, holding violin in your, 74
ritardando (rit.), 158
rock music, 297
rosin, 5961, 350
The Rough Guide to Cajun and Zydeco
(World Music Network), 288
Rouse, Ervin (Orange Blossom Special),
289
Rubinstein, Arthur (musician), 359
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 408
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
shading with double stops, 242
sharps
order of sharps in key signatures, 192
overview, 119120
playing, 120
trills with, 282283
shifting position. See changing position
Shore, John (inventor of tuning fork), 33
Shortenin Bread, 90
shoulder, positioning, 52
shoulder rests, 4445, 4749, 350
shuffles, 289290
silk covering cloth or bag, 350
Simple Gifts, 159160
sitting, holding your violin while, 4243
6/8 time, 156157
sixteenth rest, 137
size of violin, 317318
slides, 291
sliding position. See changing position
slurred bows, going from one string to two
strings and back again with, 245246
slurred legato, 210
slurred staccato, 233234
slurring across strings
from an open string to a finger, 216217
and between fingers, 217218
overview, 216
slurring three notes
overview, 219221
slurring two notes
overview, 212213
small groups, playing in, 366368
soft sounds, making, 123
sound, assessing, 315316
sound post, 20
specialist violin stores, buying a violin
from, 325
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 409
409
speed, 122, 211

Speed, Bonnie Boat, 273274
spiccato, 14, 236237
Spohr, Louis (musician), 45
St. John, Lara (Gypsy), 300
staccato style of bowing, 71
Stadler, Anton (clarinetist), 186
staff
alto clef (C-clef), 110111
bar lines, 119, 141142
bass clef (F-clef), 110111
double bar, 142
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, 112
face in the space, 112
ledger lines, 112113
note names, 112, 113118
overview, 109110
repeat sign, 142
treble clef (G-clef), 110111
Stamitz, Anton (violinist), 227
stand light, 352
standing, holding your violin while, 4042
stem, 128
stick, 57
Stradivari (video), 370
Stradivarius, Antonio (violin maker), 324
Stradivarius violin, 324
The Strad (magazine), 363
string crossing
with bow, 9598
coordinating fingers and bow in, 101
exercises, 9798, 99101
with fingers, 98101
neighboring strings, 96
non-neighboring strings, 9697
overview, 9596
seven bow levels, 97
string family, 9, 22
string tube, 346
string vibration, 2122
strings
ball-end, 338
broken strings, taking off, 334336
changing, 333340
cleaning, 330332
described, 20
2/27/12 3:17 PM
410

strings (continued)
different strings, bowing on, 6667
fine tuners, putting on strings attached
to, 338339
length, 2122
loop-end, 338
old strings, taking off, 333336
prepping pegs and strings for replacing,
336337
putting your fingers on, 7880
setting bow on, 6567
tailpiece, putting on strings attached
at, 337
tightening, 339340
undoing a string to change it, 334
Strings (magazine), 364
student recitals, attending, 377378
Stuff Smith: Masters of Jazz Vol. 6
(Storyville), 294
subdominant, 167
subdominant triad
in major keys, 199
in minor keys, 202
submediant, 167
subway grip handle for case, 346
summer camps, going to, 365366
supertonic, 167
Surprise Symphony (Haydn), 229
Suzuki, Shinichi (violin teacher/inventor of
Suzuki method), 367
Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA),
375, 376
Suzuki Violin School (Suzuki), 368
Sweet Georgia Brown, 299
swing rhythms, 296
Symphony No. 1 by Brahms theme, 158
T
tags, 291292
tail, 128
tailpiece, 20, 337
teachers
auditioning, 381
business arrangements with,
discussing, 382
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 410
buying a violin from your teacher, 321

community colleges as place to find, 376
finding, 373381
Internet, checking out violin lesson on,
379
lessons, planning, 382
local orchestra as means of finding,
calling, 375
meeting for first time, 381382
music schools, inquiring for teachers
at, 375
music stores, asking about teachers
at, 378
networking as means of finding, 373374
professional associations for, 376
qualities to look for in, 374
student recitals as place to find, 377378
universities as place to find, 377
your connection to, 379381
Tekka chinrests, 46
tempo
accelerando (accel.), 158
adagio, 157
allegretto, 157
allegro, 157
andante, 157
described, 150
largo, 157
lento, 157
moderato, 157
overview, 157158
prestissimo, 157
presto, 157
ritardando (rit.), 158
tempo markings, 157158
testing your case, 345
third interval above note, 205206
third-finger harmonics, 304305
219222
3/4 time, 153154
three-note slurs
overview, 219221
thumb grip, 7778
2/27/12 3:17 PM
Index
tightening and loosening horsehair, 5859
tightening strings, 339340
timbre, 255
time signatures
bowing out the beat, 144145
C (common time), 143144
conducting to the beat, 144
4/4 time, 143145
overview, 143, 143146
6/8 time, 156157
3/4 time, 153154
2/4 time, 155156
timing for trills, 281282
tonic, 167, 189, 193
tonic triad
in major keys, 199
in minor keys, 202
top (or table), 20
Tourte, Francois (bow maker), 328
Traditional Music from Cape Breton Island
(MacMaster), 286
trains or buses, protecting your violin
on, 341
transducer, 326327
traveling with your violin, 340342
treble clef (G-clef), 110111
tremolo, 302
trills
finger to finger, speeding from, 280281
with flats, 282283
gypsy music, 305
with naturals, 282283
overview, 279
with sharps, 282283
timing for, 281282
Trio from Haffner Symphony (Mozart),
271272
triplets, 134135
troubleshooting
audio tracks (MP3), 393
bow hold, 64
bowing, 66
fine tuners, 3637
holding your violin, 4952
tuning, 3437
video tracks (MP3), 393
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 411
411
tuning
with electronic tuner, 3031
with fine tuners, 2627, 3637
musician, help from an experienced, 28
overview, 10, 17, 2526
with pegs, 26, 2829, 3436
with piano, 2930
pitch, 2526
with pitch pipe, 32
with tuning fork, 33
tuning fork, 33
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, 155156
2/4 time, 155156
two-note slurs
overview, 212213
U
undoing a string to change it, 334
universities as place to find teachers, 377
upbeat, 146
up-bow, 67
upgrading case, 342346
V
value, 128135
Venuti, Joe
jazz violinist, 299
Wild Cats, 294
Vermeer chinrests, 46
vibrating length of a string, 2122, 8183
vibrato
exercise with violin and bow, 278
exercise with violin and without bow, 277
exercise without violin and bow, 276277
history of, 275
overview, 274276
preparation for, 276
using, 279
2/27/12 3:17 PM
412

video tracks (MP3)
list of, 390392
watching, 384
videos/DVDs, watching, 369370
violin. See also buying a violin; holding
your violin
how it works, 2122
overview, 910
protecting your violin, 25, 340342
renting, 15, 322324
violin case. See case
violin parts
back, 18
bass bar, 18
body, 18
bridge, 19
chinrest, 19
corner blocks, 20
end button, 19
f-holes, 19
fine tuners, 19
fingerboard, 19
neck, 19
neck block, 20
nut, 19
pegbox, 19
pegs, 19
purfling, 19
ribs, 19
saddle, 20
scroll, 20
32_9781118273593-bindex.indd 412
sound post, 20
strings, 20
tailpiece, 20
top (or table), 20
Violin Series (Royal Conservatory of
Music), 367
Violin Society of America, 314
violin/viola amplifier, 353
Viotti (violinist-composer), 45
W
weight of case, 343344
whole notes, 129130
whole rest, 137
whole step, 120
whole step in major scales, 167
whole tone, 120, 167
Wild Cats (Venuti and Lang), 294
winding, 57
Winkel, Dietrich Johannes (metronome
inventor), 146
Wise, Chubby (Orange Blossom
Special), 289
wolf note, 316
wood, assessing, 315
workshop violins, 313
workshops, buying from violin, 316
Z
Zydeco and Cajun music, 288, 289
2/27/12 3:17 PM

Violin For Dummies 2nd Edition

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Part II: Getting Started: The Basics ............................ 53

Part III: Reading Music for the Violin ........................ 107

Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony .......................... 163

Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles .....207

Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear................ 309

Part VII: The Part of Tens ......................................... 355

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin ........................... 7

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3: Holding Up Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Part II: Getting Started: The Basics ............................. 53

Getting a Grip on Your Bow Hold ................................................................ 61

Chapter 5: Getting the Left Hand Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Chapter 6: All Together Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Part III: Reading Music for the Violin ........................ 107

Chapter 8: Making Rhythm Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Chapter 9: Measuring Up: A Guide to Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Using Metronomes ...................................................................................... 147

Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony........................... 163

Chapter 11: Cracking Key Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 12: Making Sweet Music Together: Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles... 207

Chapter 14: Putting Your Finger on It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Chapter 15: Playing with Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear ................ 309

Part VII: The Part of Tens .......................................... 355

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Go beyond This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363

Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Tips on Finding a Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Index ....................................................................... 395

Introducing the Violin

ou dont have to be a professional musician to enjoy playing the violin.

Meeting the String Family

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin

Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin

Bowing Out Some Sounds

Looking closely at the bow

Using both your hands

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin

Reading between the Lines

Knowing the notes

Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin

Digging Deeper into Music

Scales and key signatures

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin

Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin

Having Your Own Violin

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin

A major scale (two octaves), 176177

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

condition of, checklist for, 320

for children, 317318

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

taking off old, 347

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Homage to Kreutzer, 228, 231, 233,

Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition

marching your fingers exercise, 9394

Homage to Kreutzer, 228, 231, 233,