How to Begin your Violin Lessons

Violins are one of the musical instruments that are outstanding because of their unique quality of sound. Even though it only has 4 strings, its notation is unique; it has no frets and no markings. The consistent and sustaining sound of the violin are also soothing to the ear. That is why more people would love to take violin classes and learn this remarkable instrument. Violin is basically the mastery of finger positions for notation using your ear. So here's how we begin the lesson.

Know your instrument

The violin has 4 strings on it and it also has several parts. These parts are: the scroll, the pegs, the nut, the neck, fingerboard, body, bridge tail piece and the chin rest. It has a bow that is used to slide on the bottom strings in order to gain sound. Parts of the bow are the tip, hair, stick, grip and the screw. You are also going to need the rosin, which is used to provide friction for the bow hairs. Each of these parts has significant functions. You can see their importance as you continue on with your violin lessons.

Mastering your bowing

Violin teachers would start by teaching you how to master bowing. Bowing is very important in violin playing because this is where you get your sound. You don't strum or pluck the strings of the violin most of the time (although there are some instances when advanced players pluck or strum), instead, you slide your bow's hair on the string.
Violin lessons would start on bowing so here are several things to remember when you begin your bowing:

1. Tighten the bottom screw of the bow; this will also tighten the hairs of the bow. Adjust the hair to level where it is tight enough to glide on the string.

2. Apply the rosin generously on the hair. If your rosin is new, it would have a shiny surface on top. You need to scratch it before applying on the bow hairs to maximize its effect.

3. Position the bow straight in between the bottom end of the finger board and the bridge. Your bow must be positioned straight using the bridge as your pattern.

4. Slide gently the bow from frog (the bottom of the bow) to the tip (the top portion of the bow). When you slide the bow, make sure that it remains in-between the bottom end of the fingerboard and the bridge. Why? Because when the bow goes up towards the bridge it can make a squeaky sound. Also as it goes towards the middle of the finger board, you will strike other strings and will produce an unpleasant sound.

Now that you have started to produce a sound, you can start to explore all four strings by bowing each of them from tip to frog. Make the sound vibrate. Don't press the bow too hard on the string or you will get an awful sound. Gently slide it and glide it smoothly to get a sustaining and vibrating sound.

Remember to practice your bowing daily. You cannot advance towards notations unless you master your bowing first. It can help you as continue with your violin lessons.