Videos

Hip Hop Violinist Kicks It With DJ

This video has been a hit floating around the internet for a while now, but I know even the most popular videos haven’t always been seen by everyone so I wanted to share it with you! This is yet another group demonstrating that the violin doesn’t have to be restricted to the classical realm. However, [...]

Violin Phase

Violin Phase
Performed at Concert 13 of Music08 June 21, 2008 by Matthew Albert, Nick Naegele, Yei-in Jin, and Chi-Fan Tai. (Info Via Youtube)
Not for the average easy going listener, Violin Phase is a piece full and open to interpretation. Many of my friends would hear this and ask me to turn it off, stating it [...]

Violinist In The Metro- A Social Experiment

“A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their [...]

Howto

Bonus Lesson 4 - Stop Unwanted Bouncing of the Bow

Kelvin had asked about a particular problem he had with unwanted bouncing of the bow. With his permission I am reposting the video with some tips.

Overall you have great tone! You are doing fantastic work!
As far as the bouncing bow I can’t tell specifically from the angle of the video, however, my [...]

How to use the Korg MA-30 Metronome

Many musicians are afraid of the dreaded metronome- but learning how to operate one will make things incredibly easy! Just watch the video below!

How to Setup and Adjust a Kun Shoulder Rest

Any of the images on this page can be viewed at full size. Just click!
When you remove the shoulder rest from the box you’ll see that it is in three pieces. There is the shoulder rest pad itself and two legs. The taller of the two legs will be screwed into the skinnier of [...]

Wisdom

Bonus Lesson: Keep all the Fingers Down? (Question Response)

Hello! I get a lot of comments and questions on this site, and I do my best to answer all of them directly on the comments. Sometimes, however, questions come up that I have come across in the past in teaching but didn’t think to address on this site. This is one such question:
Nicola wrote,
“Dear [...]

10 + 1 More Ways to Improve Your Playing

In the beginning of the month I wrote a post called “10 Ways to Improve Your Playing.” It was so popular that I decided to write about 10 + 1 more ways! This list I feel in some ways dives a little bit deeper than the last, though that doesn’t mean the first list isn’t [...]

10 Ways to Improve Your Playing

No matter what your instrument, the keys to success stay consistent. Here are 10 simple ways to improve your playing!

News

More Lessons Coming Soon!

Hey everyone!
It has been a while! I hope everyone is practicing and playing and having fun! I wanted to write a post to let you all know I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth, I just simply started a very full and involved school semester. As a business major right now I have [...]

I’m Trying out for the Youtube Symphony! (But I Need Your Help!)

“We invite musicians from around the world to audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Your video entries will be combined into the first ever collaborative virtual performance, and the world will select the best of you to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in April 2009.” - Youtube.com
Somewhat similar to last year’s Foo Fighter’s [...]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all of you visitors who help make my site worthwhile. Teaching others is often another way to really re-teach yourself, and I have definitely picked up a few new things and some reminders along the way. Thanks everyone, and have fun today [...]

Teaching

Using The Three Minute Rule To Rocket Your Skills

As stated in the classroom analogy, it is difficult to efficiently process multiple sources of information and consciously retain all of it. It is for this reason that we learn to split concepts and techniques in their practice. Aside from your normal routine of running through music and scales, take the time to skyrocket your [...]

The Classroom Analogy

Imagine that you are sitting in a classroom. What would it be like if your math teacher was up in front teaching you advanced algebra, your English teacher to your right was covering MLA format, your history teacher to your left was discussing the origin of religion, and your gym teacher behind you was whistling [...]

Need More Students?

“I need more students!”

Are you a beginning teacher? Perhaps you are a high school student just starting, or maybe already an experienced instructor looking for more students. This guide will help you, no matter what you teach! When I was in high school I began working at a local music store. One December evening, the [...]