Question 1

Do you have any tips to make vibrato with the 1st and 4th fingers in the violin?

Accepted Answer

Don't use a metronome.  I am learning how to do vibrato right now, and this is one of the exercises my teacher told me to do first:

-  Sit in a chair with an armrest
-  Rest your elbow and rock your wrist/hand , back and then straight up again.  DON'T go forward.  Vibrato is when you FLAT the note, not SHARP it.
-  Do it slowly at first, then gradually speed up, counting in your head

If you don't understand this, then you can always ask your teacher if you have one!

Question 2

I'm a singer and student of psychology really interested in emotions :) one of the biggest question i would like to ask to everyone(musician or not), is:
How do you face "on stage" stress?
Whatever the "stage" is, real or abstract.

Accepted Answer

When I perform music before an audience, I always sit quietly for a few long moments before starting to calm down and to get myself into the right mood. I do my best to forget the audience, and play for my own enjoyment, I tend to lose myself in the music. This is the only way I can put my feelings into what I am playing.

Question 3

At about 1:00, he mentions that modern items are put onto the violin. Are there any orchestras that use only original instruments/authentic replicas (no modern things on the instrument)? Such as using only violins that Mozart would have had in his time?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many orchestras will only use what are known as "period instruments," or instruments from that musical period. For instance, in the Baroque period, strings were traditionally made from a material known as "gut," created from the intestine from sheep. It has a richer, more complex sound, but needs more care and tuning and doesn't last as long. The bows have a different shape and are shorter so the players can articulate the sound differently. Baroque Orchestras are usually comprised of a lesser amount of people (or "ensemble") and are known as chamber orchestras. These can also include instruments specific from the time period they wish to convey. Some instruments, such as the lute or Viola de Gamba, are specific to a time period and will usually only be used in a Baroque chamber orchestra. Different instruments, such as the piano, timpani, and tuba, consist in larger symphonic orchestras only (usually). Some instruments weren't even invented yet at the time of the conception of the piece, so ensembles have to take that into consideration when they decide what pieces to play so all the parts are covered in the orchestra.

Question 4

Do you have to count the time in an orchestra or can you just wing it?

Accepted Answer

You have to count the beats to make sure you come in at the right time.  If you wing it you are almost guarantied to come in at the wrong time and be at the wrong tempo.

Question 5

how many strings does a violin have

Accepted Answer

The violin, viola, cello, and bass all have four strings.
The strings on a violin are G, D, A, E from lowest to highest.
The strings on a viola are C, G, D, A from lowest to highest.
The strings on a cello have the same intervals as a viola, but an octave lower.
The strings on a bass are E, A, D, G from lowest to highest.

Question 6

There's not any reason for the integral sign on violins, is there? Had to ask.

Accepted Answer

The integral sign on the violin is actually called to f holes. They are the part of the violin where vibrating sound is released from the strings, which vibrates the sound-post while vibrating the wood, and out the f holes.

Question 7

When do I need to polish my violin? Every half a month? Am I right?

Accepted Answer

I've been playing for two years and I have never polished my violin before.
It makes the instrument look better, and sometimes they need it, but it's usually not necessary.

Question 8

how do i keep my violin in a good condition just like the violin in the video

Accepted Answer

Here are some tips, in no particular order:
1.  Take good care of it when playing.  Try not to bang it against other things or scratch the paint off.
2.  When you are done practicing, loosen the bow so it doesn't straighten up completely, because that would be bad for the bow.
3.  Don't leave the violin out in the sun or in really cold temps.
4.  Also, after practicing, wipe the rosin off the fingerboard, strings, and under the fingerboard.  This prevents the violin from having a muddy sound.
Hope this helped,
-Meow

Question 9

My friend plays the violin but it doesn't look at all like the one David Kim showed, is there a reason for that

Accepted Answer

There are various woods for making violins, as a luthier i've repaired some violins, enough to know that each violin maker has their preferences and style to their work, as well as the color of varnish that they place on their violins, also you should consider the age of some which might alter their look making them look vintage, but if you may also consider all the different sizes of violins which produce different ranges of sounds.

Question 10

Who's the best violinist in the world?

Accepted Answer

In my opinion it is Jascha Heifetz because of his high technical percussion and musicality, but there are other greats such as Itzhak  Perlman, Joshua Bell, Hilary Han, Fritz Kreisler, Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh, Maxim Vengerov, and Pinchas Zukerman.

Music

Course: Music > Unit 4

Violin: Interview and demonstration with concertmaster David Kim

Want to join the conversation?

Video transcript