Violin Instruction-Tapes on the Fingerboard-To Use, or Not to Use? That is the Question.

Learning aids that address a multitude of endeavors are nothing new. The ubiquitous training wheels are a vital, sometimes necessary component in the travails of the learning process. How much of a price do we pay for added security and comfort? When do we venture away from that security? When do the training wheels come off? Tapes [...]

Traditional American Folk Songs

Ave Maria-Schubert

This beautiful melody is associated with religious as well as secular events. In this arrangement, shifting between the first and third position is utilized. The rhythm in this arrangement can be challenging, and a metronome is recommended when first studying this selection.

Left Hand Technique – Violin Lessons – Paul Huppert

This particular lesson covers a lot of territory in a minimal amount of time. The idea being to pack as much punch into a 15 minute or so warm-up for the left hand as possible. Linear movement is addressed via shifting exercises, both short distances and longer. Drones are introduced, as well as left hand [...]

Introduction to Vibrato – Violin Lessons – by Paul Huppert

Learning vibrato is no easy task, considering there are still those who treat this endeavor more as an innate gift than an acquired skill. Just as shifting, bow stroke vocabulary, and tone quality are within the player’s intellectual pursuit, so too is the mastery of a satisfying use of vibrato. In this lesson, the concept [...]

Violin Lessons – Practice Tip #2

Relaxation is a concept often bandied about as an essential element in the pursuit of optimal instrumental performance. The interesting paradox is that while relaxation can be seen as an essentially static endeavor, that is, the state of “being relaxed” a way of achieving this state can be through movement. Shifting exercises, when done smoothly [...]

Violin Lessons – Practice Tip #1

Sometimes I think the very phrase “I am practicing the violin” leads us to an erroneous assumption that by fixating on the left hand, we are engaged in a complete study of the instrument. My practice tip of the day is to divide warm-up time equally between the left and right hands. Awareness is key, [...]

Violin Instruction – How to play “Cannon in D”

The famous “Pachelbel Canon in D” was originally composed around 1680 as a piece of chamber music for three violins and basso continuo. This presented a real challange when trying to adapt this piece of music to solo violin. Being the well recognized selection that it is, I thought folks might enjoy the challange, and [...]

Violin Lessons For The Beginner – Bow Hand/Arm Technique

Violin bow arm exercises, bow grip for violinists. How to hold the violin bow, and tone production for the violin player.

The Swan

Paul Huppert teaches Violin Lessons Online on the website: www.OnlineLessonVideos.com.