Violin Lessons | Fiddle Lessons | How To Play The Violin

Traditional American Folk Songs

phuppert — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:24:50 +0000

Ave Maria-Schubert

phuppert — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:47:14 +0000

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.

Intermediate Violin Vibrato

phuppert — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:51:43 +0000

This lesson on vibrato picks up where the “Introduction to Violin Vibrato” leaves off. Shifting exercises in the 1st-5th positions, as a means of relaxation, and shaping the finger. Also, exercises to increase flexibility, and strength. Vibrato exercise in double stops is also discussed. This lesson addresses wrist vibrato only.

Left Hand Technique – Violin Lessons – Paul Huppert

phuppert — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:32:31 +0000

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 pizzicato and trilling exercises. About half of these exercises are in the first position, and some more advanced shifting is done up to the fifth position.

Introduction to Vibrato – Violin Lessons – by Paul Huppert

phuppert — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:24:34 +0000

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 of shifting practice as a form of relaxation to proceed the practice of vibrato is introduced, and will be a mainstay throughout the three lesson vibrato series. Shaping the finger, angle, and structural integrity of the left hand in general are discussed. To better make this lesson accessible to those players that do not shift, I included exercises in the first position only.

Violin Lessons – Practice Tip #2

phuppert — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:13:53 +0000

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 and with a certain economy of movement can induce a state of relaxation in the left hand. These exercises can vary extensively, and there are many published approaches available, a good example is the Sevcik Violin Study Op. 8.

Violin Lessons – Practice Tip #1

phuppert — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:00:04 +0000

Violin Lessons | Paul Huppert

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, and merely a starting point from which one evolves, gradually developing practice techniques and applications…make it fun!

Violin Lessons Online – www.OnlineLessonVideos.com

Violin Instruction – How to play “Cannon in D”

phuppert — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:44:23 +0000

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 address certain technical aspects while learning a beloved piece of music.
One helpful hint while working on this arrangement is to utilize the open strings as a pitch reference for your double stop practice. Tempo is not terribly important (slower is probably better than fast). A nice, even legato bow stroke will help set the mood as well.

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

Violin Lessons For The Beginner – Bow Hand/Arm Technique

phuppert — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:29:40 +0000

In this video, emphasis was put on the concept of tone production, along with a few basic exercises. The bow grip, is one of those topics that can be somewhat subjective, and to a certain extent can reflect the physical conformity of the individual. One aspect of bow grip placement to consider is positioning of the hand on the bow. There is no reason to hold the bow in a way that doesn’t work for you. Several years ago, I opted to move my bow grip up the bow about a half inch, and I’ve never looked back…wish I had done it sooner. For more detailed analysis and expanded exercise work, stay tuned for warm-up exercise videos for both bow arm and left hand technique.

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

Learning Violin – Bow Technique

phuppert — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:28:00 +0000

This sample, taken from the “Violin Starter Kit” discusses the importance of dividing the violin bow into parts so that the student better understands how to approach the violin bow as a whole. The other aspect of this lesson is to emphasize the importance of the legato bow stoke. Basically, legato is the wellspring from which all other “bow stroke knowledge” springs forth. It’s a foundational thing, and can contribute greatly to a player’s personal enjoyment of playing the violin.

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