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.

Intermediate Violin Vibrato

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

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

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 that do not involve shifting, and are in the first position only.