Fantastic! Thank you so much. My problem is that I have a short pinky, and can only stretch an octave on piano. I can play the violin comfortably but only with the old-school technique mixed with a few modern aspects like a straight thumb. I find what my teacher gave me is extremely suitable and comfortable. But the examiners hate it. Although my conservatoire teacher recommended this technique to me, but some examiners do not like it because my violin is rotated to the left and my palm of the hand is at roughly 33 degrees from the fingerboard. Most people recommend almost 80 degrees. Please could you advise me whether or not my technique and thus body is suited to the classical violin?
I think I am guilty of always having the shoulder blade back! This causes my neck to get tight on the right side, but weirdly I'm so used to it that playing at the frog is no problem. I have a problem for the last 5 years where my shoulder pops when moving between in/out or up/down positions. It doesn't hurt but obvious something is not right. Is clear now that this bowing issue contributes, and indeed may be the main cause!! Will have to think about this actively and see if the popping finally starts to go away... Thank you so much for these videos, Bayla. The other one on shoulder and forearm rotation for vibrato was also so clarifying! As a violist over twisting /supinating the forearm seems helpful at first but can easily lead to injury. These technique ideas help improve my endurance, and avoid these common pitfalls for my students from early on.
Why is it bad to tilt the bow away from you? Im a 41 beginner, with very long arms, tilting the bow to my face makes me pick it up wih my wrist and makes a curve at the tip… But if i face it away from me i can draw it so much steadier, and dont even reach my full arm length..its np…. 🤷♂️
Hi Bayla, Would it be possible to give some advice on the hand and elbow position when playing on the G string in first position and vibrato on the G string in first position?
the frame exercise is great thank you. I have a hard time maintain my frame when I play A flat on g string. My index finger has a hard time reaching back to play A flat in tune without moving my wrist, or I experience a great deal of tension at base knuckle of my index finger if I do not move my wrist.
I was working on my A flat minor scale and it was brutal to keep the frame. Leaning against a wall was a game changer for me. Now it is time to file for that amicable divorce.
I've never thought that RU-vid recommend me this video than I realized this is the main subject I'm discussing about with my teacher this week. And also realized the fact that everyone says "your phone is listening to everything you say" might be true... 😅 All and all, a was a really good detailed demonstration. 🤌🏻🫡👏🏻
Thank you Bayla (and the students!). I am over 50 years old and these videos have given my violin playing a new lease of life because you never stop learning, like you say. I can’t wait to try out this new technique.
Loved this insightful video, along with the one on pronation and supination. I hope you will give us a video on warming up the right hand. As I get older, warming up my bow arm has become increasingly difficult. I’d love to see some open string exercises and any other exercises you recommend for warming up the bow arm. Thank you, Professor Keyes. 🙏🏻🎻
I agree. I’m 73 now, and had shoulder surgery at age 24. The catches and rice crispies caught up to me recently. It’s mildly painful, I’d call it discomfort. But it’s there. Keeping it moving with excercises like hers, and doing tai chi could help.
Brilliant student! Such a simple but clever exercise to achieve instant results 😀. I think in the past I have seen a video of Hilary Hahn playing the violin while lying on her back, demonstrating that she sometimes trains thinking outside the box to develop the versatility of her violin brain. At least I think that was the reason or to overcome nervousness on stage! But certainly playing while leaning over forces the right arm muscles to maintain good bow contact, so important for a consistent tone 👏 Thank you
Prof. Keyes, I'm so happy to have come across your channel! Thank you for the inspirational introduction video. I agree with you 100% about lifelong learning and love everything you are saying about keeping the body healthy for longevity. Very beautiful quote at the end! Daniel Phillips introduced me to Dounis during my undergrad studies - pretty sure his lessons are the reason I was (mostly) injury-free in my 20s! Unfortunately, currently in my mid-30s I came face to face with long-term left hand dequervain's tendonitis (3 months in, but strangely playing doesn't hurt, but might be slowing down recovery. Maybe something else caused it.). Am also a fan of body-mapping but will have to try Tai Chi one of these days =)
Dear Maestro, my teacher told me so far nothing about finger patterns and I don't feel much organisation but much Chaos in everything. But These Things are very important as I realize. I'm so sad and desillusionated about that... If I only knew, how to start with that? Can you please recommand me a good school (for the start). I play six-seven years now...🎻🎻🎻🎶❤️🧡🎶🎶
Great lesson! Thank you, For the same purpose I create a video with all the 12 notes. Available to everybody online ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FawLvwvGkGE.htmlsi=NLgxWUP11PQKHHqz
