5 Things We Wish We Knew Learning the Violin 

“24 years for me!” “22 years for me!” “A total of 50 years!” *Ladies and gentleman, the boys who met at math tutoring.*

me, a non-musician: *ah yes i need this **_for my next life_*

Not going to lie, I was expecting: 1. Go Practice 2. Go Practice 3. Be Chloe Chua 4. Go Practice 5. Go Practice

Time stamps! 2:38 1. Resonance 7:43 2. Good Teachers for good foundations 11:09 3. No correct posture for everyone 15:18 4. Centre of gravity in left hand

when they’ve played violin longer than you’ve existed..

Twoset: we are adults. Also Twoset: waving like sea grass for no reason in the beginning of the video 0:06

"When you have a bad day, we're here to wipe your screen." Can't say how grateful I was to hear that, Brett. Love y'all.

who was here when the title was still “The 5 Secret Shortcuts To Make You Sound Like Lingling”

Who also thinks they should do a "Serious Saturday" series, this video is a mine of gold for me who wants to learn violin and I'm sure there are many more persons like me!

eddy: professional violinists that played in professional orchestras- brett: *oonga boonga-ing with his bow to the left* ah yes, peak professionalism

Twosetviolin having famous violinists subscribing to their RU-vid channel is really a flex😂

Regarding thing number six (i.e. practice), one thing twoset never mentions is that *frequency* of practice is more important than the raw number of hours. It's better to practice twenty minutes a day than to practice for three hours twice a week. If you're already doing long practice sessions every day, it is helpful to break it up into smaller chunks. People tend to learn and grow through cycles of work and rest, so getting in as many work-rest cycles as possible makes a huge difference. That's not to say you should never have long practice sessions (there are benefits for sure), but don't go into a practice session with the idea that you have to play for hours. Just pick up your instrument every day and play for at least few minutes. Once you start, there is a good chance you will want to keep going! Another thing with this is, if you're already practicing every day, it is good to occasionally take a break from playing for a few days or even weeks. If you play at a high level, you will notice that your technique gets a little worse after this, but it will come back quickly, and taking occasional vacations can be really helpful in feeling more inspired to play and breaking out of old ruts.

"We are Twoset Violin and this is our Masterclass!"

'at least they're not giving math tips' damn editor san be savage as usual edit: 'sO hUmBle' editor san i love u

Am I the only one who was impressed by the fact that Eddy got Hilary to teach him Sibelius concerto?!

General rules for practicing I've discovered way too late that I wish someone told me earlier: 1. Treat learning how to play a piece as if it were a riddle to solve, or a code to break- rather than a practicing task to perform. It's about exploration, not repetition. Experiment constantly. Don't just pay attention, pay *microscopic* attention to the body, instrument, and the mechanics and physics that shape your sound and what happens when you change things. Get exited about discovering new ways of playing. 2. Have notes for more pieces than you can play in one sitting and shuffle them. If you play the same thing over and over, your brain gets saturated and progress stops. Get a good book of etudes (or three) and play a random different one every day. Play a different scale every day (As recommended by Flesch himself, btw). 3. 40 minutes play, 20 minutes rest. Give your brain time to regroup. Then 2 days play, 1 day rest. If that's too extreme for you, at least a day off once a week, just don't obsess about playing every day. Every athlete will confirm how crucial rest and days off are, this is the same- more practice isn't always better, you can fry your brain. 4. Always start a playing session with something slow and quiet with a lot of long notes and fragile bow changes. It gets you in the zone and you are less likely to rush through things later. 5. Playing the violin is an eternal pursuit of reducing tension. If it doesn’t sound good, something somewhere is clenched. Notice, relax, listen again. Sometimes the biggest leaps in your progress will happen after you don't touch the violin for a while. Like if you practice a nasty passage or shift 50 times a day for a week, and it still doesn't work, then you don't touch that piece for a month, play it again and boom, it's perfect. It really happens. Allow yourself that flexibility, give your brain time to rest and regroup. Occasional breaks is also how you don't get sick of playing, btw.

the only thing they got from math tutoring was each other but becuz of that this entire fandom exists

Ling Ling’s identity is hidden. Nobody can achieve their level of greatness...

Aaah! 😲The center of gravity thing XD Tried to change it now and I think thats been a part of my vibrato tension issue. Gonna practice!💃🎻🎶🎵

i lost it at 3:54 😂😂 Eddy wanted Brett to approve his Tchaik 🥺

(edited apr 11, 2021, morning) how to be ling ling in 5 steps 1. resonance 2:38 2. good teachers for good foundation 7:43 3. no correct posture for everyone 11:07 4. center of gravity in left hand 15:18 5. find a good instrument 17:34 6 (bonus). practice! 20:00

Twoset talking serious is the best that that has happened since Ling Ling started practicing 40 hours

The left hand centre of gravity thing has me SHOOK. Rocked me to my very core. 10 years of left hand issues falling tok-tok-tok into place. Need to go lie down in a dark room for a while to recover from this earth-shattering realization.

Petition to make this a series with their other musician friends. For example, I would love to hear Sophie Oui oui's thoughts for playing the piano.

*"We guide others to a treasure we cannot possess."*

I'm so amazed that Brett and Eddy are sharing these things they wish they knew before. Not anyone can be that open minded especially in the music world where competition is a really big thing. It will probably sound a bit cheesy but thank you Brett and Eddy for being such good people. (Sorry for my English, I am not a native speaker 😅)

Did Brett and Eddy just gave us all of their best experience/advice as a gift? That's... that is one of the best gifts I've recieved

Eddy's greatest quote: "Once you hear it, you'll hear it" (6:30)

Twoset: To be Ling Ling, you have to have a good tone Violists: *weeping*

Brett and Eddy are so generous and open to us 😭

This week I turned 29 and I signed up for my first violin lesson. I know I won't be able to play like you guys but I'm very excited to learn to play like me, so thanks for the inspiration and encouragement!

Summary of the 5 steps: 1) resonance (to have musicality) 2) good teacher to good foundation 3) no (one) correct posture for everyone 4) Centre of gravity of your left hand 5) find a good instrument 6) practice Pre-requisite: subscribed to TwoSetViolins

Is anyone else going to talk about the fact that Eddy got a violin lesson from *Hilary Hahn* ???

For everyone who’s learning an instrument, I hope you enjoy this journey is a tough way but the results of your hardwork and PRACTICE will worth all the time and effort you put on it. Don’t be harsh on yourself, you won’t get results in one day (maybe if you’re the personification of Ling Ling) BE PACIENT. Now may Ling Ling be with you 💕 and “GO PRACTICE” **auntie’s voice**

“Hello my name is Brett...” “and my name is Eddy...” “”and welcome to out MASTERCLASS”” I love it when I actually learn something while watching them... it’s like I’m practicing but also procrastinating from practicing

I’ve danced as a hobby mu whole life and one thing I can tell you is: if you go through all these troubles with instrument teachers that mess up with your mind, you can only IMAGINE what happens with dance students! The struggle is real, totally relatable

As an adult beginner violinist (I'm 25!), this was great to watch! I started about a year and 6 months ago. I picked it up right before I turned 24 and i've loved every minute of it, but I've always felt I'm just too old to learn such an intricate instrument, but hey! I'll be joining my community orchestra soon and have been managing this on top of my full time job and I couldn't be happier about it honestly. Been watching you guys for a few years now, you guys are great! Keep it up, you're inspiring so many people

I feel like a lot of kids who play violin get 90% of their knowledge from TwoSet

I cannot believe how well rounded of a youtube channel TwoSet has become. This is a really valuable video and I hope people take something from it

When Eddy looked at Brett for reassurance... so adorable!

People like me who have surpassed the socially acceptable age for learning any instrument but still watching the complete video be like- *I N T E R E S T I N G*

alternative title: a private lesson with twosetviolin 🤩

These two are basically, the best people in the world. Reasons why I think so: 1: Funny 2: Extremely cute 3: Are sadness windscreen wipers.

About teachers "It's better to know why than what" - Yes yes yes. A truly great teacher does not impose the same techniques on all students but identifies problems and works with the student to discover what works for that individual.

There’s no shortcut idk why I clicked this PRACTICE

Twoset really does make our day better

The thing about posture is so true. Everybody has a different physical build, so there's no one posture that's gonna fit everybody. You need the basics of a posture, yes, but ultimately, the most important thing is that you find a posture that's most comfortable to YOU. And it's not just violins, this applies to every instrument. You will always play your best when you feel the most relaxed and natural with an instrument.

I have been playing for 3 and a half years, I felt I wasn't improving so I began lessons with a new teacher, she started working with me with the things you mention in this video, specially the resonance and my left hand position, it really makes a difference, I notice I can make my violin sound better with all this small changes. Thanks for sharing!!

TwoSetViolin: posts a new video Me: clicks the video faster than the sacrilegious boi

Twoset: practice 40 hrs a day Also twoset: uploading 2 times a day knowing everone will watch it while sitting at their instrument

I took violin lessons 8 years ago and stopped because of university/music teachers ruined the instrument for me. Haven't touched the violin since. This week I stumbled upon your channel and decided to take my violin out and start practicing again. It's only my third day back into practicing but I remember a lot from the lessons I took. I sound like shi...eet music BUT I keep practicing my 40 hours a day and I am learning to love the violin again. So thank you for the awesome content! :)

me at 1:31 : *lying in bed* *being 12* *have been playing cello for two years* *dreams of becoming the next yoyoma*

Twoset before: it's all about practicing 40 hours a day everyday Twoset now: SHorTcUt to SouNds beTTer

Real fun fact : There's a man called Francesco Paoli. He's a guitarist and vocalist of Fleshgod Apocalypse. Long story short the band doesn't have a drummer. So he decided to learn drums. 2 years later hey released Agony, their second album with Paoli on drums and they're fast asf (the slowest is 226 BPM and the fastest is 300 BPM), and it's only been two years since he started drumming. He practiced somewhat around 8 hours per day. How long is that in music world?

I guess I never knew...

As a 37-year-old who just started (4 months ago) to learn violin, finally fulfilling a life's dream, I can't thank you enough for this priceless video

Now, this is what I subscribed for! 😍 Episode clearly goes to playlist "TwoSet Counselingling".

"Once you hear it, you'll hear it." wow, such wisdom!

“The 5 Secret Shortcuts To make You Sound like Ling Ling” Me who has been practicing for months and still getting no where: Now is my chance!

'we're gonna have fun but we're not gonna have damentals' *now i feel that on a spiritual level*

I'm not working!!! I'm watching another Twoset video and here comes the new one!!!! Life is AMAZING!!!

Clicked instantly tired of sounding like a peasant

honestly, i wasn't even listening to what they were as much as I was endeared by the two of them showing off their beautiful friendship. yes, I'm jealous. yes, I need a hug :'(

I love how they mention teachers wanting the best for their students. As a private piano teacher, I actually felt praised as most of non-musician people have no idea how teaching an instrument to different people on completely different levels is. And also being able to pin point what they can improve on on the spot... Personally speaking, teaching 30+ students having in mind everything envolved before and after each lesson, it's quite hard and exhausting. Adding the fact that I drive to each and every one of them adds on to the challenge. Nevertheless, I love what I do, love seeing them progress and taking steps towards success. I wouldn't ask for anything better. 😊

The moment when you play the piano but you take the tips to your heart 😂

*5 secret shortcuts to make you sound like Ling Ling* Me: wait that's illegal

Me learning a piano: oof this got nothing to do with me Also me: mhm yess yes yes..

I recently just got a new teacher after my first two. I have been playing for approximately 8 years, and this teacher has just started to talk about sounding point, bow speed, tonality, resonance, and just opening up this whole new world of playing and I am so excited. Ahh, I have seen the effect of center of gravity in the left hand, but never actually known about it. My nee teacher did talk about it for octaves (leaning more on the 3 or 4 finger) for less tension. Now I know!

the "expensive does not mean good all the time" was something I actually noticed early on when I was looking at instruments after playing a few years. I went to try out some of the violins in this shop and liked the sound and felt better playing an $800 violin over a $1,500 violin.

Have a good day everyone♡ Don't forget to prctice. :)

Non-musician here, just an audiology and speech-language therapy student who appreciates these two guys 👋 What Brett and Eddy are saying about resonance is so important guys. The source (aka the strings of your instrument or vocal cords) produces a spectrum of sound composed by the tone+harmonics/overtones. You need to have in mind that some of them are going to be amplified when its frequency matches one of the natural frequencies of vibration (resonance frequencies) of your instrument/vocal tract. So if you want a fuller sound/proyect the sound you absolutely have to pay attention not only to the tone but also to the overtones.

Now that is why violin is one of the most hardest instruments to play

Dude it's literally serious Saturdays now...and I am loving every second of it!!❤️❤️

Ahh yes... the Twoset Windshield Wipers. That’s needs to be the name for a classical band.

I absolutely 💕 LOVE 💕 that Hilary was helping Eddy with his Sibelius

Another good way to hear the resonance that my first teacher taught me is to hear how long your sound remains after you lifted your bow, like how long your violin vibrates, and I found that also helpful

Even though I don't have a car, I still want Twoset windscreen wipers.

Thank you!! I know this will get lost in the comments but as a violinist of 14 years now and just having upgraded to a beautiful violin with much more potential I am realising there is so much more to discover regarding resonance and tone, and I've found that I've had to go back to some of the basics and really listen to my sound and how I can change it and play with a wider range of expression. I love hearing you guys talk about music and hope I can hear you play next time you come to London! Much love from the UK 🧡

I re-watched this video after the 4 Million Subscribers concert. Their 5th point (good instrument) is so striking - they got to play Strads!!!

Perfect combination of Eddy’s old channel where there’s serious and helpful violin techniques, and TS lighthearted content. Love this as a beginner violinist!

I looooove TwoSet

I love this style of videos where twoset just has an informative conversation with us. And the best part is that they are teaching violinists really good tips.

THAAAANK YOUUUUU !!!! I just grab my violin thinking all what you've said and I had my greatest epiphany, most with that of center of gravity and ressonance, my whole playing improve in the blink of an eye, and from now on keep on working just for the better. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH TWOSET !!! Sorry for bad english :P

they joke about it but the fact that we can literally just profit from all the wisdom they have gained over the years in a free youtube video is so fucking cool and i really feel the impact of it as well, just the way i think about my playing has changed so much ever since i started watching their videos and also i'm always so much more motivated because of them, thank you so much twoset!!

Once again we see why they met at math tuition 😂

On point 5: hey guys! Amateur cellist here! My family is pretty poor, so we got a cheapo cello. After lessons at school, I found it so difficult to improve. But when I went to a cello instructor, she immediately pointed out how high the strings were away from the fingerboard 😭 After investing in a slightly better cello, my playing was on another level! And I could play for much longer before injury

If you have a decent but not great instrument, but can’t move up yet, getting it re-set up by a good luthier can make a big difference. Turned out my sound post was not quite in the perfect place and when that was fixed, my violin would vibrate in sympathy with other people playing, like it was a live thing. I was quite startled.

"Practice practicing practicing" That is why I watch every TwoSet video and I don't even play violin.

1. Just 2. Go 3. Practice 4. 40 hrs 5. A day

Have you guys think of making a good legit violin teaching app? Or publish something related to violin learning? I know you guys are busy and these things are complicated af, but just a random thought. I JUST LOVE TO SEE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT VIOLIN LEARNING SERIOUSLY!!! I love all other videos too but I'd love to see more of this types of video, if possible. But no pressure, I'll watch whatever videos you guys posted 10+ times at least!!!

I am so upset that Twoset have less public attention than they deserve. Even my mom (not a professional musician) said that they are good and funny boys after I translated to her a couple of videos. Twoset truly are healers and teachers and friends for all of us

Thanks for the video! I have played violin for years on and off and have struggled with losing interest when I hit ruts or feel unable to improve. This video helped me see that there were a lot of holes in my instruction (I was taught to play concertos without understanding the foundations, developed many bad habits, and had mixed and confusing feedback from instructors with little explanation). I have been considering giving up violin altogether because my foundation is so poor, but you guys are inspiring me to find a good instructor and keep learning :)

Thank you for explaining 'centre of gravity' and how it works with stretching, as it affects pretty much all stringed instruments. It'll certainly help me with improving on guitar.

As a teacher, I feel like a lot of things they said about being good or bad teachers apply to teaching in my field as well. Hope they know these tips are helpful to not just string players, but anyone who cares about learning and teaching.

A point about 1. Resonance: It's interesing for me as a singer to hear this because frankly thats most of what I try to achieve in my lessons. Trying to bring out 'metallicness' of the voice by opening up resonating chambers in the skull. It's really faszinating for me to see that this really applies in so much importance to string intruments etc. (Although it makes sense considering that in the I think Rennaissance era the precursors of modern instruments were build to kind of emulate the sound of the voice... :D)

That beginning, your words, maths confusion and both still funny 🤣 keep being awesome guys

This is proof that Editor San is savage

I am so glad Eddy is making informational videos again. Really missed this on his personal channel. And the addition of Brett is a great bonus! I don't want to hear you say you can't teach Eddy, ok? :D

Just want to say thanks a lllllllllot for this super helpful/useful video: our 9 yr old took your tips and implemented them in his practice over the past two weeks. The color/tone of the sound improved magically (his teacher used the word "revolutionary", lol). You guys rock!

Watching this after Brett's Mendelssohn happened and going to one of their world tour shows, hearing them say they had their dreams broken of being soloists makes me so proud of how far y'all have come