Pro Violin Teacher reacts to Karolina Protsenko | Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 

I'm a violin beginner and I was simply impressed by how you made the "student sound", sound exactly like me.

I agree maybe she isn't a child prodigy in the actual instrument... but, I believe she is a child prodigy in another area that is actually tougher if not impossible to teach and that is in her passion to perform and fearlessness to push herself in her artistry... very few musicians at this age connect with their audience as she does... regardless of someone's opinion of a violinist performing pop music on the streets, she didn't amass 8 million followers on this platform alone simply because she is adorable... she has a unique gift of capturing your heart and taking you along her musical journey if for only a few minutes... and in my humble opinion is what separates the good from the greats...

Karolina first learned to play the violin at age six and by the age of ten she was playing as a busker on the streets of LA. In order to attract an audience and make a living she adopted a style of play that was totally different than an otherwise professional violinist might demonstrate. She incorporated dance and movement and style into her performance that wouldn't even be considered when training a violin student. Most professionals would not even attempt to play in the style of Karolina. That style of play has to be done in ways different than you might otherwise expect. Over the last year she has put more and more emphasis on developing a more traditional classical style and you can see the changes in her performances when comparing one recent performance to the next. In a recent video when discussing a new violin purchase she mentioned a difference in the way she was approaching the fingering of her left hand. If you compare this performance with her most recent practice video you can see a remarkable difference. As far as I'm concerned, Karolina has made a profound difference in the way the contemporary public looks at the violin. They want more and more of it - 8.3 million subscribers on one channel with more than 10 million subscribers on all of her RU-vid channels together. Add an additional 10 million Facebook devotes plus her other social media accounts and you have quite an audience. An audience that wants more and more. Karolina is one of the few people who can deliver it. ru-vid.comeh7JOG9CC4I

Great feedback and very fair. She's an incredible talent but moreover an incredible young lady who has accomplished so much in her 15 years. Given she appears financially independent already, she can follow her dreams rather than someone else's.

Love this! Constructive criticism with praise where appropriate...its obvious you are a great teacher and just from watching this I have learned a lot on how to make my own Mendelsohn better. Thanks! hope this series continues, its so good! Props to Karolina for putting herself out there and getting back to her classical roots

She is learning but with Ray Chen’s support it’s great to see they practiced a few months back. Well done for her hard work. First concert let’s be humble here

Very well said. I hope people don’t take this as a negative review to the performer. Just think it’s a good lesson for who is learning violin, like my kids. The left hand tension is what my older one working on for the past few months. I hope he’ll get it relaxed one day lol

I definitely understand being defensive of Karolina as she is a child, very talented, and just overall a bright person. But this is absolutely the kind of respectful and helpful critique that musicians crave. So well done and helpful. I'm sure Karolina would agree. More of this, please!

"I'm sure that will go over wonderfully" 😂😂 Rubs was looking for a popcorn moment.

She has other great talents, she also plays piano, guitar and has a beautiful voice. See her cover of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters at age 13. It is magical. See her new video singing in French and playing violin, the song Voila. She is amazing!

Man on top right yawns at 9:58 then starts playing the trumpet at 13:28 then blows his nose 23:39. Tries to play trumpet again 26:35 but instead coughs into his arm Enjoyed your video which is a very constructive appreciation of Karolina’s playing. She is a little jewel in the internet violin world. There were MANY things in her performance that demonstrate her incredible potential to improve to a high level. And it is her positive personality which shines through in what she does that is worth 1000 correct notes or bow strokes. She will get even better and better I believe. A bit like Nicola Benedetto grew into an international soloist. Wonderful ❤

I got the original video in my recommended, and I listened for a moment, but then clicked off. I couldn't reconcile the over the top enthousiastic comments with what I was hearing. This girl plays way better than I probably ever will. And I think she worked very hard to get to where she's at. But it's very clear to me that there's a lot of stuff for her to learn still. For me, the first amazing thing she does is actually putting herself out there with her music, to such a huge audience, at the age of 15. I'm more than twice her age and I wouldn't have the courage to do that, even if I were as good as her or even better. I think you treat her very respectfully, point out the good stuff and the less good stuff. I imagine it would be fun to work with her as a teacher, she's clearly a hard worker who pays attention to detail.

I like her playing better and she has a talent above many too actually dance and control her violin in such a beautiful way. This in itself sets her apart with her sweet personality.

Do not be too hard on Karolina's left hand. When you look at her beginning she started at age 6, and busking at 7, and danced into our hearts. I have never heard a bow skip, so her bow pressure would be high, as well as her left hand tight That is what carries through in her classical playing. I am sure as she studies her craft those things will disappear. What a wonderful person who has a tremendous memory. (It is said she can learn a pop song in an hour. ) And true, she is gifted, but never shows that off either. Bravo Karoline!

This was Karolina's very first appearance and experience as a classical soloist with an orchestra in her entire life. And although she may not be a child prodigy in classical field you have to understand that she produces two improvisational pop music interpretations per week only by ear - just listening to original recordings without sheet music. She is capable to create one in an afternoon and perform it next day flawlessly. And as a music teacher myself I can understand perfectly that she has to develop - especially in classical field.

Great, loved it, but there is also 'personality' and she is using hers in a delightful way to connect between popular music and classical music and maybe millions who, like me, are not attracted to the violin are now attracted, along with the classical music scene, thanks.

Omg!! I learned very much in this video. I actually love and appreciate your teaching style.

I did enjoy this constructive commentary on the concerto. It's like a master class.😊

What is the point of musical performance? To give joy and passion to the listener or to have technical proficiency? Which is more important? She has 8.3 million subscribers. You decide.

This was awesome thank you!

I was curious, so I tried playing along with her recording of the cadenza. I started at the same time as her and she had already finished the ricochet section and was at the end of the page by the time I had finished the trills. Just slowing down would be a massive improvement to her playing, and it seems like it might calm her nerves as an added benefit. Thanks for your commentary, it really helps me (as someone studying the Mendelssohn right now) to get new perspectives and performance tips.

I would consider someone who can play the complete Mendelssohn Violin Concerto at 15 to be somewhat of a prodigy. Or at least very gifted. That's a hard piece.

Maybe she's not doing it exactly the way YOU want, but with nearly two BILLION views, and a net worth of over $13,000,000, I'd say she's doing it in a way that is right for her.

I love your channel. Please upload more videos😍

there needs to be a petition for murphy the elite professional to make a recorded performance with orchestra on the Mendelssohn

I loved your analysis of Karolina's playing. I love her as a violinist & a person & hope she watches this with it's constructive criticism in a positive way. If she doesn't watch it, I hope her teacher is giving her some of the same help. I believe her personality will allow her to absorb all suggestions in a positive way.

We all learn from each other. Always be grateful and teachable. Is the route to greatness

Thank you ! For showing me more of Félix Mendelssohn's music... it is extraordinary.👌🙏💙

I have professional experience in violin, 'cello, and double-bass. Haven't touched my violin in quite and long while but I used to try to play this piece. I enjoyed your play-by-play commentary very much and learned from it.

She drives his violin as a champion of F1 it is not a low to keep the steering wheel but to reach the goal and she do it She is a marvelous artist and all critics arent only invidious means

If she will play the piece slower it allow more expression and not rush through the piece. Playing slower is harder than playing fast. It is NOT more impressive to play fast which makes it just a bunch of notes. Karolina is awesome! The orchestra person said she wanted it faster on first/3rd movements. She is nervous. She is great for playing in tune. Yes....vibrates on longer notes mostly. Just to memorize all of this is amazing! Interesting....your bowings! Great remarks that are very helpful to make even a better solo. Playing it slower allows more bow. She loves the high notes! Very proud of them! Glad you gave your input! Mg helps muscles relax.

it's stunning the amount of information you can pack in these reaction videos! Incredible, thank you for this!

I'm not a violinist, but you were a real pleasure to listen to. Lucky kids who have you as teacher! 🤘

Thank you so much

Nossa cara nos na america latina adoremos ele karolina 😍🇧🇷🇧🇷🙋🛹🛹🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 ela é a melhor violinista que já vi Karolina top cantora tem uma linda voz

I feel Tobiah and Ray Chen would be the perfect good cop - bad cop duo as masterclass teachers for Karolina. So much to learn from watching both videos. Thanks for sharing!

I studied 22 years with a teacher who played Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, and Austria. Though she taught the Dounis method and studied with George Neikrug, If I had the opportunity to study with Tobian Murphy, I'd have learned 100 times more.

I wonder how much her busking, particularly the dancing, has affected the way she plays. I would think it would be more natural to play in a more compressed way with trying to keep a tighter grasp on the violin and bow while she is spinning around.

i appreciated the nuance and depth of your commentary, pointing out things like rhythmic consistency, interpretation decisions, and points of emphasis in phrasing. and i especially enjoyed your high-level overarching commentary throughout on things like what it means to be "pro", the concept of using musicality to inform technique rather than vice versa, and your recurring point about development and growth over time (especially your conclusion section in the last few minutes of the video). it's very easy to get locked into this notion of being "good" or not, or being a child prodigy or otherwise "gifted", but at the end of the day i believe the goal should be to continually hone one's skill and craft, and it was clear that your critique came from a place of genuinely wanting to see that improvement for her. i found your comments insightful and rather encouraging, even for me as an adult learner who is currently still far from this level. being "good for " is impressive, but that shouldn't be the end of it. i was lowkey hoping you'd cover the fast and highly technical 3rd movement too, but your analysis of the 1st gave plenty of food for thought. thank you for the upload! :)

I know nothing about violin playing, i could hear it in many performances, still she is a wonderful player for a 15 y.o, and will be a master of violin soon enough

very educational :)

Great constructive critic, this Will her make even better.

At this point and time, Karolina should be seriously thinking in which direction she wishes to take her talent, that being an entertainig violinist or a true classical violinist. Not an easy decision but it is difficult to change and perfect later. One direction will last a lifetime. No one should mismanage or direct her course as so often happens. I wish her happiness in her decisions.

I enjoyed that. You are a great teacher. Watched of many of your videos, and your approach, the angle you explain things from is, from my perspective, not very common. Continue to do what you're doing. She is very good, i think I've been watching her since she was 13, amazing.

Correct me if I’m wrong but from what I understand, Karolina Protsenko mainly plays by ear and memory.

Thank you so much for this amazing video! It opened up a new way of playing and understanding of technique of music! I' super excited to add some of the tips and advice to my own playing and also help me fix that "on/off" vibrato I have. Now I know what's happening with my left hand lol. Please continue to inspire and make amazing videos like these! You're such an amazing and inspiring person!

Thank you

I'm ready for your Mendelssohn performance next! 😂

i'm a bass player in the San Francisco Bay Area, and found this video is golden, and very informative.

I know nothing whatsoever about the violin nor do I even play an instrument but do enjoy listening to Karolina and also this gentleman's appraisal of her performance.

Very interesting, thank you. I think that this format can be helpful to students like myself (learning the Mendelssohn for the first time). Many of your comments would apply to me as well, and I'm nowhere as good as Karolina is. I'm waiting for your review of the next two movements.

Have you react to Brett Yang of TwoSet Violin Mendelssohn violin concerto? Please do I want to hear your thought

Chloe Chua plays really, really well.

I watched the original video and I did think the orchestra hindered her at times, which led to some of the tempo / rhythm inaccuracies. Hard also to know which interpretation choices were hers vs her teachers. Anyway you can cleraly see the latent talent is there and hopefully she continues to study & develop her classical technique even if the pop stuff makes more money / fame.

She has a talent that goes beyond sitting and playing a piece of music. Her street performances are oftimes quite magical. Thank you for your critique though.

I've met her in person when she played at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I thinks she wants to be a performer like Lindsey Stirling and not a concert violinist.

how long does it take to learn a piece such as the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto?

This piece is is perfect for her. This piece highlights her weaknesses and helps her identify them.

What a fantastic commentary! Also, when I see comments that start with "FYI" it makes me cringe so hard.

Love your advice not to make musical decisions based on technical issues, but rather make technical decisions based on musical issues.

This was very interesting and useful as I'm practising the same piece. A question: what is the difference between on and off vibrato and using vibrato only as an ornament? I'm asking specifically because I saw an interview with Isabelle Faust on how she researched this concerto for her recording and she said vibrato was used mostly as an ornament only at the time and place Mendelssohn wrote and premiered it. I will listen to that recording and pa close attention to her vibrato to find answers, but if you have the time to answer or would like to make a video on this topic, that would be really interesting.

Karolina's playing is soulful. Mechanical players won't draw half as many fans. As with calligraphy, it's the little imperfections that create style and human appeal. Never boring.

I know noting of the violin, but appreciate the reactors playing the same or similar notes to illustrate the correct, or more effective or easier way to do it as well as the smoother sounds of the notes in comparison to hers. I enjoyed this video for those reasons. I wonder if this video will increase my listening pleasure. I find it very instructive. Thank you, and, yes, i am one of her fans.

The girl has a wonderful arm vibrato!

hi, im 14 and ive been playing violin for 2 years starting in February. ive been practicing vibrato for 2-3 months, do you have any tips for me? i relaize im tense in my left hand when i do it and i tend to squeeze because im trying to go fast and i get overwhelmed 😅. also do you have any tips for reducing left hand tension in general, and how to stay on beat/rhythm? its a bit hard to use a metronome when i practice. let me know if you have any questions to give me better feedback😊(just started going into 3rd position)

To all the commenters suggesting that he is too hard on her: the better you are, the harder it is to find someone who is both qualified to tell you the truth about your playing, and kind enough to do it without being cruel. His commentary is factual, clear, and precise. This sort of feedback is essential for an artist's growth. I wish I had had a teacher like him when I was learning violin as a child.

Don't stress too much, especially regarding child prodigy matters. Focus on her love for music. Consider this a master class, and hey, it's a free lesson - embrace feedback with an open mind! 😄

Good advice 👍

See her encore performance of Cinema Paradiso with orchestra, so beautiful.

for me she plays with incredible soul ... and that is much more important than if everything is abolutely perfect ... 99% of the people will not ever hear the difference.

Really really enjoyed this episode. I am a super beginner myself learning as an adult for only 4 months, but picking up some tips here. Thank you.

I don't mean to burst anyones bubble here but I want to join in the discussion about whether Karolina can make it as a classicial soloist, I think there are 4 things you have to have to be able to do that 1st You need an orchestra - She has that 2 You need a venue - She has that 3 You need a Platform - She has that on RU-vid 4 She needs an audience - She has that in spades Now I want you all to search Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto by view count on YT, you find all the big guns Ray, Hilary, Janine Julia etc, all with videos that took many many years to reach their view counts, then Twoset arrive that has 1.8m views in over a year, very nice, then what is this? whaaat there is Karolina Protsenko with 1.2m views in 1 MONTH only, then she appears a few more times and eventually you get down to Chloe Chua at 444k in 4 YEARS. So my point is she has probably already made it as a classical soloist she has everything she needs already. I mean you guys who don't like her are all here and those that love her are all here talking about Karolina Protsenko playing classical. Murphy is here not reviewing Chloe Chua, David Garret's Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto at 16, he's here talking about Karolina. So to sum up, there is nothing to stop her already being a classical soloist, all the videos of her performing it go viral and that's all she needs. If you think a record label will not touch her think again, they will fight over her because she already has the audience and support, have a nice day all.

This is one of my fav vids from you. So much good advice. I can't stand most master classes cuz they only review people who already play it perfectly so their advice is only interpretation advice not technical. Ok so if everyone played it with the same interpretation would it be interesting if everyone played it the same??🤮

He makes some good observations here about "on-off vibrato", but here's the thing... I kind of like the sound of "on-off vibrato". Even if it's not stylistically appropriate for Mendelsohn, it can be a beautiful sound. I realize that Protsenko may not always be doing the "on-off" with musical intention-- but at the same time I would argue that she does do it with some musical instinct. And sometimes instinct can be a substitute for intention. Anyway, this is a really great video. I think Mr. Murphy's "not-quite-master-class" videos are fascinating. Actual "master class" videos often seem boring to me--- because there's nothing really to criticize.

How do you not have 10x the subscribers that you do? Amazing watch, thank you!

Congratulations for your video! If I may, however, for all her tense left hand, I believe Miss Karolina to have an interesting vibrato. In particular, it involves her fingers more than your's does. Despite some nervousness, it is also using a more varied speed, more specifically towards the low frequencies.

The great thing about classical instruction is that it wonderfully translates to all music styles. Even if Karolina only pursues pop music, a technical thing like a relaxed hand or bow expression will serve her better. But hey, not bad for 15! I don't think I was at her level until much older.

Would you do Chloe Chua Mendelsohn violin concerto, please?

I feel a bit like this react is the constant voice in my head while I'm playing meanwhile most people around me are like "wow beautiful 😍 " lol

Love these feedback videos and hearing your insight on playing different parts of these concertos.

For her age, she does play very well. I think she will improve so much more as she continues playing. I'm not sure if she's always so tense or if she's nervous about this piece and that's how it's exhibiting.

This was Karolina's first such concert!!! It's easy to criticize anyone! You don't have to compare him to anyone!

I watched the original video and didn't notice but is she even reading the sheet music or is she just using memory, like she does on the street? Also, I wonder if the tight hand is because of the extremely high speed pop she is used to playing.

❤❤❤❤❤😊😂 paŕabens princesa Karina Protsenko

EXCELLENT presentation and content ... many thanks

❤

I wonder if Karolina's tighter-than-required grip on the violin with her left hand is the result of her years of dancing and spinning around while playing. It's simple physics: a body in motion, in this case the violin, tends to stay in motion. So with continuous changes in acceleration, she needs to grip the violin firmer to keep it from flying out of her hands. These issues of acceleration and deceleration, whether in a straight line or while spinning, do not come up when a violinist stands relatively still. So Karolina has developed the bad habit of gripping tightly, a habit that I'm sure she can learn to control to the extent that she is made aware of it. But clearly, she needs to be made aware of it.

Hmm, I'm not a pro- instrumentalist by any means. I've played drums, guitar, -12-string, piano and kybd. Been in HS band and friends after that. However, I think you Miss the point about Well-Played instruments. Perhaps check out her other performances. I suggest Checking out "Daniele Vitale" (Saxophone Artist) as well. Enjoy.

Interesting. One is 15 and has 10 million subs on three channels and one has 33.6K subs. With this video they've thrown at me for 3 months, he has 65K views. Karolina has 2 billion plus views.

Very well done. Very nice constructive criticism, and I hope Karolina watches this. I was impressed with the first movement, but Karolina ran out of energy in the second movement and it showed. She needs to develop stamina and as well work on things like musical interpretation -- so much of the latter is innate, built-in -- but she'll get there. A few weeks after Karolina posted this concert, I watched Ray Chen's performance of the same concerto ... and it's night and day. Ray Chen reminded me that all the drama and pathos of this concerto is in the amazing second movement -- so hard to play right, and again something for Karolina to aspire to. Thanks again!

Uruguai Argentina Chile Pará guai Brasil 🇧🇷 torcemos por ela 🙋🛹🛹🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷💚💛💙🤍🌟👸🌻🎻🌟🤍💙💛💚nossa princesa

2:36 am here in australia

13:00😊

I lol'd when Ray Chen's pic showed up haha.

IMHO… she is great, but what I see is her family is trying to push her to the limit and maybe she needs a break to recover from the pressure she eventually gets from everything. She seems to be very perfectionist and people like this usually suffer a lot for not being brave enough to say NO when something is not ok. That is only my opinion…

You're comments are good and useful for me, but I still think she's an amazing playing for her age! That's a difficult piece (not that I'm anywhere near attempting it!)! I guess too she was quite nervous.

I hope she and her teacher sees this video and responds to it. It's really good advice!

Check “Himari”, same age as Lilja Haatainen, equally amazing 😀

Obviously, she’s not been brought up strictly by classical music training, but she still could manage to play a very difficult classical piece like this, she’s no doubt a musical prodigy. She’s sooooo great!

I'd love to see you analyze the technique of an old time fiddler like Tommy Jarrell. Genuinely curious how that would go.