How to improve violin technique? Options

[destinybone]

I'm 17 and I have started violin for about 1 year. Although I am on the higher grades for piano, I find my violin progress quite slow. I'm on Suzuki book 3, and my teacher moves me on to a new piece every week. Any tips on how to improve vibrato? Right now I can only move my fingers but I can't really move my wrist. Sometimes I will still accidentally bow on double strings. Is that supposed to be normal? Or is my teacher moving moving me on too quickly? It's also hard for me to play fast notes, any tips? My parents spent much money on the violin, and I am frustrated that progress is so slow.

[miffy]

Hi,
The violin takes time and patience to consolidate each new technique. Make sure you really can play each piece with good intonation and tone before you move on. As an older learner, the temptation is to move on because you understand rather than because you really can PLAY it. It's really worth not rushing at this early stage and to be pleased with what you can hear. If you are Suzuki-taught, rather than just using the books, you should be going back and playing your older pieces as well as moving on - it's really worth it.

[Misterioso]

If you are Suzuki-taught, rather than just using the books, you should be going back and playing your older pieces as well as moving on - it's really worth it.

Yes - you tend to hear your own progress much more if you review older pieces, quite apart from the value in revising / improving things you have learnt.

Suzuki book 3 is actually very good progress for a year's playing. I don't normally teach vibrato to someone who has only been learning for that long, so don't be too tempted to rush things; better to consolidate a little and make sure the foundations are really secure. There are some early vibrato exercises that you could usefully do to get the wrist moving the right way. One thing to check is that you are not gripping the neck of the violin too tightly - a common problem. It's also a common problem to bow two strings at once at this stage, but it's something that should gradually get ironed out; your teacher will help you if you are concerned. To play faster notes, it will help you to work on bow distribution. But don't be frustrated - it sounds as though you are doing really well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[destinybone]

Thank you for your advice! I am probably too eager to move on because I can sight read all the pieces I'm learning as I learn piano as my first instrument. And maybe because when I hear all those kids playing much better than I am I feel the need to make up for "lost time". I do pick some of the pieces I like and review them from time to time. I think I'm forgetting that I'm playing on the violin, not the piano.

[katemorrisviolin]

Thank you for your advice! I am probably too eager to move on because I can sight read all the pieces I'm learning as I learn piano as my first instrument. And maybe because when I hear all those kids playing much better than I am I feel the need to make up for "lost time". I do pick some of the pieces I like and review them from time to time. I think I'm forgetting that I'm playing on the violin, not the piano.

I thought I'd sail through the progress on violin really fast as I'm a classical guitar player to a high standard. Noooo! The technique takes an age to consolidate. Relax and enjoy it but dont' put a time limit on things. I wouldn't even think about vibrato until you can control the bow and have reliable intonation. I can completely relate to you about being impatient though. What I've found though is that once you get the basics of bow control and intonation, that's when you'll progress very quickly thanks to your musical background. It's the early stages that take time. Just my opinion!
From one relative beginner to another, fast playing requires relaxation and perfect left hand technique. Tension will slow you down, so maybe examine the thumb and fingers for excess gripping. Once you loosen up and use minimum grip you'll find it easier to play faster.

[ansatz496]

One piece a week is pretty quick progress, even though being a more advanced pianist it might not seem like a lot to you since the pieces are comparatively short and simple. I think I started learning vibrato halfway through Suzuki book 3 (viola), and it was at least 1-2 months before I could perform using a vaguely acceptable vibrato (and 7+ years later I still don't like it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)). I personally found "arm" vibrato much more natural to learn than wrist vibrato, so you may want to try that, although I've noticed that arm vibrato tends to be more common among violists than violinists, I guess because a wider motion is preferred. Anyway, it sounds like you're doing quite well, no need to be frustrated (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[destinybone]

I guess I was taught vibrato simply because it was included in Suzuki book 3. Another reason for wanting to progress quickly is how my parents like to compare me to little kids who have been playing for many years. But then, it was also them that didn't allow me to start violin as a child when I asked to learn it. I had to remind them that although I'm much older than those kids, my experience in violin is much lesser compared to them.