Im really stuck....I'm doing my grade 6 violin exam in a few weeks (havent got a date yet aragh!) and I am VERY worried about my C piece (evening in the village). Its the ending Harmonic...I can never get it in tune and it sounds awful+sqeaky when I try to sustain it.

Does anyone have ANY advice or tips on how I could practise or get it sounding vaguely nice!? My teacher just told me to practise the harmonic loads and I have but i think im practising the wrong way bcoz it sounds horrible!

Thnkx in advance!!!

Hi oriental_bird,

I'm not a violin player, but I play and teach lower strings. I'm fairly sure these tips will apply to violin harmonics though:

1. play with a lighter, faster bow
2. don't press too hard with your left hand finger - keep it only lightly touching the string
3. play with the bow nearer to the bridge - this should create a clearer, less squeaky sound!
4. be confident with it!

I hope these help - let me know how you get on!

Hiya im only just about 2 do my grade 4 on the violin but i have a piece with several harmonics in it. My teacher told me to play it with a light fast bow and lift your bow off the string at the end of the note if u know what i mean. gud luck!!!

Hi oriental bird

In my grade 3 I had to end on an harmonic in Gershwin's 'summer time'. I practised close to the bridge with a positive down stroke as opposed to a slow stroke.

amati

Maybe some vibrato will help

Don't do vibrato won harmonic. Follow the guideline by Musicgurl, she is correct!

why don't try c3 fantasia on greensleeves, it's nice song