Violin / Viola

Why Learn the Viola?

For most people, learning an instrument comes with a reason. Either someone they know is already learning the instrument or they love the music performed on that particular instrument, or they simply perceive it as ‘cool’. However, there are several other reasons to learn any instrument. If you find yourself hesitating in taking viola lessons, because you are not too sure why it would be a good thing you can find the answer below! There are indeed several good reasons why the viola could be the instrument of choice for you.

It is melodious

If you have never heard a viola being played before, you have a treat in store! The sound of this instrument is marvelous and melodious.  It immediately attracts the attention of people, especially those who have musically trained ears. The tone of the viola is richer and darker and hence, musicians can make powerful expressions with the right music when playing the viola. If you manage to master the instrument, you will have one of the sweetest sounding musical instruments in your hand.

It’s challenging to learn

The viola is not a simple instrument to learn for several reasons. One of them is that it can be difficult to get the posture right. Another problem is that the strings of the viola are thick, which makes playing fast music on it a big challenge. Despite these challenges, learning to play the viola can be ultimately a rewarding and satisfying experience.

Rich tradition

The viola is not an obscure or newfangled instrument which has no artistic or traditional background. It is, in fact, an instrument that was much beloved by the masters. Classical composers such as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and others have played the viola in ensembles. They have also written music specifically for the instrument. The viola was also considered as a worthy solo instrument by many classic composers. Hence, it has a wealth of tradition behind it making it an excellent choice.

Viola moments

Composers often tend to give the viola excellent tunes in an orchestra. The inclusion of the viola in an orchestra or ensemble makes the overall effect much more melodious and soulful. Hence, if playing in an orchestra is your ultimate aim, then the viola is a great instrument to work with. These viola moments are fun and add a lot of dimension to the overall music. Start with viola lessons for beginners and soon you will be putting out lovely music out in the world.

Opportunities

There are excellent opportunities for getting work when you are a viola player. Unlike other instruments, there is simply not enough competition when it comes to viola playing gigs. Orchestras are hard put to find good viola players to play with them, precisely because of the scarcity of players since most prefer to learn the violin. The competition is low-key and there are hence more opportunities that can open up for you when you want to start working.

Now that you have some good reasons to start learning the viola, you can also learn a bit more about the instrument itself in this article: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2015/02/27/fast-facts-need-know-viola-viola-lessons/. For more general information on the viola, you can consult the site: http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the instrument and everything related to it.

Learn to play the violin beautifully today!

Violin Lessons: Preparing for Auditions

After you learn to play the violin, you can improve your skills by giving live performances. This can lead to more exposure, dealing with stage fright and also give you a confidence boost. You can give solo performances or be part of a musical band. For getting accepted into a program for the solo performance or into a band as a team member, you would have to undergo auditions and prove yourself. Preparing for auditions needs separate planning and preparation. Some of the things you can do in preparation for an upcoming event are given below.

Physical Preparation

A simple preparation for your big day is to avoid spicy and heavy food. Stick to a light meal and fresh fruit juices. Eating heavily might make you feel drowsy and you might not be able to concentrate on playing the violin with a full tummy. Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your audition is a must. To avoid stress, it is advisable that you create a good sleep pattern for yourself at least a month before and follow it.

Mental Preparation

Mentally prepare yourself. Go through the pieces you are planning to play. Do not hurry through your piece but play slowly and steadily and you will do great. It is only normal that you might sometimes have visions of failure and mistakes. Try to think positively and it will boost your confidence. This can actually impact your performance and you can play better. Do not get stressed if you make a mistake. Carry on playing. A small mistake can be overlooked if you give a good overall performance.

Routine

Create a routine before you start to play or perform and stick to it. Prepare this routine as soon as you take up violin lessons. It could be a few minutes of meditation, checking your instrument, cleaning it down and giving yourself a mental pep talk. This routine can act as a stress breaker and also give you a confidence boost. Make sure you include nothing that takes up a lot of time. This is aimed at clearing your mind and helping you focus on the task ahead.

Practice

Auditions are not always held in sound proof room where there are few chances of distractions. You should be ready to play in any environment without getting nervous or losing your concentration. For that, you have to practice in places with different acoustic settings. Practice as much as possible but also leave enough time for some other recreational activities to reduce stress. Keep your instrument clean and ready to play. Be ready with the songs you are planning to play and practice constantly with the selected pieces. Ask your mentor or teacher to listen and offer their advice. You can also record yourself and listen to yourself play. You can find where you are going wrong without relying on anybody.

Practicing at home to master a piece is quite different from practicing for playing live out there. It requires a different mindset, more concentration, and dedication. Follow the few tips mentioned here to have a successful audition and a great performance. Enjoy the feel of the instrument in your hand and go ahead! To know more on how to find a good teacher for your violin lessons, check out: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2014/06/02/how-to-find-a-good-violin-teacher/. For more on violins, you can go to www.singaporeviolinlessons.com.

All musicians without a doubt love to play their instruments and when you are just starting out, you would enjoy working on your newfound knowledge regularly. But with this also comes responsibility in taking care of your instrument. Violins don’t really come cheap but if they are taken care of, they provide a long service. To know more about how to purchase a violin, check out: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2014/11/24/how-to-buy-a-violin/.

Maintaining your violin should be a part of your basic violin lessons since it is an important component of your learning. If you develop a regular and organized cleaning and maintenance habit, then your violin will be with you for a long time. Here are some tips for doing so!

Apply rosin

Rosin is a type of resin obtained from plants. It has many uses and is used widely with stringed instruments. Applying rosin on your bow makes it easier for it to grip the strings. The vibration then produced is much clearer. It also prevents friction between the instrument and the bow, which can lead to damage. Hence, always apply rosin evenly before you start playing.

Wipe after playing

Your violin bow is rubbed with rosin to make it compliant while playing. But rosin can be sticky and can destroy the instrument if it is not regularly wiped off. It can come into contact with the instrument while playing and if not immediately taken care of, can make the instrument dirty. So always use a nice cloth to wipe down the instrument after each playing session. The cloth should be soft, lint-free, and dry. Wipe every part of your instrument, including the bows!

Put the instrument away

It is obvious that you will take out your instrument to practice regularly. But even if you are just going to bring it out again in a few hours, just put it away in its case for those few hours. Don’t be lazy and leave it out in the open. Violins need to be treated with respect and leaving them out in the open exposed to the elements can lead to damage. Even worse, accidents are very prone to happen with someone stumbling over it or send it crashing down on the floor. Make it a habit to put the violin back in its case every single time!

Maintain the temperature

The violin requires a stable temperature for long-term maintenance. When it is exposed to extreme heat, it can get expand. When it is exposed to extreme heat, it can shrink. In both cases, the violin can get cracked, leading to damage. At best, it can go out of tune. The ideal way to keep your violin safe is to keep it in a case and not expose it directly to the elements except while you are actually playing it.

Use a humidifier

Taking care of the temperature is important, but even more important is to ensure that the moisture in the air doesn’t destroy your instrument. While extreme temperatures can harm your violin, high moisture or extreme dryness can also do the same. To prevent this from happening, invest in a good humidifier and place it in the violin case along with the violin. This will ensure that your violin is kept under near-perfect conditions.

For more information on violin lessons for beginners, please refer to: http://www.singaporeviolinlessons.com/.

Violin Lessons: Types of violins and tips to buy

There are various factors that you need to consider when you are looking to buy a violin. From your experience, budget, requirements, and categories, a lot of options may come up. You need to look through these carefully and select the one that meets your needs the best.

Types of violins

There are no official categories for violins. But depending on their carving, the finish, the work and the quality of wood used, you can pretty much classify them into beginner, intermediate and professional.

Beginner Violins

In the case of beginner violins, which are the best one to buy if you have just started taking violin lessons, the instrument will be made from a lower-quality of wood. It does not involve many intricate carvings and a proper finish. The tuning pegs and chinrests usually are made of plastic. They are made with beginners in mind who are just venturing into the world of guitar and not very sure. It is reasonably priced and hence affordable.

Intermediate Violins

These violins are for those who are not beginners anymore but neither have they mastered the art. They have the need of a better violin to give their best. It is not an available category everywhere. It is useful when a musician needs better than a beginners’ violin but does not want to spend a fortune on professional violins.

Professional violins

Professional violins are made from the best quality wood. It is hand crafted and built by a master luthier. It has classy signs such as wooden tailpieces, ebony fingerboard and the like. They are priced high due to the excellent material used and the fact that they are carefully hand-crafted by a skilled artist. So, this makes it a worthy choice for a master violinist. A master violin for a master musician!

Once you have decided which kind of violin you are going to go for, here are some tips for you!

Try it before buying

Always try it out before you decide to buy it. Many shops actually have a designated try-out room so that you can try it out once. Take a bow along and try it out before selecting a violin. A bow and a violin case will have to be purchased separately in most situations. Don’t forget to see if the violin and the bow go together and you are comfortable with it.

Take a violinist friend along

Take along a friend who knows the in and out of violins. They will have experience and can help you out. Though the liking differs from person to person, you can weed out the really bad ones. It is a big investment. So, take your time and try it out before you buy one.

Renting a violin

If you are buying it for your child for his violin classes, make sure you buy one that suits his size. My suggestion would be to rent a violin till your child is ready to play a full sized one. Else you will have to keep buying bigger ones and this can turn out to be more expensive in the longer run.

Get it checked by a luthier

Do not go for a violin because it looks good. The sound is the main concern. It is always better if you can take the violin to a luthier for a check to be sure it is in good condition.

New violins are usually less expensive. A major reason is because aged wood produces better quality sound than newer wood. Another reason is if the luthier is no more, that violin is priced higher as it becomes limited edition in a way. In many cases, new violins sound as good as older ones. It is better if you just consider the sound quality and not keep the age of a violin as your main criteria.

After you buy the instrument, to know how to find a good violin teacher, check out: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2014/06/02/how-to-find-a-good-violin-teacher/.

For more on violins, you can refer to http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/.

Violin Beginners Lessons: Buying vs. Renting a Violin

One question that every violin student faces right at the beginning of their musical journey is whether to rent or buy a violin for practicing. It goes without saying that you need an instrument available to you in order to be able to get the best out of your violin basic lessons. But whether this should be rented or bought is a matter of opinion. It is advisable to check out your options before committing to either course of action. Let’s see the advantages of each below.

Buying

Long term investment

Purchasing a violin is a large investment for anyone, especially if you are a beginner. But the fact is that if you plan to work on your musical skills indefinitely and continuously and are passionate about it, then buying a violin outright can be much less expensive than renting for years and years. If you take good care of your violin, it should last you for decades and perhaps even be used by your children and grandchildren. Just imagine paying the rent for a violin all those years! Violins are built to last and as such, if you plan the purchase with a long-term vision, then buying it outright might prove to be the cheaper alternative.

Increases enthusiasm

Just having a brand new instrument in your hands should give you the motivation to practice, especially in the first few days when you realize that the violin can be fun, but also very taxing. Who wouldn’t want to look at their lovely new instrument and not itch to take it out and play? Apart from this, you won’t have to put up with other people’s instruments and the damages they have wrought on the violin before it reached your hands. Having your very own violin means that you can leave your mark upon it, gradually getting more and more comfortable with it as time passes.

If you have already decided to buy a violin, you can find a few tips here: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2014/11/24/how-to-buy-a-violin/.

Renting

Unsure of violin lessons

Not everyone who starts violin lessons Singapore is passionate or looking at it from a long-term learning perspective. In fact, many people start violin without having any idea on what they are getting into or whether they would even enjoy the instrument or not. If you fall in this category, then it makes complete sense that you might not want to splurge on a fancy new violin right from the get-go. However, you must give yourself a chance to practice, so having an instrument at hand is also important. In this case, renting is the best option for you. If you later decide you want to continue with your lessons, you can always re-evaluate the situation.

Cheaper

Not everyone can afford a high-end violin. Of course, you can save up gradually for a good violin, but this might take you months. What are you going to do until then? It would not be a good idea to push off beginning your classes or to not practice until you are able to afford a violin. So, the best option is to rent. You can get pretty good violins to rent at a very low and affordable rate. Another thing to beware of is to avoid buying a cheaper violin just because it is cheap. If this is the case, it is still better to go with the rental option until you are able to save up money to buy a decent violin.

If you need further information, check out our violin page

Viola Lessons: Advantages and Disadvantages of Learning the Viola from Teachers

If you are a newbie to an instrument, then it is natural you might find the entire idea of starting to learn from scratch daunting. There is an element of the unknown and you might get stuck at any point. On the other hand, finding a good teacher is also difficult, though not impossible. Let’s see what positive and negative aspects are of learning the viola through teachers. If you are a beginner viola teacher, refer to the following article to learn about crucial aspects of teaching – https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/2015/11/14/how-to-give-effective-viola-lessons/

Advantages

• There are some things that you cannot learn by yourself. Sure, you can work on the music and work out how to play a certain tune by developing an ear for it. But, the fact remains that musical techniques are very important for any stylistic and advanced learning and playing. For this, you need to take viola lessons from a teacher, who can help you in developing these techniques properly.
• If you are planning to get certified as a professional viola player through a recognized academic programme, having a teacher to guide you through the curriculum is advisable. It is especially useful if the teacher themselves have had such training and know what is expected of the student at such exams. In fact, without a decent teacher to guide you, you might miss out on crucial aspects. Even worse, you would miss out on networking opportunities.
• There are some things that only another person can pinpoint while playing. It stands to reason that you would not be able to put your finger on all the mistakes you are making. So, unless you have a group of dedicated violists who can help you, hiring a teacher is a good idea. Preventing bad habits from being formed is very important, and your teacher can be of immense help here.

Disadvantages

• The fact that a teacher will teach you all the techniques can be a problem for some students because it interferes with them developing an ear for the music. If you are one of those people, then it might be a better idea to first get a feel for the music and the instrument before joining private viola lessons. If you don’t develop an ear for playing the viola, you can never hope to rise above the mediocre.
• Your teacher will have his or her own method of progressing, and it might include things that you don’t want to do. Unless you are studying to be a professional, this might hinder you from performing spontaneously. You might even end up losing interest in the instrument if you never get to do what you want and have to adhere to your teacher’s strict curriculum.
• When you learn by yourself, you can set your own pace. Even a private teacher would want to move on at some point. As for group lessons, it is simply impossible for the teacher to cater to everyone. If you are an especially slow learner or if you simply don’t have the time to dedicate to what your teacher expects of you, you are likely to fall behind and leave essential things unlearned.

There is much to be said about whether or not to hire a viola teacher, but the choice remains yours. Only the student can decide what aspect is more important for him or her and then make a decision. For more information on the viola, check out our viola page

Pop Violin For Beginners

Everyone likes violins, and it is often an instrument of choice for many beginners. Beautiful and melodious, the violin is great fun to play and is adaptable to different genres of music. It can be tough for beginners but it is well worth the rewards. For new violin learners, there are many sources. Let’s see what you need to consider first when starting violin lessons.www.singaporeviolinlessons.com is a great resource for violin related questions.

The violin, obviously!

A no brainer, but that still doesn’t elaborate on the details. The violin could be purchased or rented, depending on your requirements and finances. If you choose to buy, choose one of a good brand that will last you for a long time. Make sure that the violin is the correct size for you so that you are comfortable when playing.

Violin bow

The violin bow is an essential part of the violin. It is made of wood or fiberglass. The latter is especially used in beginner violins and is easier to maintain as it doesn’t warp. The bow is what needs to be mastered for you to be able to play the violin well and make those lovely tunes.

Rosin

The rosin is applied to the hair on the bow and it helps the bow to grip the string properly so you can play the violin as it should be played. It comes in the form of a small pink cake, and is an essential component for violinists.

Sheet music

Sheet music is generally provided by your teacher depending on the music you are learning or practicing during the year. Ask your teacher in advance about what kind of music sheets would be required for learning.

Music books

These are essential for a beginner. Start with beginner’s books which progressively take you through every step of learning how to read notes, how to get a good posture, how to start playing simple chords and notes, and then gradually develops into full-fledged lessons on entire songs and tunes.

Shoulder rest

This is not absolutely essential as far as learning how to play the violin is concerned. But a shoulder rest helps in developing a good posture, preventing muscle pains and in general make it more comfortable for you to play the instrument. You have to experiment a little to find the perfect shoulder rest for you, but it is well worth the trouble.

Case

A violin case is essential for keeping your instrument safe from moisture and the elements. A nice violin case would include pouches for the other things you need to carry. There are also more expensive versions with a humidifier and hygrometer.

Tuner

Tuners are really important for any violin player and help to keep your violin in shape. The violin and indeed, any musical instrument, tends to go out of tune, so they have to be tuned at regular intervals. With a tuner, you can ensure that your violin strings are tuned to the right note, enabling you to play better.

Practice log

For a beginner, a practice log is of immense value because it can help you keep track of your progress. You can mark down how long you practiced and what you practiced, so you have a written record of exactly how far you have progressed in a given frame of time.

Playing the pop violin can be great fun, and slightly expensive. But this is a one-time investment and will last you for a long time. For more information on violin lessons for beginners, you can check out: http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/blog/violin-lessons-for-beginners/.

How to Give Effective Viola Lessons

If you are a viola teacher or planning to become one, you obviously know what preparations you need to make and what knowledge you have to gain in order to become a good viola teacher. But apart from things such as learning how to perform perfectly, understanding the music, and getting certifications to prove your abilities, you need to also ensure that the student is actually benefitting from your expertise and knowledge. Without the soft skills to complement all your knowledge, no one can become a good teacher. Before proceeding, you might also want to read http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/blog/qualities-of-good-viola-teachers/.

Have an open mind

Always keep in mind that students have different reasons for learning the viola, and not all of them have similar goals. Some of them might want to learn for an exam and pursue a career in music, while others just want to learn to play by the ear or to satisfy their passion. Some students just pick it up as a hobby and don’t want to spend all their free time practicing, as one might expect a student with a definite goal in mind to do. Never, ever, thrust your own goals on your students or try to tell them what their goals ought to be. Instead, find out what their goals are and try to help them reach these goals.

Involve your student in the learning process

Whether you are giving private viola lessons or teaching students in a group, you must remember to involve the students in the learning process. Have an ongoing dialogue with your students about what kind of music they are interested in, how much time they are willing to devote to practicing, how they will proceed further, and which areas they are having difficulty in. By encouraging students to voice their opinions and problems, you will be able to understand their needs better. Most important is to react positively when your student offers you information, such as giving extra lessons on a particular technique that he or she finds difficult to master.

Give regular feedbacks

One of the main roles of the teacher apart from actually teaching is to give regular feedbacks on the progress the students are making. This is part of their musical education and helps immensely with their development as a viola player. Your feedback must be very specific so that the student understands that you are giving feedback on a particular aspect. Try to balance out your criticisms by giving positive feedback whenever you can, and by encouraging your student to improve. It is vital that any negative feedback should be non-confrontational and given respectfully, otherwise, it can destroy the student – teacher relationship.

You are a student too

Even though you might have mastered the technique perfectly, you still are a student because like much of art and science, musical learning is an ongoing process. No one can stand and say that they are now perfect. Of course, you might not be going for viola lessons yourself, but as long as you try to learn more and keep improving, you are still a student. Remember that no matter how much you know, there is more to learn. Sharing this with your students will help them understand that learning the viola is an ongoing journey and there are many paths they can take.

By making the learning experience enjoyable for yourself and your students, you both will benefit immeasurably. To know more, check out www.singaporeviolinlessons.com, a veritable source for viola and violin resources.

What To Expect From Your First Day Of Violin Beginner Lessons

Signs of interest or a verbalized intention to learn how to play a musical instrument should always be encouraged, especially in very young children. Making the decision to enroll for violin beginner lessons is a big step. Studying a “serious” musical instrument is exciting. Also, not knowing what to expect could also bring some first time jitters.

Here are some pointers to get you psyched-up for your first-day lesson:

Start the ball rolling

The violin teacher will break the ice by asking you or your child personal questions that would delve around interests and tastes in music. Questions like: “What kind of music do listen to?”. “What makes the violin so special to you?” “Have you ever studied or played any other musical instrument?”. These questions would help the teacher develop a teaching approach that would match your interests, musical background, and ability. In very young children, this would enable the teacher to plan creative activities that would sustain interest, capture, and maximize a child’s attention span.

This is also an opportune time to start building student-teacher rapport. Some children could not verbalize their emotions at this point. Hence, the teacher is on the lookout for body language and some verbal expressions that would indicate how a child feels. Maybe a stuffed toy nearby could make him feel more at ease, or some music games before the lesson could ignite his energy and interest. The teacher will try to find some ‘personality clues and cues’ to make each session more productive and effective.

A class is more organized if there are rules to follow. The teacher lays down some ‘house rules’ to keep things in order. For instance, eating is not allowed during classes. Friends or maybe parents are also not allowed to sit-in.

Set SMART Goals

The first day of violin beginner lessons may also be an ideal time to set goals and expectations. Akin to that of a business management practice, this acronym for goal-setting criteria is also applicable for violin lessons: S- smart. M- measurable. A- Attainable. R- Realistic. T- time bound. With these goals, the student could eventually step-up his game. Refer to this article for some tips on how he could take his violin-playing skills to the next level: http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/blog/how-to-take-your-violin-lessons-to-the-next-level/

For young students, this would be most helpful to have the parent/s around during the discussion. Parents and teachers should be collaborators in the execution of this endeavor.

Playtime!

Of course, the first-day session is not ‘all-talk’. You’ll also get into the fun part where you will get the chance to get your feet wet. The teacher will walk you through the different parts of the violin. You will also be coached on the proper posture and way to handle the violin.

It is important for parents of young children to prepare them for violin beginner lessons. Do not brush it off as mere child’s play, a trivial hobby that they will grow tired of later on. This may or may not happen, but who can tell? Encouragement and support is crucial. Hence, it would be best to check-out http://singaporeviolinlessons.com/ for highly qualified and experience teachers who can handle all ages and skill levels.