How to Play the Violin

Overview

Course No. 40220

If you have ever dreamed of playing a soulful tune on a violin or a lively jig on the fiddle, this course is for you. In How to Play the Violin, professional musician and instructor from the Youth Arts Academy, Jules Whelpton, will hold your hand step by step. You will learn everything you need to know, from never having held a violin before to performing on any stage.

This comprehensive 24-lesson series will not only cover the basics, but also set you on the path to having the versatility to play both popular and classical music on the violin comfortably. From the very first lesson, you will be picking up your bow and playing real music by ear as well as by learning how to sight-read. By the end of the course, you will be capable of playing different types of pieces from classical melodies to Americana and folk music.

This course will take you on a musical journey, starting from beginner essentials such as choosing an appropriate instrument for your size and age and understanding violin anatomy to learning rhythm, the musical alphabet, and basic bowing techniques. Then, begin to master more advanced techniques such as resonant tuning, improvisation, advanced bowing techniques like vibrato, and playing chords. You will also become well-versed in playing all the fundamental major and minor scales, which is the foundation of Western styles of music with a set order and rules.

How to Play the Violin will give you a thorough roadmap to ensure that you grasp every basic concept you need in order to learn to play any violin piece you would like. With time, patience, and dedication, you can achieve mastery of your instrument.

Video Lessons

• Hello, Violin! (20 min)
  • Learn violin anatomy, care, and tuning. Play your first exercise, “Monkey Dance.”

2. Violin Rhythm and the Bow (11 min)
   • Master note values and practice foundational rhythms.

• Violin Notes and Phrases (15 min)
  • Play simple tunes using finger tapes and develop melodic phrasing.

4. Developing an Ear for Violin (15 min)
   • Train your ear to match pitches and play simple melodies by rote.

5. The Rhythmic Rest in Violin Play (14 min)
   • Perfect half and quarter note rests with proper bow control.

• Violin Bowing with Style (16 min)
  • Explore legato and staccato bowing techniques.

7. Dynamics and the Use of Violin Volume (18 min)
   • Learn to play with expressive volume changes (piano, forte, etc.).

• Reading Violin Music (8 min)
  • Begin sight-reading by understanding musical notation.

• Violin Scales: Your Magical Toolbox (18 min)
  • Study major scales, accidentals (sharps/flats), and finger patterns.

10. Playing Violin as Fiddle (10 min)
    • Discover fiddling techniques and play the “Swallowtail Jig.”

• Orchestra: Playing Violin with Others (11 min)
  • Understand ensemble playing and the role of a violinist in an orchestra.

• Violin Playing in Key (15 min)
  • Expand scale knowledge and practice resonant tuning.

13. Violin Playing in Time (11 min)
    • Learn arpeggios and prepare for improvisation.

14. Adding More Violin Rhythms (12 min)
    • Explore syncopation and compound meters (e.g., 6/8 time).

• Americana Fun for Violin (11 min)
  • Practice improvisation in folk/Americana styles.

16. Violin Chords and Harmonies (16 min)
    • Play two-string chords with resonant tuning.

17. Double Stops on Violin (16 min)
    • Master double stops using Pachelbel’s “Canon.”

18. Playing Violin with Confidence (7 min)
    • Build performance skills for live settings.

19. Playing in Violin’s 3rd Position (15 min)
    • Shift to higher notes beyond first position.

20. Playing in Violin’s 2nd Position (14 min)
    • Transition between first, third, and second positions.

21. Playing in Violin’s 4th Position (15 min)
    • Advance to fourth position for vibrato preparation.

• Vibrato Basics for Violin (20 min)
  • Begin wrist-motion vibrato at slow tempos.

23. Violin Ornaments, Trills, and Tremolo (16 min)
    • Practice embellishments like trills and tremolo bowing.

24. How to Be a Violinist (13 min)
    • Review core concepts and create a lifelong learning roadmap.