How to Play the Violin

Overview

Course No. 40220

Pick up your bow and confidently fiddle your way through a thorough and accessible beginner’s violin course. 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. Professional musician and instructor Jules Whelpton will guide you step by step, teaching everything you need to know—from your first grasp of the violin to performing on any stage.

This comprehensive 24-lesson series covers the basics while setting you on the path to comfortably play both popular and classical music. With each lesson, you’ll be picking up your bow and playing real music, learning to sight-read and play by ear.

From the essentials, such as choosing the right instrument, understanding violin anatomy, and basic bowing techniques, to advanced skills like resonant tuning and vibrato, you will develop the skills necessary to play an array of melodies and styles.

Video Lectures

01: Hello, Violin!

Explore the anatomy of the violin, learn how to care for and tune your instrument, and perform your first exercise, “Monkey Dance.”

Duration: 20 min

02: Violin Rhythm and the Bow

Learn how to read note values, and practice exercises to enhance your rhythm skills.

Duration: 11 min

03: Violin Notes and Phrases

Play simple tunes using finger tapes and follow along to make your instrument sing.

Duration: 15 min

04: Developing an Ear for Violin

Train your ear to match pitches and play back simple melodies while also introducing scale playing.

Duration: 15 min

05: The Rhythmic Rest in Violin Play

Master playing rhythmic rests with necessary bow patterns to improve your control.

Duration: 14 min

06: Violin Bowing with Style

Develop artistry bowing techniques such as legato and staccato for smooth and detached sounds.

Duration: 16 min

07: Dynamics and the Use of Violin Volume

Explore how volume changes in music evoke emotion, learning four primary dynamics along the way.

Duration: 18 min

08: Reading Violin Music

Begin to sight-read music by understanding the musical alphabet and its notation.

Duration: 8 min

09: Violin Scales: Your Magical Toolbox

Study the notes and their accidentals, and practice fundamental major scales.

Duration: 18 min

10: Playing Violin as Fiddle

Learn the differences between a violin and a fiddle, and play your first fiddle piece, the “Swallowtail Jig.”

Duration: 10 min

11: Orchestra: Playing Violin with Others

Discover the inner workings of an orchestra and the benefits of playing with others.

Duration: 11 min

12: Violin Playing in Key

Practice intonation, expand your scales, and work on resonant tuning for better pitch accuracy.

Duration: 15 min

13: Violin Playing in Time

Learn to improvise melodies within a given chord progression, focusing on arpeggios.

Duration: 11 min

14: Adding More Violin Rhythms

Explore intricate rhythms, syncopation, and compound meters in various musical genres.

Duration: 12 min

15: Americana Fun for Violin

Engage with Americana folk music, practicing improvisation skills in a social setting.

Duration: 11 min

16: Violin Chords and Harmonies

Learn to play chords on the violin, creating a richer harmony for your music.

Duration: 16 min

17: Double Stops on Violin

Master double stops, allowing you to play two notes simultaneously for a fuller sound.

Duration: 16 min

18: Playing Violin with Confidence

Gain confidence in your playing skills and performance techniques for engaging audiences.

Duration: 7 min

19: Playing in Violin’s 3rd Position

Learn how to play higher notes by shifting into the third position on the violin.

Duration: 15 min

20: Playing in Violin’s 2nd Position

Explore second position and practice technique to shift comfortably across different positions.

Duration: 14 min

21: Playing in Violin’s 4th Position

Expand your skill set by learning to play in fourth position, enhancing your range on the instrument.

Duration: 15 min

22: Vibrato Basics for Violin

Start practicing vibrato techniques to add richness and depth to your sound.

Duration: 20 min

23: Violin Ornaments, Trills, and Tremolo

Learn about ornaments, trills, and tremolo techniques to enrich your playing style.

Duration: 16 min

24: How to Be a Violinist

Review concepts learned throughout the course and discover strategies to continue your journey as a violinist.

Duration: 13 min