Learn Violin your way with a TakeLessons expert

How you hold your violin makes a huge difference in the way you sound. Below, violin teacher Julie P. shares some helpful tips on how to hold a violin properly... As a beginner violin student, you know that posture is very important when playing the violin. Since there aren’t any keys to push, every sound is created by forming precise angles with the violin and bow. Below are some tips on how to hold a violin properly and how to find the best posture to support your playing. 1. Sit o

Think you want to learn the violin? Great choice! While there are many different brands of violins available on the market, not all of them are created equal.  In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best violin brands for beginners and give you a few tips on how to choose the right one for you.  So, what are you waiting for? Start learning today! What is Best Violin for Beginners? The best brands of violin for beginners will be one of the following: Stento

Have you or your child decided to start playing the violin? That’s awesome! So you may be wondering, how much do violins cost? This guide will answer all your questions about violin prices, including what to consider and how to choose the right violin for your budget. While stringed instruments can be a little pricey, they can certainly be worth it! Best of all, a violin is also a good investment because it will appreciate in value over time, especially if you purchased a high-quality instrum

Do you want to improve your violin skills? Bow arm movement and direction are important violin techniques every beginner should master. Below, violin teacher Julie P. shares some tips on how to get a stronger bow arm...  In violin playing, the bow is what creates the sound. The bow arm has two basic movements: moving the bow vertically between strings, and moving the bow horizontally across strings. In order to achieve a beautiful tone, these movements must be understood and continua

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced violinist, it's important to be armed with a number of solo pieces to play. Here, violin teacher Naomi Cherie S. put together an in-depth guide to violin solos for players of all levels...   If you’re studying the violin, then you already know how rewarding it is to play this instrument. Yes, it can be tricky and challenging at times, but that just makes it even more exciting and fulfilling when you master a new technique or song.  While

One of the best things about playing an instrument is getting to play with other musicians. Below, violin teacher Naomi Cherie S. shares some fun and easy violin duets you can play with your musical friends... Sure, playing violin solos can bring you hours of joy. But let’s face it; when it comes to playing music, sometimes it’s the more the merrier! Not only can it be more fun to add another musician to your ensemble, but playing duets can actually benefit you in many ways, too. For

Stage presence is an important skill for all musicians to master. Below, violin teacher Ha-eun R. shares several tips on how to confidently pull off a showstopping violin performance... Have you ever attended a concert in which the artist sounded better if you closed your eyes? A performer’s stage presence is more important than one might think, as a recent study has shown. According to research, published in the PNAS journal, participants who were shown silent videos of piano co

Playing some familiar tunes is one of the first things you may pursue when learning a new instrument. You might start the violin thinking it will be years before you can play the music you want, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that many familiar favorites are available as easy violin music. Simplified sheet music makes it easier than ever to move from bland scales and exercises to pieces you actually recognize. Add these pieces to your repertoire early on and you’ll return to th

Do you want to learn how to do vibrato on the violin? Below, violin teacher Carol Beth L. gives a lesson on how to master this impressive skill... Have you ever been captivated by the wavering notes in the slow movement of a violin solo? If so, you were probably listening to an accomplished violinist who had thoroughly mastered vibrato violin. Learning vibrato violin is a big step in your musical development. Mastering this complicated skill will help take your violin playing to the n

Are you looking for violin books for beginners that are kid-friendly? Below, violin teacher Julie P. shares her top five books for little violinists ... There is an unbelievably large amount of music books available to kids who want to learn the violin. With so many great options to choose from, it can be daunting to choose the best ones. I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you so you can be well on your way to helping your mini violinist start playing! What Are The Best Violin Books fo