Happy New Year Hot Violinists!
I decided to avoid the party animals on the highway this year, and had a nice quiet New Years Eve at home with a Bach manuscript Santa brought and nice glass of sparkling rose (not the sweet kind!).
I wrote down a few resolutions and goals. I want to work up to a full body weight pull up (I’ve never been able to do one without assistance), learn the second movement of Bach’s violin concerto in Dm, and be able to balance a shot glass atop my booty. (Not necessarily at the same time!)
Also- I’m committing to post a lot more videos for you this year!
I’m starting out with a very simple quick bow-hold hack. Watch the video to see if you’ve been making this common mistake that’s totally deadly to your tone yet very easy to fix:
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Do you have any New Years resolutions or bow-hold secrets?? Please let me know in the comments section below!
Several years ago I made a New Year’s resolution that I have always kept. I resolved to give up New year’s resolutions.
Ha…I was guilty of club gripping my bow…dang it…thanks Jenny, once again you are the bomb!
I’m glad I could remind you to loosen up a bit! Holding a little too tightly is a normal reaction to trying to get things right so we all need to be reminded 🙂
You really don’t need a bigger booty. You look great as you are.
Haha thx 🙂
Hi Jenny. You are sure a people person! I am the 83 year old violinist that can do every thing but listen to my own recordings. Intonation acceoptable but some bowing probs. I will try what you did in the video. Who Knows.
I sent you a CD of digeree doo music. I know you probably get a lot of stuff but I wonder if you had a chance to listen to some of it? Thanks for caring about us wannabeesstruggling wannabees
Thanks for caring about us
I’m watching a violin video of some sort at least once a day – yum!
Thanks & Happy New Year! Love your videos!
Do you have a man
Jenny; I am glad you are active again,and making more videos.I intend to sit back,relax,and enjoy your music !
Hi Jenny. I’m a scientist by training but I’ve taught the violin for 20 years. Of course you are right: the bow hold needs to be as relaxed as possible and it can only be that way when the violin is taking the weight of the bow. I also like to use a pencil to demonstrate the hold. My biggest point is that the thumb should be almost sideways on. Only then can the hand fully relaxed. This is never mentioned in the books and if you ask most people to hold a bow they will put their thumbs flat on which is a disaster. Both thumbs are the most important digits in violin playing and yet they are hardly ever mentioned. Best wishes, Stephen Hatfield, Kent, England.
You are so right about the thumbs Stephen!! They can easily have the power to lock either hand if used improperly. Ok, How to Hold the Bow – Part 3 – Thumb edition, is now officially on the list!
Darn, if we still loved in the same town, I could learn the piano part of the Bach and we could play v together! :(. I demand a video of your progress! !! 🙂 xo
Well I meant “lived”, but I love you too 😛
Oh man, that would be so much fun. I even have the piano part here.
Even though I am a guitarist, I thank you for your interesting and informative videos and look forward to viewing many more during the course of the year. I wish you a Happy New Year.
Thanks very much. Happy New Year to you, Richard. Every fiddler needs a good guitarist 🙂
Could you do a short ditty on choosing violin strings. Or may be how to get your violin bridge replace if you drop your 136 year old violin and you bust the bridge (it’s a lot like dropping freshly buttered toast on the floor, the important side always hits the ground).
I have successfully glued up quite a few bridges!
Stephen
Great post, you nice violinist.