Now that the Violympic Games are over, I’ve been itching to get back to my YouTube roots. So here’s a new video for the fall, even though the thermometer is supposed to hit 111 degrees Fahrenheit in Pasadena tomorrow! I’ve been wanting to cover the simple topic of left-hand setup for quite a while, and …
Have you ever walked a tightrope? How about a balance beam? I tried one recently, and I’m pretty sure it was easier when I was a kid. When you watch circus performers, or champion gymnasts, though, it does look easy! One foot goes in front of the other. Why would they walk any other way? …
If you think that trills are just decoration or ornament, then I have exciting news for you! You’re about to build a much stronger left-hand foundation on the violin through daily trill work. It only takes a few minutes a day to build this foundation, and in this video I lay out my daily routine. …
Master violin trills with all finger combinations Read More »
I recently got an email from a longtime reader and friend asking for help with one of those fast and loud pieces that never seems to give you a break. He said his arm was getting tired, and I assumed he was talking about the bow arm. But actually it was the left arm that was …
Rid yourself of damaging left hand tension: find your MVP Read More »
What do you do when fast isn’t fast enough? Inspired by my friend Noa Kageyama at the Bulletproof Musician, I made a video about how to get those fingers moving at warp speed… but accurately! It isn’t slow practice exactly… but it isn’t fast either. Just watch and see. This hybrid approach, through the grouping …
Gain speed and accuracy by grouping notes (video) Read More »