How to produce a good sound on the violin?
What do people love most about the violin, if not its melodious, soulful sound? I know it was the sound of a beautifully well-played violin what first inspired me to want to learn it. Once I heard it, I was hooked forever. But, producing such a sound is a process of learning, experimentation, and expression. Throughout my violin journey, I have learned how to produce a rich, beautiful sound and I would like to share my tips with you.
listening…
Effective listening is by far the most important skill violinists need in order to produce a beautiful tone. It all starts by listening to the good playing of other violinists, and looking at what they do produce such sound. Just like babies need to listen to other people to learn to speak, young violinists need to listen to other violinists to learn to distinguish what a good sound is.
Listening to ourselves while playing, and assessing the sound we are making is the next step toward progress. It is important that we always view practicing as performance so we focus on making the most beautiful sound every time we play anything, from scales to concertos. Because it is difficult to listen to ourselves, I recommend recording ourselves and then scrutinizing our playing while being kind to ourselves and focusing on improving one thing at a time. Less is more! Concentrate on solving one problem at a time and your brain will stay engaged and happy. I also recommend practicing in a quiet place where you can dedicate all your attention to the violin.
flexible bow hold
The right hand is one in charge of producing the sound, and it all starts with developing a bow hold that is flexible and where all the fingers work together. Achieving this takes time and dedication, but the results are so worth it. Practice bow exercises often, to develop finger strength and flexibility.
