How to Play Super Mario 3D World Bowser on Violin

 One of my students is working on this song and here is my play-along tutorial. Have fun!

Five ways to practice "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" variation

Five (+) ways to practice "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". You can warmup with this song for any technical aspect you're working on and make up your own variation.

 1. Yummy yummy cup cakes rhythm 

2. Play on only E & G strings 

3. Long bow with vibrato 

4. Double-stops 

5. Improvise with the chord tones. 

 

 

Easy straight bow exercise. Good-bye sliding bows!

 

 

 [written version] 

When we run, we swing our arms and keep our elbows more like a square shape. 

We feel more comfortable to keep that way. 

When you just started playing the violin, a teacher would say “Keep the bow straight.” 

But at first, almost everyone struggles to move the bow in a straight line. 

The most common issue is the bow is moving in a reversed C shape. 

Because the elbow is keeping the square shape. And the bow slides over the string and you cannot make a good sound. 

In order to move the bow straight, we need to open our elbow around the middle of the bow to the tip. 

But even knowing these facts, moving the bow straight might be pretty challenging at the beginning. 

Also, in general, “straight lines” don’t feel so natural to our body. 

 So, the next exercise might help you if you’re having the issue. 

Imagine to draw a C shape, instead of the reversed C. 

And see if the bow is more straight. 

 I hope this exercise helps you. 

Happy practicing!