# Violy — Full-content context Violy makes practice perfect — a smart music practice app for violin, piano and 20+ instruments, with real-time pitch and rhythm feedback for students, teachers and parents. Site: https://violy.app Generated: 2026-08-03T06:32:55.543Z Designed for one-shot LLM ingestion: every public content entry in frontmatter + full Markdown body. For an index version (title + URL + summary), see . Includes 71 entries across 5 sections. # Product (1) --- # Violy Product Introduction - URL: https://violy.app/product - Markdown: https://violy.app/product.md - Published: 2026-06-19 - Categories: Product - Summary: Violy is a smart music practice app that listens to performance, follows the score and gives pitch, rhythm and practice feedback. # Violy Product Introduction Violy is a smart music practice app for students, teachers, parents and music schools. It listens to practice, follows the score and helps learners understand pitch, rhythm and practice quality. ## Core Capabilities - Real-time pitch and rhythm feedback for instrument practice. - Score following and practice records for daily learning. - Support for violin, piano and other music learning scenarios. - Practice data that helps teachers and parents understand progress between lessons. ## Who It Helps Violy helps students practice with clearer feedback after lessons. It also helps teachers and parents see what happened during practice instead of relying only on memory. ## How to Get Violy Learners can download Violy from the App Store or Google Play, then start practicing with a phone or tablet. # FAQ (1) --- # FAQ - URL: https://violy.app/faq - Markdown: https://violy.app/faq.md ## Violy FAQ # Violy FAQ ## Product ### What is Violy? Violy is a smart music practice app that listens to practice and gives pitch, rhythm and practice feedback. ### Which instruments does Violy support? Violy supports violin, piano and other music learning scenarios. The available features depend on the current app version and score content. ### Do I need extra hardware? No extra hardware is required for core practice feedback. A phone or tablet is enough to start. ## Download ### Where can I download Violy? Violy is available on the App Store and Google Play. ### Can teachers use Violy? Yes. Teachers can use Violy practice data to understand students' work between lessons. # User Q&A (1) --- # User Q&A - URL: https://violy.app/user-qa - Markdown: https://violy.app/user-qa.md ## Violy User Q&A # Violy User Q&A ## Learners and Parents ### My child does not know what went wrong during practice. How can Violy help? Violy provides pitch and rhythm feedback, so learners can see specific practice issues after playing. ### Can parents use Violy without music knowledge? Yes. Violy turns practice into clearer feedback and records, helping parents understand whether practice happened effectively. ## Teachers ### Why would a teacher use Violy? Teachers can use practice records to understand what students did between lessons and focus class time on higher-value correction. ### Is Violy useful for music schools? Yes. Violy can help schools make practice visible for students, parents and teachers. # Blogs (62) --- # How to Improve Sight-Reading Skills — 6 Useful Tips - URL: https://violy.app/blog/6-useful-tips-to-improve-sight-reading-skills - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/6-useful-tips-to-improve-sight-reading-skills.md - Published: 2021-05-06 - Summary: Sight-reading is the art of being able to play a piano piece at first sight without any prior (or li # Handy Hints for All Piano Beginners Sight-reading is the art of being able to play a piano piece at first sight without any prior (or little) preparation. It is an essential technique that all pianists should possess and excel at. In the meanwhile, sight-reading seems to be one of the challenges that either a piano beginner loves or has recurring nightmares about. Good sight-reading skills are significant because they can help piano students improve the efficiency of practicing new piano works, and expand the piano learners’ repertoire in some way. It takes a long time for most piano beginners to master the skills, but some useful tips can make the whole process less difficult. So what are the tips for piano beginners to improve sight-reading skills? Let’s dive in. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*YMz7Ge28fGdRlQYR7B2cGA.png) # Familiarize Yourself with A Variety of Rhythms before Sight-Reading No matter what piano sheet music you are playing, you must have a solid understanding of the tempo and the rhythm of the piano piece. Familiarizing yourself with common musical rhythms in different styles of music can make sight-reading more manageable, and will help you get ready to play the piano in any situation. Once you are sure of the time signature and the beat of the piano work, you can be better prepared for sudden tempo changes, complicated note sequences, unusual rests, and other unexpected surprises in the music’s pattern. With more exposure to different music genres, you are likely to learn to anticipate some rhythms before you start reading and playing the new music score. # Memorize the Key Signatures to Get Prepared for Sight-Reading For piano students who start piano learning from scratch, it is not easy to read key signatures when playing the instrument. The process of getting to know what a key signature can tell the piano players may be confusing. [To understand how to recognize and memorize key signatures, you are supposed to grasp some certain rules.](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/#Violin-Teachers%E2%80%99-Biggest-Difficulty-Teaching-Violin-Students-to-Read-Key-Signatures) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*834a0S2qfKuVH7g-NfmjVQ.jpeg) Memorizing your key signatures is especially helpful for piano students, as you need to be aware of how many sharps or flats are coming up in your upcoming sight-reading exercise. This may take a bit of time initially, but in the long run, it will not only make sight-reading easier, but also do good to your piano practicing and performing. # Hum the Piano Music to Yourself to Improve Sight-Reading Skills When looking at a piano piece for the first time, some piano beginners may be eager to play the piano sheet music right away. But instead of immediately rushing towards the instrument, going through the piano work audibly first by either humming or singing the notes from the music score can be more helpful for you to improve your sight-reading skills. By knowing about the notes, you can simply focus on the way the piano music is supposed to sound as it is written, rather than your instrument and how well you are playing it. Once you have worked your way humming through the piano piece, you can start to play a few notes on your instrument. If there are still a few tricky phrases that are too challenging for you, just stop playing, and continue to hum the certain melodies until you have a clear idea about how to play the notes. In addition, the sight-reading exercises contained in [Violy App](https://violy.app/) are wonderful options for you to train your skills in this way. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*oYpHDFxCAr9yM3bCAsfUUg.png) # Focus on the Piano Piece before Aiming for the Natural Sound If you are not completely tuned into what you are doing, you cannot expect to make much progress. When you are sight reading a piano work, it is no doubt that you need to focus on the sheet music. Or you may not be able to comprehend what you are working on. Not only should you think while reading the music, but you should also connect those thoughts with your playing ability. Once you get familiar with the piano piece, you are supposed to pay more attention to the sound produced on the instrument, and make sure that your sight-reading skills can help promote a smooth and natural flow of sound from your piano. At this point, you can absolutely stop focusing on each and every detail in the music score, and just let your inner musicality shine through. But you can only manage to do so after knowing the piano piece inside out. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*MFvl4by_9rBZuqfPypcPag.jpeg) # Keep Playing Even If You Make A Mistake While Sight Reading It’s inevitable that you will make mistakes during the process of sight reading. All piano learners aim for 100% accuracy, but eventually, most of them are going to miss a note or two. When it comes to sight-reading, a missed note is unfortunate, but a wrong rhythm or faulty counting can completely throw you off track. Therefore, when you are sight reading, the most important thing to remember is that when you make a mistake, don’t stop. Just keep playing and pick up where you left off. Also, like anything else you do, the more you practice sight-reading, the better you will get. So don’t focus on the mistakes you make during the performance, and don’t feel as though you have to stop and correct them. Just keep going, do the best you can, and remember that by testing your abilities as a piano player, you are making yourself better in the long run. After playing, you can review the whole piano piece and start to make corrections. # Be Patient and Take time to Practice Sight-Reading Sight-reading skills take time to develop. Trying to master sight-reading too fast can actually hinder the overall development of the skills. Besides, speeding up the learning process will lead you to bad habits which are really hard to fix later on. Every piano beginner should know that becoming proficient in sight-reading is a long-term process. You can set many short-term goals along the way so that you can see the results as they happen. But you should always be patient, and make sure to do quality sight-reading as often as you can. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*HWhwijdUN4Vopn3O3jYIQw.jpeg) Practicing frequently brings you a positive feedback loop — sight-reading becomes easier as you stick to daily practice. Then you are able to play through more piano works, and improve even faster. At the beginning, it is hard to decipher every measure, but once you get to a certain level, it starts snowballing. Effortless music reading is a goal that almost every piano player is pursuing. It involves assimilating the musical language of piano pieces played in the past, and then using that stored information to anticipate what might come next in a new piece. Strengthening your sight-reading skills by following the tips introduced above can make a drastic improvement on how you play the piano, and take you one step closer to the goal. Ref: 1. https://www.londonpianoinstitute.co.uk/how-to-improve-your-sight-reading/ 2. https://www.musicnotes.com/now/tips/10-tips-tricks-sight-reading-music/ 3. https://www.musical-u.com/learn/improve-sight-reading/ 4. https://www.jazzadvice.com/lessons/5-steps-to-mastering-sight-reading/ 5. https://www.quora.com/How-can-a-beginner-pianist-improve-his-her-sight-reading-skills?__filter__=all&__nsrc__=notif_page&__sncid__=14475052545&__snid3__=20507855995 6. https://www.e-musicmaestro.com/blog/26/10-useful-tips-for-piano-sight-reading # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violy Music Articles: [**10 Benefits of Piano Playing - Get Your life Shaped**](https://www.violy.app/blog/2021/04/10-Benefits-of-Piano-Playing/) [**Piano Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2021/04/Piano-Books-for-Beginners/) [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Piano Apps 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2021/02/Best-Piano-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # 10 Benefits of Piano Playing - Get Your life Shaped - URL: https://violy.app/blog/10-benefits-of-piano-playing - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/10-benefits-of-piano-playing.md - Published: 2021-04-27 - Summary: As long as you are learning piano and intend to master piano playing one day, you cannot skip daily # Reasons Why You Should Practice after Piano Lessons As long as you are learning piano and intend to master piano playing one day, you cannot skip daily practicing. It is true that effective practicing is one of the most important elements which can help piano students get improved step by step. But isn’t it tiresome for piano learners to be pushed to practice by their piano teachers and parents? Apart from finding pleasure in piano learning, knowing the benefits of piano playing which are backed by science can also serve as an impetus for you to take the initiative to practice. The benefits can help shape your life, and you will never refuse to make your life better. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*lMrHunGYjXzHIMSZAiUhYg.png) # Piano Playing Relieves Stress A moderate amount of stress can do good to you, while too much pressure can exhaust you. To keep yourself motivated, relieving stress by playing the piano can be a fantastic way. An article published in 2013 by the National Library of Medicine found that piano practice can actually help alleviate stress in elderly adults. Despite the studied demographic being older adults, these findings are encouraging for people of all ages that playing the piano can improve mental health. People who play the piano tend to experience less anxiety, loneliness, and depression than their nonmusical counterparts. Playing for a few minutes a day can improve your self-esteem, make you feel more positive, and lower your blood pressure. Piano playing is also a widely used form of therapy for Attention Deficit Disorder. # Piano Playing Improves Aural Awareness If you are able to feel and understand music while listening to it, you may find that music can make difference to your life. To feel the music deeply, you need to improve your aural awareness. Do you have a naturally musical ear, or are you tone deaf? Playing the piano can improve your overall aural awareness no matter where you fall in this range. Through piano playing, you are trained to recognize tones, intervals, and chords, and develop a sense of pitch. Good aural awareness makes it easier to identify and understand various sound patterns, and can help you if you have trouble hearing when there is a lot of background noise. Also, the improvement of aural awareness provides a chance for piano learners to be more aware of the charm of music and **the emotional feeling of others through voice tone changes**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*1XF6U2cdaRZ5ZuXhlMYbsA.jpeg) # Piano Playing Strengthens Hand Muscles & Hand-Eye Coordination Good motor skills can not only make you more agile, but also bring you energy in some way. Piano playing requires asymmetrical motions of both hands and good hand-eye coordination, which makes it a helpful way to improve your motor skills. A recent study on hand motor control in musicians suggests that piano performers have actually changed the cortical mapping to increase the speed of fingers. Playing the piano is like taking your fingers to the gym. As you practice on a regular basis, your fingers will inevitably strengthen. Yet the speed and the strength alone will not be the fingers’ greatest reward. Over time, your fingers will also become nimbler on the keys, and the repetitive motions of playing will increase your ability to coordinate the movements. As a result, you will discover better what it means to “get a grip,” not just on the piano keyboard but on your life at large. # Piano Playing Helps Develop New Language Skills It takes a long time for most people to learn a new language. The progress may be super fun, but unavoidably, challenging as well. New language skills can be improved in multiple ways, but have you ever known that piano playing can also help develop new language skills? A study in the early 1990s discovered the “Mozart effect” in children, which showed that early language development and spatial-temporal intelligence could be boosted by piano lessons for preschoolers. Some of the auditory skills learned from piano playing enhance specific aspects of the perception of spoken language. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*mc1aWwyW0XQMLy5Lo9oMVg.jpeg) Learning a new language may present an opportunity for you to live a different lifestyle. It can be even more appealing if you can get familiar with an instrument at the same time. # Piano Playing Encourages Creativity Whether you are a creative person or not, you are likely to have felt the wonder of creativity before. Every piano learner may be able to harness the creative power one day, since piano playing can encourage creativity. Dr. Ana Pinho at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm conducted a study on jazz pianists. By monitoring the piano players’ brain activity when they were playing, she found that the part of their brain responsible for default or stereotypical responses was actually turned off. Instead, during the jazz pianists’ playing, their improvisational ability was brought out to create unique, original sound and style. It is always important to strengthen creativity, because it is the seed for new developments and new ideas which lead to a colorful life. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*rBlGq5aHoGvQhsStFSyqLA.png) # Piano Playing Teaches You Perseverance and Discipline No matter what you are focusing on at present, perseverance and discipline are must-have qualities which can contribute to your achievements. Learning new songs on the piano takes time and effort. Until you can actually play a song fluently by heart, you may need to spend several weeks practicing it. As you look forward to being able to play the song, you are supposed to stay motivated, learn patience, and increase your perseverance. These skills will always help you when you are confronted with difficult tasks at school, university, or work. Practicing the piano regularly also requires discipline. Some parts of the piano song you are working on may be so technically challenging that you will have to practice over and over again. At the beginning, it cannot be easy for you. Maybe you have to come up with some little treats to get yourself there. However, slowly but surely, you will get used to it, and being disciplined about your practicing time will not be hard any more. Likewise, you can follow the same steps to get more control over your own life. # Piano Playing Sharpens Your Concentration The rapid pace of life has transformed many people into multitaskers. The fact highlights the importance of concentration even more. Split concentration is an integral part of playing the piano, which helps sharpen your concentration skills. When you are playing the piano, you are also multitasking that you have to focus on the rhythm, pitch, tempo, note duration, and several other things, which makes the process of piano playing a multi-level concentration exercise. Once you become adept at piano playing, you may find that your concentration skills in the outside world are also greatly improved. In fact, studies have shown that every time a musician picks up his or her instrument, there are fireworks going on in his or her brain. Playing a musical instrument is perhaps the only activity during which almost all brain areas are simultaneously activated. What’s more, regular music practice at an early age can make structural changes to the brain that stay with you for the rest of your life, making your brain more efficient both while playing and in extra-musical endeavors. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*Oxey5vG3YJ475c6s61N4Zw.png) # Piano Playing Helps Improve Time Management & Organization Skills Many of us have quite busy schedules. Unfortunately, scientists have not found a way to make one day last more than 24 hours yet. To get all your activities and duties done, you need to get them organized. Piano playing can be particularly effective in challenging one’s ability to manage and organize their time since the mastery of piano techniques demands a routine practice schedule. Also, you have to understand how to schedule your practice sessions so that you can get the most benefit from them without feeling stressed when you are doing other things. For all piano learners, playing the piano is a great way to teach them the lifelong skills of time management. It is always fascinating to spend your limited life participating in numerous interesting activities, but you can only manage to do so when you are able to organize your time well. # Piano Playing Enhances Your Physical Health It is hard to say what is the fountain of youth on earth, but things which offer physical and physiological advantages can definitely play the role. Piano playing is supposed to be put on the list of these things, since it provides a plethora of health benefits that will supplement every part of your life. A study by the University of Miami indicated that adults who play the piano in a regular basis experience increased levels of human growth hormone (HgH), which is responsible for cell reproduction and regeneration. This hormone also helps regulate body fluids, muscle and bone growth, metabolism, and perhaps even heart function. Besides, music has also been shown to reduce heart and respiratory rates, and to increase immune response. Physical health is the basis of pursuing a life of development. As a piano player, you are fortunate to have a chance to enhance health while enjoying piano music. # Piano Playing Helps Expand Cultural Knowledge Music is a language that crosses all barriers of age and ethnicity. Through learning and playing music, you are likely to meet new friends, experience new cultures, and even live a new life. In a 2016 study of Amazonian women and men, musical preference was found to be strictly cultural and not hardwired into our brains. Counter to past assumptions about our brains’ preferences of dissonant versus consonant chords, the study’s findings support learning to play the piano as one way to expand our cultural knowledge of different sounds, styles and types of music. Especially for children, this exposure is critical to encouraging early open mindedness and cultural diversity. Another wonderful thing about playing the piano is that you can share the music with other people. It is an amazing way to bring together larger communities, as well as smaller groups of family and friends. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*7ys66P7NlR-vjpkuwffhnQ.jpeg) After learning about the trivia above, you may have a clear idea about what you will gain from practicing after piano lessons. No matter how old you are, there are a whole lot of reasons for you to learn piano. When you are playing the instrument, the benefits you gradually obtain can shape your life bit by bit. Once you have noticed the changes in your life, you will thank yourself for choosing piano to accompany you all along. Ref: 1. https://www.pianoemporium.com/10-benefits-playing-piano/#:~:text=Regular%20piano%20playing%20offers%20different,pressure%20and%20increase%20immune%20response 2. https://www.steinway.com/news/features/the-benefits-of-playing-piano 3. https://www.lindebladpiano.com/blog/benefits-of-playing-piano 4. https://www.flowkey.com/en/benefits-playing-piano 5. https://www.pianodreamers.com/benefits-of-playing-piano/ 6. https://www.pianistmagazine.com/blogs/5-remarkable-health-benefits-of-playing-the-piano/ 7. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/music-on-the-mind/1998/04 8. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/12/scientists-creativity-pianists-brain-activity # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violy Music Articles: [**Piano Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2021/04/Piano-Books-for-Beginners/) [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Piano Apps 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2021/02/Best-Piano-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Piano Books for Beginners - URL: https://violy.app/blog/piano-books-for-beginners - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/piano-books-for-beginners.md - Published: 2021-04-18 - Summary: It is always challenging to start to learn the piano from scratch. But with the help of right tools, # Suggestions from Piano Teachers It is always challenging to start to learn the piano from scratch. But with the help of right tools, the piano beginners can quickly become proficient in basic piano techniques. Apart from an excellent piano teacher who can guide you along, high-quality piano books are also necessary for you to make progress. If you are new to piano, the following piano books can be wonderful options. Also, the piano sheet music contained in more than half of the recommended piano books can be found in [Violy App](https://violy.app/). ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*sJb6qV-saiK5kJnROfpQCw.png) # Piano Adventures Written by Nancy & Randall Faber, the set of books titled "Piano Adventures" take a different approach to teaching piano beginners to learn the instrument. ![Original Picture from https://pianoadventures.com/](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*6W22nwFIeqJwDAoR.jpg) ***Piano Adventures*** is the teaching method of choice at leading university programs and music studios around the world. The student-centered approach of this method uses analysis, creativity, and expression to develop a "musical mind and heart". The delightful, pianistic pieces and creative theory pages, combined with an outstanding technical approach, encourage piano beginners of different ages to practice and make progress. A comprehensive introduction to piano techniques and music theory is provided in ***Piano Adventures*** books. Piano beginners at all levels can find what they need in the books and gradually master piano playing. For young learners, they can develop basic piano skills with the help of fun-filled songs, rhythm games, and technique activities. For adult beginners, they can lay a solid foundation by using the lesson book, the theory book, the technique & artistry book, and the performance book together, and afterwards, understand piano music better. # The Virtuoso Pianist ***The Virtuoso Pianist*** written by Charles-Louis Hanon is a compilation of 60 exercises meant to train piano players in speed, precision, agility, and strength of all fingers and flexibility in the wrists. The book is one of the most widely used piano books. ![Original Picture from https://www.amazon.com/Hanon-Virtuoso-Exercises-Complete-Schirmers/dp/0793525446](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*smc0o2t3CbD57aoV.jpg) The piano exercises contained in the book are intended to address common problems which could hamper the performance abilities of a piano student. The exercises are divided into 3 parts: (1) Exercises 1–20: These are the most famous exercises, and are used to develop finger strength and independence. Each exercise contains a sequence of 8 semiquavers, beginning on C, which is then repeated starting on D, and so on across 2 octaves. The exercise is then repeated in reverse down 2 octaves to the starting C. (2) Exercises 21–43: This more difficult section is meant to be played after the piano beginner has fully mastered Part (1). Scales and arpeggios are included in this part. (3) Exercises 44–60: Hanon recommends the piano players to work on this part after mastering the previous 2 parts. This part includes repeated notes, repeated double notes, scales in thirds and octaves, tremolos, etc.. # John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Almost every piano learner is familiar with this set of method books named ***John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course***. The books have been preferred by more than 12 million piano students since 1955. ![Original Picture from https://iteacherschoice.com/method-books/hl-easiestpianocourse](https://miro.medium.com/max/884/0*dP-puIAV2oMNtOHb) ***John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course*** is a comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all young piano beginners. The books feature an amusing family of characters and illustrations to help emphasize the information being taught. The clear and straightforward layout makes learning more fun and ideal for parent participation. Besides, the books contain work sheet pages which encourage the review of new information and concepts. The melodies in the books are composed to fit a beginning child's small hands. In addition to exciting tunes, sight-reading exercises, written exercises, and read-aloud exercises are also included. # 24 Piano Studies for the Left Hand It is not easy for most piano beginners to train their left hand since about 90% of people are right-handed. But complicated and asymmetrical motions of both hands are required for the mastery of piano playing. For piano students who are eager to improve left hand skills, ***Carl Czerny's 24 Piano Studies for the Left Hand*** can be the best choice. ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/ptg9oazAPGJB6auRA](https://miro.medium.com/max/900/0*1IXkpaXWxS3w7fWd.png) The book is not a collection of left-hand solo studies, though it focuses on the dexterity of the left hand. The book contains multiple types of exercises, such as scales, double thirds, full chords, arpeggios, skips, melody and accompaniment in the left-hand part, turns, passing of the second finger over the first, fast repeated notes with changing fingers, exercises to strengthen the fourth and fifth fingers, grace notes and octaves, etc.. # Hal Leonard Student Piano Library The ***Hal Leonard Student Piano Library*** series is compelling for piano students. With the help of the books, even the most inexperienced piano beginners can create music right from the very start of their studies. ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/rfv3ERPS3syNUkaz5](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*MZb7x8dExbODBjU1) The set of books are chock-full of simple instructions, illustrations, and CDs that the piano beginners can follow along with. The abundant content makes it easy for piano students to learn how to play right in the comfort of their own home. For piano teachers, the variety of styles and moods, the natural rhythmic flow, the singable melodies and lyrics, the accompaniments, and the improvisations integrated throughout the books make the series of Hal Leonard Student Piano Library perfect for private or group instruction. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*0JEagogjFql-R6w3nhmclA.png) # Bastien Piano Basics The ***Bastien Piano Basics*** method is comprised of 5 completely correlated course books - ***Piano, Theory, Performance, Technic, and A Line A Day Sight Reading.*** ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/HMgAi3gyp1ErZwAv8](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*whXImKBE0qoASUTD.jpg) The course of ***Bastien Piano Basics*** uses a gradual multi-key approach. 5 levels of carefully graded lesson materials provide constant opportunities for reinforcing basic musical concepts. Piano is the main lesson book in the course. The carefully graded, logical learning sequence assures steady and continual progress. Also, the original music written by the author includes a stimulating mixture of pop, folk, classical, and contemporary styles. Through a dynamic way, the ***Bastien Piano Basics*** books introduce young piano learners to the marvelous world of music, and make piano learning more enjoyable. # Suzuki Piano School The Suzuki method is an internationally known music curriculum and teaching philosophy. The core Suzuki literature is published on audio recordings and in sheet music books for each instrument, and Suzuki teachers supplement the repertoire common to each instrument as needed. The ***Suzuki Piano School*** series is composed of 7 volumes. The piano beginners can start from the first volume, and gradually move forward to the next volumes. ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/Khea2kz4YFiSgcC97](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yFDZ-zYvhzW1sojb.jpg) The first book begins with variations on ***Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star***, and continues with many folk songs and contemporary songs. As the piano students progress to the other books, they can find more famous pieces written by romantic, classical and baroque composers, such as Schumann, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, etc.. # Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Adult All-in-One Course If you are an adult piano beginner and learn the instrument with a piano instructor, you should not miss this piano book named Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: ***Adult All-in-One Course***. ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/46FN1WoTJMTSkeRS7](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*7bAW768J0bC4Krgd.jpg) The book is designed for the beginning piano students who are looking for a truly complete piano course. This comprehensive course adds such features as isometric hand exercises, finger strengthening drills, and written assignments that reinforce each lesson's concepts. The piano beginners can find a smooth and logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra piano songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections. At the completion of this course, the piano students will have learned to play some of the most popular piano music ever written, and will have gained a good understanding of basic musical concepts and styles. # Piano Book for Adult Beginners Damon Ferrante's lesson book called ***Piano Book for Adult Beginners*** and the accompanying streaming videos are all that adult piano beginners will ever need for getting started to play the most famous and cherished piano classics. ![Original Picture from https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/damon-ferrante-piano-book-adult-beginners.jpg?w=386](https://miro.medium.com/max/772/0*57YvZvHZG602Dsig) The lessons begin with basic finger patterns and piano key recognition, and gradually build on skills as the course progresses. Besides, the lessons will greatly expand the piano students' repertoire of beloved piano songs, and improve their piano techniques, creativity, and understanding of music. Whether you are teaching yourself piano or learning with a piano teacher, this book and the streaming videos will take your piano playing to a whole new level. # The Joy of First Year Piano The book belongs to a constantly expanding series named "Joy of…". The series has been chosen by musicians all over the world. They love it for the imaginative choice of materials. In ***The Joy of First Year Piano***, the author guides the piano beginners through piano works to help them improve piano skills. ![Original Picture from https://images.app.goo.gl/xi4cmBbDEcAAyATP8](https://miro.medium.com/max/748/0*a8ZOv5c1HE_imOCF.jpg) A diverse range of music is covered in this book.The book also comes with audio. Each piece is accompanied by a track boasting a skilled pianist playing the piece. What's more, as a method book, ***The Joy of First Year Piano*** allows piano teachers to vary the approach according to the needs of each piano student. No matter what piano books you choose, it is always significant to keep in mind that working with a professional piano teacher will help you advance your skills faster. In the meanwhile, constant practicing can make it possible for you to take full advantage of the useful piano books. ***Ref:*** 1. https://pianoadventures.com/browse/libraries/piano-adventures/ 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Virtuoso_Pianist_in_60_Exercises 3. http://www.methodbooks.com/store/john-thompson/john-thompson-easiest-piano-course.htm 4. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LTHMFQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i5 5. https://www.merriammusic.com/school-of-music/piano-lessons/piano-books/ 6. https://www.amazon.com/WP200-Bastien-Piano-Basics-Primer/dp/0849752655 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_method#Piano 8. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/848520.Adult_All_in_One_Course 9. https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Book-Adult-Beginners-Technique-ebook/dp/B0746L9LH8 10. https://www.merriammusic.com/school-of-music/piano-lessons/piano-books/ 11. https://kjos.com/piano/methods/bastien-piano-basics.html#tab-description # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Piano Apps 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2021/02/Best-Piano-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Violy Creator Studio - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-creator-studio - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-creator-studio.md - Published: 2021-04-15 - Summary: Did not find the sheet music you want in Violy App’s [“Music Cloud”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v # A Creative Toolbox for Sheet Music Uploading Did not find the sheet music you want in Violy App’s [“Music Cloud”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzyAuJRdVxo)? Don’t worry, you can upload the music scores into the app by yourself. [“Violy Creator Studio”](https://creator.violy.app/login#/) allows each Violy musician to be a music publisher. Once the uploaded sheet music is released after a short review process, you will be able to find it in “Music Cloud” in Violy App, and start your practice at any time and in any mode. Besides, by uploading music through “Violy Creator Studio”, you can make it possible for Violy musicians all over the world to check out your music works and practice together. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*gDncuVTEbnWPQgRAbh2hhw.png) Find below the instructions of how to upload music through “Creator Studio”: # Create A New Album Visit Violy’s official website (https://violy.app/), and click on “Creator” on the top. The current version of “Violy Creator Studio” is only accessible with a web browser, and is preferentially designed for PC and Mac. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*fFkEPXD7iziirLp_3itK3Q.jpeg) Log in the “Creator Studio” with your Violy account. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*xJJ8Mh2qlrA103t9DuVBFA.jpeg) Click on **“Add New Album”** after the login. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*E_mfs1x5Bbw79UTagUcaKA.jpeg) **Fill in the album** information, and click on **“Submit”** to create a new album. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*IZnIrsUSx93gm1B7tU8X9g.jpeg) **“Visibility”**, **“Album Title”** and **“Album Cover”** must be completed. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Gp7ZCGpuc1Mm89jEl1m3GA.jpeg) The **“Visibility”** of your album can be set to **“Private”**, **“Public”**, **“Group”** or **“Academy”**. If your album is set as a **“Private”** album, it will only be visible to yourself. Private albums are not required to pass the review process. You can find them in **“Violy” > “Music Cloud” > “Private” > “Personal”** after they are released. If you are in groups or academies, and set the **“Visibility”** of your album to **“Group”** or **“Academy”**, the album will be visible to all members in the certain group/academy which is selected to share the sheet music album with. Albums for groups and academies are not required to pass the review process either. Once the albums are released, they can be found in **“Violy” > “Music Cloud” > “Private” > “Group”**. If your album is set as a **“Public”** album, it will be visible to all Violy users. Every piece of music included in public albums needs to be reviewed by Violy team before being released. # Add Music and Parts in the Album Once the new album is created, you can add music pieces into it by uploading sheet music files. Click on **“CREATE MUSIC”** to add music scores. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*mfEra7Ksz-SPhaZOt6b5fQ.jpeg) Complete the **music title**, select the **instrument** and the **composer**, and upload sheet music files. If there are more than one part in the music piece you would like to upload, click on **“+ ADD NEW PART”**, and fill in the required information. Then you can finish uploading by clicking on **“SUBMIT”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*4BZrWOx9aOLH7xcsbPzgjA.jpeg) The **only supported formats** of sheet music files are **MuseScore(.mscz)** and **MusicXML(.musicxml)**. The MuseScore files can be directly exported as MusicXML files through [**MuseScore software**](https://musescore.org/en). Scanning and recognizing of sheet music files in JPG, PDF, or other formats are not supported. # Submit Music for the Review Process If the “Visibility” of your album is set to “Public”, it needs to be reviewed. After the submission, it normally takes 24 hours for Violy team to review and release the album and the sheet music contained. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*bncU1SejJOIwKy_gmrSa8g.jpeg) The current version of “Violy Creator Studio” is only for sheet music uploading. More features will be supported later, such as adding audio and video demos for the uploaded sheet music, and receiving other users’ likes and comments. “Violy Creator Studio”, it is all in creative! ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*NMyyuQrOQ5MgeHysBczJ4w.png) # FAQs about Using MuseScore Software to Create Sheet Music ## Q: How to download MuseScore? A: You can download MuseScore Software here: https://musescore.org/en/download. To create sheet music, you need to install the software on your computer. ## Q: How to use MuseScore? A: Create a new score after entering MuseScore. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1320/1*WReSc8hhfED2MNOd7KZ3iw.jpeg) Fill in the information required, and click on **“Next”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*2wMgIxAngjkNJGvaOPKTAA.jpeg) Select the instrument (Violin is taken as an example in the following pic), key signature, tempo, time signature, number of measures, etc., and then click on **“Finish”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*-I1XUqQ7VmThucO4xn-CfA.jpeg) Now you can start to add the elements you need into the blank stave. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*49ZfuAWo1fVXsxt8R9DtyA.jpeg) To **add music notes**, click on the symbol of **“Enter Notes”**, select a note of certain value, and put it in any measure according to your own preference. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1388/1*5--LYfDfniBdylRMymHNaQ.jpeg) You can also type the letters “C” “D” “E” “F” “G” “A” “B” on the computer keyboard to add notes. To add **key signatures, time signatures, or barlines**, select a measure, choose a certain section in **“Palettes”**, and click on the element you would like to enter (The section “Key Signatures” is taken as an example in the following pic). ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1120/1*QRYZAfCfPlE7WIh3e3rirg.jpeg) To **add accidentals, articulations, grace notes, dynamics, fingerings, etc.**, choose a certain section in **“Palettes”**, select a note in the stave, and click on the element you would like to put into the stave (The section “Accidentals” is taken as an example in the following pic). ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*J2zzGM2gmjP86UBy1yCQ7g.jpeg) To **add slurs, crescendo hairpins, diminuendo hairpins, or other elements in “Lines” section**, select 2 notes, and click on the element you would like to enter(The slur is taken as an example in the following pic). ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Pzfg6aCKDyXmWYFxDFyzPw.jpeg) To **add breaks and spacers**, select a measure, enter **“Breaks & Spacers”** section, and click on the certain element you would like to put into the stave. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*saB7AogmEmuRFxRn6u7nHQ.jpeg) To **change the format**, enter **“Format” > “Page Settings”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*T8VYOlYxlwjCHp6XiuBOyw.jpeg) To **edit more information**, enter **“File” > “Score Properties”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*eLaiQW8YOr6fu8ERi3Jg7w.jpeg) To understand the features better, you can also check out the video tutorial of how to use the latest version of MuseScore: {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Q: How to export the sheet music file from MuseScore? A: Enter **“File” > “Export”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/934/1*gprATo65Fsn2OPcFHzxqKw.jpeg) Set the name and format of the file, and save it to your computer. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*JcPFGQT9EV4NvCSchrKiFA.jpeg) ## Q: What should I pay attention to when using MuseScore to create sheet music? A: In order to make the sheet music created in MuseScore work fine in Violy App, there are some norms need to be followed: 1. One instrumental voice part should correspond to only one music score, each music score should correspend to two musescore files (**MuseScore(.mscz)** and **MusicXML(.musicxml)**). 2. If there are multiple parts included in a piece, the sheet music of each part should be created and uploaded separately. To separate the parts, click on **“File” > “Parts” > “All Parts” > “OK”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/892/1*rJU7UgS5qKrO4LIrwz0dPg.jpeg) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*zNqMDiF7qCIaDQqSiv3axg.jpeg) 3. If the elements added into the music scores are manually dragged and moved, in the exported MusicXML file, they may automatically return to where they were before. It is necessary to take the display effect of the sheet music into consideration before moving the elements. 4. After uploading the sheet music into Creator Studio, please click on **“Preview”** to check if there is no error in the music score. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*baBRKCMRaiNjVZbEnHzCWg.jpeg) 5. The title is required in the sheet music, while the subtitle is optional. The suggested font for the title is FreeSerif, and the suggested font size is 36. The punctuation marks included in the title should follow the rules in the certain language of the title. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1398/1*ETTDmFv2BOPtyQaHyDjBWw.jpeg) 6. The name of the composer should be added as well. The recommended font and the font size are FreeSerif and 12. If the composer is unknown, enter **“Unknown”** when uploading the sheet music into Creator Studio. When it comes to scales, enter “Scale”. 7. When the clefs and the key signatures are changed, the pitches of the notes contained in the selected measures may change as well. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*i234LLF4_kR7WSJ_wUqU7A.jpeg) 8. The time signature in the sheet music uploaded should be the same as that in the original music score. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Mg0in6RCSbp8TQEMZ8OuLw.jpeg) 9. The tempo should be added to each music score. If it is not included in the original sheet music, you can refer to the recommended tempos below: 2/2: = 50~60 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4: = 70~80 3/8, 5/8, 6/8, and 7/8: ≥ 120 ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*PJbDxRonyrV0neX5jGTH_w.jpeg) 10. To change the value of a certain note, select the note, and then add different value according to your own needs. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*OE5s5KFFeWch0U02uLSPfw.jpeg) 11. After adding an accidental for a note, remember to delete the other accidentals which automatically appear beside the other same notes in the same measure. 12. Make sure that the marks of dynamics are placed below the correct note. 13. To add lines below or above a measure, select a certain measure, and click on **“Line”** in **“Lines”** section. Then, you can add texts above the line by selecting a certain note in the measure and clicking on **“Text” > “Staff Text”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*cA11f0hytFGjVgi20sPckg.jpeg) 14. Use a tie to connect 2 same notes, and use a slur to link 2 different notes. 15. The slur is required to use when you need to connect a note and its grace note. 2 grace notes cannot be linked with a slur. 16. If there are multiple parts contained in a piece, the crescendo hairpins and the diminuendo hairpins should be added into the first part. 17. To add fingerings, you are supposed to find the certain number in **“Fingering”** section. If there are brackets or texts contained in the texts of fingerings, click on **“Staff Text”** to add the related elements. 18. To add any texts in sheet music, select a note and click on **“Staff Text”**, or press “ctrl” and “T” on the computer keyboard. 19. To add the crescendo lines and the diminuendo lines, select a note and click on **“Staff Text”**. 20. To add repeats and jumps, select a measure, and click on **“Repeats & Jumps”** to choose the element you would like to enter. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*cRBIdUDQMjaOkc8Uq2nDCw.jpeg) 21. To add trills, you are suggested to select “tr” in **“Articulations”** instead of the trill line in **“Lines”**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/628/1*_tzKhzf2pkJDvcHqfR6-Uw.jpeg) 22. The suggested page size is A4. Besides, we suggest you to set the staff space and the page margins as that shows in the following pic. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*xPWBPmbkSxYcfyrJMeAxVA.jpeg) 23. To add a line break, select a measure or a barline, and then press “Enter” on the computer keyboard. 24. Before uploading, re-check if the MuseScore file can be opened normally. 25. If there are multiple-measure rests contained in the sheet music, press “M” on the computer keyboard for twice before exporting the MusicXML file. Otherwise, the music score may not be demonstrated properly in Violy App. 26. Select the right instrument for each part when uploading the sheet music. Or the playback of the music in Violy App may be affected. ## Q: I know how to use music notation software, but I am not a user of MuseScore. What should I do? A: MusicXML files are supported on various music notation software. You may use other software to create music scores, but we suggest you to export the required sheet music files (both MuseScore files and MusicXML files) from MuseScore before uploading, since “Violy Creator Studio” has better compatibility with files exported from MuseScore. Users of [**Overture Software**](https://sonicscores.com/overture/) and [**Sibelius software**](https://www.avid.com/sibelius) can follow the instructions below to upload the sheet music. If you use neither of the two, the certain steps can also be referred to. If you use **Overture Software** to create music scores, you may move the sheet music file to MuseScore first: Enter **“File” > “Export” > “As MusicXML file”** after you finish editing the sheet music in Overture. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/998/1*-4W6VwfXpnLoKMANpU4Fww.jpeg) Save the MusicXML file to your computer. Then, enter **“MuseScore” > “File” > “Open”**, select the MusicXML file which is just saved, and open it in MuseScore. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/930/1*0EwwAg-7YBf2L9cbLh4gqg.jpeg) Later, you can follow the instructions introduced above to upload your sheet music into Violy App. Likewise, if you are a user of **Sibelius Software**, you need to enter **“File” > “Export” > “MusicXML” > “Uncompressed (xx.xml)”** to export the sheet music file from Sibelius first: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ZhNqK4vyDtcwTRiAQRHzjw.jpeg) Then, after saving the MusicXML file, you can open it with MuseScore, and upload the sheet music as intended. ## Q: I know how MuseScore works, but it is still difficult for me to deal with the sheet music by myself. What should I do? A: It does take some time to create sheet music. If you cannot handle the task, we can recommend you third-party personnel who have collaborated with Violy team and can provide the service of sheet music creating. Here are the suggested service prices: - For music pieces in grade 3 and lower: 3 USD per page - For music pieces in grade 4 to 6: 5 USD per page - For music pieces in grade 7 and higher: 8 USD per page The prices are accepted by the third-party personnel. Please consult with them directly if you have any questions. Please notice that the collaboration between you and the person who offers the service is independent of Violy team. You can contact us if the collaboration fails to go well. Then we may consider not recommending the certain person any more. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Violin Apps for 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/Best-Violin-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Make Music Reviews Based on Real Music Performance - URL: https://violy.app/blog/review-music-practice-homework-based-on-real-music-performance - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/review-music-practice-homework-based-on-real-music-performance.md - Published: 2021-03-18 - Summary: Apart from daily practice, timely feedback from music teachers also plays an important role in the s # Comment on Music Practice in Violy App Apart from daily practice, timely feedback from music teachers also plays an important role in the students’ music learning and music practicing process. In Violy App, music teachers can check music students’ homework under **"OVERALL"** and **"PRACTICES"** sections in **"Students"** page. Now the **"Homework Comment"** feature is newly supported, which allows music teachers to leave comments based on the students’ performance recordings in real time. To understand the feature better, check out the instructions of its usage below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ypBOWDfobVrKIS-_-HFh7A.png) # Create Reviews on Music Practice Homework Enter **"Students" > "MEMBERS"**, and click on a student’s avatar. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Tyvm7b77XNSjFnJ2bDk3MA.jpeg) Select an **"Audition" record**. ![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*IiRyG253LmBSt7rdM9r7ig.jpeg) Click on the symbol of **"Create Reviews"**, mark the content you would like to comment on, and write reviews. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*c_DtVueLHi2bi_QH3kBWug.jpeg) You can also click on the **"Microphone"** symbol to record voice comments, and then send the audio. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*J0xUr1KVgyHOx2kgboP5iA.jpeg) Later, the student can receive and check out the comments on his or her side in **"History"** page. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*-MiIXxPsEjzVM3S9qJFydQ.jpeg) With the "Homework Comment" feature, music teachers can provide after-class guidance for students in a more efficient way. More new features designed for music education will be available in the future. Please stay tuned! ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*lfGz9vOLDgvEcGhqkbm7aA.png) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Violin Apps for 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/Best-Violin-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Best Piano Apps for 2021 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/best-piano-apps-2021 - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/best-piano-apps-2021.md - Published: 2021-02-01 - Summary: Plan to learn a musical instrument? There are multiple reasons why you should choose piano. Accordin # Use Apps to Customize Your Piano Playing with Ease! Plan to learn a musical instrument? There are multiple reasons why you should choose piano. According to studies, playing the piano reduces stress and anxiety, improves hand-eye coordination, and even boosts self-esteem. Apart from these benefits, during the Covid-19 pandemic, playing your favorite songs on the piano can be soothing. With the aid of technology, the ways of learning, teaching, and playing the piano are no longer limited. Piano teachers and students can choose to use a variety of piano apps according to their individual needs. Search for the word “piano” in your App Store or Google Play Store, and then you will be shocked at how many options there are. But which ones are the most recommended piano apps? Keep reading, and you will find the answers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ll7Hdn0SWu2LAfjEoPQesA.png) # Violy No matter what you need to do with a piano app, almost all your needs can be satisfied when you use [Violy App](https://violy.app/). ## Teach Piano Lessons Virtually Due to the quarantine, many piano classes were brought online. For piano teachers, it can be annoying to tolerate the unsatisfactory audio quality for the instrument during remote classes. But with Violy App, the unpleasant moment can be entirely avoided. In Violy’s “[Students](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/)” page, piano teachers are allowed to set up their own virtual music classroom. In this page, piano teachers can use “[Live Class](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1OHpIe3PV4&feature=youtu.be)”, the video call feature, to call their piano students directly and conduct remote piano lessons. The specially optimized, high-definition audio and video transmission makes it possible for all participants of the classes to hear each single layer no matter how complicated the chords or ensembles are. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*qEcxneusPFk_yM41RU4X3A.png) A smart timetable is necessary for piano teachers who have a large number of students, and Violy’s “[Classroom](https://violy.app/blog/2020/08/Teach-Music-Class-Online/)” feature can play the role. With this feature, the teachers are able to schedule each piano class and get every participant notified automatically, which helps relieve the music educators from the repetitive work of reminding every piano student of the time for classes. Considering the current situation of the pandemic, remote music teaching may be the norm for a long time to come. As a smart music classroom, Violy links music teachers and students together, and contributes to better development of online music education. ## A Piano App Tailor-made for All Piano Students Piano playing requires complicated and asymmetrical motions of both hands. Since about 90% of people are right-handed, for most piano beginners, training the left hand separately can be hard. Besides, piano teachers are not likely to follow up the students’ practice 24/7, but students need instant feedback to help them improve. Thanks to Violy, the problems mentioned above can be easily solved. The “[Smart Audition](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CAudition%E2%80%9D)” feature statistically analyzes each piano student’s playing and witnesses every sign of progress. The players can choose to be auditioned on one hand or both hands. For those who are eager to practice left hand skills, this feature is a great help. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} A “Smart Audition” can be initiated by playing “C♯4 D♯4 F♯4” on the piano. Under the audition mode, the users’ performing is tracked and recorded. After playing, users can receive an in-depth analysis report presenting the overall score, the score for rhythm, notes which are misplayed and missed, etc.. What’s more, both teachers and students are allowed to review their piano practice homework anytime and anywhere. When it comes to a piano app, most piano students are likely to have expectations for the piano music included. As for Violy, its sheet music library “[Music Cloud](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CMusic-Cloud%E2%80%9C)” can surprise you. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*WMBYXaIFVlaxkMBEiXE8HQ.png) Pianists at all levels can find the pieces they like in “Music Cloud”. With a large piano repertoire covering various categories, “Music Cloud” empowers you to listen to and play thousands of piano pieces at any tempo and volume. You can also annotate the sheet music. If you fail to find the sheet music you need, just visit the “[Creator Studio](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Create-Sheet-Music-on-Violy/)” and you can upload the music scores to the app by yourself. Violy is available on both iOS and Android mobile devices. The app is FREE for all music teachers, and each new user can receive a FREE 7-day premium gift. # Simply Piano [Simply Piano](https://www.joytunes.com/simply-piano) was rated as one of the best iPhone apps of 2016. Its slogan goes like “from beginner to pro, play piano like you’ve always wanted”. Indeed, it is an excellent tool for piano players at any level. ## Piano Courses for Self-Learners Currently, there are 25 courses for different music levels included in Simply Piano. You can take 2 courses for free before being required to subscribe. With the **piano courses**, the easy-to-use piano app takes you through the basics step by step, from reading music to learning to play with both hands. **Video tutorials**, **warm-ups**, and **exercises** can be found throughout the whole learning process. While you are learning, you can **slow down the pace of the songs**. In addition, the **personalized 5-minute workouts** are perfect for you to master the skills bit by bit. ## Play Piano Songs of All Genres and Receive Instant Feedback Are you a classical music lover or a huge fan of pop songs? No matter what kind of music you are into, you can always find your favorite **piano songs** in Simply Piano. The various categories can fit your taste for sure. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*2UuEvn70tRUs7UG-pYH9MQ.jpeg) During your playing, Simply Piano works in tandem with your instrument. The app has the ability to **register what you are playing**, and gives you **real-time feedback**. Once the song is completed, there will be a pop-out showing the details of your performance. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*_meO7OWBUsSiajukI4rriw.jpeg) Simply Piano even won a World Summit Award from the United Nations. It can truly make a difference in your path of piano practice. The app can be used on iOS and Android mobile devices. # Piano Maestro If you are a piano beginner who need a piano app to help you learn while having fun, [Piano Maestro](https://www.joytunes.com/apps#pm) is definitely your cup of tea. Like Simply Piano, this app is also developed by JoyTunes. ## Gamification of Piano Learning Most young piano learners are not self-motivated in their daily practice. They need incentives to keep them focused and moving forward. In this case, incorporating games into the process of learning can be effective. Under Piano Maestro’s “**Journey**” mode, fun game tasks and piano learning are perfectly combined. This mode makes it possible for you to move on chapter by chapter, unlock new songs, and raise the difficulty level along the way. It helps you learn to play the songs step by step, and have access to more practice options. Besides, your learning experience can be personalized. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*IVYzIe85YtYe7i4poeg12A.jpeg) In the app’s **“Library” section**, **piano songs** of different genres and levels, **piano exercises** covering all skills and hand options, and the most well-known **method books** are all selectable. What’s more, JoyTunes has collected and continues to add current hits to the “Library”. The lure of your favorite songs and the carefully sequenced selection of exercises can stimulate you to keep playing and improving your skills. ## Play Bite-Sized Chunks of Piano Sheet Music and Master the Whole Piece Goals cannot be reached in one step. For piano players, it always takes some time to completely master a new piece. With Piano Maestro, the efficiency of the process can be enhanced. Before playing the whole song, learning comes first since you need to get familiar with the sheet music. Each song is divided into small sections under **“Learn” mode** in Piano Maestro. The mode just requires you to play the bite-sized chunks one by one. Every music note being played will be checked. Once there is a misplayed note, the cursor will pause until the note is corrected. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*jBIRtqZzzhMIP9n1918STg.jpeg) When you are ready for the complete song, you can choose **“Play” mode**. Under this mode, you are able to play along with the backing tracks at the tempo you set, and receive a final score after the playing ends. Using the two modes interchangeably makes it easier for you to master the whole piece. If you do not have your acoustic piano at hand, “**touch piano**” is also supported on Piano Maestro. Just tap the screen to play a virtual piano keyboard then. Piano Maestro is only available on iOS mobile devices. Gamers who decide to learn piano from scratch will not want to miss this one. # Skoove If you are new to the world of the piano, [Skoove](https://www.skoove.com/en) has interactive beginner and intermediate courses to get you up and running, after which you can continue with further tuition either in a pop or classical direction. ## A Piano App Offers A Rich Seam of Online Piano Lessons During this challenging time, to start a musical journey with interactive piano lessons seems to be a good idea for self-learners, and Skoove can be the guide on the journey. Skoove features an ever-growing curriculum of 400 **piano lessons** over 19 courses. As expected, the first lessons are for absolute beginners, and more complex musical ideas are introduced as the course progresses. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*1Rdvh2FZuGc-GGwuO9skyw.png) The “listen, learn, and play” approach adopted by the app can help you master new techniques quickly. ​ First, you can get to know the song just by listening. Then, you may get prepared to learn. When you are learning, a moving score shows you which notes to play and when. You can watch the **video tutorials** at the same time to check your fingerings and hand frames. During the process, Skoove **recognizes the notes** you play, telling you what is right and where to improve. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*8EcEJ_RBG2IAqH5CzKHwOA.jpeg) Later, you can start to sight-read the piano piece, and enjoy the rich emotion behind every note. Skoove works with PC, Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Plus all pianos and keyboards. All in all, Skoove embodies a simple and effective method for learning piano online. # Yousician Founded in 2010, Yousician is considered the fastest-growing music education company in the world. As a all-round piano app, [Yousician App](https://yousician.com/piano) helps unleash every learner’s inner pianist. ## Learn and Practice Piano at Your Own Pace One of the most obvious advantages of piano apps is that they allow the users to manage their own learning and practicing process. Yousician just maximizes the strength. In Yousician, there are thousands of **piano songs**, **piano exercises** and **teacher-crafted piano lessons** on offer, with step-by-step video tutorials. Whether you are a piano beginner hoping to pick up the basics such as key signatures, combining hands, melodies, chords, etc., or you are already advanced, the “**missions**” and “**workouts**” in the app are always perfect for developing a wide range of skills, learning great pieces, having fun, and staying motivated. The visual interface makes reading music easy with the hybrid, color-coded notation. Under “**Practice**” mode, you are able to slow the song down, set hand options, and select consecutive bars to practice repetitively. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*X3qpqizOH9_w4sZ2S0nueQ.jpeg) Under “**Play**” mode, you can play the whole piece, and get an overall score based on your performing after the song ends. Both modes listen to your playing, give you instant feedback, and enable you to play along with the backing tracks. Also, you are the one who decide when and how to start your piano playing journey. The app will tell you every detail of your daily practice. ## Participate in Weekly Challenges with Pianists Worldwide If you are a piano player who tend to push yourself to achieve 100% accuracy, you may be excited to compete with millions of piano learners in Yousician’s **weekly challenges**, and enjoy the truly interactive experience. Songs selected for weekly challenges can be played under the two modes mentioned above. The scores you receive under “Play” mode and the rankings are showed in the “**Leaderboard**”. You can even invite your friends to take part in the challenges and see how they perform. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*--93vNX_f0Ky_8puzOAOJg.jpeg) Yousician is available on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Windows and Mac. As a piano app neatly combining practice and competition, it is used by some piano teachers as a complement to their in-person piano lessons. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ZK0G7m1byga0Aj-HJEsMLA.png) # Flowkey Produced in collaboration with Yamaha, [Flowkey](https://www.flowkey.com/en) works well with either a MIDI keyboard or an acoustic piano, providing accurate visual feedback and progress tracking. ## Pick up New Piano Songs in the Playing Videos Learning a new instrument with the songs you love may help improve your music playing by leaps and bounds. Flowkey just provides all piano students with an opportunity to do so. With over 1,500 piano songs of every genre and skill level, the app wows every piano learner. Choose a song you like, and then you can **watch an expert pianist play the song**. In the meanwhile, you can **follow the sheet music** on the same screen. During the process, you are allowed to **reduce the speed**, **replay a specific section**, or **select a single hand** to check the fingerings separately. The sheet music scrolling and the video playing are always in sync. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*6RTBcpaJZaKSM5CrINsfXw.jpeg) When you start to play your instrument along with the video, the “**Flow**” mode listens to you and waits for you to hit the right notes. If you are confused about where to put your fingers next, the video will show you. Flowkey also offers **piano lessons** to help you develop your piano skills from the very beginning. The interesting lessons are extremely beneficial for beginners that they cover not only the techniques, but also the music theory. Since the app **keeps track of your progress**, you can jump back and forth through the lessons without losing track of where you left off, and choose where to start according to your own preference. This app is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. # Piano Academy You are never too old or too young to learn piano. But once you make the decision to start from scratch, you may find that the first step is always difficult. How to learn the instrument in a fun and easy way? [Piano Academy](https://www.pianoacademy.app/) will give you the answer. ## A Piano App Offers Video Tutorials and Real-Time Feedback “**Academy**” section in Piano Academy can help all piano beginners set up their learning path in a systematic way. **Video tutorials** in “Academy” section cover topics like music notes, staff, chords, and much more. These topics are introduced to you by your personal instructor with the aid of animations and walk-through videos. While you are learning, you can play fun games that are explicitly designed to train your musical hearing, hand-eye coordination, and sense of rhythm. If you are a pop music lover, you will be delighted by Piano Academy’s “**Songbook**” section. Most piano songs contained in the app are pop songs. During your playing, the app shows the music notes as you see in real sheet music, and the notes are perfectly synced with the background music that accompanies you. Like most piano apps, Piano Academy also **listens to every note you play**, and gives you **real-time feedback**. Then you will know whether you hit the correct note at the right time. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*3czdkUgK8skLsv2xIMK50Q.jpeg) Piano Academy is supported on iOS and Android mobile devices. The app is suitable for all ages, and works well with multiple kinds of piano keyboards including acoustic pianos, digital pianos, and MIDI keyboard controllers. # Piano Marvel As a piano app including loads of video content, [Piano Marvel](https://pianomarvel.com/) is designed to be used with a MIDI keyboard so that you can receive immediate feedback on your progress. ## Simple and Segmented Piano Lessons Taking long hours of piano lessons may cause piano students to lose concentration. But with Piano Marvel, the problem is no longer a headache to piano learners, and they will not be overwhelmed by information. Learning sessions in Piano Marvel are broken into **20 piano lessons with a video tutorial** above each lesson to summarize the skills you are supposed to be learning in the lesson. The first lessons include skills on how to combine notes and read notes of different time values. Then you will progress to finger numbering and other notes on the keyboard. As you progress, you will get to learn more classic piano songs and other beginner songs. Over 25,000 piano songs and exercises included in the app will definitely meet your needs. ## Boost the Efficiency of Piano Practice and Track the Progress Automatically For self-learners, quick and accurate feedback is necessary. Also, the progress made in daily practice needs to be visualized. If you are looking for a piano app which satisfies the requirements above, Piano Marvel is an excellent choice. Developed by experienced music teachers, the app is helpful to self-learners of all ages and levels. Piano Marvel’s **“Prepare” mode** waits for you to play, allowing you to work through the notes and rhythms at your own pace. Under **“Assess” mode**, your playing is graded as you go along. To keep your motivation going, you can win trophies that can then be shared via social media. After playing, you are able to see what you played correctly or incorrectly. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*gJcz6xTkTYnIx7j5EdMvww.png) Single notes, double stops, and chords you play are all clearly recognized under both modes. As you step forward bit by bit, Piano Marvel **tracks your progress automatically**. In “Profile”, you can create your practice goal, and view how your daily practice goes. According to the details, you may manage your piano practicing time in a more scientific way, and adjust your learning plans. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*361oF_3AuBZy709gRK6lbg.png) Piano Marvel can be used on platforms including iPad, Windows, and Mac. # Perfect Piano [Perfect Piano](http://www.revontuletsoft.com/) is the highest rated piano simulator app available today. If you play the piano just for fun, and do not have a real instrument around, Perfect Piano can amuse you. A Piano App Connects You with Other Piano Players When you and your friends are playing mobile games together, all of you can communicate with each other directly online. If the real-time communication can also work when you and other players are playing the same piano piece in a piano app, would you like to try the app? This **88-key intelligent piano simulator** not only serves as a smart tool guiding you through thousands of piano pieces, but it also lets you **connect with other fledgling pianists around the world**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Zoonydl7a_MpcYCkdAPOTA.png) There are **weekly challenges** that let you compete against other users. If you are the less competitive type, you can create a guild with your friends to provide support for one another, and share songs you have been working on. Perfect Piano is available on iOS and Android mobile devices. The app even comes with a widget you can keep on your home screen, which lets you play around on the keys without even opening the app itself. # Piascore Carrying paper sheet music around can be inconvenient for piano teachers and students. Collecting all the piano sheet music in a smart app will make things easier. As an app for browsing digital musical scores, [Piascore](http://piascore.com/) enables piano players to view the piano pieces anytime and anywhere. ## A Piano Sheet Music Toolbox In “Piascore”, you are able to **browse and download a whopping 100,000 classical music scores for free**. To bring you more convenience, the app also supports **sheet music importing**, **camera capturing**, and **web search**. You can even **create your own sheet music** in the app, which basically replaces the needs for paper, pencils, and erasers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/844/1*CzxxN1PYRy39OsYYaxOC3Q.png) After accessing to the piano sheet music, you are given all kinds of other features and tools, such as the **recorder**, the **metronome**, the **virtual keyboard**, etc.. To understand the pieces better, you can also **add audio files** from the local storage or iTunes, search for **performing videos** from YouTube, or annotate the sheet music. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1134/1*nT7ztMIZ8pWPHzeDgV0MdQ.png) Piascore is only supported on iOS mobile devices. The piano app making all piano sheet music portable can change every pianist’s life. Many young learners tend to start from piano when they decide to pick up a musical instrument. According to professor Wing Ho from Central Conservatory of Music, learning the piano for 2 or 3 years before selecting another instrument can be the optimal choice for the children. Every musician may benefit from the experience of playing the piano. The challenges posed by the pandemic still remain. With the help of the piano apps, online music education can progress more smoothly during the tough time. But piano apps can never replace real piano teachers. What they can do are strengthening the connection between the piano teachers and the students, providing each user with better experience, and encouraging piano players to love music and their life more. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/How-Should-Music-Parents-Help-Their-Children%E2%80%99s-Practice/) [**Best Violin Apps for 2021**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/12/Best-Violin-Apps-2021/) [**Teaching Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Best Violin Apps for 2021 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/best-violin-apps-2021 - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/best-violin-apps-2021.md - Published: 2020-12-29 - Summary: Violin apps designed for violinists have transformed the ways of practicing, learning, and teaching # Professional Apps for Violin Playing Violin apps designed for violinists have transformed the ways of practicing, learning, and teaching the instrument. Thanks to the amazing apps and the professional developers, especially during the Covid quarantine, violin players at all levels are able to customize their playing in a smarter way. So which ones are the best violin apps for 2021? Let’s dive in. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*gDAXFB7-Z62rIsJeD_9j4w.png) # Violy: A Smart Music Classroom That Connects Violin Teachers and Students For Violy violinists, [**Violy App**](https://violy.app/) is definitely their favorite. It allows violin teachers to start violin classes online, and allows the teachers and students to review their practice homework anytime and anywhere. ## Teach Remote Violin Lessons Violin teachers may find that online violin classes are not always pleasant due to the poor audio quality for the instrument during the video chat. But with Violy, the problem can be readily solved. In Violy App’s "[**Classroom**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/08/Teach-Music-Class-Online/)" page, violin teachers can build the virtual music classroom. Through the "[**Live Class**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/#Bring-your-music-instrument-class-online)" feature, teachers can make video calls to violin students instantly and give violin lessons online. The specially optimized, high-definition audio and video transmission helps pave the way for the smooth progression of remote music education during the challenging time. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} With Violy App, teachers are able to hear each single layer no matter how complicated the chords/ensembles are! Have too many students to notify before the class begins? Don’t worry, the "[**Classroom**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/08/Teach-Music-Class-Online/)" feature makes it possible for each violin teacher to schedule violin classes and get every participant informed on time. ## Customize the Violin Practice for Each Violin Student It can be a rewarding journey to practice the instrument in a “Violy” way. Violin teachers cannot always be around students. But after the violin lessons, some violin beginners may still need someone to help their practice and give them feedback. Violy can take up the baton. By playing “EADG” on the violin, violin students can initiate a "[**Smart Audition**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CAudition%E2%80%9D)". The feature tracks and records the users’ playing, and automatically scores on the intonation and rhythm. After playing, more details based on the performance can be found in the analysis report. In this way, every moment of the users’ daily practice is visualized and statistically analyzed. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} For the ones who need to get familiar with the music in a short time, "[**Note-by-note**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CNote-by-note%E2%80%9D)" can assist. Under “Note-by-note” mode, each music note being played can be checked. Once there is a misplayed note, the cursor will pause until the note is corrected. What advanced violin players are looking for is an accompanist, and Violy can play the role. As long as the users open a music score with “Acc.” symbol, they can choose to play along with the "[**Accompaniments & Ensembles**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CAccompaniments%E2%80%9D)” at any tempo and volume. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} It can be exciting for all violinists to play what they truly enjoy. Violy’s sheet music library "[**Music Cloud**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/#%E2%80%9CMusic-Cloud%E2%80%9C)" includes a large violin repertoire, and provides you with a complete control over thousands of classical and pop sheet music and backing tracks, including tempo, volume, and all kinds of musical notation. But if the learners cannot find the sheet music they need in the app, they can visit the "[**Creator Studio**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Create-Sheet-Music-on-Violy/)" to upload the music scores on their own. Violy is available on both iOS and Android mobile devices. New users can have a FREE 7-day premium gift. Also, the app is FREE for every music educator. # SmartMusic: Offers An Abundant Violin Repertoire and Helps Violin Teachers Track Students’ Progress As a comprehensive tool for music education, [**SmartMusic**](https://www.smartmusic.com/) is popular among music teachers and music schools. ## A Rich Seam of Violin Sheet Music In the repertoire of SmartMusic, either a classical music player or a rock fan can find what they are fond of. With a [**music library**](https://search.smartmusic.com/) which accompanies violin players at all levels with professional accompaniments, violin teachers and students can get access to violin sheet music of all genres and difficulty levels. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1112/1*mqlH5HmQbvixXgyJXhnVTA.png) Also, premium users are able to print the music scores. ## Effective Violin Playing Knowing how the violin practice goes directly from the sheet music seems to be attractive. **Immediate feedback on pitch and rhythm** is accessible in SmartMusic as well. Violin students can see what they played correctly or incorrectly, receive a performance score, and listen to their recording. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*csV8Mmn2yvGvoSxV8XbsgA.png) To get familiar with certain sections in the piece, the users can select consecutive measures, set them as loops, and practice them constantly. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*AYjvwLdO3H4dF-fPqYGaxg.png) ## Tools for Violin Teachers Nobody will refuse the promotion of efficiency with the aid of technology. That’s why violin teachers should not miss the useful tools below. In SmartMusic, Violin teachers can [**assign homework to students**](https://smartmusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026371253-Assignment-creation), provide them with feedback, and [**track their progress**](https://smartmusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026370553-Grading). By accessing the students’ recordings, assignments, and performance scores, violin teachers are able to understand the students’ learning and practice in a better way. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*f32-9X9TdmGIXiZT.png) The “**Sight Reading Builder**” allows violin teachers to create an unlimited number of sight-reading exercises for any student or ensemble. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} Being web-based, SmartMusic can only be used on computers and iPads. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} # Trala: A Violin App Friendly to Violin Beginners [**Trala**](https://www.trala.com/) is developed entirely by professional violinists. Learning violin from the world’s best violinists can appeal to a large number of violin learners. Instant Feedback on Violin Performance Receiving feedback at once can be an impetus for beginners to move on. As a violin app especially helpful to beginner violinists, Trala prides itself on giving the [**users instant feedback**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FY2OEcg3QA). Like a tutor, the app listens to what the users are playing, and provides guidance on what they are doing. Both MIDI tracks and sheet music are supported in the app. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1140/1*Ma8cXpyXg0dF9Gzji1xBIQ.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1146/1*uSD_SwlrUkMqKeUfcp7ctA.png) After the users’ playing, scores on pitch and rhythm pop out right away. Players can practice the same piece time after time to get improved. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1136/1*If42-uaiOYRmfzoZhy-RtA.png) ## Multiple Violin Tutorials and Sheet Music How thrilling it can be to be taught step-by-step by professional performers? With a variety of violin tutorials, Trala helps the violin beginners learn postures, string crossings, scales, tone quality, vibrato, scores of classical songs, etc.. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} The sheet music library in Trala mainly contains scales and arpeggios, which are often the most effective modes of warmup for any violinist, and are essential for learning notes, fingering positions, and hand shifting. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1140/1*y-9CgX28SgAUh67vyPLXIg.png) To stick to the playing, creating a personal practice schedule is helpful. Trala allows users to do so. From holding the violin to playing advanced violin pieces, Trala guides violin players to step forward. The progress bars make it easier for the users to view their performance. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1140/1*s3mSXHcYNSV9_-RZP4AyaA.png) Trala can be used on both iOS and Android mobile devices. However, the iOS version is more user-friendly. # Jameasy: A Violin App That Makes Violin Practice Fun and Easy Violin learning requires repetitive practice. [**Jameasy**](http://jameasy.com/en/index.html) intends to turn tedious violin practice into fun experiences. ## Real-time Feedback on Violin Playing and Gamification For those violin players who get absorbed in music games, game-like violin playing in Jameasy can be their cup of tea. Under “Practice” mode, violin students can play along with the accompaniments and the metronome. In the meanwhile, the [**real-time feedback**](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2282211802045407) with sparkle effects can be seen on the sheet music. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*JMyR-e40UlriVZBmK9r-xw.png) Also, users are able to select certain sections to practice repeatedly. After playing, the **practicing records** can be accessed right away. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*1LABuvWzifudBQ18FsoaVQ.jpeg) Under “Concert” mode, violin players are provided with a feeling like playing in a **virtual concert**. Scores, awards, and rankings are offered when the playing ends. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*hLR15PBNMiqtCcUv.png) ## Violin Tuner A useful violin tuner is always necessary for a violinist, since no one likes their instruments to be out of tune while playing. With a built-in violin tuner, Jameasy users can tune their instruments at any time. Since the tuner automatically recognizes the sound produced by the strings, violin students do not need to choose certain strings manually. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*63Hfb1MRXCy7NjP6S5hKJQ.jpeg) The optional range of frequency is from 420 to 460 Hz. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*KG0sGMe7g0gbuRRERzRa5A.jpeg) Jameasy can be downloaded from App Store and Google Play Store. # Tomplay: A Violin App for Immersive Violin Playing With a variety of interactive [**violin sheet music**](https://tomplay.com/instrument/violin-sheet-music) covering multiple styles, [**Tomplay**](https://tomplay.com/) is the one recommended for intermediate and advanced violin students. In Tomplay, users can play along with real recordings made by professional violinists. Before signing up, the violin players can set their own playing level, and will receive free recommended sheet music after login. ## Digitized Music Scores and Recording Feature All sheet music in Tomplay [**scrolls automatically**](https://tomplay.com/how-it-works) on the screen in time with the accompanying music. The tempo of the accompaniments is adjustable. Violin players can slow down or speed up the tempo to match their level, which allows them to progress at their own pace. For violin students, it is helpful to [**record**](https://tomplay.com/how-it-works) themselves while playing in the app. In this way, they can listen to the performance, and make improvement more rapidly. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Annotate and Print the Violin Sheet Music The [**annotating feature**](https://tomplay.com/how-it-works) in Tomplay provides an opportunity for violin teachers and students to add personalized annotations to the violin sheet music, and say goodbye to the scribbles and eraser marks on paper music scores. What’s more, the sheet music can be printed directly with or without the annotations. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*PQmY4VIz0GJRwRZD1srX5w.jpeg) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*V6ksO40tjsFypeIsJhWvGA.jpeg) Tomplay is available on computers and mobile devices with iOS and Android systems. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*wAcIBJqRi_8mu-pXKCFaYw.png) # Tonara: Helps Violin Teachers Manage Music Education Technically speaking, [**Tonara**](https://tonara.com/) is more like an online music education studio. ## Keep Violin Teachers Updated on Students’ Violin Practice In Tonara, violin teachers are able to [**create smart assignments**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JrOZn2X8Oo) for their students. Materials including comparing recordings, videos, voice notes, written notes, etc. can be sent along with the assignments. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/858/1*oDHU825X6yBfsHJgvRQ2KA.png) In the "[**Compare Recording**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBXi4iwKmFA)" assignment, Tonara’s AI technology compares the students’ playing to a pre-recorded piece. Then the app will provide the student with real-time feedback on their fluency, pitch, rhythm, and tempo. Also, through Tonara, violin teachers can set goals for the students, and see the details of their daily practice. The "[**messaging**](https://tonara.com/studio-teacher-benefits/)" feature helps both sides communicate at all times. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} In addition, violin teachers can [**schedule and give online violin lessons**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKrj0bATjSQ) through desktop version of Tonara. ## Customize Violin Students’ Music Learning Plan Tonara makes it possible for violin students to [**choose violin teachers**](https://tonara.com/learning-music/) that fit their needs, budget, and timetable, and engage in virtual violin lessons anywhere. Being [**connected with the teachers**](https://tonara.com/studio-student-benefits/), young learners are able to receive and complete the assignments more easily. After finishing the tasks, violin students can earn points which demonstrate how they make progress. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} Like Tomplay, Tonara is also supported on computers, iOS mobile devices, and Android mobile devices. # MuseScore: A Notation Software for Creating and Playing Violin Sheet Music When it comes to music notation software, [**MuseScore**](https://musescore.org/en) cannot be neglected. For violin players who have a demand for composing or finding multiple music scores, MuseScore is definitely a good choice. ## Write and Notate Violin Music Supporting a wide variety of file formats and input methods, Musecore empowers violin teachers and students to **create their own sheet music**, and **annotate** it according to the need. The notation software is totally free to use. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*lqW8t5PQf6a06jHht08MaQ.png) The music scores can be played, saved, uploaded to other websites, or printed. ## Play Violin Music and Communicate with Violin Players Worldwide MuseScore is accompanied by **a mobile score viewer and playback app**, and **an online score sharing platform**. In the mobile app, violin players can browse all the scores uploaded. The playback feature makes it more convenient to practice the pieces with the accompaniments and the metronome. Also, transposition is supported. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*7ZijvoZ1If9WajBRLH2bHA.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*3MouIWqjZaNy0aZZhcW8Gg.png) On the score sharing platform [**musescore.com**](http://musescore.com/), violin players are able to **view, download, and share** various violin sheet music. In the “Community” page, heated discussions based on different topics make violin players from all over the world connect with each other. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*tBy3uNOhBKNDzp05fpYRpg.png) As a scorewriter, MuseScore can be downloaded to computers directly. The score viewer and playback app is available on both iOS and Android mobile devices, while the sheet music sharing platform is web-based. # Newzik: A Sheet Music Toolbox for Violin Players How about building a private digital library of violin sheet music which can be accessed anytime and anywhere? Well, [**Newzik**](https://newzik.com/) allows violin teachers and students to do so. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Import the Violin Sheet Music with Media Files Violinists can use different ways to [**import**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi_hZ6JTOSQ&list=PLyvb0zdfC20J-idLyIS4YuoNhE7VcwWYf&index=2) thousands of music scores into Newzik, and organize them into “**Setlists**” and “**Projects**”. The “Setlists” works as a personal catalog of sheet music for individual violinists, while the “Projects” feature allows multiple musicians to share and modify music scores. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} To get familiar with a new violin piece, violinists may need to watch or listen to the live performance while reading the music. Newzik completely meets the demand. In Newzik, violin players are able to [**add media files**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWQ7UQrydjw) after entering the score. Both audio and video files are supported. Users can even search for videos from YouTube directly. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1132/1*UGw5WD_REppaXI3VetOgfg.png) To customize the playing, users can set the speed and transposition by themselves. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1134/1*Kpa-pOxJOVwH9msyzmVpwg.png) ## Annotate, Export, and Share Music Scores Newzik offers a platform for violinists to **create and edit violin sheet music** with a set of tools, and share the [**annotations**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNukg4M7Vc4&list=PLyvb0zdfC20J-idLyIS4YuoNhE7VcwWYf&index=5) in real-time with other musicians. Both the music score and the annotations can be exported. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1138/1*yk77Vf5jEH5tMPhoEmrx7w.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1138/1*XslqUxsZ61cZMiJUI9gyeA.png) What’s more, the "[**Band**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O52T9dIyvL4&list=PLyvb0zdfC20J-idLyIS4YuoNhE7VcwWYf&index=1)" feature makes it possible for Newzik users to get connected with each other through devices, share the sheet music online, and play together offline. As a mobile music app, Newzik is only available on iOS devices. ## Pockestra: An Orchestra in Violinists’ Pocket For violin teachers and students, carrying a mobile device with [**Pockestra**](https://pockestra.com/appweb/?language=en) installed is like carrying a portable orchestra with themselves. "https://www.youtube.com/embed/BQKIbIYIgak" {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Accompaniment and Violin Sheet Music From classical to diverse genres, Pockestra offers numerous [**music scores and accompaniments**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kezkt3HrpP4). In the app, violin players can listen to the prerecorded accompaniments directly while sight reading the pieces. Also, the tempo and key can be changed to meet different violinists’ needs. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*i2Cdft-Jp2SI_V1ba6GP6w.jpeg) Sheet music can be searched by filtering or simply typing in the title, the composer’s name, or the name of the album. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1138/1*vtQ2oDcsX01TVgp0zI6yOA.png) If the violin players fail to find the sheet music they need, they can reach out to the Pockestra team by using the "**Request**" feature. New contents will be uploaded to the app every week. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1142/1*ZCsCDapGiXIJ5gIyekM0yA.png) Pockestra can be used on both iOS and Android mobile devices. # Metronaut: Violinists’ Tailor-made Musical Accompaniment App [**Metronaut**](https://metronautapp.com/) gives violinists the freedom to have more fun with music. In the app, there is a growing [**catalog of music accompaniments**](https://metronautapp.com/en/catalog) for every instrument and level. Metronaut’s accompanists are among the best orchestras and pianists, and each accompaniment offers fully acoustic and high quality studio recordings. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*e_a8WkpIupvKJJkbq_Is7A.png) ## Take Control over Tempo and Key Violinists are in full control of the digital score. They can **choose the speed of the accompaniment** according to their own preference. Thanks to the **automatic and quality preserving transposition**, they can also play pieces not written for violin. After the violin playing, the recordings can be checked, listened to, and shared. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Annotate and Print Music Scores In Metronaut, Violin teachers can **add indications** to the sheet music or **highlight** the score for their students, as they would do on a regular violin sheet music. The users can also print the score if they would rather work on paper. ## Take the Lead and Play at the Violin Player’s Own Rhythm Violinists can personalize their performance using the app’s **speed adaptation feature**. The feature empowers the musicians to play at their own rhythm throughout the piece. Metronaut just adapts the accompaniment tempo to the player’s interpretation in real-time. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} Metronaut is only available on mobile devices with systems of iOS 13 and above versions. 2020 has been tough for music education due to the challenges, but awesome music apps are opening up new avenues for both music teachers and music students. The 10 best violin apps for 2021 meet diverse demands of all kinds of violin players, and help musicians be more engaged in music. We hope every violinist can make a difference in 2021 with the aid of the violin apps. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # How Should Music Parents Help Their Children’s Practice - URL: https://violy.app/blog/how-should-music-parents-help-their-childrens-practice - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/how-should-music-parents-help-their-childrens-practice.md - Published: 2020-12-15 - Summary: Music instrument performing can be complex since it requires complicated and asymmetrical motions of # The Role Parents Played after Music Lessons Music instrument performing can be complex since it requires complicated and asymmetrical motions of both hands, which need good muscle coordination to complete. To grasp all these motions, music instrument learners are supposed to practice for a lot of times in a long term. For young music learners, they may need more supervision in daily practice. When they are taking music lessons, teachers can play the role of supervisors. But when lessons end, teachers are not likely to follow up students’ practice 24/7. Therefore, parents are ideal ones to take up the baton and help their children’s practice after music lessons. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*I487qUUyfb2xrl9yhINLvg.png) **So what should parents do to be helpful after music instrument lessons?** First of all, music parents need to keep in mind that their company is aimed at **helping children improve practicing efficiency and enjoy the process**, rather than watching whether their children have practiced. # Treat Practicing after Music Lessons Like Relaxation There are academic classes for children, there should be after-school activities as well. Taking various classes, such as Math, PE, Science, etc, is the daily routine. Then after school, they are likely to be faced with piles of endless homework. With so many different subjects, it is no wonder that setting a time slot to practice music instrument can seem like a burden to a kid. Therefore, music parents need to help their children see playing music in a different light. Rather than treating practicing like any other subject, parents need to create a distinction so that children see violin practice as relaxation. The best way to shift children’s mindset is to let them play music which they are actually interested in. # Let Children Play Music They Like While there are always certain signature songs and classics for violin, or for piano, or for any music instrument, children may lose interest if he or she does not like the music/music instrument they are playing. Parents can try to work with their children’s teacher to make sure that their children have the chance to learn and play some music they truly enjoy. According to the Academy of Music and Dance, “As children get to be around 10 years old, sometimes younger, they start to develop preferences for musical style, which is largely influenced by internet, radio, TV, and whatever they are most exposed to at home. They will also typically gravitate to whatever their friends are listening to.” Parents can use this as a motivational strategy and allow their children to play at least one song they like as part of their weekly routine. Classic repertories are also essential, but performing other songs the children enjoy can work as an impetus for daily practicing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1018/1*sWgwgs0DRYNLFva_niKVYg.png) # Make Music Practice after Lessons Fun This should come as no surprise. No one wants to practice when it is boring. Incorporate fun games, activities, and challenges can make young music instrument learners look forward to practicing. In fact, very few children are self-motivated in their daily practice. Most need incentives and reminders to keep them focused and moving forward. Parents may also communicate with the music teachers and develop some creative ways making practice more fun. # Form A Practice Schedule and Create Challenges To form a schedule or a to-do list can help people avoid procrastination in some way. Parents may let their children determine the practice schedule. In this way, children are more likely to stick to it. Children hear parents tell them what to do all the time. To catch their attention, letting them plan their own practice schedule can be effective. Besides, it really improves their strategic thinking in a long term. Basically, parents can get their children to determine when to practice, what to practice, and how long to practice. After the decision is made, parents can help children research and figure out how often a good musician practices. The children then can set a schedule based on the reality that one must practice more to become excellent. Not only will this allow children to feel a sense of control, it will also help them learn the value of practice. Besides, parents can help children set specific goals and challenges. This will help them progress faster because they will work on accomplishing specific tasks or mastering particular skills. Don’t just ask kids to ‘practice’. Instead, parents may give them bite-sized and clear challenges to complete. For example, set a goal like working out a fingering for measures 24–35, or gradually speeding up section B to 85 bpm. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*IkhxxB8NTxHZrQtK4-YVrg.png) # Be Children’s Cheerleader and Celebrate All Accomplishments They Made under the Music Teachers’ Guidance Parents should let children know that they always had their parents as the biggest fans, especially when they may feel frustrated or discouraged. Parents are supposed to listen to their children at home as often as possible and make encouraging remarks about children’s progress. Also, parents should make sure to ask their young learners how the music lessons went. Once parents take a genuine interest in their children’s musical journey, the young musicians will be excited to play. Moreover, parents need to celebrate their children’s little victories along the way of violin learning. Learning to play the violin is a long journey full of peaks, valleys, and plateaus. Celebrating the little victories will help children keep a positive attitude when they are struggling or having difficulty tackling a new concept or song. While verbal praise and giving some rewards are important, parents may also find another way to celebrate achievements. Keeping a journal of children’s accomplishments can be a good way. When parents put it in writing, they are less likely to forget. # Plan Performances for Children When it comes to music instrument learning, we all know that it is important to keep the little performers engaged and excited about their music education. Giving them the chance to perform consistently throughout the year can definitely hit the mark. Consistent performances continue to motivate children. Scheduled performances on campus, instrument performing competitions and other occasions all work well. By planning performances for children and encouraging them to be on stage, parents can help children increase excitement and confidence. Besides, it may make children themselves recognize that more practice means avoiding embarrassment at a recital. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1224/1*xJ7WYQQxdm8L0P7upAsDsg.png) # Help Children Engage with Music and Understand the Gift of Music Children are more likely to practice music if they feel connected to the process. Parents need to help their young learners develop an interest and curiosity for music. Once children find themselves are engaged with music, they are more likely to be willing to practice. Besides, parents should be engaged with music themselves. They can create a musical atmosphere at home by showing interest to music, for example, listening to music and sing together. In this way, children may naturally want to imitate their parents, so it is a big motivation for children to practice. What’s more, parents should take efforts to confirm children that playing the music instrument is an opportunity that is not necessarily available to everyone. They need to teach children to appreciate music and what music can offer and help them discover that music can enhance their life. To make children understand the gift of music, parents can take them to concerts or shows, play music at home, and help them discover what they like. This can also help children understand why practicing after music lessons is important. Different parents may have various ways to help their children’s daily practice. All the ways are aimed at providing children with effective practice and also a chance to make achievements. The whole process requires all parents’ participation and efforts. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Music Articles: [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # ABRSM Violin and Piano Sheet Music on Violy App - URL: https://violy.app/blog/black_friday_violy - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/black_friday_violy.md - Published: 2020-11-26 - Summary: Violy violinists and pianists, ABRSM violin and piano albums are available on Violy app now! From No # Buy ABRSM Albums and Get FREE Premium Gifts Violy violinists and pianists, ABRSM violin and piano albums are available on Violy app now! From November 27th, 2020 to February 22nd, 2021 (EST), users will receive 7-day premium gifts as long as buying ABRSM albums on Violy app. A single purchase will bring you a 1-week FREE membership. The time of your membership can be prolonged if you make more purchases. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*HdmBT84cAbCPuxBfOmRFAg.png) # Contents of ABRSM Albums on Violy App Currently, there are 16 ABRSM violin albums and 24 ABRSM piano albums containing pieces in grade 1–8. ## ABRSM Violin Albums **ABRSM Violin Exam Pieces Grade 1-8** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*MQIOrXU34uCLQEqeGH-yUQ.png) The album of each grade includes 3 pieces of music. **ABRSM Violin Scales & Arpeggios Grade 1-8** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*BGvmxLnBqSUxJGh5pvoW2A.png) Complete content of the original book is contained in the album of each grade. ## ABRSM Piano Albums **ABRSM Piano Exam Pieces Grade 1–8** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*n6UvH1RSbzB1nRdunPxB8w.png) The album of each grade contains 3 pieces of music. **ABRSM Piano Scales & Arpeggios Grade 1–8 (from 2021)** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*DfV2Wrpfplgz3feC4JFA1w.png) Complete content of the original book is contained in the album of each grade. **ABRSM Piano Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grade 1–8** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*DFJDN8GzLRdvFnJuYtmW9Q.png) 1/3 of original music repertoires are included in the album of each grade. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*7yi8IB9jcgxOnRMxmpe2SQ.png) # Find ABRSM Violin and Piano Albums in Violy App Enter **“Music Cloud”** in **“Violy”** page. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*tcCr7KYZZhDuB0DnqLPoXg.jpeg) Enter **“Categories”**, select **“ABRSM”**, and choose the album tags according to your own preference. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*r5Qo47r6aSy919ohzwFV2A.jpeg) Start to practice ABRSM works in a “violy” way and make progress during this challenging time! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) [**Piano Master Class - Kong Jianing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/11/Piano-Master-Class-KongJianing/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Piano Education in China and Western Countries | Kong Jianing - URL: https://violy.app/blog/piano-master-class-kongjianing - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/piano-master-class-kongjianing.md - Published: 2020-11-24 - Summary: Kong Jianing is a famous young pianist and professor of piano in Royal College of Music (RCM). In th Kong Jianing is a famous young pianist and professor of piano in Royal College of Music (RCM). In this Violy master class, he introduced the differences between the music education in China and that in Western countries. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*i8V9M-K2-mzjge7Kg53nXw.png) Content of Kong Jianing’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Good evening, everyone. My name is Kong Jianing. I am very glad to be here to share my views on **music education in China and Western countries**. We all know that over the past 2 decades, music learning has been popular in China ---- The country possesses the largest number of young music learners in the world. Also, we have cultivated world-famous talents who are outstanding in multiple fields. However, many teachers and parents are still confused about the level of music education in China compared to that in Western countries, as well as in neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea. Since it is a large topic, I have selected some key points, and my sharing will be based on these points. # What is the World-class Music Education Like? Few music players can become world-class performers. Therefore, in my opinion, **the primary purpose of music education is not cultivating world-famous performers**. If I were to define the purpose of music education, I would say that the most important aspect is **training the future audience.** If we take music as a kind of culture, we shall **teach the children to appreciate and love music**, which is the most significant thing related to music education. All music genres including classical music, jazz music, pop music, and world music can only be preserved when the learners know how to enjoy them. Only then can our musical culture be developed and retained. Quality education and aesthetic are both related to the education of music. By learning music, the learners may find that music can cultivate their aesthetic, and help them improve their life quality. Cultivating world-class performers is not the aim of music education. If we can create an environment where a large number of people love and understand music, talented performers will stand out naturally. Over the past century, the Western countries, Russia, Japan, and South Korea have already formed an environment mentioned above. Considering China’s national conditions and traditional culture, currently, we lag behind these nations in music education. Classical music has developed in China for only a few decades. But over the past 20 to 30 years, the development has been rapid that some achievements have already been made. From this perspective, we can discuss some topics related to beginners, amateurs, professional players, and some learning methods. In my opinion, it is significant for us to **take the purpose of music education as cultivating the future audience.** # Differences between the Music Education in China and That in Western Countries: Attitudes of Music Teachers and Parents I have lived in the United Kingdom for about 20 years. But before the age of 16, I lived in China. Since I spent the first half of my life in China and the other half in the UK, I can tell you more about the practical differences between the music education in China and that in Western countries. From my observation, in the UK, parents who can afford their children’s music learning will definitely support the children to learn music instruments. Like parents in China, many parents in the UK buy pianos or violins for their children, or find music teachers for the young learners. Plenty of families let the children start to learn instruments at the age of 4 or 5. But what is the major difference between Chinese parents and Western parents? Personally, I think that Chinese parents take the music learning very seriously. They hold the view that once there is input, there must be output. This is the most distinct characteristic of Chinese parents. They think that once they have spent money on music instruments and music lessons, there must be some results then. The output can be regarded as achievements. The achievements can be big or small. The parents who pursue small achievements think that the children must take graded music exams. In this way, the young learners can demonstrate that they have worked hard on learning music. The graded music exams can be regarded as the proof of music learning. As for British families, they may let their children learn music just for fun. For example, the children can perform in front of the family members on Christmas day. British parents may say that their young learners feel happy to learn music instruments, but they may not focus too much on the so-called output. In fact, many children in the UK also take graded music exams. The utilitarian idea is not typical for Chinese parents. British parents can be utilitarians as well. Some British parents will tell their children’s music teachers in advance that the young learners intend to take graded music exams, because the children can only enter the private schools with music scholarships if they hold the certificates of certain grades. Like Chinese parents, some parents in the UK tend to think in this way as well. It is normal to have the thought that there should be output since there has already been some input. The key point is that we should confirm whether it is the only purpose involved in the whole process. We may find some subtle differences if we discuss the topic. National conditions in different countries can vary a lot. From my observation, generally speaking, most Europeans are quite willing to pursue spiritually beautiful things. Most Chinese parents neglect those spiritually beautiful things. It is common for me to see that **some Chinese parents are very anxious about the development of their children.** In other words, as long as the children decide to learn piano, whether they intend to become professional performers or amateur players, the parents are worried. I mentioned in Violy team’s interview that Parents play the most important roles in the children’s early education. From preschool period to elementary school period, during the children’s learning process including the process of learning instruments, parents are more important than teachers and all the other external factors. No matter how talented the children can be, **parents are vital to the children’s development.** If the parents are extremely anxious, their children will definitely be affected. The impact can be imperceptible. I know many British parents who require their children to participate in school shows, regional piano contests, and other events. The whole process is natural. Since we have learned the instruments, there will be some output for sure. But these parents are not very anxious about the development of their children or the achievements. Therefore, in my opinion, a major difference between the education, especially children’s education in China and that in western countries, lies in the parents’ mindset. # Why Is ABRSM Exam Widely Accepted in Foreign Countries? In recent years, the ABRSM Exam is particularly popular in China. Actually, the ABRSM Exam started in 1889, and has been existing in the UK for more than a century. I am always asked whether the ABRSM Exam is related to RCM or not. The answer can be yes and no. **The ABRSM (The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)** was created in 1889 by the president of RCM and the president of Royal Academy of Music (RAM). Now there are 4 schools included in the associated board, which are RCM and RAM in London, Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester, and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow. The associated board is **a separate organization which is not directly relevant to the administrators in the 4 schools.** But the origin, name, and other elements of the associated board are closely related to the schools mentioned above. Not only do the parents of piano learners let their children take the ABRSM Exam, but those learners of guitar, percussion, brass, woodwinds, cello, violin and other instruments also tend to enter the ABRSM Exam. Therefore, **its universality and popularity are high. Also, the exam is officially recognized and certified.** Having been developed for over 100 years, **the system of ABRSM Exam is very mature now.** Compared to the examiners of the graded music exams in China, the examiners of ABRSM Exam tend to be generalists, which is to say, the examiners who have a piano learning background may not be assigned to ABRSM piano exams. These examiners may need to grade the viola exams. What can we know from the fact above? During the ABRSM exams, **the examiners do not pay much attention to practical techniques like particular performing techniques used on the piano.** Or we can say that in the examiners’ view, the performing techniques are not crucial. If a violinist or a person who has a violin playing background needs to grade the piano exams, he or she is not familiar with piano techniques for sure. So what do the examiners care about? They pay attention to the **playing styles, music expression, and skills of dealing with music content**, because these are common aspects related to music playing. People who have a music learning background are supposed to be able to tell if the music is played with emotion, if the playing style is appropriate, if the music content is properly dealt with, and if the notes and rhythm are played correctly. **An important difference between the graded music exams in China and the ABRSM Exam lies in the exam system.** The system of ABRSM Exam conveys **the importance of music education and understanding music,** which is to say, the system does not require perfect performing techniques. If a highly-skilled player and an unskilled player both perform a same piano piece of ABRSM grade 8, there will definitely be some differences on the music expression. Or we can say that a highly-skilled player can master the piece better. It is no doubt that the music expression will be much better as well. Although the examiner cannot play the piano, he or she will be able to tell the differences between the two players’ playing. I remember that there is something interesting related to the ABRSM scales. I was still in college when I just knew about ABRSM scales. At that moment, I also taught some amateur players, and tended to **tell them the recommended fingerings.** But actually, the learners did not need to follow the exact fingerings. They could just play the legato, and skip the certain keys correctly. I wondered that if it is possible for us to play the C major scale with only 2 fingers. Theoretically, we can definitely use 2 fingers to play the scale. **It is not necessary to follow the traditional fingerings of the C major scale.** I thought it was so amazing. In China, we cannot tolerate wrong fingerings in graded music exams.
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The ABRSM Exam is very interesting and historic, because it is designed for the amateur players to develop a hobby of music first, and then follow the scientific grading system. But many problems appeared after the ABRSM Exam was brought to China. Over the recent 2 to 3 years, I met many part-time teachers who were confused about how to distinguish the music genres from one another. It seems that everyone is so anxious. **Actually, all people become utilitarians who are in a hurry to know everything about music.** Some people may wonder how to learn some certain techniques fast so that they can tell the differences among Baroque music, classical music, Romantic music, contemporary music, etc.. They also want to know how to make these genres sound alike. These problems cannot be solved easily by entering only 1 or 2 lectures. It takes a long time for the players to know well about these music genres. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*gsih2hev9Fb2QVO158iE3w.png) # The Selection of ABRSM Exam Pieces We all know that **the ABRSM exam pieces are changed every 2 years**. The repertoire is very abundant. There are 3 sections (a, b, c) contained in each exam book, and each section includes 3 pieces. 9 pieces are contained in every book. Also, there are some selectable alternative pieces which are not included in the books. The repertoire provides the teachers with a wide range of choices. Besides, **the teachers are supposed to possess a wealth of knowledge and a rich imagination**. They should know how to choose the pieces and help the students get good grades, which can be very flexible. Teachers are not supposed to teach the certain selected pieces forever. But under the exam system in China, **the teachers are likely to teach the same pieces for 10 or more years, which can be limited. What is the essence of music?** The essence is to understand, love, and learn music comprehensively. # How to Arouse Students’ Interest? How Do Music Teachers and Parents Work Together? At the early stage of music education, what should we do to guide the children in a balanced way? Since the parents and the teachers influence the young learners directly, **they play the most important roles in guiding the children.** Personally, I have not done much research on child psychology, but I have taught many children. Also, I know some children under 10 who are very talented and smart, but their interests and passions have been killed. I have taught some 11-12 year olds who were in grade 7 or 8 in middle schools affiliated to conservatories of music, or in grade 6 in affiliated primary schools. I could not see the passion in most of these students’ eyes, which is to say, they did not have strong curiosity or desire to learn. The students I like, or those who are very talented and fun to me, **tend to be passionate about everything including music, and have a strong thirst for knowledge.** When will the interests, passions, and curiosity be killed? **Once the teachers and the parents treat the young learners in a dogmatic way, the characteristics mentioned above will be killed.** For example, if we teach a child who has learned the piano for just 1 year to play the etudes written by Czerny, the sonatinas, Bach’s works, etc., and treat the learner in a most strict, boring, and unscientific way while teaching, the child will start to hate practicing the piano. Although the learner hates playing the instrument, he or she still has to practice it since the parents are the decision-makers in the family. With the continuous bad experience, many people who have learned the piano in their childhood start to hate the instrument when they grow up. They do not even want to touch the piano, let alone listen to piano music. There are tens of millions of young music learners in China, but most of them do not become professional players after learning for years. Besides, how many of these learners tend to visit concert halls regularly, go to concerts spontaneously, buy records, or download the music? Sometimes I think the phenomenon is lamentable. It could have been better, **but some certain problems appeared during the learning process, and the passions were killed.** From the teachers’ view, they cannot tolerate the students’ playing wrong notes, having wrong hand frames, and using wrong techniques. Therefore, teachers tend to treat their students in a strict way while teaching. The most important thing is to find the balance between **keeping the students’ passions and teaching them correct content which must be learned.** Many people hold the view that the education must arouse the children’s interest. It is not my opinion. Also, I disagree with the idea that the learning process must be boring. We can find the balance between interest and boredom. To sum up, I think that **we should transform the requirements, self-discipline, and efforts into positive things.** The transformation may be difficult, but we can encourage the children to take the initiative to practice. It is true that some learners hate the instruments they learn so much that they do not want to work hard. But I know that most children will not reject practicing as long as **there is active encouragement or scientific planning.** I can share the process of my growth here. When I was a child, I was good at the academic subjects, and had little spare time to play. But **practicing the piano has already become a part of my daily routine since I was about 7 or 8 years old.** When I was young, **my daily routine included eating, sleeping, doing homework, playing the piano, etc..** As a result, now I play the piano every single day unless I am on my way to someplace, for example, being on board for 12 hours. The parents and teachers, especially the parents, **need to make practicing the piano become a part of the children’s daily routine.** The part can be regarded as the combination of interest, habit, and self-discipline. **Music should be everywhere.** Music is **neither a means of proving yourself nor a way to show how excellent your family is.** It is supposed to be a part of the life, which is ubiquitous. In my opinion, successful music education can definitely make music become a part of our life. For the young learners under10 years old who do not intend to be professional performers, they are likely to practice their instruments for only 45 to 60 minutes each day. If a third-grade student does not have the plans to enter middle schools affiliated to conservatories of music, or to become a professional player, it is sufficient for him or her to practice for only 1 hour every day, since what he or she needs is to participate in some graded exams, competitions, and performances. It is enough for the student to simply practice the fingerings, the playing techniques, and the pieces learned in the music lessons. But **the young learner is supposed to enjoy the 1-hour practice instead of hating it.** 1 hour is not a long time in a day. It is important for the young learners to make good use of the time slot and **take the initiative to practice rather than hate the instrument.** Besides, families are different. Some children may need their parents’ company, and the parents need to help the children **manage the time scientifically**. If these things are not done, it is hard for the young learners to practice on their own initiative. # Are Hand Frames Really Important to Young Piano Learners? Almost all parents are wondering whether their children are playing the piano properly, and whether the children’s piano teachers are teaching correctly. **For those who do not know music, the hand frames are not easy to understand.** The hand frames are not like the academic subjects. Parents may be able to tutor the children in academic subjects, and understand the content of the textbooks, but they cannot tutor their young learners in hand frames, since they are not able to read music or tell the effect of playing. Therefore, many parents are anxious about the children’s piano learning. They are eager to know whether the teachers are teaching in a right way, and how their children play compared to other learners. It is hard for the parents to understand the young learners’ playing, so **they tend to pay attention to the children’s hand frames.** Are hand frames important or not? It is a complex question. **My answer is, again, yes and no**. Hand frames are important, because piano teachers are obliged to teach their students to play with correct hand frames. But the hand frames can also be unimportant, since **it is difficult for a piano player, especially a piano learner who has learned the instrument for only a few years, to develop 100% standard hand frames in a short time.** From this point of view, **the hand frames should not be the only standard for evaluating the learners’ piano playing,** which is to say, hand frames are not that important. Here I would like to share more details related to the topic. Piano teachers should take the responsibility to teach their students the correct hand frames, **because one cannot play the piano well without right hand frames.** I mentioned this idea in my former lectures as well. When we intend to play the piano, what we need to do is putting the hands on the keys. Currently, many articles contain the idea that the hand frames are not important at all, since there is a piano master who can play really fast with his fingers stretched. In my opinion, the piano master’s hand frames should not be judged only by the appearances. It is hard to tell how the master uses the finger strength. Also, a strong personal style has been developed over years of playing. For example, many people know that the famous Russian pianist Horowitz were able to play excellently with his fingers stretched. But if we pay attention to his palm joints, wrists, and ways of using finger strength, we will find that the pianist’s hand frames were scientific, classic, and correct. **The most natural and relaxing way to play the piano is to sit up straight while playing. In the meanwhile, our shoulders, arms, and wrists should be relaxed so that we can put the weight on the keys.** Then we can have the most natural and scientific hand frames.
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If we know more about the famous pianists of the last century, we will find that **almost all excellent players can use the weight well.** How to play well when we are relaxed? The palms and knuckles should be able to hold the weight. Once the weight can be held, we can find the balance of the hands. If we take the palms as the cores, the hands are like seesaws, and the weight is put on the wrists. With strong finger strength, the hands can be kept in a balanced state. Correct hand frames are so important that we cannot continue playing without them. Since even the tiny mistakes on the hand frames can lead to wrong playing, I will not share more detailed skills here.
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It is significant for piano teachers to teach hand frames. Personally, I think it is wrong to believe that there are no fixed hand frames, or all hand frames work for players. When the learners reach the level of top performers, and have developed strong personal styles, they can select the most suitable way of playing. But whether the way of playing belongs to the Russian school, German school, or other schools, it should always be scientific. Otherwise, we cannot play the piano well. On the other hand, hand frames are not that important, because **they cannot be regarded as the only standard for evaluating the children’s piano learning.** Why? As a professional pianist, I started to play the piano at the age of 4, and have practiced the instrument for over 30 years. During the process, I have learned from different teachers, and have tried different ways of playing. Finally I developed my own hand frames. It is impossible to require a learner who has learned the piano for only 3 years to develop their own hand frames like their teachers or I did. Therefore, the whole early stage of piano learning is a constantly changing process. **We cannot require a changing thing to reach the standard completely.** Besides, the hand frames are also affected by other things, for example, the relaxed state. Some people may find their forearms stiff when they intend to develop nice hand frames. With the so-called nice hand frames, they cannot even move. **The teachers are obliged to teach correct hand frames, the parents should cooperate with teachers in daily teaching, and the students are supposed to follow the teachers’ instructions.** But the hand frames cannot be considered as the sole criterion for testing the children’s learning. I shared many views today. As a music educator, every time when I give a lecture, I hope the participants can **look on music education in a rational way instead of blindly worrying or being anxious.** This is what all teachers and parents should pay attention to. I hope teachers and parents can **treat the children’s music learning with a normal state of mind.** # Music Q&A: ## Audience: What do you think of lifting the fingers high when practicing the piano? Kong Jianing: Lifting the fingers high is a way of practicing instead of a way of playing. It is widely accepted and opposed. The players are required to press down on the keys easily while playing. When I explain the details to my students, I tend to make an analogy with taking the elevator. When you are touching the keys with your fingers without pressing, you can take it as being on the first floor. To go to the basement, you need to take the elevator, and the process can be taken as pressing down on the keys. When your fingers are lifted, you can take it as being on the second floor. Then it takes a longer distance to go to the basement. Therefore, lifting the fingers high is not an effective way of playing. But on the other hand, the way is important since it helps the players train their palms. The strength of palms plays a significant role in piano playing. A piano learner who has learned the instrument for about 3 or 4 years need to know how to use the strength of palms. The most effective way to train the palms is lifting the fingers high while practicing. For example, playing Hanon’s piano exercises can be helpful. Besides, lifting the fingers high can help the player improve the finger flexibility. If the player needs to play the scales fast, the finger flexibility is necessary.
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In my opinion, lifting the fingers high needs to be included in the daily practice of a learner who has learned for 2 to 3 years. In China, many teachers ask the students to practice lifting fingers after a few lessons. It is wrong. Lifting the fingers high requires strong strength and stability of the wrists. Also, the player needs to be able to hold the weight with the palms and knuckles before being trained to lift the fingers high. Or the training will be ineffective. ## Audience: How should I practice before participating in competitions? Kong Jianing: It is an interesting question. There are some tips for the students who intend to participate in competitions and performances. The purpose of daily practice is consolidating what you have learned, while preparing for competitions and performances requires students to play through the pieces. During the daily practice, the students are supposed to focus more on particular techniques and challenging phrases, so practicing some certain sections slowly can be important. But once the students are preparing to perform on stage, they need to create for themselves an atmosphere where they are already on stage. The players will feel a little nervous if they imagine themselves to be playing in front of the audience. Then after the playing, they can find some phrases which are not played well. Later, they can make some corrections. Before participating in competitions and performances, the students need to create an atmosphere where they are performing on stage, which can be very helpful. ## Audience: Can you recommend some piano books for beginners? Kong Jianing: I’m not an expert in piano books. Actually, there are a variety of piano books for beginners available on the market. You may search for them online. Books written by Thompson, Faber, and Sebastian are all good for the students. With a combination of illustrations and words, the books contain the content of music theory, hand frames, and playing methods. Parents can read the books together with their children. When the learners have learned for more than 1 year, they can start to play some simple pieces of different times including Baroque period, Classical period, Romantic period, contemporary period, etc.. The piano teachers need to select the pieces for the students. If the students intend to enter graded music exams, they can focus more on the exam pieces, and practice some other pieces as well, such as etudes. ## Audience: How to express different kinds of music through changes of tones? Kong Jianing: This is a highly technical question. I am seeking answers to it as well. Different tones are produced through different techniques. Tones are different from the sound quality. Tones are related to the ways of dealing with music, while sound quality is connected with the ways of piano playing. Sound quality comes first. Even without microphones, the sound of the piano needs to be heard clearly by the audience in the halls. A pianist should be able to make the piano produce the sounds which are easy to be transmitted. Therefore, as I mentioned before, the player needs to press down on the keys. Only in this way can the sounds be resonant. Besides, the players need to press the keys in a better way instead of a quicker way. The speed of pressing the keys needs to be considered. Every key should be pressed down while playing, and the ways of playing should be controllable. Then the sounds produced are clear and resonant. Once the sound quality is good, the tones need to be taken into consideration. Tones are related to the ways of dealing with music. For example, when you are playing Chopin’s Etude Op. 10, №1 in C major, you should make sure that the sound quality is good. Then you can consider if the tones are soft, and if the sounds produced are colorful. As long as the sound quality of each note is good, you can add some colors to the music you play. According to the musical emotions, you may make the tones brighter or darker, or make the sounds bigger or smaller.
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Making adjustments according to the musical emotions is also an important skill. It is necessary to distinguish the tone from the sound quality. Tones can be used to convey emotions. The subtle changes of tones help the players deal with phrasing, music expression, musical characteristics, etc.. ## Audience: How do you like Mr. Dan Zhaoyi’s new books? Kong Jianing: I have not seen the books yet. I know that many piano teachers have already started to use the books, and they are satisfied with them. Mr. Dan Zhaoyi is one of the most outstanding professors of piano in China. He has abundant experience in basic teaching. I think his new books are worthy reading for piano learners. Thank you! Thanks for Mr. Kong’s brilliant sharing! Please stay tuned for the next Violy master class. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) [**Piano Master Class - Kong Jianing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/11/Piano-Master-Class-KongJianing/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # All about Viola | Music Learning and Career Choice | Wing Ho’s Viola Teaching Class Part 7 & 8 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-music-learning-and-career-choice - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-music-learning-and-career-choice.md - Published: 2020-10-21 - Summary: In these two classes, Professor Wing Ho will share his views on topics that are of great concern to # Music Learning and Career Choice In these two classes, Professor Wing Ho will share his views on topics that are of great concern to music teachers and parents — — the path of music learning from preschool to university. # Music Learning in the Preschool Period During the preschool period, many children will take special interest classes, such as dance, ballet, singing, instrument playing, calligraphy, abacus learning, and so on. The classes are helpful for the children to develop intelligence and improve coordination skills. The parents are also interested in these classes. My mother told me that **we should learn something when we are young, and be good at it then.** Since I grew up in the conservatory of music, it was natural for me to decide to learn music. Besides, I was surrounded by music teachers and masters, so my road to music was quite smooth. In Asia, a great number of parents force their children to learn music, because they hope that their music dream can be realized by the children. Therefore, the children may suffer from the learning process. **Few music masters are forced to become excellent. Most of them have a strong interest in music, and have developed the interest since childhood.** Some parents intend to make their children geniuses. In fact, gifted children will show their talent for music very early. For example, some children have absolute pitch. When they hear a note being played on the piano, they are able to tell what the pitch is right away. Some children adapt well to instruments. They can pick up a new instrument quickly, or memorize a certain passage right away after listening to it. Musical talent can be inherent, but it can also be acquired if the learner is immersed in a musical environment. Besides, some learners are born with good memory and good hearing, which are helpful for them to have musical talent. ## The Benefits of Learning Music ### Music Therapy A friend of my wife has a child who suffers from depression. The child’s academic performance is affected by the disease. But his health condition got improved gradually after learning music for some time. Therefore, music can be good for the treatment of some diseases. ### Concentration When a child is playing a piece, no matter for how long he or she is playing, it cannot be easy for the child to focus on it, or even memorize the piece. Everyone has an attention span. When we are in our childhood, our attention span is short. With continuous training, it will become longer. Music learning is helpful for us to develop a longer attention span. ### Unconventional Thinking Music learners tend to think unconventionally. Also, music learning helps us form a habit of multitasking. ### Auditory Memory Auditory memory plays an important role in the process of learning. The content we are able to remember after attending a class affects our learning effect. Learning to play music helps us improve our auditory memory. ### Imitation Skills When we are learning music, we pay much attention to the training of imitation skills. After listening to a piece, it is important for us to imitate and play it. The ability to imitate can be improved during the process of learning music. ### The Ability to Transform Music teachers always emphasize that students need to transform music into words or images, or turn words into music. When we are playing a piece, we need to visualize what we play, so the ability to transform is important. ### Width of Hearing and The Ability to Filter Auditory Information Sometimes we need to ignore some auditory information. For example, if we are practicing in a noisy environment, we are supposed to hear what we are playing all the time. Before the exam, there are likely to be many people waiting in a classroom. In such an environment, music learners should be able to concentrate on what they are doing, and filter the unnecessary auditory information. To sum up, not only does learning music help us improve our concentration, but it also does good to our reflexes and hearing. Besides, it is helpful for learning other knowledge. [All music learners can benefit from the experience in multiple aspects](https://www.evergreenviolin.com/2021/03/09/learning-an-instrument-benefits/). ## Things Need to Be done before Starting to Learn Music In my opinion, we can just let nature take its course. ### Music Literacy Classes for Children Music literacy classes can be comprehensive that they may contain the training of singing the melody, recognizing the pitches and rhythms, coordinating, imitating, and so on. Children are likely to learn the related skills during the classes. ### Attending Concerts Attending concerts frequently can be helpful to children as well. ### Being Enlightened by Masters or Experienced Teachers Most foreign masters and excellent Chinese performers are experienced, so **it is very important for young learners to be enlightened by these highly skilled teachers.** If we do not learn from qualified teachers, we are likely to spend more time on correcting mistakes. Young learners should try to avoid the problem. It is better for them to learn from professional and experienced teachers. ## The Best Time to Start to Learn Music **Children can start to learn the string instruments from ages 3 to 5. Girls can start earlier than boys do, since girls’ language skills and coordination skills are likely to be developed earlier.** Most of my students and I myself started to learn music from a young age. But since I grew up in a complex time, I did not learn music formally until I was in my teens. Actually, **it is more important for children to follow their interests.** Parents do not need to force their children to start from a young age. They can wait until their children’s intelligence has been developed in some way. For young children, especially boys, it is not good to start music learning too early. A friend of mine forced his child to begin music learning when the child was very young. Then, when the child grew up, he began to hate the instrument he learned. Therefore, **it is essential to select the best time to start music learning.** ## Music Course Here I would like to introduce 5 kinds of music Course. All music learners including those undergraduates and postgraduates who major in music need to take these classes. ### Solfege It is better for music learners to start to learn solfege as early as possible. ### Basic Music Theory Students should start to learn music theory as soon as they enter their very first music lesson. During the process of learning music, the learners are supposed to gradually internalize the knowledge of music theory. If the students intend to major in music then, they need to find professional teachers to instruct them. The classes of basic music theory contain a variety of content. ### Rhythm Training ### Body Movement Training Body movement training is always neglected by players of classical music. Compared to teachers of Chinese folk music who tend to add many body movements in teaching and playing, teachers of classical music do not pay much attention to body movement training. Although some students are already playing advanced-level pieces, they still have some unnecessary body movements, or twist their bodies. Some students’ bodies even stiffen up. In other countries, there are courses designed for body movement training. In China, we have not developed systematic courses for it. Teachers are supposed to know more about body movement training. ### Instrument Performance ## What Is the Best Instrument for Children to Learn? **No matter which instrument the children choose to learn, they can start from the piano.** Learning the piano for 2 or 3 years before selecting another instrument can be the optimal choice for the children. When they are learning the piano, they can find some simple pieces to play. In fact, older musicians in China who established the conservatories of music tended to play multiple instruments. Those older teachers, including the foreign experts who visited Central Conservatory of Music to give lectures, were all able to play the piano, or accompany other players on the piano. Besides, many older experts could speak multiple languages and Chinese dialects, such as Cantonese, Shanghai dialect, Hokkien, and so on. They were likely to shift from one place to another place frequently when they were young, so their languages were affected. Teachers now may not be able to master different languages and dialects like the older experts did. In my opinion, starting from the piano is the best choice for the children who decide to learn musical instruments. It can be helpful for the learners to lay a foundation by learning the piano first. **Whether the children switch to another instrument or continue to play the piano then, they can benefit from the experience.** ## Things Parents Must Know Once the learners start to learn instruments and decide to be professional, their parents need to **get prepared to help their children’s daily practice for 10 to 15 years.** Not only should the parents find a professional instructor for their children, but they also need to have an economic strength to afford the children’s instruments, fees for music lessons and competitions, and other costs. Also, even though some parents spend amounts of money during the process, their children may not ultimately succeed. Parents should get prepared mentally for the possibility. ## What Kinds of Music Teachers Should We Look for? In my opinion, we are supposed to look for the music teachers as follows: 1. **Instructors who teach in or have retired from conservatories of music** These teachers can provide professional guidance for the students. 2. **Experienced and active teachers who frequently participate in events held by music associations** These teachers can provide abundant information related to music learning. 3. **Orchestra musicians** Since most of these musicians joined orchestras directly after graduating from the school, they are also very professional and experienced in teaching. ## Misunderstandings Need to Be Avoided Some parents think that they can find an unprofessional teacher for their children first, and switch to a professional one later. In fact, parents should avoid this misunderstanding since ##learning from an unprofessional teacher can do harm to the children.## Not only should a good teacher possess abundant professional knowledge and teaching experience, but he or she also needs to have some psychological knowledge, and know how to communicate with students. It is important for the teachers to know how to teach students in accordance with the students’ aptitudes. If the teachers fail to do this, some of their students are likely to give up halfway. Besides, some teachers may be experienced but very strict. Some of the students cannot stand the strictness. Personally, I think **it is unfair to be too strict to the students and treat all the students in the same way.** Teachers are supposed to master multiple teaching methods, and treat different students in different ways. ## How Many Hours a Day Should We Practice? If we practice in an effective and efficient way, time duration is not that important. But we should practice the instruments for at least half an hour or an hour per day. For the students who decide to be professional, they need to practice for a long time every day. We cannot master the classical music with only short-term training. Some students think that if they practice for more than 10 hours per day, and keep practicing in this way for half a year, they will be admitted by a good school. It is not true. **We have to spend some time on playing classical music to understand it deeply, and let the fingers get used to the instruments we play.** Intensive short-term training is not enough for the learners. **The accumulation of time is important.** Therefore, keeping practicing is the most efficient way. ## Music Grading Tests, Competitions, and Performances? How Do These Events Facilitate the Practice? Every conservatory of music has its own system of grading tests. **It is meaningful for the children to enter grading tests to improve their motivation.** But from a professional perspective, grading tests are quite meaningless, since **the content in those textbooks for grading tests does not meet the requirements of professional training.** Participating in competitions can be helpful in some way. But if the students take part in too many competitions, their normal learning schedule can be affected. Since there may be only a few pieces for the students to practice to prepare for the competitions, the learners are likely to play these pieces for several years, and have no time to practice new works. However, there are also some students who have taken part in various competitions, and gained comprehensive skills. **Generally speaking, participating in competitions can benefit the students, but entering too many competitions can have a negative impact on the students’ normal learning schedule.** From my point of view, entering performances can be very helpful to the students since they are likely to set a goal of practice after the performances. Teachers can hold a concert each year, which can help the students set goals, and facilitate their practice. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*AzNx8PRdXQnQOIlz6XVHKA.png) # Middle Schools Affiliated to Conservatories of Music VS Ordinary Middle Schools Students can enter conservatories of music for further study when they are in the fourth or fifth grade. They can choose to enter the middle schools affiliated to conservatories of music, or go to ordinary middle schools and continue the music learning. **In my view, I recommend students to enter ordinary middle schools, and continue to learn music at the same time.** Most western schools do not encourage students to choose the music pre-major, since it may **limit the students’ thinking** in some way, and affect the acquisition of other knowledge. ### What Should We Know If We Decide to Choose Schools Affiliated to Conservatories of Music? **Students in middle schools affiliated to music conservatories need to practice basic skills.** They take the music classes I introduced above, including solfeges, basic music theory, rhythm training, body movement training, and instrument performance. Students who are able to enter the affiliated middle schools are all high-level ones. Compared to those in 1970s, the students at present are much more excellent. Sometimes a common phenomenon appears during the exams: the students only focus on the speed of playing, and the levels of the pieces they play. As a result, the students are likely to choose a much more difficult piece, and fail to perform it well. ### The Level of the Students Who Graduated from Affiliated Middle Schools Most students who have graduated from the affiliated middle schools and will enter conservatories of music **are able to master almost all the techniques, sight-read music, and know well about most of the important pieces.** This is the level of the students in the affiliated middle schools. Unlike these students, other learners tend to play certain pieces for years to prepare for the entrance exam. Once I met some students in the chamber orchestras in affiliated middle schools. These students were able to master the pieces prepared for the exam, but could not even play the simplest work prepared for the orchestras. Generally speaking, apart from the certain pieces being played for a long time, these students are weak in other aspects. ### The Content of Solfege Entrance Exams As for the solfege entrance exams held in affiliated primary schools, the content contains reciting a song, tests of comprehensive quality of music culture, and Q&A sessions for both the candidates and their parents. As for the solfege entrance exams held in affiliated middle schools, the content includes intervals, chords, inversion, rhythm, imitation of melody, and sight-singing the new sheet music. The skills mentioned above cannot be mastered in a short time. For those students who intend to enter the affiliated middle schools, they need to learn solfege for at least 2 years before taking the entrance exams. **Starting the training of music theory and solfege as soon as possible** is significant to the learners who decide to take a professional path. # The Second Choice: The College Entrance Examination for Music Students There are 2 choices for the students who intend to take the college entrance exam, the postgraduate exam, or the doctoral qualifying exam: to study in our country, or to study abroad. In other countries, if you can play well, the education background is not necessary when you are applying for positions in orchestras, or jobs related to music performing. Apart from these jobs, other occupations such as teaching require degrees in music. In Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and some other countries, you need to hold a doctor’s degree to teach in the college. In our country, some students can choose to teach in their own colleges after getting bachelor’s or master’s degrees. But over the past few years, the educational requirements have been raising in our country. Some domestic universities have already started to require the teachers to hold doctor’s degrees. ## Music Diplomas 1. The college prep diploma: Many conservatories of music such as The Juilliard School have college-preparatory schools. The college-preparatory schools are like the middle schools affiliated to conservatories of music. But the students in these schools tend to take classes on weekends. 2. The performance certificate: Performance certificates cannot be used as degree certificates. Some students may have no time for college, so they choose to study part time in conservatories of music for half a year or one year. During the process, they only attend major courses and some activities on campus. When they finish their studying, they can have a performance certificate. 3. The bachelor’s degree 4. The master’s degree 5. The post master’s degree: Since there are too many postgraduates, and it can be difficult for them to find jobs right away after graduation, the post master’s degree was created in other countries. To get this degree, the postgraduates need to stay at the university for an extra year after graduation. During this period, the students can take some classes or do some on-campus jobs. Some universities can provide some opportunities for these students, such as positions in the school orchestras. 6. The performance diploma: This diploma is higher than the bachelor’s and the master’s degree. It is not easy to get. 7. The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Apart from the degrees mentioned above, there is another special degree only awarded by Yale University. To get this special degree, the students need to be admitted into a program called **“Gifted Children”**. Those highly-skilled players can choose to attend this program. The content of this program is like that of Master of Music programs. But the students who attend the “Gifted Children” program need to study for 3 years, while Master of Music programs require 2 years. The students who attend the “Gifted Children” program will be awarded a certificate when they finish studying. **With this certificate, the students can get a master’s degree offered by Yale University after having a bachelor’s degree.** Several Chinese players including the famous cellist Jian Wang have attended this program. If the learners decide to study abroad, they need to be careful and make sure that the universities they attend are authorized. Some universities may claim that they do not require language proficiency tests when enrolling students. But after a few years’ studying, the enrolled students may not get their degrees since their language proficiency does not meet the requirements. Therefore, it is a hoax. Here is the normal process for the students: entering the college, getting the bachelor’s degree, being awarded the master’s degree, and then pursuing a PhD. **Taking a shortcut can cause the waste of time and money, and we cannot have degrees if we do so.** ## How to Choose Teachers and Universities? We can search for some information online before going to the college, and know about the teachers in the university in advance. If it is possible, when we are in the middle school, we can participate in some international summer camps attended by the university teachers we like. After taking several classes offered by the teachers, we can recognize whether the teachers are suitable for us or not. Besides, it is helpful for us to be introduced to the college teachers by our peers or instrument teachers. When we are selecting universities, we should consider the type, the reputation, the geographical location, and other elements of the schools. ## How to Enter the Domestic Conservatories of Music? The students who intend to go to the domestic conservatories of music need to start their music learning at a young age, and master the techniques in some way. Also, the scores of their academic subjects should meet the standards of the schools. What’s more, they should know well about music theory, and consider the possibility of being admitted to the certain schools. The students should be familiar with music theory and solfege, and get prepared in advance. In the meanwhile, they can select multiple schools for the sake of increasing the chances of admission. In China, the college entrance exam for art students is held in January or February each year. The time is usually behind that of Chinese New Year. **The students should pay attention to the particular time.** **It is better if the students select more than 1 school.** Also, the time of the entrance exams of different schools can be various. The students need to set their schedule in advance. After the preliminary exams and the secondary exams, the students who are not eliminated will be put on the waiting list. If there are students who have failed their exams of music theory or academic subjects, they will also be eliminated. After the National College Entrance Exam held in June, the conservatories of music will send admission notices to the students. The whole process is not complicated, but the students should not neglect the academic subjects since the scores of these subjects occupy certain proportions in the aggregate score. Therefore, it is not easy for the students to study both the academic subjects and their specialties at the same time. Due to the Covid-19, the music students who entered the college entrance exams in 2020 have gone through an even harder time. ## Things about Studying Abroad Many students pay much attention to the things about studying abroad. In the recent few years, there have been some misunderstandings and changes related to studying abroad. But those who intend to study arts may not be affected. ### The Essential Conditions for Studying Abroad - Economic conditions: Even without scholarship, the students’ families should be able to sponsor them through college. - Passing the language proficiency test. - Strong self-control - Learning ability - Communication skills The aspects mentioned above are all important. Personally, I tend to encourage my students to study abroad, but I never get involved in their college application process. The procedures, such as searching for the information about the college, translating the application materials, and other related things, are all handled by themselves. When my students finish translating the materials, they can ask me to check the translation. **If the students cannot translate the required materials on their own, they are not suitable for studying abroad.** The thing the teacher can do is writing reference letters for the students. If the students have told the teacher that they would like to study with a certain university instructor, the teacher can act as a referee, and help the students contact the university instructor. As long as the students can complete the whole application process by themselves, they can decide to study abroad. Or they are supposed not to make the decision. ### How to Enter the Foreign Conservatories of Music or Comprehensive Universities? 1. Generally speaking, the students are supposed to select multiple universities. They can focus on the instructors or the colleges. 2. The students must prepare some pieces for the entrance exams. Different schools may require different pieces, but in general, there will not be any big differences. Some well-known universities may require the candidates to play an extra modern work, or 1 more scale or etude. Therefore, the students should carefully select the pieces for the exams. 3. Write letters to contact the schools and the university instructors. The contact information of the instructors can be found on the official websites of the universities. Also, the students can get to know the contact information from their peers or instrument teachers. 4. Attend the language proficiency tests. The students who apply for universities in the US need to take TOEFL. Those who apply for universities in Commonwealth countries need to take IELTS. If the students intend to apply for universities in Germany, they need to take TestDaF. Different countries have different language tests and requirements, so the students need to make it clear. ### The Application Process Since I am familiar with the colleges in the US, I will take US universities for an example. The deadline for the applications to US universities is normally before December 1st. The materials needed for the application: - Recordings of the playing of the pieces required on the schools’ official websites - 3 reference letters - TOEFL score - Transcript (sometimes a certificate issued by the current school is also needed) Usually, the application results will be announced at the end of March. The universities will give priority to the highly-skilled students who have uploaded the materials completely. Also, the colleges will notify the students of the amount of scholarship. If there are still some places which can be offered to the students, the schools will choose the applicants among those highly-skilled ones with incomplete materials. The general timeline: - Submit the materials before December 1st. - Apply for the passport and visa before the end of January. The materials needed for the application of passport and visa change every year, so the applicants need to search in advance for the certain requirements on the official website of the embassy. Also, the applicants can entrust the visa application to the travel agencies, which can be more convenient and do not cost much. - Take the interview in February. The students should arrange the accommodation and transportation in advance. - Accept the offers at the end of March or in April. The timeline above is only for reference. There are much more details contained in the whole process. **If the students do intend to study abroad, they should get prepared and be familiar with every detail.** **Also, the students should always pay attention to the latest policies.** Plans never keep up with changes. Opportunities are only for those who get prepared. Currently, things we can do are **managing ourselves, enriching ourselves, and planning ahead.** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*IgNY7i5ZyzKHdv05wnCACg.png) # Music Careers Apart from performing in orchestras and teaching, what else can students majoring in music do after graduation? This issue concerns many people, especially the college students who are confused and indecisive. Only when many students enter their final year in the university, will they have a sense of crisis. But it will be too late then. ## The Importance of Practicing Orchestral Excerpts in Advance Some students in the European and US universities start to practice orchestral excerpts as soon as they enter the college. Some of them even start in high school. They know that **for music students, the job which is easiest to find is playing in an orchestra.** **Also, it is unrealistic for those who have never played orchestral excerpts to teach.** A music teacher should have various experience. For students who intend to be orchestra musicians, being trained to play orchestral excerpts is significant. In other countries, college students majoring in music are trained to play orchestral excerpts very early. But in China, the students tend to skip the orchestra classes. In my opinion, **the universities need to rethink the quality and practicality of the orchestra classes.** Also, the teachers need to encourage and guide the students. Overall, at present, we do not pay attention to orchestra classes. My university tutors paid much attention to my practicing related to orchestra and ensemble playing, and gave me many suggestions. **I suggest the students to buy the sheet music of their parts, and write down all the important information on it.** My tutors told me: “You need to pay much attention to the training and always get prepared. When you are playing with the orchestra, you can appreciate the playing of other instruments, which can be a joy. Also, you are likely to be the principal viola in the orchestra after graduation. As a section leader, you need to set all the fingerings and bowings for the whole section before the rehearsal. Therefore, you need to learn carefully, and what you learn today can be used in the future.” My first job was playing as the principal viola in an orchestra. When I just graduated, I found that there were 2 positions available in the orchestra. One is the principal viola, the other one is the viola section member. Since I had not played as the principal viola in the school orchestra before, I applied for the position of viola section member. At the moment, many people applied for the 2 positions. After the first round of the exam, the conductor told me to practice the orchestral excerpts, and take the second round of the exam 10 days later. After the second round, I was hired right away. Therefore, **the students should be trained to play orchestral excerpts as soon as possible**, especially the college students. It is too late to start to practice the excerpts just before the graduation. Some students tend to turn to their teachers for help just before participating the exam held by the orchestra. It is not wise at all. Orchestra classes aim to broaden the students’ horizon and open their mind. **The music industry in China has great potential for development**. Young people can make contributions to the development, and enrich the future life. ## Hot Jobs Related to Music - Orchestra musician: This is the most direct choice. Those who intend to play in orchestras are supposed to participate in more orchestra rehearsals when they are still in college, and practice the challenging orchestral excerpts as soon as possible. - Music lawyer: A music lawyer need to deal with things related to copyright, music production, music contracts, and record labels. - Music educator: Music teachers who have backgrounds in music learning are needed in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, universities, communities, and churches. - Arranger: A large number of arrangements are needed in kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools. - Music critic: A music critic should dare to say, and say something to the point. For music performers, a good music critic can be a good inspector as well. Here I would like to recommend a book called *The Spring Breeze Brings People to Life.* - Music editor - Editor for music books and magazines: This position is needed in publishing houses. - Instrument tuner and repairer - Instrument salesperson - Music librarian - Art management staff: Since the number of theaters increases, more art management staff are needed. - Recordist - Music therapist: Music therapists’ work involves multiple aspects, for example, the psychological nursing specially for musicians and other patients. - Music translator and interpreter: A music translator and interpreter needs to deal with the language problems that appear in foreign music masters’ classes and lectures, and translate foreign music books. - Agent: An agent needs to deal with theaters, orchestras, performers, and other parties. Apart from the business, an agent also needs to arrange the schedule of events for the performers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*XvqJNkmw9GTmnL_JfZl70Q.jpeg) ### Job Search Channels The job search channels include magazines, official websites of orchestras, introductions by someone you know, career service centers, recommendations by music institutions, etc.. ### The Resume of Music Students **A standard resume is always necessary regardless of what job you apply for.** The resume gives the initial introduction of oneself. Its content and quality determine whether you would be invited to attend an interview or not. **The resume is one of the most important factors we need to pay attention to**. But many people just do not care about it. Making a resume is an art. The resume needs to be clear that our advantages and strengths are showed directly. It is also an optimal tool for us to test ourselves. **By making a resume, we can find that we may be lacking in some aspects**, such as experiences in gaining awards, working, participating in events, publishing works, teaching, playing in the orchestra, managing projects, etc.. These aspects are what we need to demonstrate on the resume. Generally speaking, there are 2 types of resumes. A normal resume covers the applicant’s experiences in 1 page. The other type is called biography, which is usually used for concerts and introductions of artists. We all need a professional introduction, which concerns whether we will be invited to an interview. The introduction is simple but essential. The employer may not even take a glance at it if it is badly written. It is not complicated to make a resume. The resume should be nicely formatted, and there should be some space between sections. ### Resume Template (The content included is fictional) - Put the contact information on the top; - Do not write down the date; - The content should be as concise as possible; - The photo on the resume should be real and up-to-date. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*JshNVC468Dr5FKCgz6bKaQ.jpeg) ### Interview The interviews for the positions in the orchestra: - Master the prepared pieces, and listen to the recordings of the orchestra and the conductor for more times; - Perform according to the music score; - Female applicants are supposed not to wear high heels when taking the exams; - Practice sight-reading as much as possible (practice symphony works). The interviews for the administrative positions: - Shake hands firmly with the interviewers, which can show your confidence and sincerity; - Arrive early; - Dress smartly; - Be polite; - Carry a pen and a notebook. ### Who Need Agents? - The one who performs excellently; - The one who has played a certain number of works; - The one who has gained international awards, and his or her playing has been widely praised. The performers mentioned above need agents to help them deal with some daily affairs, and contact concert organizers. The performers will share the revenues with their agents. The importance of agents cannot be ignored. ### Recording - Recording is always important to the players, whether they participate in competitions or exams; - Bring two pieces of sheet music (one for the players themselves, the other one for the recordists); - Play without the sheet music while recording; - The players should carry the metronome and the tuner with themselves, which can help them improve the intonation and rhythm instantly; - Take a spare bow and spare strings; - Bring demos for the recordists’ reference. ### Cover Letter The cover letter is also very significant for finding jobs. You need to show your intent in the first paragraph of the cover letter, and tell the employer that you are the most qualified candidate for the position. You should write clearly the reasons, and the first paragraph should be as short as possible. Then, you need to make clear your career plans including what you intend to do next for the employer. Finally, you need to conclude in a proper way. The concluding paragraph should be as concise as possible. Generally speaking, a cover letter is in 1 page including 4 paragraphs. Cover letter template (the content included is fictional): ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*QpCGD3v0vsrG73ax3u_sww.jpeg) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Common Viola Repertoire Catalog | Wing Ho's Viola Teaching Class Part 6 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-repertoire-catalog - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-repertoire-catalog.md - Published: 2020-09-27 - Summary: In this session, professor Wing Ho will introduce some important viola teaching materials. Content o In this session, professor Wing Ho will introduce some important viola teaching materials. Content of Wing Ho's lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Hello, everyone. Welcome to my session. Before I start to introduce the viola teaching materials, I would like to give you 8 suggestions. In my opinion, the suggestions are important to the viola teachers, and the students who will become teachers in the future. # 8 Suggestions on Viola Practice ## The Title, Composer, Key signature and Opus Number of the work we play. The information mentioned above is significant. When I was in college in the United States, I felt embarrassed when I could not answer my professors' questions about the background story of the piece I played. The same happened to some of my master class students. In my opinion, all the players should form a good habit of knowing well about the piece being played. Personally, every time before my students start to play, I train them by asking the background information. The young learners tend to know the piece better after being asked for several times. During the student concerts, all my students will tell the audience aloud the information of the piece they are about to play, only then will they start to perform. ## Urtext Editions of the Music Score. Here I would like to share a picture containing the two versions of the urtext editions. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*a7VRVtANFN5phEFdqGcnSQ.png) An urtext edition of a work is a printed version intended to reproduce the original intention of the composer as exactly as possible, without any addition or modification. Students can find the word “urtext” on the covers of the two books showed above. These two versions of the urtext editions are authoritative. Also, there may be different versions of the sheet music of a same work contained in the books. 1 version is the urtext edition, while the other version may contain some fingerings or other markings added by other experts. These two versions of the urtext editions are authoritative. Also, there may be different versions of the sheet music of a same work contained in the books. One is the urtext edition, while the other version may contain some fingerings or other markings added by other experts. With the 2 versions of the sheet music, we can play more accurately. The students can take a look at the added markings first, and then sight-read the urtext edition of the work. During the playing, students can also add some techniques which are helpful for reproducing the composer’s original intention. The urtext edition can be regarded as a template. ## Refer to different versions of the sheet music. I like to collect sheet music myself. Every time when I find a different version of the sheet music I already have, I just buy it. Sometimes I can find different fingerings and bowing techniques in different versions, which may help me get improved. Therefore, it is helpful for the players to refer to different versions of the sheet music. But first, we need to have the urtext editions. ## Find the sheet music with accompaniment CDs. The accompaniment CDs are also useful for musicians. We can find the sheet music with accompaniments online. The accompaniments in Violy App are great for the music beginners to play along with, also, the speed of the piano accompaniments on Violy App is adjustable. By practicing with music accompaniments, it can really improve the musicality. ## Find more music information online. We can find detailed information related to the pieces we play, such as the composers of the works, and the ways of playing the works. The players should make good use of the Internet to search for more information. ## Listen to the recording of your own playing. In the past, we did not attend many concerts. Most of the time, we were listening to the recordings. But there were few high quality recordings. When I was young, every time when I found a good recording, I would listen to it for so many times that the tape broke. Nowadays, we can find the latest things on the Internet. We are able to find all newly published works online, and most of the works are free. I always ask my students to listen to different versions of a certain piece, so the students can communicate with each other, and discuss which version they like best and why. On the basis of listening to different versions, the students can make a detailed analysis of the work. With the Internet, we can easily find the recordings we need. The students should know how to use the online resources effectively. ## Take notes on the sheet music. Personally, I like to mark the fingerings and bowing techniques on the sheet music. But other viola teachers may not recommend their students to do this. They like to memorize the marks instead of writing them down. In my opinion, taking notes on the sheet music can be very helpful to the students, because once they become teachers, they can build their own system of markings on the basis of their note-taking. The system of markings will help their teaching. Also, they can make changes to the markings instantly. Besides, the teachers may refer to useful markings in their students’ sheet music if it is necessary. Different students may get used to different markings. In my view, if the students keep making mistakes while playing a certain passage, they are likely to have some problems with their fingerings or bowing techniques. The students are supposed to find the optimal hand frames, which can help them place their fingers naturally. It is not wise for us to practice too much without adjusting the fingerings. We should try all types of fingerings first, and then we will be able to know which type is suitable for us. Different players tend to use different fingerings. Knowing the fingerings better can also help the teaching. ## Keep your sheet music. Some players may misplace their sheet music after playing, which can be a bad habit. Then they may not be able to find the sheet music next time before practicing. We should always keep our sheet music. The sheet music can be used for a lifetime. Actually, some sheet music I still use today used to belong to my mother. There are precious markings contained in her sheet music. We should form the habit of keeping the sheet music. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Lh-zsmlzMJvxPZ8iNpQ6nQ.png) # The Catalog of Recommended Viola Sheet Music Now I would like to share a catalog of viola sheet music. The catalog does not contain every piece, but the most popular ones are covered. It can be helpful to the viola teachers and students. There are 6 categories of sheet music contained in the catalog: ## Basic Training There are some scales and etudes included in the category “Basic Training”. ### Scales There are 3 scale systems, including that of Hřímalý, Carl Flesch, and Galamian. Hřímalý’s scale system is the earliest one. Most students are familiar with Hřímalý’s scales. There are 24 notes contained in every descending and ascending scale in Hřímalý’s system, which can be useful for the students to practice. But there are only 2 arpeggios included in this system. Carl Flesch’s scales consist of triplets. There are 21 notes contained in every descending and ascending scale. Besides, there are 7 arpeggios included in Carl Flesch’s system, which are frequently used by the viola players. In China, Hřímalý’s and Carl Flesch’s scale systems are the most popular ones. For the students at higher levels, they tend to use one scale system of Carl Flesch’s, or Hřímalý’s, and Carl Flesch’s arpeggios. For the students at lower levels, they prefer Hřímalý’s scales and arpeggios. Galamian was an American music educator. There are 24 notes contained in every descending and ascending scale in his scale system. Besides, there are 10 arpeggios included in the system. In the United States, Galamian’s scale system is widely used in the music conservatories, such as The Julliard School and Curtis Institute of Music. There are other scale systems as well. I will not introduce them here. The 3 scale systems mentioned above are the most commonly used ones. Most viola teachers in China are familiar with all these 3 systems. ### Basic Practice When it comes to the basic practice of viola, I would like to recommend Otakar Ševčík’s books. He wrote 10 books. Almost all exercises, including the movements of the left hand, the movements of the right hand, changing positions, and double stops are covered in those 10 books. Besides, Sitt’s 100 Viola Etudes are also very useful. The etudes are simple and suitable for the viola beginners to play. The exercises, including shifting the strings, changing positions from the first position to the seventh position, and double stops, are covered in Sitt’s viola etudes. Ševčík’s books and Sitt’s etudes can help the viola players’ basic practice in an effective way. What’s more, Tartini’s *The Art of Bowing for the Violin* is also helpful to the students. All bowing techniques are included in this book. ### Rhythm Practice For rhythm practice, I would like to recommend a book called *Accuracy in Rhythm*. There is no clef or key signature contained in the sheet music in this book, which is to say, the players of all string instruments including violin, viola, cello, and double bass can practice the pieces in different keys. There are 2 parts in every piece. Therefore, teachers and their students can play together. Or the players can clap to the beats of one part, and tap to the beats of the other part at the same time. We can practice in this way while using the metronome. In this book, there are over 50 pieces covering almost all types of rhythms, incluing random rhythm and regular rhythm. Players can find an explanation above the sheet music of every piece included in this book. I have already translated this book, but the translated version has not been published yet. I may introduce you to the book in detail in the future. ## Etudes There are two types of etudes contained in my catalog. One type of etudes are the violin etudes being played on viola, while the other type of etudes are originally written for viola. Here I would like to share a list of the etude books. The books can be found online: ### The Books containing the violin etudes played on viola: Dont: *24 Etudes and Caprices for Violin Solo, Op. 35* Dont: *24 Preparatory to Kreutzer and Rode Studies, Op. 37* Fiorillo: *36 Etudes or Caprices for Violin Solo* Hofmann: *20 Studies, Op. 86* Hofmann: *The First Studies, Op. 25, Bk 1* Hofmann: *Studies for Progressive Pupil, Op. 25, Bk 2* Hofmann: *Studies for More Advanced Student, Op. 25, Bk 3* Kayser: *36 Elementary and Progressive Studies for the Viola, Op. 20* Kreutzer: *42 Etudes* Rode: *24 Caprices in form of Etudes in 24 Keys* Paganini: *24 Caprices for Solo Violin* Wieniawski: *Etudes-Caprices, Op. 18* Wohlfahrt: *40 Elementary Studies for Violin, Op. 54* Wohlfahrt: *60 Studies for the Violin, Op.45* Wohlfahrt: *70 Easy Melodious Studies for the Violin, Op. 74* Mazas: *Etudes Brilliants, Op. 36* Mazas: *Etudes Speciales, Op. 36* ### The Books containing the etudes originally written for viola: Beltran: *12 Caprices for Viola* Bruni: *24 Studies for Viola* M. Fine: *Rock Etudes for Unaccompanied Viola, Op. 114* Fuchs: *15 Characteristic Studies for Viola* Fuchs: *16 Fantasy Etudes for Viola* Hoffmeister: *12 Etudes for Viola* Campagnoli: *41 Caprices for Viola, Op. 22* Lukács: *Exercises in Change of Position for Viola, Advanced Grade* Palaschko: *10 Artistic Studies, Op. 44* Palaschko: *20 Viola Studies, Op. 36* Palaschko: *25 Easy and Melodic Studies, Op. 87* Vieux: *10 Intervals Etudes for Viola* Vieux: *20 Etudes for Viola* ### Differences between Violin Etudes and Viola Etudes Generally speaking, when we start to learn viola, we tend to play violin etudes first. There are many differences between violin etudes and viola etudes. Many violin etudes require players to play on higher positions, and shift the strings frequently, while viola etudes do not. Viola etudes are not easy to play for beginners. The pieces fit the registers of the instrument. Also, the rhythm and tempo of viola etudes are different from that of violin etudes. Some viola etudes are highly difficult to play, such as Vieux’s etudes, which can be more difficult than that of Paganini’s. The tempo of Vieux’s viola etudes is fast, and accidentals are frequently used in the pieces. Lukács’ viola etudes also require various techniques. We recommend players at higher levels to play the pieces. Being contained in Exercises in Change of Position for Viola, Advanced Grade, Lukács’ etudes are helpful for the players to play modern works. There is an explanation above the sheet music of every piece included in the book. I have translated this book as well, but the translated version has not been published. Campagnoli’s and Bruni’s viola etudes are melodious and not hard to play. We can regard Campagnoli’s *41 Caprices for Viola* as opuscula. As for Hoffmeister’s *12 Etudes for Viola*, they are quite long and melodious like the composer’s concertos. There are two etude books written by Fuchs included in the list above. Fuchs was a famous American violist. She taught in The Julliard School and Curtis Institute of Music before. Her daughter is a cellist. We were colleagues in a summer camp before. Fuchs’ granddaughter is also an excellent violist. She made two albums containing Fuchs’ etudes. Students can find the albums online. As for other viola etudes, Beltran’s *12 Caprices for Viola* are very melodious. The caprices are the must-play pieces in some contests held in Spain. Besides, M. Fine’s rock etudes for unaccompanied viola are quite interesting. What’s more, the most frequently played viola etudes written by Palaschko are *10 Artistic Studies, Op. 44*. These 10 studies are beautiful but not easy to play. Many teachers in college use these studies as teaching materials. For viola beginners, I recommend them to start from violin etudes, such as the etudes written by Kayser, Wohlfahrt, Hofmann, Dont, or Mazas. ## Unaccompanied Pieces **Here is the list of the unaccompanied pieces I recommend to students:** J.S.Bach: *6 Cello Suites, BWV 1007-1012* J.S.Bach: *6 Sonatas and Partitas, BWV 1001-1006* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola Solo, Op. 11 №5* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola Solo, 1937* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola Solo, Op. 25 №1* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola Solo, Op. 31 №4* Knox, Garth: *Viola Spaces-Contemporary Viola Studies* Ligeti: *Sonata for Viola Solo* Reger: *3 Suites for Viola Solo, Op. 131d* Penderecki: *Cadenza for Viola Solo* Telemann: *12 Fantasias* As for the unaccompanied pieces, Bach’s cello suites are the most frequently played. The pieces are also the must-play ones during the exams. Besides, the six sonatas and partitas for violin composed by Bach are popular as well. But the cello suites are more suitable for the players to play on viola. Hindemith’s works I recommended above are all hard to play. All the college students majoring in Viola Performance need to play the pieces. The works require various techniques. As pieces in Romantic period, Reger’s *3 Suites for Viola Solo* are melodious. As for Telemann’s *12 Fantasias*, there are both viola versions and violin versions. The fantasias are played more on violin instead of viola. As works in Baroque period, the fantasias are not easy to play. They are even more difficult than *Bach’s cello suites*. It may take a long time for us to play Bach’s works well. For Telemann’s *12 Fantasias*, we cannot play them well without musicality. The fantasias are must-play pieces in some international contests. To play the fantasias well, we need to find the musicality first. Knox’s *Viola Spaces-Contemporary Viola Studies* are not frequently played. The composer visited Central Conservatory of Music last year. I have known him for some years, and have ever been to one of his live concerts. His performance was spectacular. All viola techniques are included in his *Viola Spaces-Contemporary Viola Studies*, such as harmonics and pizzicato. Players can use all 10 fingers to play pizzicato when playing the studies. We can say that Knox have found all possibilities of playing the viola. Actually, showing all techniques has become an international trend for the playing of contemporary works. Several years ago, a master flutist came to Beijing and hold his concerts. It was incredible that he showed almost all flute techniques during performing. The contemporary viola studies written by Knox are also incredible. Some techniques are very difficult to grasp. But the students can find the tutorial videos and recordings online. The pieces are worth being studied. If the players can master these viola studies, they will find it much easier to play other contemporary works. ## Sonatas **The students can find below the list of the sonatas I recommend:** Bach: *3 Sonatas for Viola da Gamba* Bax: *Sonata for Viola and Piano* Bowen: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in c minor, Op. 18, №1* Bowen: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in F major, Op. 22, №2* Brahms: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in f minor, Op. 120, №1* Brahms: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in E flat major, Op. 120, №2* Bruni: *6 Viola Sonatas, Op. 27* Clarke: *Sonata for Viola and Piano* Franck: *Sonata in A major* Glinka: *Sonata for Viola and Piano* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 11, №4* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. Posth(1939)* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 25, №2* Hindemith: *Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 25, №4* Hummel: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in E flat major, Op. 5, №3* Mendelssohn: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in c minor, MWV Q14* Rochberg: *Sonata for Viola and Piano* Reger: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in B flat major, Op. 107* Schubert: *Sonata in a minor “Arpeggione”* Schumann: *Märchenbilder, Op. 113* Shostakovich: *Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147a* C. Stamitz: *Sonata in D major* Vieuxtemps: *Sonata for Viola and Piano in B flat major, Op. 36* Vieuxtemps: *Unfinished Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. Posth* Some of the sonatas mentioned above are originally played on violin, such as Franck’s Sonata in A major. It is said that the manuscript of this piece can be seen in a library in France, and the work was composed for viola at the beginning. But no one played the piece at that moment. Therefore, it was published as a sonata written for violin. The information about Franck’s sonata came from a professor from France. I did not see the manuscript of this piece. The sheet music can be seen in a French museum, and it shows that the work was written for viola. Most of the sonatas I introduced above are not easy to play. But Mendelssohn’s *Sonata for Viola and Piano in c minor* is easier compared to other sonatas. Viola beginners can try to play this piece. Besides, Hummel’s *Sonata for Viola and Piano in E flat major* and *Stamitz’s Sonata in D major* are melodious and not very difficult to play. Apart from these 3 pieces, the other ones are all hard to play in some way, and require various techniques. Glinka’s *Sonata for Viola and Piano* was not finished. The composer only wrote the former 2 movements of the work. All the sonatas I mentioned above can be found online. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*cENlb4fqtiVaq7RrWGhz8g.png) ## Concertos **Here is the list of the concertos I recommend to the students:** J.S.Bach: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in c minor* Bartók: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra* Berlioz: *Harold in Italy* Benda: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in F major, LorB 314* Bowen: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 25* Bloch: *Suite for Viola and Orchestra* Zelter: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in E flat major* Forsyth: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in G Sharp minor* Handel: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in b minor* Hindemith: *Der Schwanendreher* Hoffmeister: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in D major* Hoffmeister: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in B flat major* Kraus: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in C major, VB 153b* Kraus: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in E flat major, VB 153c* Martinu: *Rhapsody-Concerto, H. 337* Penderecki: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra* Rolla: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in E flat major, Op. 3* Schnittke: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra* J. Schubert: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in C major* C. Stamitz: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in D major, Op. 1* Telemann: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in G major* Vanhal: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in C major* Vaughan Williams: *Flos Campi* Walton: *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra* Last year, I published a book containing some concertinos, among which more than a half are originally played on violin. The concertinos are suitable for the beginners to play. Most viola concertos are not easy for the viola beginners. Telemann’s *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in G major* is frequently played by the beginners, but it is quite difficult to play the piece well. My students who just start to play the viola tend not to choose this work, since they can not find the musicality while playing it. Telemann’s works are even more difficult to play than Bach’s pieces. ## Concert Pieces **There are various concert pieces for viola. The students can find below the list of the concert pieces I recommend:** Enescu: *Concert Piece* Bartók: *Rhapsody, №1* Bowen: *Phantasy, Op. 54* Britten: *Lachrymae, Op. 48* Bruch: *Romanze, Op. 85* Manuel De Falla: *Suite Populaire Espagnole* Glazunov: *Elegie* Hummel: *Fantasy for Viola and Orchestra* Kodály: *Adagio* Clarke: *Morpheus* Clarke: *Passacaglia on an Old English Tune* Clarke: *Lullaby* Clarke: *Chinese Puzzle* Liszt: *Romance oubliée* Reger: *Romance for Viola and Piano* Paganini: *La Campanella* Paganini: *Sonata for Grand Viola and Orchestra* Prokofiev: *Selected Pieces from the Ballet “Romeo and Juliet”* Schumann: *Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70* Vieuxtemps: *Elegie, Op. 30* Hindemith: *Trauermusik for Viola and Orchestra* Beethoven: *Notturno in D major ,Op. 42* Weber: *Andante e Rondo Ungarese* Paganini’s *Sonata for Grand Viola and Orchestra* was composed for 5-string viola and orchestra. But at present, we can play the piece on the normal 4-string viola, since our playing has been improved greatly. The concert pieces I mentioned above are the most frequently played ones. Most of them are written for viola. Some opuscula are not included. ## Duets **Here is the list of the duets I recommend to the students:** Bach: *Brandenburg Concerto №6 for Two Violas and String Orchestra* Beethoven: *Duet with Two Eyeglasses Obligato WoO 32* Bruch: *Double Concerto in E minor for Clarinet and Viola, Op. 88* Handel/Halvorsen: *Passacaglia for Violin and Viola* Mozart: *Duos for Violin and Viola, K 423/424* Mozart: *Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K 364* I have published several books containing some duets, but the included pieces are not on the list above. The duets I mentioned above are the most well-known ones. Some pieces are familiar to the viola players, such as *Passacaglia for Violin and Viola*. There are various versions of this Passacaglia, including the versions for two violins, for two violas, for violin and cello, for viola and cello, etc.. The version for violin and viola is likely to be the original one. Mozart’s *Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra* is hard to play on viola. The melodious piece requires players to change positions frequently. Actually, the piece is played in D major on viola, and in E flat major on violin. The composer made some adjustments on the notation so that the sound produced by viola can be clear and pleasant to hear. That’s all for my sharing today. All the viola sheet music I introduced above can be found online. In the next two sessions, I will talk about the career planning of students who major in music. Please stay tuned! # Music Q & A ## Audience: What kind of players is Schubert’s Sonata in a minor suitable for? Wing Ho: Actually, this piece is one of the must-play works for the postgraduates. It requires various viola techniques. Many students like the work, but it is very difficult to play it well. My students tend to play it only after going to college. ## Audience: How to switch to alto clef from treble clef? Wing Ho: Are you talking about switching to viola from violin, or playing on higher positions on viola? I talked about the notation in the former sessions. You can check out the sessions then, and find the answer. ## Audience: How many books have you published? Wing Ho: I have published about 60 books. Some of them are currently out of print. Only a few of the published books can be found now. ## Audience: For violin students who want to switch to viola, do you have any recommended books? Wing Ho: It depends on your own level of violin playing. If you are at a lower level, you would better start from scratch. If you are at a higher level, you can choose the pieces you like. Viola etudes may not be very difficult for you if you are at a higher level, but it is important for you to know as soon as possible how to produce good sound on viola. Although some students have switched to viola from violin for some years, they still tend to produce the sound which is similar to that of violin. As for the recommended books, I have introduced some books in the former sessions. You can find out the names of the books then. ## Audience: Are there any Chinese viola pieces? Wing Ho: Yes, there are some Chinese viola pieces, and also some Chinese violin pieces played on viola. There are some books published by Shanghai Conservatory of Music containing some Chinese viola pieces. You can search for the books then. ## Audience: Are there any authoritative people in the 20th century who did research on the history of viola? Or is there any literature on the history of viola published in the last century? Wing Ho: A professor named Wu Yishen translated a book about the history of viola written by a Russian author. The book is quite old and comprehensive. There are some books published in the 20th century which are about some composers such as Bartók, Hindemith, and other viola performers. But it seems that there are few books about the history of viola. In fact, viola started to develop only after 1980s. Before 1980s, there were only Hindemith and a few other composers who played the viola. After 1980s, there were much more viola performers and viola pieces. But as far as I know, until now, no one has ever formally done research on the development of viola. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Viola Exercises for Beginners | Wing Ho's Viola Teaching Class Part 5 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-exercises-for-beginners - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-exercises-for-beginners.md - Published: 2020-09-13 - Summary: In this session, Professor Wing Ho will introduce some viola exercises for beginners. Content of Win In this session, Professor Wing Ho will introduce some viola exercises for beginners. Content of Wing Ho’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Good evening, everyone. In today’s session, I will share some pictures, which can help you understand the details better. Let’s start from scales. Practicing scales can be a headache to viola players, especially young learners. They do not like to play scales. In fact, every piece contains scales and arpeggios. We are supposed to find the joy of learning scales. Also, we need to find the similarities and differences among all types of scales. Then we can play scales more easily. I would like to make an analysis of scales and arpeggios in this session to help you understand them better. # Scale Systems Which Are Frequently Used ## Carl Flesch’s Scale System There are 3 scale systems which are most important, among which the most frequently used in China is Carl Flesch’s scale system. Many viola players are familiar with Carl Flesch’s scale system, because most of them started to play his scales at a young age. Carl Flesch was a famous music educator from Hungary. He started to learn the violin at the age of 5. During his lifetime, he taught in many countries including France, Switzerland, Austria, and the UK. He even taught in Curtis Institute of Music in the US. The educator left us in 1944. In the next year, one of his students created the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition. The competition was held every 2 years. In 1970, viola was also included in the competition. Carl Flesch wrote some classic books in his lifetime, such as *Basic Studies for Violin*, *Problems of Tone Productions in Violin Playing*, and *The Art of Violin Playing*. The three books are like bibles for violin teachers. Besides, the educator’s *Scale System for Violin* is the most well-known one. It was first published in 1926. Also, there is another book called *Studies and Exercises for Violin*. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*h5F97JjHw73QrtTqTzOKAw.png) This book contains 50 etudes written by many famous composers, such as Kayser, Mazas, and Kreutzer. The etudes were carefully selected. Almost all violin techniques were included. What’s more, there are 24 scales contained in the book. The most important contribution it made to the practice of scales is that it used the system of 7 arpeggios. Most of us are familiar with this system. Also, the exercises of third sequences, chromatic scales, single-string scales, double stops, thirds, octaves, tenths, and harmonics are included in the book. In addition, 21 notes are contained in every descending scale and ascending scale. ## Ivan Galamian’s Scale System Ivan Galamian was born in 1903 and died in 1981. During his lifetime, he taught many famous violinists, including Perlman and Zukerman. He also wrote some classic books, which are widely used by scholars and violinists. One of the most well-known books written by Galamian is *Principles of Violin Playing & Teaching*. This book is very comprehensive that many teachers regard it as the bible of teaching. Chinese teachers may not be familiar with the author’s *The Galamian Scale System* (adapted for viola by Karen Olson). But in the United States, Galamian’s scale system is used by almost all music conservatories. In this system, 24 notes are contained in every descending scale and ascending scale. The notes can be put in different orders. Later, I will share a picture showing the orders. When we play Carl Flesch’s scales, we get to know from the sheet music that the fingering above the first note and that below the first note are different. The fingering above the first note means that we need to play the note with the middle finger, while the fingering below the first note means that we should play with the index finger. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*DHtHPqj3sGtQ8EQZ4TFjcw.png) Different players may have different habits. But generally speaking, we tend to play the first note with the middle finger in order to play more comfortably. Starting to play with the index finger may cause discomfort in some way. When we play Galamian’s scales, we tend to start to play with the index finger. Compared to Carl Flesch’s scales, there are more notes contained in Galamian’s scales. We can put the notes in different orders while practicing. Besides, the system of 10 arpeggios is used. Players may find it uncomfortable to play the arpeggios at the beginning, but the system of 10 arpeggios can be really helpful to viola players. This system is widely used in music conservatories in the US. Compared to the system of 7 arpeggios, the system of 10 arpeggios requires us to do much more exercises, such as the exercises of thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, and so on. There are 24 major and minor scales contained in Carl Flesch’s scale system, and each of the keys is clearly marked. But when it comes to scales in Galamian’s scale system, we can only see some certain fingerings on the sheet music. Actually, if we have already practiced the chromatic scales and sequences in Galamian’s scale system, we will find out the regularities. This scale system is useful to all viola players. # Jan Hřímalý’s Scale System Jan Hřímalý’s scale system can be regarded as the earliest scale system. Most of us are familiar with this scale system as well. Hřímalý’s *Scale-Studies for the Violin* was first published in 1905. The author was born in 1855 and died in 1915. There are 24 notes contained in every descending scale and ascending scale. The fingerings of Hřímalý’s scales are similar to that of Carl Flesch’s scales. Hřímalý’s scale system is also frequently used in China. In Hřímalý’s scales, the system of 2 arpeggios is used. Since the number of arpeggios is small, we tend to combine Hřímalý’s scales and Carl Flesch’s arpeggios together. Likewise, we usually start to play Hřímalý’s scales with the middle finger. We can also start with the index finger, but starting with the middle finger is recommended. Here I would like to share a picture: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ZgirOKMZwgH0NvMudvQY5Q.png) We can see from the picture that triplets are used in Carl Flesch’s scale. There are 21 notes contained in every descending and ascending scale (the last note is not counted). Here I would like to make a demonstration. To make it easier to understand, I will use the key of E major. We tend to use B major when playing the scales on the violin. The fingerings will not change.
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The notes in Carl Flesch’s scales cannot be put in many different orders. During the exams, students may choose to play the notes included in the scales on 2, 3, or 4 bow strokes. The number of bow strokes is not fixed, but we should pay attention to the speed of playing. Now let’s take a look at Hřímalý’s scale. The last note of the ascending scale and the first note of the descending scale are the same.
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The fingerings of Carl Flesch’s scales are similar to that of Hřímalý’s scales, but Carl Flesch only used triplets in his scales. Since Hřímalý’s scales contain more notes, we can put the notes in more orders. I will share a picture showing the details then. Besides, we can play Hřímalý’s scales at different tempos. Now let’s have a look at Galamian’s scale. We need to start to play the scale with the index finger, and the fingerings are different from that of the other 2 masters’ scales. Also, the last note of the ascending scale and the first note of the descending scale are different.
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# Intervals and Fingerings Need to Be Paid Attention to ## Intervals and Fingerings of Scales When we are practicing ascending scales, we can use either major seconds or minor seconds while changing the positions. When we are practicing descending scales, we need to use minor seconds while changing the positions, which can make it easier for us to avoid unneeded movements, and improve the intonation. If we use major seconds while changing the positions, the intonation is not likely to be good. As for the fingerings of the scales, the last 2 notes in the ascending scales are played with the little finger. Since the pitches of the last 2 notes are high, it is difficult to play the notes with the other fingers. Also, the intonation may not be good if we play the notes with other fingers. Some students tend to play the last 2 notes with the ring finger and little finger respectively, but I do not recommend players to play in this way. When we are playing in higher positions, it is pretty hard to play with both the ring finger and the little finger. Playing the notes with the little finger can be easier. All three masters used the same fingerings when it comes to the last 2 notes in the ascending scales. We should pay attention to the fingerings as well. We can notice that the first 2 notes in Galamian’s ascending scale are played with the index finger and the ring finger respectively. It may be a little bit difficult for young learners. Galamian used other fingerings in his scales as well, such as playing all notes with the index finger, playing with the index finger and the middle finger alternatively, playing with the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger in turns, and playing with the four fingers in rotation. Different fingerings can be beneficial to us when practicing scales. ## Intervals and Fingerings of Arpeggios When we are practicing scales, the most important intervals need to be paid attention to are minor seconds and major seconds. When we are practicing arpeggios, we should pay attention to minor thirds, major thirds, and perfect fourths. Knowing intervals can help us change the positions more accurately. When it comes to arpeggios, there are mainly 3 types of fingerings, which were frequently used by the 3 masters mentioned above. Among the 3 types, there are 2 types of fingerings which are commonly used when playing the violin. For the violas, these 2 types can also be used if our instruments are not too big. If we use the other 1 type on the viola, we are likely to play more comfortably, but the intonation may be affected. Here I would like to share a picture showing the fingerings of arpeggios: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*0plUwXdaMMdC7csAfm0pIA.png) Let’s take a look at fingerings of the first arpeggio (marked “1.” in the picture). We need to start to play with the middle finger. Carl Flesch’s arpeggios in the picture above are in E major. We can play very comfortably using the fingerings showed above. We may need to stretch the ring finger and the little finger a little bit when playing the last 2 notes in the ascending arpeggio(as marked in the picture), since there is a perfect fourth. Then let’s have a look at the third arpeggio(marked “3.” in the picture). We need to start to play with the index finger. We may find it more comfortable to play the arpeggio on the viola if we use Galamian’s fingerings. We do not have to stretch the fingers while playing. When we play the second and fourth arpeggios(marked “2.” and “4.” in the picture), we should combine the fingerings and positions. The 2 arpeggios are useful for the training of changing the positions, and we need to make sure that the intonation is not affected while playing. The tonic is not likely to be played correctly at the beginning. Since there are 24 major and minor keys, Carl Flesch wrote 24 major and minor scales. We may get confused in some way since there are too many scales. Galamian also wrote 24 individual major and minor scales, but he combined major and minor arpeggios together, which is to say, there are only 12 arpeggios. The notation is slightly different, but the fingerings are the same. There are mainly 3 types of fingerings used in Carl Flesch’s scales, including starting to play on the open string, starting to play with the index finger, and starting to play with the middle finger. If we start to play on the open string, we tend to start with G string on the violin, and C string on the viola. If we start to play with the middle finger, we tend to start with A natural on the violin, and D natural on the viola. Mastering the 3 types of fingerings mentioned above, we will find it easier to play scales. We just need to start from different positions while playing. The fingerings are also used in arpeggios. If we are familiar with the fingerings, we will notice that arpeggios are not difficult to play. I hope all students can get to know more about scales and the 3 scale systems from the content I shared above. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*HWebDOjRVnXJ5xstZSCyuQ.png) # Viola Exercises for Beginners There is some important literature on viola practice, like Tartini’s *The Art of Bowing for the Violin*. There are a variety of exercises contained in this useful book. Also, I would like to recommend Otakar Ševčík’s books. Otakar Ševčík was from Czechia. He wrote 10 books containing all exercises. There are 4 books included in Opus 1, which introduce the training of the left hand, such as using different fingerings and playing in different positions. In Opus 2, there are 2 books which include the bowing techniques. There are also 2 books contained in Opus 7, which contain the exercises of playing trills. What’s more, the Opus 8 introduces the training of changing the positions, while the Opus 9 contains the exercises of playing double stops. The 10 books are not difficult to find, and the viola versions of the books were already published. Hans Sitt’s *100 Viola Etudes* are also important for viola beginners. There are 5 books, and each book contains 20 viola etudes. The first book includes the exercises of playing on the first position, and the second book contains the exercises of playing on the second, third, fourth, and fifth positions. The third book introduces the exercises of changing the positions. As for the fourth book, the exercises of playing on the sixth and seventh positions are included. The fifth book contains the exercises of playing double stops. The books I recommended above are all classic viola books. Every viola player can get improved by practicing the pieces included in the books. # Rhythm Practice For rhythm practice, I would like to recommend this book called *Accuracy in Rhythm*. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*K701WLDkuSLHizri3wxWDw.png) There is no clef contained in the sheet music in this book, which is to say, players of all string instruments including violin, viola, cello, and double bass can practice the pieces in different keys. Also, teachers and students can play together if there are two parts in the piece. Or students can clap to the beats of one part, and tap to the beats of the other part at the same time. Young learners can definitely improve their rhythm if they practice in this way. In this book, there are over 50 pieces covering almost all problems related to rhythms. in China, there are few resources for the viola. Today in this session, I gave a thorough introduction of original viola books. Students can find the books online easily. As for the rhythms of scales and arpeggios, I would like to share a picture here: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*T6-SKfs46k2pZpP5SHnYng.png) When we are practicing, we can play a certain rhythm slowly at first, and gradually speed up. This way is very helpful. Since there are 24 scales, the notes can be put in different orders. All my students practice the rhythms in this way. Other young learners can try it as well. Children can start from playing 4 or 6 notes on a bow stroke, and gradually speed up to play all 24 notes on 1 bow stroke. I recommend all viola players to use metronome while practicing the rhythms. Metronome is a useful tool. # Viola Etudes Generally speaking, there are 14 etude books which are frequently used, among which half of them contain violin etudes, and the other ones contain viola etudes. The viola etudes may not be very basic. The books are helpful for all players. Wohlfahrt’s *60 Studies for the Violin*, Op.45 is the most popular etude book in China. In this book, the first 30 etudes are played on the first position, while the other 30 ones are played on the third and higher positions.The author also wrote *70 Easy Melodious Studies for the Violin*, Op. 74. and 40 Elementary Studies for Violin, Op. 54. Compared to the Op. 45, the Op. 74 and Op. 54 are easier. If students can find the books, they can try to practice the etudes included. Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Mazas, and Rode were composers who wrote early etudes, which are not easy to play. Kayser, Wohlfahrt, and Dont were composers who died in the 1880s. They simplified their etudes, and the etudes tend to be easier than the early ones. Actually, the etudes were written for the viola instead of the violin at the beginning. There are other composers earlier than Kreutzer and his contemporaries who wrote viola etudes, such as Hoffmeister, Bruni, and Campagnoli. Hoffmeister wrote 12 melodious etudes. Bruni wrote both viola etudes and violin etudes, which are not long or difficult, but very useful. Campagnoli’s etudes are a little difficult to play. Besides, there are composers who died in the 20th century, and wrote etudes in their lifetime, such as Vieux from France, Lukács from Hungary, and Fuchs from the US. These composers’ etudes contain techniques which are helpful for playing modern works. Fuchs was a female composer and teacher in Curtis Institute Of Music who wrote two etude books. Her etudes are suitable for viola playing. Fuchs’ daughter plays the cello, and her granddaughter plays the viola. Her granddaughter made two albums containing Fuchs’ etudes. Students can find the albums online. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*L4qCMLowBAA5tp55g9cpFQ.png) Here I would like to make a list of the frequently used etude books: Wohlfahrt: *60 Studies for the Violin, Op.45* Wohlfahrt: *40 Elementary Studies for Violin, Op. 54* Wohlfahrt: *70 Easy Melodious Studies for the Violin, Op. 74* Palaschko: *10 Viola Studies, Op. 49* Kayser: *36 Elementary and Progressive Studies for the Viola, Op. 20* Fiorillo: *36 Etudes or Caprices for Violin Solo* Dont: *24 Etudes and Caprices for Violin Solo, Op. 35* Dont: *24 Exercises for the Violin, Op. 37* Mazas: *Etudes Speciales for Viola, Op. 36* Kreutzer: *42 Studies for Viola* Paganini: *24 Caprices for Solo Violin* Bruni: *24 Studies for Viola* Hoffmeister: *12 Etudes for Viola* Fuchs: *15 Characteristic Studies for Viola* Fuchs: *16 Fantasy Etudes for Viola* Lukács: *Exercises in Change of Position for Viola, Advanced Grade* Campagnoli: *41 Caprices for Viola, Op. 22* Vieux: *20 Etudes for Viola* Vieux: *10 Etudes sur les Intervalles for Viola Solo* Most viola etudes are melodious and not very easy to play. The etudes are like opuscula, which can be performed on stage. *10 Viola Studies*, Op. 49, written by Palaschko, are frequently played in China. Actually, Palaschko wrote several etude books, but the Op. 49 is the most popular one. What’s more, few players practice Vieux’s 20 Etudes for Viola since the etudes are too difficult. The pieces are even more difficult than Paganini’s 24 caprices. 10 Etudes sur les Intervalles for Viola Solo, another book written by Vieux, is helpful for viola players to know better about the intervals. That’s all for my session today. The scale systems I introduced above are worth studying. Knowing more can help us understand the importance of practicing scales. In fact, there has been music pedagogy since the Classical period in Western countries. But in China, there is no systematic music pedagogy. This is a significant reason why Chinese instruments are not internationally known. Therefore, young viola teachers can do more research, and write more papers on the topic of music pedagogy. # Music Q & A: ## Audience: How to practice dotted notes? Wing Ho: You may find the answer in Accuracy in Rhythm, the book I recommended above. The book is really useful for viola players. ## Audience: How to practice scales together with etudes? Wing Ho: Scales and etudes are different. Actually, we can practice scales and etudes separately. When we are playing scales, we may focus on one or more octaves. Also, we need to consider the keys. Sometimes we practice the bowing skills by playing etudes, and in the meanwhile, we may not pay much attention to the keys. Etudes can be very helpful if we need to improve the techniques, while scales can help us improve the intonation, the rhythm, and the speed of playing. We don’t have to practice etudes and scales together. ## Audience: How to play descending scales smoothly? Wing Ho: I recommend you to keep your index finger on the string while playing scales. The index finger can play a role of leading the movements of other fingers. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Movements of the Left Hand ｜ Wing Ho's Viola Teaching Class Part 4 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-movements-of-the-left-hand - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-movements-of-the-left-hand.md - Published: 2020-09-01 - Summary: In this session, Professor Wing Ho will share his idea about the left hand movements in viola playin In this session, Professor Wing Ho will share his idea about the left hand movements in viola playing. Content of Wing Ho’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): # Train the Fingers As I mentioned in the [second session](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/), we can train our fingers by bending them like scratching an itch. It is not difficult. Also, when we are pressing the strings, we can lift our fingers up and down like hammering. It is also an effective way to train our fingers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*9aHGjnBgZmKkSU7bILDUYw.jpeg) We should keep in mind that the movements of lifting fingers up and down should be very fast. What’s more, we can see that there are marks on our fingertips after pressing the strings. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/820/1*OicWlvFILZkhmQEznY6Fzw.png) The positions of the marks should not be shifted while playing the viola. After pressing the strings, there should be only one mark on each fingertip. ## Hand Positions There are four hand positions which are most frequently used: First Position: The middle finger and ring finger are next to each other. There is a semitone between the two fingers. Also, there are two semitones between the index finger and middle finger, and another two semitones between the ring finger and little finger. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*yryva5L481hjvVWXIV8ovQ.jpeg) When we use this hand position, we can play more comfortably. Second Position: The ring finger and little finger are next to each other. There is one semitone between the two fingers. Also, there are two semitones between the index finger and middle finger, and another two between the middle finger and ring finger. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*yk0n-J-t7X4aiH6ivTD9eg.jpeg) Third Position: The index finger and middle finger are next to each other. There is one semitone between the two fingers. Also, there are two semitones between the middle finger and ring finger, and another two between the ring finger and little finger. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*1gYquaZ6HArYcm4IDGb_Uw.jpeg) If we use this hand position while playing, we are not likely to play comfortably. Fourth Position: There are two semitones between every two adjacent fingers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*xTWY18rK3WJTHutPAqPvBg.jpeg) There are many viola etudes for young learners to train their hands and get used to the four hand positions I mentioned above. Here I would like to share a picture included in one of my viola books. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*a5CJH_Sz7wgr4k33s7RLrg.jpeg) The sheet music above is for young learners who start to learn scales. We can see the pitch names marked on the noteheads, which can help beginners read music. The hand positions being used are referred to as “first one” and “third one” in the picture. When we see an “x” on the notehead, the finger we use to play the note should be kept on the string. For example, if we use the index finger to play D note on the C string, the index finger should also be placed on the C string when we use the middle finger to play E note on the same string. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*KWWOzyq2uAyAn2d9cs1iqQ.png) Knowing which finger to keep on the string is very important for viola players. All viola learners should learn the skill after training. This skill can help us avoid unnecessary movements of fingers. The scale above can be helpful to young learners that they can correct their hand positions while playing the viola. Knowing the intervals and fingerings is also significant to viola learners. It can make us play more easily when we need to play in higher positions. We can check the intervals and fingerings in the picture below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Hp1nCVmUn_cNzrLNDncTHg.jpeg) The picture above is useful to viola beginners. They can keep it for future reference. Here I would like to share the video of playing the bars contained in the picture:
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# Three Things Need to Be Paid Attention to While Shifting ## Moving the Fingers When we move the fingers while playing the viola, we should keep in mind that our fingers should get prepared before the bow does. Then the musicality can be expressed. Also, the fingers should be flexible. We need to pay attention to the movements of lifting fingers up and down, and the sound produced should be clear.
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## Changing the Positions When we change the positions, our fingers should get prepared, but not move in advance. Or some unpleasant sounds may be produced. There are several different ways of changing the positions. Sometimes we change the positions without switching to another finger. For example, we may move the index finger from lower positions to higher positions.
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Besides, sometimes we also need to stretch a finger a little bit to reach for a higher position.
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What’s more, we may need to switch to another finger when changing from higher positions to lower positions, and vice versa.
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Changing the positions in a Classical style requires us to use “medium note”, which is a short note played during the process of changing the positions. For example, we need to change from higher positions to lower positions, and we are supposed to switch to the index finger from the middle finger. In this case, the “medium note” is likely to be played by the middle finger.
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Also see Schumann’s [*Fair-Tale Pictures*](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDN56GbA8iS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again) Kreutzer’s etudes are typical pieces for viola players to practice changing the positions. Changing the positions in a Romantic style requires us to use the middle finger and the glissando is usually produced.
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Composers in the Romantic period preferred this way of changing the positions. But we should notice that when we are playing classical music, glissandi are supposed to be avoided. Also, most players prefer the way of changing the positions in a Classical style. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Zxdx5HjeIR1zjh9JICWL0g.png) Let’s have a look at the sheet music below. I made some marks on the sheet music. We should pay attention to the fingerings and changing of positions. Both changing the positions in a Classical style and changing the positions in a Romantic style are used. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*kZ5gdzFYhtXzoOwZX-006A.jpeg)
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In Schumann’s *Fair-Tale Pictures*, the way of changing the positions without switching to another finger is frequently used. Our fingers and the bow should get prepared in advance. Besides, we should notice that when we are playing classical music, glissandi are supposed to be avoided. In the meanwhile, the musicality should be expressed. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*QH5-p6EWzUbgwxVvJWw_kQ.png) ![](
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) Like clarinet pieces, many viola pieces require players to use changeable fingerings. We are supposed to keep the movements of shifting in mind. Let’s have a look at the sheet music below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*nxlyTbxSDzSkW5gVsSaAlg.jpeg) Glissandi should be avoided while playing the concerto above. The fingers should always get prepared before the bow does.
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## Shifting the Strings When we are shifting the strings, our fingers and the viola bow need to get prepared in advance so that we can produce resonant sound. This idea was proposed by some composers in Baroque period. Let’s take a look at the sheet music of *Bach’s Suite №4 in E flat major*, which is a typical piece for us to practice the skills of shifting the strings. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*22TVSWkd8c3CISEcDibVQQ.png)
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Also, we should pay attention to the movements of our upper arm. Besides, since viola strings are thicker than violin strings, we need to apply more strength to the fingerboard while playing and find the best positions to play on the viola. Or the quality of the sound produced may be affected. # Pizzicato When we are playing the viola, we usually pluck the strings with our right hand. When I was training the young learners in orchestra, I found that many students could not play pizzicato correctly. Also, they seldom practiced pizzicato. The best position to pluck the strings is close to the end of the fingerboard. ## Single Notes When we are playing a single note marked pizz., our fingertip should be parallel to the string which needs to be plucked. But we should not press the string hard while plucking it.
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There are two ways of plucking: First, our thumb should be placed at the end of the fingerboard. Then we use the index finger to pluck the string.
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This way can make the sound produced more steady. Second, our thumb should be placed on the first knuckle of our index finger, and then we pluck the string with our index finger.
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This way brings more musicality and the position of playing pizzicato can be adjusted. ## Double Stops When we are playing double stops marked pizz., we should pay attention to the “balance” of the two notes. The sound produced should be steady and clear. We can use either one finger or two fingers to pluck the strings while playing double stops marked pizz..
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## Chords When we are playing chords marked pizz., we should pay attention to the flexibility and explosiveness. Let’s take a look at the sheet music below: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Wam6jHIJFTn0t3f8ZahQqQ.png)
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We should find the best position to play chords marked pizz.. Sometimes the height of the bridge or the fingerboard may affect the quality of the sound produced while plucking the strings. Therefore, the instrument needs to be adjusted if it is necessary. Besides, we are supposed to pluck the strings fast and pay attention to the “balance” of the notes. # Trill When we are playing trills on the viola, we should play attention to the intonation and the movements of our fingers. Also, the sound produced should be clear. A professor once came to Central Conservatory of Music to give a lecture. He provided us with a good method of moving our fingers while practicing playing trills. The movements of fingers are demonstrated in the video below:
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Our intonation and the quality of the sound produced can get improved if we practice playing trills in the way shown in the video above. Also, if the required speed of playing trills is too fast, we can play vibrato instead of trills：
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![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*fo0vNOxm6x2j_0Y-yEU3EQ.png) # Vibrato Technically, there are four types of vibrato. ## Arm Vibrato Arm vibrato is frequently used. The sound produced tends to be intense and the movements of our arm tend to be big.
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## Wrist Vibrato Wrist vibrato requires us to use the wrist only. We can compare the wrist movements with the arm movements and find the differences. When we do wrist vibrato, we should pay attention to the movements of our first knuckles.
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As I mentioned in the second session, when we are holding the viola, there are two contact points. One is below the index finger, the other one is above the first knuckle of the thumb. When we are playing vibrato, we should also pay attention to the contact points. ## Finger Vibrato When we play in higher positions on the viola, we tend to do finger vibrato.
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## Invisible Vibrato Invisible vibrato means that our left hand should keep in the state of doing vibrato, but actually, we do not move the left hand.
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When we do invisible vibrato, our bow should coordinate with our left hand. Invisible vibrato is frequently used when we are playing Baroque music. When we are playing vibrato, we can use various movements and the speed of playing can be different. We can select different types of vibrato according to our own feelings while playing the viola. There are several ways of practicing vibrato. We can start from playing the scale without doing vibrato. Then we can try to do vibrato while playing the scale. The movements can be bigger and the speed of playing can be slower. When we are practicing vibrato, our movements tend to be bigger. In this way, our fingers can get trained well. Also, our fingers can stretch a little bit when doing vibrato slowly. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1094/1*DrRg_iiXM06bqaZwYK2IWw.jpeg) In addition, when we are practicing changing the positions, we can combine glissandi and trills:
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In this way, our movements of changing the positions can get improved. # Music Q & A **Audience: My little fingers are short. What should I do to keep the correct hand position while playing in higher positions?** Wing Ho: When we play the viola, we are supposed to find the contact position of our ring finger on the fingerboard first. Then we can find the contact position of our little finger. Later we can place the index finger and middle finger on the right positions. When we place the four fingers on the fingerboard, we get to know the correct hand position. **Audience: Every time when I reach the bow tip, my shoulders become stiff. What should I do to avoid the problem?** Wing Ho: When I was young, my shoulders were also stiff while playing the viola. Then my neck became stiff as well. After being massaged and getting to know how to relax the neck, I started to play in a relaxed state. It is very important for us to be relaxed while playing, and we should find the relaxed state by ourselves. **Audience: How can I switch to up bow naturally after playing down bow?** Wing Ho: When we switch to up bow after playing down bow, we should not move our right wrist. Also, the speed of playing should not change when we change the bow. Or we may produce unsteady sound. **Audience: My right hand shakes when I reach the bow tip. What should I do to solve the problem?** Wing Ho: Maybe your right arm stretches too much. Or your viola bow may be too long for you. We should keep in mind that when we are playing the viola, our arm should not be stretched too much. It is not necessary to use the whole bow while playing. Otherwise, we cannot change the bow naturally. **Audience: When I play in higher positions, the sound produced is not clear. What should I do?** Wing Ho: When we play in higher positions, our bow should be close to the bridge. Or the sound produced can never be clear. Also, there may be another reason that the height of the fingerboard of your instrument is too low, so you may find it difficult to press the strings. Then the sound produced is unclear. **Audience: I am always busy with work and have little time to practice. What should I do to get improved?** Wing Ho: Viola playing can be a form of entertainment for you. When you are not busy, you can pick up the viola and practice some scales or other pieces. It takes much time to get improved. If you did not start to learn the instrument from a young age, you could not get improved without practicing for a long time. **Audience: How to pluck the strings while holding the bow?** Wing Ho: I have already introduced the ways of plucking the strings. When we need to pluck the strings while holding the bow, our fingertip should always be parallel to the strings.
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**Audience: When I play on the D string, I tend to touch the G string. What should I do to avoid the problem?** Wing Ho: Maybe you need to place the bow closer to the bridge. Also, you should pay attention to the movements of your upper arm. **Audience: How to practice vibrato slowly?** Wing Ho: We should move our fingers back and forth and the movements should be big at first.
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For viola beginners, they should learn wrist vibrato first. Once they know how to do wrist vibrato, they can play vibrato well on viola. **Audience: How to pluck the strings with the left hand?** Wing Ho: We hardly pluck the strings with our left hand when playing the viola. But when it is needed, we should pay attention to the strength of our fingers. **Audience: How to play a perfect fifth well on viola?** Wing Ho: It is difficult to play a perfect fifth on viola because the distance between every two adjacent strings on most instruments is too long. We can turn to luthiers and ask them to adjust the distance. Then we will be able to play the perfect fifth well. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy Academy Account - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-music-institution - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-music-institution.md - Published: 2020-08-26 - Summary: Music academies, music schools, and music conservatories, can apply for institutional account on Vio # Account for Music Schools Music academies, music schools, and music conservatories, can apply for institutional account on Violy, which allows music Academy admins to manage student groups, classes, and education progress easier with the listed features: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*6FlJi1uWBlQ-J02sMNLyyw.jpeg) * Customized App Opening Picture; * Academy Members (Contact list for teachers and students on Violy); * Academy Admins (Academy managers who can manage the groups and classes); * Academy Groups (Practice Overview on each group); * Unified Account for Live Class Pro; * Yearly Premium and Live Class Pro Discount; To create an academy account, please contact us at: Support@Violy.app, [WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+8613127960147), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/). # Customized App Opening Picture Academy owner can upload the app opening picture, and every member of the academy will have the same app opening effect. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} Academy admin can also set a logo and a banner for the Academy. It can be confirmed on the page of **Academy (“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy > Academy”)**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*QSqRz09kZty6GGmVcnDqJw.jpeg) # Academy Members Once the Academy account has been activated, account owner can enter **Members** page **(“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy > Members”)** and add Violy app users to the Academy. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*iKmuJpQA_mBwIdPG9ujB9Q.png) Different from private group, the members of Academy can be grouped directly with out inviting/adding later. It is similar to adding friends on WhatsApp, or any other message apps. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*R-UHc1EGLru_H9PncLWIpQ.png) To add a teacher, please enter the teacher’s Violy account (with no national code, with no space blank) beside “Add teacher” button, and click on “Add teacher”. To add a student, please enter the student’s Violy account (with no national code, with no space blank) beside “Add student” button, and click on “Add student”. You can also add members to the Academy by sending the invitation link of an Academy group (see “Academy Groups”). # Academy Admins After adding a teacher, the owner can set the teacher as an admin of the Academy account. An admin can also add/remove people to/from the Academy, create groups, and [**schedule Live Class lessons (“Classroom > +Create”)**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/08/Teach-Music-Class-Online/). **Academy** page **(“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy”)** is only accessible for the owner and the admins. However, an admin can only be promoted by an owner, an admin can not set another admin. # Academy Groups Academy Groups can be created by the owner and the admins on **Groups** page **(“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy > Groups”)**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*eLn3AqH_VyWWhaFVqUaCog.png) Enter the **Groups page (“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy > Groups”)**, and click on **+New Group**. And input “Group Name” and select a “Group Owner” from Academy teachers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*kL2Cbly7kl1mmXl5AkQCjQ.png) Once the group is created, even if the Academy owner and admins are not the group owner, they can still manage the group. And the created group will be displayed on **Students** page of its teachers’. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*nmkWU88hopkcI2zjHKk0yw.png) If the group owner is not the Academy owner, nor admin, the group owner can only manage the group on **Students page (“Students > Groups”)**. However, the members of Academy group will be automatically synchronized to Academy members, which means it is possible to add Academy members by sending an **Invitation Link (“Students > Groups > Invite students”)** of the Academy’s group. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*siiEyreK612T2J3cp2q36w.png) The Academy owner and the admins can check practice progress (Audition and Note-by-note) and practice rank on **Overall page (“Me > I’m a teacher > Academy > Overall”)**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*MBHwRvlam9JI-LbUYgyMgg.jpeg) # Unified Account for Live Class Pro All of the cost generated by the Academy groups is taken from the balance of **Academy Account (“Me > I’m teacher > Academy > Academy”)**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*0QlernfhznPn3k1NWuayYg.png) To top up the balance for an Academy account, please contact us directly. # Yearly Premium and Live Class Pro Discount We provide huge discount of Yearly Premium membership and Live Class Pro for Academy, please contact us to learn more! Support@Violy.app, [WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+8613127960147). # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Violy - Smart Music Classroom [**Online Music Class App**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/) [**Teach Music Intrument Online**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/) [**Upload Your Music into Violy App!**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Create-Sheet-Music-on-Violy/) ## Violin Practice Articles: [**5 Tips on How to Play Vibrato on String Instruments**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/05/5-Tips-on-How-to-Vibrato/) [**Cello Suites for Cello and Viola on Violy**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Cello-Sheet-Music-for-Viola-on-Violy/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/0*yKAoVdCHgTz2gtbo.png) --- # Violy’s Classroom Feature | Create online music classes! - URL: https://violy.app/blog/teach-music-class-online - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/teach-music-class-online.md - Published: 2020-08-12 - Summary: Violy app’s “Live Class” feature allows teachers to make video calls to students instantly. But in s # Create online music classes! Violy app’s “Live Class” feature allows teachers to make video calls to students instantly. But in some cases, this single mode cannot meet all requirements of remote music class. Students may get disconnected during a group class and cannot rejoin the class unless the teacher invites again, and then the whole class can be interrupted. Also, it just wastes the other participants’ time, which can be annoying. Besides, without class schedule, teachers have to remind their students of attending the class on time every time before the class begins. If there are multiple students, it can be time-consuming for teachers to notify every one of them. Also, teachers are likely to make mistakes during the process. **To help users take remote music classes in a more organized and flexible way, the "Classroom" feature is newly supported on Violy app.** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*uds6fKz5Vdfgb06zpfDfzA.jpeg) Things that the “Classroom” feature allows users to do: * Teachers can set the time for the class in advance; * Participants can get notified before the class; * Students can rejoin the class if they get disconnected during the video call; * The group/institution admin can help teachers create classes, which can take the pressure off the teachers and make the management more convenient. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*_wiDW8Tf6vdymfnUZfVAhg.png) # Instructions for Music Teachers: Online Music "Classroom" After updating the app to the latest version, teachers can enter **"Classroom"** page in the app and click on **"+Create"** to schedule a class. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*V7Z-OVOyrkNL8wQZg6GAFw.jpeg) Then the teachers need to fill in the information required and click on **"Confirm"**. Later, a new class is created. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*9v_tkRADZWivazzF6X0tXA.jpeg) Currently, teachers can set the time for the class in Violy app, but students cannot make appointments with teachers through the app. Once the new class is created, it can be seen in section **"Timetable"** of **"Classroom"** page. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*SMBQrhKxrzOmZnr2CfW_uQ.jpeg) All participants will receive push notifications from Violy app 15 minutes and 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled time of the online music class. We recommend users to enable the notifications of the app in case of missing classes. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*koFb0dj1UMZ03FbG5P1ygA.jpeg) Participants can click on **"Join now"** to join the class 5 minutes before the class begins. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Erxw_NTVQpzY2djl3TVSMQ.jpeg) During the class, if the participants get disconnected or exit from the class by accident, they can click on **"Lessoning…"** to rejoin the class. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Z17DbwCW3Mv8pLPNS4MAlA.jpeg) # Things Related to "Classroom" Feature Which Need More Attention * When the host clicks on the button of ending the current class, the host can choose to "Pause for now" or "End the class". ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*TB_ZUpnhzYkCJvoSbql5og.png) * If the host clicks on "End the class", the current class will be ended. Then no one will be able to join the class anymore. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*SwrE34NOouH669Xx456CvA.jpeg) * If the host chooses to "Pause for now", the class will not be ended. The host can rejoin the class within the duration of the current class. But if the host does not return to the class in time, the class will be ended automatically when the time is up. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Rnc9mKgJXnrmZ7ect69qtw.png) * If the host exits from the class because of losing the network connection, the current class will not be ended. We hope that Violy’s new feature introduced above can help users enjoy the online classes more! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## Violy - Smart Music Classroom [**Online Music Class App**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Smart-Music-Classroom/) [**Teach Music Intrument Online**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/) [**Violy Institution Account**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/) [**Upload Your Music into Violy App!**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Create-Sheet-Music-on-Violy/) ## Violin Practice Articles: [**5 Tips on How to Play Vibrato on String Instruments**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/05/5-Tips-on-How-to-Vibrato/) [**Cello Suites for Cello and Viola on Violy**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Cello-Sheet-Music-for-Viola-on-Violy/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Viola Bowing Techniques ｜ Wing Ho's Viola Teaching Class Part 3 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-bowing-techniques - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-viola-bowing-techniques.md - Published: 2020-07-19 - Summary: In this session, Professor Wing Ho will talk about viola bowing techniques. Content of Wing Ho’s lec # Viola Bowing Techniques In this session, Professor Wing Ho will talk about viola bowing techniques. Content of Wing Ho’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): # Détaché Détaché can be played in all parts of the bow.
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Since viola bows are heavier than violin bows, and viola strings are thicker than violin strings, the optimal position to play détaché with the viola bow is a little lower than the middle of the bow, which is different from the best position to play détaché with the violin bow. Finding the best position to play détaché helps us produce sound more easily and play more comfortably. # Legato Legato means that we need to play multiple notes in one bow stroke. Let’s have a look at the sheet music of Walton’s *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra*. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*lFMNYBgMDPmcyKvy7pU9wg.png) We can find that legato is played frequently in this piece. We use a tie to connect two notes of the same pitch so that the notes can be sustained. A slur is applied to two or more different notes and means that the different notes should be played legato.
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There is another bowing technique called portato, in which successive notes are re-articulated while being joined under a single continuing bow stroke.
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We can see that we need to play portato in the bar 10 in the sheet music above(marked in the picture). Apart from Walton’s viola concerto, Reger’s *Suite №1 for Solo Viola* is also a typical piece for practicing portato. # Collé Kreutzer’s *Etude №7 for Viola* is suitable for practicing collé. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*iG3m_45GTzx6YxeX8Puzvg.png) Explosiveness is needed for playing collé. This bowing technique is usually used when we are playing chords. But in general, it is not frequently used. It can help us increase the finger flexibility. When we are playing collé, we should move the fingers instead of the wrist.
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# Martelé To practice martelé, we can select Kreutzer’s *Etude №6 for Viola*. ![](https://miro.medium.com/proxy/1*zvJaQEwaNNheT8CoixeUBw.png) When we are playing martelé, we should notice that the notes are short and the bow should be kept on the string. We usually use the tip of the bow to play martelé, and the speed of playing can be controlled. We are supposed not to play it too fast. We need to take three steps to play martelé: 1. Place the bow on the string; 2. “Release” the bow after producing the sound; 3. Control the bow and apply strength to it with our index finger on the right hand.
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![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*eyoQQcZaoYUR3hxd3VdMSQ.png) # Staccato When we are playing staccato, we should also control the speed of playing and the bow should be kept on the string. As I mentioned above, we tend to play martelé at the tip of the bow, because the tension of this part of the bow is higher. However, we usually use the lower half of the bow to play staccato, and the notes being played should be separated from one another.
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# Spiccato Likewise, we use the lower half of the bow to play spiccato and the speed of playing is controllable. After producing the sound, the bow needs to leave the string.
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# Sautillé We use the middle of the bow to play sautillé on violin, but when it comes to viola, the best position to play sautillé with the viola bow is a little lower than the middle of the bow. To practice sautillé, we can start from playing détaché, and the sound produced should be clear. Then we can gradually speed up so that the bow can bounce slightly off the string. The speed of playing sautillé cannot be controlled.
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# Ricochet Ricochet is seldom used in viola playing. To play ricochet, we should let the bow fall on the string and bounce naturally to produce a series of rapid notes.
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Let’s have a look at the sheet music below. We can see that there are dots beneath some notes. The dots mean that the notes should be separated from one another, which is to say, we can play spiccato or martelé. Also, we can use other bowing techniques to play the notes. It depends on the tempo. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*LCRgh5m-0oEFKVdsWzoJbA.png) # Chords Chords are frequently used in viola playing. A chord refers to a set of pitches consisting of three or more notes that are heard as if sounding simultaneously. Here I would like to tell you more about it. In 1978, I went to Hong Kong with my family and lived in the city for some time. When I was in Hong Kong, I learned the violin for one year with Mr. Zheng Yanyi, who was a professor of violin in Shanghai Conservatory of Music. During the year, I focused on playing open strings and chords. The year’s training was very effective and it laid the foundation for my viola learning. In my opinion, the best way to play chords is playing two notes at a time.
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But it depends on the certain piece we play. We use different ways to play chords in different works. For example, when we are playing Sarabande from Bach’s Cello Suite №1, we tend to play broken chords, because there are many appoggiaturas. Broken chords are also frequently played in Sarabande from Bach’s *Cello Suite №3*.
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No matter how we play the chords, we should produce resonant sound. In addition, when it comes to Bach’s works, we need to figure out which way to use when playing chords. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*lQdUN5SAFJpK71AXb19X_Q.png) Chords are often heard at the beginning of viola concertos. Let’s have a look at the sheet music below: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*EFeuH-k7N-YqcQ0MWqwRRQ.png) I counted beats before starting to play Hindemith’s *Der Schwanendreher*. Personally, I tend to count beats before starting to play. Different players may have different habits. It also depends on the pieces.
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Now let’s take a look at the sheet music of Bach’s *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in c minor*. To make the melody complete, we can start right away instead of counting beats. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*ixPBXuJJRvj_A-uFKoPbzA.png)
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Likewise, we tend to start right away when playing Joseph Schubert’s *Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in C major* so that the playing can be more rhythmic. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*W4BkCqK7KwEQbjX9KQZxXQ.png)
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As I mentioned above, the best way to play chords is playing two notes at a time. Let’s take Walton’s Viola Concerto for an example. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*LDZLkZ2Jp9aMBnjo54hbFA.png) To play all notes consisting of chords at the same time may be difficult. Therefore, we can play two notes at a time. I made some marks on the sheet music, which mean that we need to play two notes simultaneously. We can play slowly at the beginning, and gradually speed up. It is hard to play on three or four strings at the same time, so we can play on two strings first.
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Here’s another example. The phrases below belong to the sheet music of Hindemith’s *Der Schwanendreher*. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*uGRIv6GJuDBMwu5oKlqHhg.png) When we are playing the chords consisting of three notes, we can play two notes at a time so that there will be more resonance and explosiveness.
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To sum up, the bowing techniques I introduced above are the most commonly used in viola playing. They should be flexibly used when we are playing different pieces. # Music Q & A **Audience: When I am holding the bow, my fingers tend to move up. What should I do to avoid the problem?** Wing Ho: It seems that you do not form a good habit of holding the bow. Maybe you can use some tools to help you. If our fingers move up when holding the bow, we cannot hold it stably because the point of support is lost. Then we are not able to play fast. Actually, in ancient times, players’ bow grip tended to be higher. Ancient music tended to be gentle and slow as well. At present, we are supposed to hold the bow correctly. As I mentioned in the former session, the first knuckles of our fingers should be placed on the stick. **Audience: How to play the chords in Bartók’s Viola Concerto(bar 135)?** Wing Ho: In fact, the recommended way of playing chords I mentioned above is commonly used in the playing of different works. You may try it out when playing this concerto. It can help us improve the intonation while playing chords, and in this way, we may not miss notes.
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# Audience: Do we need to move the wrist while playing spiccato and sautillé? Wing Ho: Personally, I do not move the wrist while playing spiccato and sautillé. All our knuckles are supposed to be flexible, but if it is not necessary, we do not have to move every knuckle while playing. When I play spiccato and sautillé, I tend to move the forearm, and in this way, the sound produced is clear. # Audience: When is the suitable time for an elementary school student to start to learn the viola? Wing Ho: Actually, students can start to learn the viola at any time. Also, violin learners can switch to viola at any moment. I switched to viola formally when I was a postgraduate. But I started to play the viola when I was in junior high school. As long as you love the instrument, you can start to learn it at any time. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Basic Teaching of Viola ｜ Wing Ho's Viola Teaching Class Part 2 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-basic-teaching-of-viola - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-basic-teaching-of-viola.md - Published: 2020-07-05 - Summary: In today’s session, Professor Wing Ho will talk about issues related to basic teaching of viola. We # Basic Teaching of Viola In today’s session, Professor Wing Ho will talk about issues related to basic teaching of viola. We suggest that viola teachers hold the instrument while reading the article so that they can go through all the details mentioned. Content of Wing Ho’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): # Left Hand We should normally have two contact points between our left hand and the viola neck. Let’s take a look at the picture below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*PMwA1jb9FbFZWw-GgkNyvA.png) **The first contact point is below the index finger**, as shown in the picture above. When we hold the viola, the neck is placed there. It plays a role of a shaft, which helps us move the left hand when shifting the strings and changing the positions. Actually, there are other ways of holding the viola. For example, holding the instrument with the first knuckle of the thumb. But I recommend that students place the neck at the contact point shown in the picture, because in this way, each finger can have an individual position while playing. **The second contact point is above the first knuckle of the thumb**. It is the contact position of our thumb on the viola neck. Some students may place the first knuckle of the thumb on the neck and sometimes their thumb may touch the G string. Therefore, the contact position demonstrated in the picture above is a better choice. It also makes us play more comfortably. As for the other four fingers, we should find the balance point of our left hand and the correct positions of the four fingers so that we can apply strength to the fingerboard and play comfortably. We need to bend the fingers and place them on the fingerboard. The back of our left hand, our wrist and our forearm should be in a line. The wrist should keep flat without bending backward or forward. Also, our fingers should not stretch. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*7l2mSX_q2u5575KOzhfrgg.png) We should pay attention to the movements of our fingers while playing the viola. There are two ways for us to train our fingers. **The first one is bending our fingers like scratching an itch**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*3xM_U1bH46Gtjwd9mO2OVA.png) **The second one is touching the left thumb with the other four fingers on the left hand**. It can help us understand the “independence” of the fingers. To improve the “independence” of the fingers, students can put an eraser between every two adjacent fingers while practicing. Some students who have smaller hands or shorter little fingers tend to stretch the little finger while playing. This training method can effectively help them avoid the problem. When we are playing, we should bend our fingers instead of stretching them. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*qYz13Ou0akEa4QUnL_yf-A.png) If we do not train our fingers properly, the strength of our fingers cannot get improved. When we are pressing the strings, we should make sure that the movements of lifting fingers up and down are fast, like hammering. We can see that there are marks on our fingertips after pressing the strings. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ZGQMtZp_daMZoGwcZX_TpQ.png) The positions of the marks should not be shifted while playing the viola, which is to say, after pressing the strings, there should be only one mark on each fingertip. Overall, there are four things we need to pay attention to when training the fingers. First, touching the thumb with the other four fingers, which can help us avoid the problem of stretching the little finger. Second, bending our fingers like scratching an itch, which can help us find the right positions of our fingers while playing. Third, lifting fingers up and down like hammering. Fourth, memorizing the positions of the marks on our fingertips after pressing the strings. The latter two things can help us improve the strength of our fingers. There are two ways of pressing the strings. When we are playing slowly, we can use the finger pulp to press the strings and our fingers can stretch a little bit. When we are strolling, we are quite relaxed. Likewise, our fingers can be relatively relaxed when we are playing slowly. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/772/1*aoLAbxLcE4lNl6WkfSdOJQ.png) When we are walking fast or running, we have to bend our legs. Likewise, when we are playing fast, we need to use fingertips and bend the fingers. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1010/1*jC98WWv6HvkDrO6mh4Kzyw.png) To sum up, we should pay attention to the two contact points between our left hand and the viola neck, the movements of our fingers while playing, and the ways of training the fingers and pressing the strings. # Right Hand The way of holding the viola bow is not difficult. When we are holding the bow, our right thumb should be placed close to the middle finger on the right hand. Also, the first knuckles of our index finger, middle finger and ring finger should be placed on the stick, and we need to cover the bow eye with our ring finger. Besides, the balance point is on the fingertip of our little finger. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1182/1*WaHNH1zU5Hvo0bGeSkkATA.png) We need to make sure that our fingers are isolated from one another. Likewise, the back of our right hand, our wrist and our forearm should be in a line, and we should not stretch the fingers on the right hand. During the practicing of holding the bow, we can hold the right wrist with our left hand, place the bow on the shoulder, and bend our wrist up and down. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1304/1*8mnDip4WagIqJWhAAmRV8A.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1324/1*vMI6UIBmbDTQGa2_j8F7PA.png) We can also move our wrist back and forth. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*pIzA30cGCTcb7B12HYy06g.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1302/1*GB3mleCFFLllKJsqeV7sog.png) The flexibility of our fingers on the right hand can be increased in this way. We should not hold the bow too tightly while playing. When we are holding the handrail on the subway, we tend not to hold it firmly. Likewise, our right hand tend to be relaxed while holding the viola bow. Then, when we place the bow on the shoulder, we can try to lift our index finger and ring finger at the same time, or middle finger and little finger in the meanwhile, to understand the “independence” of the fingers. Remember not to apply too much strength to the bow. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*KO73J8bP73PXzh7qunWmHA.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*mtnXpRvYBgjHrWf1IQrIxQ.png) Later, we can rotate our wrist in this way while holding the bow: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Bn75ouCPJWkS0J-iZGd3TA.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*TXEQn02DBCJl0X-g8TPAFw.png) The balance point is on the fingertip of our little finger. Some viola players may lift their little finger when holding the bow, which does not influence their playing. But for students, they need to train their fingers and form a good habit of holding the bow, so they should place their little finger on the stick. Doing the movements correctly is more important for young learners. They are supposed to know how to play with the bow flexibly at the beginning. Young learners can use tools to help them hold the bow correctly. Actually, they are likely to form a good habit of holding the bow in two or three weeks if they use the methods of practice mentioned above. For those learners who started to learn the viola at an early age, they can place their thumb on the bottom of the frog at the beginning and get used to the hand position first. After increasing the flexibility in their fingers, they can place their thumb on the stick. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1238/1*Fo9jX4ISuPuDiw-sPxo6HQ.png) The most important thing is being relaxed while holding the bow. Imagine that we are twirling walnuts in our hand. Then we can understand how to relax the right hand. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*72ElmzULRM94LROrck8sKw.png) # Chin Rest There are many different types of chin rests. The one I use is a Stradivari-style chin rest. The Guarneri-style chin rest is also popular. The chin rest can make us play more comfortably. Actually, the ancient viola did not have a chin rest. Also, playing ancient music did not require players to change the positions frequently. No matter which brand of chin rest we are using, we should know that when we hold the viola, the tailpiece should be vertical to the midline of our body. Our head should not tilt. What’s more, the chin rest of the viola should not be placed too high. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*4bB5XHkuRkljXxCquUhQEA.png) # Shoulder Rest Personally, I use the shoulder rest while playing. Some teachers do not use shoulder rests. Shoulder rest is an important tool which can prevent slipping and help us relax while playing. A shoulder rest of high quality should not fall off the viola after several hours of playing. Also, the height should be adjustable. My favorite brand of the shoulder rest is Pedi. For teachers, they are supposed to know how to adjust the angle of the shoulder rest. The concave side of the shoulder rest should be placed on the shoulder while playing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1*z9CLra88rlCfDtE5XeZCAg.png) For students, the height of the shoulder rest should not be too high, and the angle is also important. Actually, they can start from using sponges. # Holding the Viola When holding the viola, our head should not tilt. We are supposed to tilt the instrument to the left, and the angle between the viola and our body right front should be 45 to 55 degrees. The angle tends to be a little bigger sometimes. If the angle is too small, the quality of the sound produced and the tension of the instrument may be affected. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*ZlgtK-aI8UUsU8J-bRNaFg.png) We are supposed not to look at the instrument while playing, but when we need to look at the viola, we should turn our head in this way: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*DpoLN3gybv9EWyv6lfo5MA.png) Our neck should be in contact with the lower bout of the instrument. Both our head and shoulder should be relaxed. Besides, the angle between our forearm and upper arm should be smaller than 90 degrees. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*4S4IHGfgNg8mIkM-bsU2jg.png) Otherwise, we cannot play the viola comfortably. For young learners, if the angle is bigger than 90 degrees, it means that the instrument being played is too big for them. Playing on an oversized instrument can make young learners develop bad habits. During playing, the back of our hand, the wrist and the elbow should be in a line. If the viola is too big, the hand position, the flexibility in our fingers and the speed of playing can be affected. In addition, during playing, we should make sure that the viola strings are parallel to the ground. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Vb6A3LnLruAc9kd8flPAXQ.png) # Posture Your temperament can be observed from your posture. Posture training is significant to every viola learner. Once students start to learn viola, they are supposed to improve their posture. We should stand still with our feet shoulder width apart while playing. Our left foot can tilt a little bit, and the angle between the foot and the midline of our body can be about 30 degrees. When we are on stage and facing the audience, our body can turn 45 degrees left so that we can be seen from every direction. We need to look at the audience and be gracious. We should convey the feeling that the thing we cherish the most is about to be dedicated to the audience. # Breathing We can take a deep breath before performing to relieve tension. But once we are already on stage, we should avoid deep breathing, or we may need more time to get ready for the playing. When we are on stage, we can increase the breathing rate and try belly breathing to relieve tension. During playing, the rhythm of our breathing should match the rhythm of the music. Breathing can help us express the emotions while playing. Also, we can collaborate better with others if we know how to breathe while playing. All viola players should practice breathing. When we are playing phrases with upbeats, downbeats, syncopation or accents, like the beginning of Walton’s viola concerto, we should pay more attention to the breathing. Viola teachers should teach their students to breathe properly while playing every phrase. # Bowing In Mr Fu Tong Wong’s books, he introduced the pithy formulas of bowing, which are good for students to understand the movements. When it comes to bowing, many viola teachers will teach their students how to change the bow. They will focus on the movements of fingers and wrist. On the purpose of training, it really benefits students. In my opinion, when we are changing the bow, our fingers on the right hand should be flexible, but they should not move. Unnecessary movements should be avoided. Also, I prefer the way of playing the cello when playing the viola, which is to say, the hand position should not change. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*xt0C6DPPgk1Ehjt5L5FiBQ.png) When we are playing, our arm should not be stretched. There should always be an angle between the upper arm and the forearm, or our arm may be stiff. Some students have bad habits while playing, for example, the movements of their elbow may be unnatural, as shown in the pictures below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*LFtbZNDc6BPK8yaXlEznHQ.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*4D69kwZVrd_DMwbN8ubyUg.png) We need to pay attention to the movements of the upper arm while shifting the strings. Also, we should notice the movements of the forearm while changing the bow. We can imagine that the camera lens is a mirror. Then we can use this mirror to check the movements. The bow should be kept straight while playing. When we reach the bow tip, the stick is parallel to the upper arm. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*5H_MpPFbEzyN3uKLPaDzZg.png) When we reach the middle of the bow, the stick is still parallel to the upper arm, and the angle between our upper arm and forearm is 90 degrees. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Lp9E1p50tViS8ahJauijhg.png) When we reach the frog, the bow tip, our right hand and our elbow should be in a line. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*aKMSzpymTooKaVNAO768kg.png) This is a simple and effective way to check our movements of bowing. Then we can make adjustments. ![](Q & A Session) Audience: What should I do if I cannot bend the little finger on the right hand? Wing Ho: I had a student who has big hands and short little fingers, and his little fingers are crooked. We need to train the fingers and solve the problem. As I mentioned above, we can bend our fingers like scratching an itch. Many problems can be solved if we do train our fingers in this way. Audience: What if my thumb falls off the stick when I hold the bow? Wing Ho: We can see the contact point between our thumb and the bow in the picture below. Our thumb should be placed there. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*zclS59ZJc9lT1BvxllOTsg.png) If we are using a new bow and feeling pain when placing the thumb on it, we can sand it and round off the sharp corners. # Music Q&A ** Audience: What if I cannot reach the bow tip while playing? ** Wing Ho: There can be various reasons behind the problem. Maybe the bow you use is too long for you. Then you should switch to a shorter one. On the other hand, sometimes it is not necessary to reach the bow tip. Our arm should not be stretched while playing. ** Audience: I am a college student. There are still problems with the movements of my hands. What should I do? ** Wing Ho: Actually, all viola players can try the ways of training the fingers that I introduced today. If we can understand the ways well, many problems can be solved. ** Audience: When we are playing the A string, should we change the contact points between our hand and the viola neck? ** Wing Ho: The instrument is not fixed at the contact points. When we are holding the handrail on the subway, we tend not to hold it firmly. Likewise, our left hand tend to be relaxed while holding the viola. No matter where we place the neck, the index finger should always be placed above the strings. Also, when we hold the bow, I recommend that we place the first knuckles of the fingers on the stick, but the contact points between the fingers and the stick are not fixed. We should know the right hand position while holding the bow. ** Audience: When I hold the viola, the scroll of the instrument is placed low. What should I do to solve the problem? ** Wing Ho: Maybe your viola is too big for you, or you did not hold it in a right way. Our neck should be in contact with the lower bout of the instrument when we hold the viola. ** Audience: Where should I place my left thumb when holding the viola? ** Wing Ho: As I mentioned above, the contact point between the thumb and the neck is above the first knuckle of the thumb. In this way, our thumb can be more flexible when changing the positions. We can train our left thumb by moving it back and forth when holding the instrument. ** Audience: How to select suitable viola bows for children? ** Wing Ho: There are several sizes for viola bows. I will talk about the sizes in detail in next sessions. ** Audience: How to adjust the parts of the viola? ** Wing Ho: You may get help from your viola teacher. Every viola teacher is supposed to know about the adjustment and maintenance of the instrument. The viola bridge is likely to fall out of its place after some time. We are supposed to adjust it regularly. When we adjust the bridge, we can place the viola on the lap, grip the bridge with both hands and put it back in place. Then we can check if it is vertical to the body of the viola. ** Audience: My hands are sore after playing the viola for some time. What should I do to relieve the pain? ** Wing Ho: If our hands are flexible enough, we will not get tired after playing the instrument. But if our hands are stiff, we are likely to get tired easily. When we are playing the viola, our neck, back, shoulders and hands should all be connected to each other. A friend of mine said that the rooms in a castle were interconnected. Our body is like a castle, and the body parts I mentioned above should be connected to each other when playing the viola. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # All about Viola | Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola ｜ Wing-Ho Viola Teaching Class Part 1 - URL: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-tips-about-enlightenment-teaching-of-viola - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/all-about-viola-master-class-tips-about-enlightenment-teaching-of-viola.md - Published: 2020-06-17 - Summary: Wing Ho is a professor of viola in Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). To set an overall goal of t # First Class: Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola Wing Ho is a professor of viola in Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). To set an overall goal of teaching for all viola teachers, he will give a series of Violy master classes focusing on viola teaching. There will be eight parts in total. In the first four parts, he will talk about issues related to basic teaching of viola. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*li8qvAq3rW1MwdF0nxGi1w.png) Content of Wing Ho's lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Dear teachers and friends, good evening. I am very honored to be here and share my views on viola teaching, which is concerned by all of us. In this Violy master class, we can discuss why not the enlightenment teaching of viola has developed well. Actually, I used to play the violin and switched to viola later. Violin was my undergraduate major and I was the concertmaster in the college orchestra. But I switched to viola for my master's degree simply because I loved the instrument. **It is very important to choose a suitable instrument.** Let's start the lecture and talk about elements related to enlightenment teaching of viola. # Does Viola Playing Require Special Physiological Conditions? Just like basketball players, those who are tall with sharp minds and flexible limbs are definitely suitable for playing the viola. But in fact, most world-famous violists are not tall, and most of them are female. Those who play the viola professionally are used to customizing their own instruments. The length range of the body is 405–420 mm, which is the most commonly used. Of course, the bigger the viola, the louder and deeper the sound. Selecting suitable instruments according to the players' body build is the most important. **Some parents may let their children play on a bigger viola first and adapt to it gradually, which is very inadvisable.** Children are likely to get tired from playing on bigger instruments, have incorrect postures, and have a pain in the neck or even ache all over. **In my opinion, viola playing does not require special physiological conditions.** The most suitable physiological conditions are: · Higher height; · Longer arms and bigger hands; · Longer little fingers will be even better. But children with smaller hands, especially those whose little fingers are shorter, can also meet technical standards after being specially trained. # Viola Sight Reading There are two types of sight reading: · For those who switch to viola from violin; · For those who start to learn viola from scratch. Four open strings of violin are “GDAE”, while that of viola are “CGDA”. **The most effective method to memorize the fingering is to combine positions of notes in the staff and the corresponding fingering together.** Students are supposed to train themselves in this way from the beginning. Find the positions of notes in the staff and the pitch names in the following picture: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1026/1*tOmEpdNorRvsvlfVV4Rjtw.png) We can ask students to start from easy etudes and mark more fingering on the sheet music first. Then we should let them reduce the number of marks and gradually develop the habit of music reading. For example, as long as they can do the sight reading of Wohlfahrt's *Etude №1* completely, they can move on to *Etude №2*. After being able to do the sight reading of ten or more etudes, they are likely to form the habit of reading music. Children have a good memory, but are not willing to read music at the beginning. Therefore, some students may memorize the whole sheet music after practicing for several times. When they are playing in viola lessons, they seem to look at the sheet music, but in fact, they are just doing the "recite-playing". When the viola teacher tells them that there are wrong notes, they cannot even find where the wrong notes are. # The Requirements of Music Reading Once students start to learn viola, they are supposed to understand the meaning of all marking on the sheet music and form the habit of reading music as soon as possible. The habit of reading music plays *a foundational role* in enhancing the ability of sight reading, improving the accuracy of playing, and playing professionally in the future. # Start to Learn Viola from the Scratch In fact, for me, the viola teaching in Western countries is worth learning. Currently, my country has already had the condition to learn from other countries. The optimal choice is learning viola from the beginning, which can avoid the mental imbalance of switching from violin to viola. **I strongly recommend students learn viola from the scratch.** First of all, we should make sure to **select viola of the right size for children**. I would like to share my own methods here. The measurement of size of viola is different from that of violin. Violin sizes are measured as 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16, while viola sizes are calculated by inch, such as 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 inches. However, even though we use this method, we cannot accurately calculate the exact size of viola for children of different build. Later I will introduce a simple measuring method, which can help viola teachers select suitable small-sized violas for students. **Picking viola strings for small-sized violas is another significant step.** It also greatly affects the popularization of viola in China. Viola strings for adults cannot produce sound on small-sized violas, because small instruments do not have enough tension. If we use violin strings on small violas and replace the G string with C string of viola, we cannot play the instrument well, because the tension does not match. Currently, we have already developed viola strings for small-sized violas using high-tech measures. The strings have been used for over eight years on the market, which are mature products and can completely meet the demands of children who use small-sized violas. As consumables, strings need to be changed after being used for some time, even though they are not broken then. Since strings are likely to produce muffled sound, go out of tune or even become unresponsive after being used for a long time, we should always prepare a set of spare strings. # Sounding Point The contact position of bow hair on viola strings is a little lower than that on violin strings, which is mainly to increase the natural weight. The distance between the viola bow and the bridge is supposed to be closer than that between the violin bow and the bridge. There are five contact positions of bow hair on viola strings between the fingerboard and the bridge, among which the optimal ones are the third and the fourth contact positions. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*hFwvRidiZi3nbd2qhnvI2Q.png) # Suggested Viola Books for Viola Beginners There are a variety of books for viola beginners and most of them are in foreign languages. First, I would like to introduce Tutorial of Advanced Viola Training edited by Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM). In my opinion, this set of books is comprehensive with additional etudes and other pieces. There is also another set of high-quality viola books edited by SHCM, which is called Tutorial of Basic Viola Training. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/840/1*CAaZfAqfJgLhIvkHVBT2Jg.png) As for foreign viola books, the most popular set of books is *Suzuki Viola School*. The author paid much attention to the selection of pieces. There are warm-up exercises for each piece. I think the teaching effect of this handy set of books will be better if some traditional etudes are included. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/822/1*YvnnvfgxvSC6EREwNU9nsg.png) Another set of viola books I would like to recommend is **The Sassmannshaus Tradition: Early Start on the Viola**. It contains a variety of pieces with illustrations. The sheet music is exquisite. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/800/1*WczsDSUmQhu2jjCktkzsLg.png) Also, for groups like junior orchestras in school, they use tutorials of learning string instruments from scratch for group teaching. Many teachers misunderstand that textbooks of grading test are training tutorials. Here I do not make comments on grading tests, but I think **textbooks of grading test cannot be used as systematic learning tutorials**. I recommend teachers use **western music for enlightenment teaching** instead of Chinese folk songs, because Chinese songs contain a great number of glissandi and notes producing unsteady sounds, which can impact on students' learning in the future. # Questions Related to Small-sized Violas Now I would like to introduce the measuring method I mentioned above in detail. In my opinion, *children must have instruments of suitable sizes in all stages of music learning*, which can improve the comfortableness and help them give full play to their performing skills in all stages. Small-sized violas have ten sizes in total: from 400 mm, the smallest size, to 620 mm. A difference of 20 mm exists between every two adjacent sizes. All students of three to fourteen years old can find suitable sizes for themselves. The measuring method is as follows: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/788/1*kkVgBVS3XOaGpLjzF_DtoA.png) The length range of violas of all sizes is as follows: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/494/1*yX7o4SmtMshWSrlVU-0vgA.png) How do we confirm whether the size of viola is suitable or not? Let's have a look at the picture below: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/812/1*NLnI91-vaCHM_OT6VuhYuA.png) # Solfege, Music Theory and Rhythm Training Solfege, music theory and rhythm should be learned in the meanwhile. It is better if students can lay a good foundation for viola learning in advance. In the beginning stage, teachers can introduce basic music theory and rhythm training into the teaching during viola lessons. Students should be trained to learn solfege by professional teachers. The process can be long and slow, so teachers are not supposed to push their students too hard. Actually, **every time when students enter a different stage, the auditory function of their ears will improve in some degree**. This step is vital for every young learner. # Solve the Problems Related to Viola Teachers Violin teachers who teach viola at the same time should recognize the similarities and differences between violin playing and viola playing. They are supposed to know more about literature on viola, have a rich repertoire and understand how to select suitable etudes and other pieces for students. Besides, viola teachers should be clear about how to choose instruments of right sizes for students. Also, teachers are supposed to know more about the adjustment and maintenance of the instrument, such as tuning and adjusting the angle of the sound-post and the bridge. What's more, during viola lessons, viola teachers should communicate well with both students and their parents verbally and mentally. They can make friends with students but are supposed to know their positions as teachers. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## All About Viola - Viola Teaching Class [**All about Viola 1 ｜ Tips about Enlightenment Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Tips-about-Enlightenment-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 2 ｜ Basic Teaching of Viola**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Basic-Teaching-of-Viola/) [**All about Viola 3 ｜ Viola Bowing Techniques**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/07/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Bowing-Techniques/) [**All about Viola 4 ｜ Movements of the Left Hand**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Movements-of-the-Left-Hand/) [**All about Viola 5 ｜ Viola Exercises for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Exercises-for-Beginners/) [**All about Viola 6 ｜ Common Viola Repertoire Catalog**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/09/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Viola-Repertoire-Catalog/) [**All about Viola 7-8 ｜ Music Learning and Career Choice**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/10/All-about-Viola-Master-Class-Music-Learning-and-Career-Choice/) ## More Violy Master Class Articles: [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) [**Violin Master Class - Gu YingLong**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/06/Violin-Master-Class-GuYingLong/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy Master Class of Violin | Gu Yinglong - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-master-class-guyinglong - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-master-class-guyinglong.md - Published: 2020-06-01 - Summary: Gu Yinglong is a famous violin educator. In this Violy master class, he shared some tips about how t # Improve the Efficiency of Violin Practice Gu Yinglong is a famous violin educator. In this Violy master class, he shared some tips about how to practice violin correctly and efficiently. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*5hjKlZQxk2W5HgWPMbicBA.png) Content of Gu Yinglong's lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Young learners, teachers and parents, good evening! I am very glad to be here and talk about the art of violin. Tonigh, **my topic is "how to improve the efficiency of violin practice"**. I think the key points are normative hand positions, accuracy and methods. Let's start from the hand positions. # Improve Your Intonation by Correcting the Left Hand Position When it comes to the left hand position, students are most likely to have wrong thumb positions when holding the violin. Some students hold the neck tightly, and their thumb is stretched. Actually, there is space between your left thumb and index finger when you are holding the neck. The contact position of your thumb on the fingerboard should be slightly tilted, so your thumb is naturally placed on the neck. Besides, wrong position of left little finger is another problem which is most likely to arise among students. It is not a good habit to hook up your little finger or put it beneath the fingerboard while playing. Our little finger should be relaxed and placed above the fingerboard. Like Professor Lin Yaoji said, the four fingers should be in a line. Our left hand should open up and all the fingers should be placed above the fingerboard getting prepared to play, like an open umbrella. Actually, we need to press the strings with our finger tips. If we press a little harder, we can see the marks on our finger tips. Therefore, our index finger should tilt a little bit, with the first knuckle being placed on the neck. All fingers on our left hand should keep in the motion of knocking instead of being placed vertically on the fingerboard. Only in this way can we improve our intonation comfortably and conveniently with normative hand positions. ## Why Do We Have Poor Intonation? In my opinion, it is because some students do not pay attention to their playing and some teachers ignore the fact as well. I would like to give an example here: Once I met a student who played skillfully. He marked the fingering with a pencil on the sheet music. So I asked him: "Your intonation is not good. How long have you been learning the violin?" He said: "I've been learning for three years." I answered: "Then you should have good intonation, but why are you still struggling with it? What are you looking at during playing? The fingering or the sheet music?" He said: "The fingering." Did this happen to other teachers? If you see a student whose sheet music is filled with pencil marks of fingering, you are supposed to erase those marks for him or her. Here are other interesting examples: Many students apply wide tapes on the fingerboard to mark positions. I met quite a few students who play skillfully but have poor intonation. It turned out that most of them look at the tapes while playing. The tapes are supposed to be used by violin beginners in the first three months. Later, students should be able to listen to their playing instead of relying on the tapes. Students need to master two things in advance: the correct finger position and the right feeling of pitch. I suggest learners not apply tapes but use correction pen to dot the positions (as shown below), and after three months, these dots should only be seen by the students' parents. If learners get used to the marks, they will not listen to their playing carefully, and their intonation will never be improved. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/620/1*ofUXFx2qXP209o9kVtEHlA.png) It is even more strange that some students play well but cannot tell at once what the pitch is when I point at a note on the sheet music. They need to read the whole piece again, and only then can they tell me the pitch. These students have learned the violin for years and play skillfully, but they are not able to read music well. They memorize the sheet music without understanding what they play, just like some people memorize what they read mechanically but do not know the meaning of the words. Therefore, **teachers need to notice the fact that some students never think during playing. They are supposed to help the learners avoid that.** What's more, some students try to find the right finger positions one by one when playing the violin. It is not right. All our fingers should get prepared before pressing the strings. Then, we need to pay attention to the "independence" of fingers during the process of practicing slowly. ## What Is the "Independence" of Fingers? **The "independence" of fingers means the fingers should be isolated from one another**. My daughter Gu Wenlei went to Beijing to learn from Professor Lin Yaoji at the age of eight. Professor Lin asked her to practice Kreutzer's Etude №9 slowly for six months, which was to help her understand the "independence" of fingers and grasp the skill. I would like to emphasize that our fingers should not move randomly. The "independence" of fingers is very important in the art of violin. No matter which etude we are working on, we are supposed to avoid moving fingers randomly. All our fingers should get prepared and be "independent". Meanwhile, no matter which finger position we are playing on, the first finger should always stay there, which is also important. Besides, intonation is a "one-off deal", which means once you start playing, it is already decided. Therefore, we need to think while playing. Some learners tend to play fast in daily practice. As a result, they neglect the intonation. I would like to tell all students that **practicing slowly is a "secret weapon"**. Only practicing slowly can help you make progress. Also, we need to pay attention to our intonation, which means we should find **the right pitch using eyes, mind and fingers**, and then we should keep the whole system in the mind. Professor Lin said: **Practicing the violin is like training the mind**. ## What Is the Best Practicing Method and What Is the Worst? In my opinion, the worst practicing method is playing a piece to the end time after time; while the best method is to **select the difficult parts of the sheet music, practice them slowly and constantly check the intonation by playing the open strings**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*7qrvupBRFSkIj3getoK6SA.png) # The Basic Skills of the Right Hand Now let's talk about the right hand. Students are also most likely to have wrong positions of right thumb and little finger. When they hold the bow, their right thumb tends to be stretched and tense. It is wrong. Our right thumb should touch both the frog and the stick. As for the little finger, students especially beginners should make sure that their right little finger is placed on the stick naturally instead of being straightened. Also, the index finger should be put on the stick gently. I would like to give some advice to all learners. When you are playing the violin, **the back of your right hand should keep flat, your palm should move outwards, and your forearm should be leading the move**. Regardless of bow changing, string shifting or position changing, we should always keep in mind that the small movements are driven by the bigger ones. **During practicing, there are three things we need to pay attention to:** When we are shifting the strings, we should do it gradually instead of changing suddenly. Other people who listen to your playing should not notice the changing. When we are **changing the positions**, we should do it **gently and slowly**. Other people are not supposed to notice what you are doing. When we are **changing the bow**, we should do it **naturally** instead of making squeaky sounds. Apart from what I mentioned above, we should also pay attention to the strength. First, we need to hold the bow with right strength. Second, we should put the violin on the shoulder gently. Third, left hand fingers should be placed on the fingerboard softly, and the left thumb should be put on the neck naturally. **Also, the movements of our right hand should be "flat, steady and straight".** Like Professor Lin said, the movements of the right hand should be "flat, steady and straight". "flat" refers to the four planes of four strings, and the three planes of two strings and the bow hair when we play double stops. The sound we produce on the violin can be beautiful if our right hand is relaxed while playing. When we are shifting the strings and changing the bow, we should know that the small movements are driven by bigger ones. The etudes we play are written for practice of different techniques, such as détaché, staccato and string shifting. Now I take Kreutzer's Etude №13 for an example and demonstrate the movements of string shifting. When we are about to shift the strings, we move our upper arm first, then we move the forearm. The movements are continuous. We should practice slowly and relax our shoulder and the whole arm, imagining that a drop of water flows from the shoulder to the fingers. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## The Practice of Détaché How can we practice détaché well? We need to "hang" the bow on the strings and put on the weight of the right arm and the bow. There are two things we need to do when playing détaché: **"hanging" and "dragging"**. "dragging" means that we are supposed to use the whole bow instead of a few parts. Technically, we play with our forearm when using the upper half of the bow; when we use the lower half, we play with our upper arm. We should pay attention to the movements of our wrist when playing in the middle of the bow. The wrist should not be stiff. During playing, we should keep the seven planes I mentioned above in mind. ## The Coordination of Our Left Hand and Right Hand All fingers on our left hand should get prepared in advance so that we can find the right pitches at once. During my playing, I adjust the movements of my whole left hand in time without moving my fingers randomly. Why do I do this way? Because when we are shifting the strings, our fingers may be placed vertically on the fingerboard. Adjusting the movements of the whole hand can help us avoid wrong finger positions. Besides, when it comes to bowing, we should follow Professor Lin's advice: flat, steady and straight. "flat" refers to the planes I mentioned above. "steady" means the sound we produce should be steady. "straight" means the bow should be kept straight while playing. In other words, the bow should not be slanted or flipped. During playing, the bow should be placed on the strings stably. When we are playing chords, our shoulder needs to be relaxed and the bow should have a "soft landing" on the strings. In a word, **being relaxed and thinking** while playing are the most important things we need to keep in mind. ## Staccato Explosiveness is crucial to the playing of staccato. Explosiveness consists of 90% relief and 10% tension. My friend, Professor Liu Dahan from Xinghai Conservatory of Music, told me that the playing of staccato requires three movements: pressing, playing and releasing. Professor Liu's words do make sense. When we are playing staccato, we press the strings and use the bow, then we need to let the bow glide as soon as the sound is produced. ## Trill How can we play trill fast? There is only one way: keeping the finger pressed on the string relaxed. # Q & A Session Violy team: Many students find that their movements are unnatural or stiff while playing vibrato. How can we practice vibrato? Gu Yinglong: Vibrato is an important violin technique. Currently, many students including those from music conservatories have trouble dealing with the skill. Last year, I attended the annual conference of Guangdong Violin Education Society and discussed the styles of vibrato with other teachers. Which style should we choose, finger vibrato, arm vibrato or wrist vibrato? Here I would like to make it clear that ways of vibrato playing are changing. We need to combine all three styles. Professor Lin Yaoji said: the breeze stirs the leaves, the wind moves the branches, the gale sways the trunk. The styles of vibrato change according to the dynamics in sheet music. Our fingers should move in a "parallel" way instead of applying strength to the fingerboard. The godmother of violin, Professor DeLay from Julliard School asked her students to set the metronome at 60 BPM and practice vibrato on the fourth position by moving the finger up and down. I have my own method, which is taught by my violin teacher Tang Long. This method fits every violin player. Here are the movements: First, put the violin on the shoulder without placing your chin on the chin rest. Then, move your first finger from the first position to the highest position. You can speed up during the process and make the movements smaller. Next, return to the third position and move your finger up and down continuously. Likewise, you can speed up and make the movements smaller. Finally, place your chin on the chin rest, play a long note and listen to your playing. You can practice vibrato in the way I provided twice a day. Practice it for three minutes each time and continue to do it for three months. Then you can master the skill. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} We call the method "cod-liver oil practice". If we take 2 capsules of cod-liver oil each day and continue to do it for a month, our health condition will be better. Likewise, if we continue to do this "cod-liver oil practice" for three months, we can play vibrato well. In addition, I would like to re-emphasize that smaller movements are driven by bigger ones when we shift the strings and change positions. What's more, our fingers should get prepared before playing. We are supposed to keep in mind that our left hand needs to get prepared before the right hand does, and our mind needs to get prepared before the hands do. Violy team: How can we play music beautifully and express the musicality? Gu Yinglong: It is all about the expression of music. We should make it clear to students that **all the techniques serve music**. When we are playing music, we should visualize a scene. For example, I played Fishing Boat in the Sunset just now. During playing, I visualized the scene that I was standing on the Yellow Crane Tower, looking at the Yangtze River and thinking of my departed friends. Then I brought the feelings into the prelude of the piece. All the etudes and other pieces contain emotions. G string has a deep sound, while E string has a vibrant sound. There are also markings of dynamics on the sheet music. Like Professor Lin said, **when we see the markings of forte and piano, we should do our utmost to express the emotions behind**. We need to express the emotions of each piece correctly. I held a special concert celebrating my 80th birthday in Guangzhou Xinghai Concert Hall on December 19th, 2019. I intended to play Butterfly Lovers with orchestra in my concert. Before that I practiced at home but found that every time when I played the cadenza, I was not satisfied with my playing. Then I asked my wife: "why can't I get satisfying playing of the cadenza?" My wife said: " Because you only focus on skills during playing but ignore the music itself! The cadenza is like a colorful painting. You can see the beautiful scenery after playing it with emotions." Later, I found that I can play the cadenza well every time. Many students have a shortcoming that they never play with emotions. We should ask them to do the sight-singing before playing and put emotions into it. **Imagination is the impetus of music**. As for the definition of musical emotion, it can be explained by an example. Once a virtuoso was playing Xiao Song's Poem, his student asked what the piece expresses. The virtuoso said the work expresses "love" from beginning to end. Love is an eternal theme, whose opposite is hatred. We should present the most beautiful music to the audience. Violy team: Some students express the musicality well at home, but when they are on stage, they are not able to do it. How can we solve this problem? Gu Yinglong: This is a good question. Why can't students express the musicality well on stage? **Because they are distracted by other thoughts**, such as worrying about making mistakes or playing out of tune. When we are on stage, we are supposed to drop all these thoughts and focus on music only. We should have a positive attitude and hold the view that we need to present the best music to our audience. My daughter Gu Wenlei told me that **when we are on stage, we should have three things: aura, vigor and temperament**. At the end of this lecture, I want to tell all students, parents and teachers: a famous music educator said that **if there is no enthusiasm or excitement, there will be no music**. If there are scenes in our mind, there will be music. Audience: How to solve the problem of "breathing" during playing? Gu Yinglong: The breathing between phrases is very important! I remember that when my sister Professor Gu Xiaomei took her first violin lesson in the United States, her violin teacher was talking about the breathing. Breathing exists between phrases and even rests, which is to arouse the emotions. We should keep in mind that **where there is breathing, there will be emotions**. Audience: How to find the direction during the process of practicing spiccato? Gu Yinglong: There are various kinds of spiccato. Generally speaking, our right hand should be relaxed while playing spiccato. We should find the bounce point and balance point of the bow. Some violin teachers ask students to find "the point of weightlessness" of the bow while practicing slowly, which is a high requirement. When we are playing spiccato, we should keep the bow hair flat and place it close to the bridge. Audience: When it comes to rhythm, what should we pay attention to while practicing? Gu Yinglong: Rhythm is significant. **Parents and teachers should urge the students to use metronome frequently**! During practicing, it is important for students to find the right beats, so they are able to know if their playing is on the beat or not. What's more, violin teachers should pay much attention to shorter beats and always keep shorter beats in mind. For example, the rhythm of violin concertos composed by Mendelssohn and Lalo is difficult to grasp. If we do not have shorter beats in mind, we cannot play the pieces well. Audience: Many children never practice on their own initiative. How to solve this problem? Gu Yinglong: **Sometimes parents are to blame, because their children have no idea about the benefits of violin learning**. The violin is one of the most precious gifts that parents give to children. I used to teach the child of Mr. Huang, the vice president of Sun Yat-Sen University. The child learned violin for one year. He was not willing to continue his learning when he was in the first grade of primary school. After entering the college, he found that there are orchestras in every university, which made him feel envious. Then he asked his father: "Why didn't you make me continue learning?" His father said: "You said you were not willing to learn." Later, the child got angry and said: "**I was young and naive at that moment, but you should not have let me give up**." I can tell you that there are tens of thousands of benefits of violin learning, but in my opinion, the most important one is "happiness". Once you start to learn violin, the happiness will be with you all the time. I must tell you that as long as you learn violin, you are likely to be respected by others. People will think that you are a person with high quality, good taste and high accomplishment. Children may be too young to understand what the benefits are, but parents are supposed to tell them. Of course learning violin is a tough journey. Parents need to comfort and encourage children during the process of learning. Also, parents should take children to more concerts. I know a father whose child learns double bass and plays well in orchestra. But one day the father asked the child to stop learning. The father said that unless his son could get the first place in the school exam, he cannot continue learning. Exam-oriented education does great harm to children. Even parents have no idea what counts more. I would like to tell you that happiness is the most important benefit. Learning the violin brings a lifetime of happiness to children. Thanks for Mr. Gu's brilliant sharing! Please stay tuned for the next Violy master class. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Viola Master Class - Ho Wing**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # 5 Tips on How to Play Vibrato on String Instruments - URL: https://violy.app/blog/5-tips-on-how-to-vibrato - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/5-tips-on-how-to-vibrato.md - Published: 2020-05-11 - Summary: Many string instrument players find it difficult to grasp vibrato, one of the most important techniq # How to Play Vibrato? Many string instrument players find it difficult to grasp vibrato, one of the most important techniques. For violin beginners, learning to play vibrato is a key step. Those who master this skill can make their playing more expressive. In this article, we will introduce the tips you need to know about playing vibrato. # An Introduction of Vibrato on String Instruments Vibrato is a musical effect consisting of a regular change of pitch. It is used to add expression to instrumental music. Vibrato is typically characterized in terms of two factors: the amount of pitch variation ("extent of vibrato") and the speed with which the pitch is varied ("rate of vibrato"). Here are viola professor Wing Ho's demonstrations of not doing vibrato and doing vibrato. We can see the differences. **No vibrato demonstration** {% raw %}
{% endraw %} **Vibrato demonstration** {% raw %}
{% endraw %} Players tend to wobble the finger which stops the string on the fingerboard when producing vibrato, or move the finger up and down for a wider vibrato. # Styles of Vibrato on Violin There are three styles of vibrato on violin. ## 1. Wrist Vibrato Using the wrist only, this style of vibrato is usually fast but shallow. It allows the violin player to produce intense sound, and it is useful when playing a faster and more lively song. Wrist vibrato adds color and charm. ## 2. Arm Vibrato Using the arm only, this style of vibrato is slower and broader. To achieve this method, players use arm movements, and keep their fingers stabilized in place. Arm vibrato is perfect for slow, sad and heart-wrenching pieces. It adds depth and emotion. ## 3. A Combination of Arm and Wrist Most players use a combination of both styles. Advanced violinists are very efficient at using both their arms and wrists to achieve optimal vibrato. Depending on the piece, emotion and intensity, professional violinists combine the two styles effectively when playing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*0neFncnthiNRbPSZ5pO-gw.png) # Violin Teachers' Tips of Playing Vibrato ## 1. Make sure your left hand, wrist, and arm are completely relaxed. To start practicing vibrato on violin, you can try to move your hand and arm all the way up the violin neck slowly, then towards the body of the violin, and later, back down towards the scroll. This exercise can be done in two ways:  1). Keep a finger on the string without pushing the string down;  2). Relax your hand slightly above the string with no finger contact. Add the bow while you keep moving your arm up and down. Your vibrato on violin may not sound pleasant at first, but it will get improved if you keep doing the exercise above. ## 2. Start with one finger and then move to other fingers. Put your second finger on the string and use your wrist to make broad, slow, and relaxed movements back and forth with your hand. Keep the arm stable. Make sure your hand only moves backwards (towards the scroll) and returns to original position. This exercise should be completed every day without the bow. You need to practice using all four fingers and all four strings later. Typically, the second and third fingers are the easiest ones, while the first and the fourth are more difficult. Violin students should spend a couple of minutes every day on this exercise and continue to do it for several weeks before adding any other vibrato skills. What should be paid attention to is that **vibrato movements never move forward on violin**. Therefore, do not let your finger roll past the original point of the note. This is for intonation purposes. To make sure your wrist and arm stay in a good position, your wrist should not be collapsing towards the neck of the violin. It should remain stable during this exercise, and in line with your arm. This may take time to learn and conquer. If you are having difficulty, try to visualize that a string is attached to the knuckles on the back of your left hand, and then pull straight towards your scroll. ## 3. Add violin bow and change bow smoothly. Now you can add the violin bow while doing the exercises above. Try to change bow and play some notes at the same time. Keep up the good work and take it slow. You will get it soon. ## 4. Practice slow scales and easy pieces. When you are comfortable doing the exercises, the next step will be practicing the vibrato skills by playing slow scales, followed by a slow and easy piece or two. When you reach this stage, you can begin with songs that are not too difficult. In this way, you can focus on vibrato, rather than finding the right notes, producing good sound, or bowing correctly. ## 5. Don't give up. If you are having a hard time, go back to basics and start to play slowly again. Keep vibrato relaxed. Do not try to achieve the intense vibrato of the professionals until you have relaxed and controlled movements. Add speed to your vibrato gradually and with time, you will have a rich vibrato that adds color and depth to your playing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*hL6g3nKgdGr2xPNyJsTC4A.png) # Violin Beginners: Are We Ready for Vibrato? Many violin beginners are eager to jump into the vibrato technique. However, it is important that you are ready for this "big undertaking". One should develop a full tone before learning to play vibrato, as this will ensure that you sound the best. You should also have a solid understanding of positions. Besides, your wrist and arm need to have good forms, as this technique can be very strenuous on the muscles. If you can confidently check all these boxes, you are ready to learn the technique. Just remember to be patient with yourself. Don't push yourself too hard. Progress may be slow at first, but with practice, you will reach your goal. You can work closely with your violin teacher to come up with more exercises helping you master this skill. Also, we hope the tips provided above can help you get improved soon. Visit [Violy.app](http://violy.app/) for more~ Questions? Contact us at [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice/) / [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) / [WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+8613127960147) , or email us at Support@Violy.app # Have a HAPPY practice!! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Viola Master Class - Wing Ho**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/04/Viola-Master-Class-HoWing/) [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy Master Class of Viola | Ho Wing - URL: https://violy.app/blog/viola-master-class-howing - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/viola-master-class-howing.md - Published: 2020-04-21 - Summary: Wing Ho is a professor of viola in Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). In this Violy master class, # 3 Master Tips for Viola Players: Practicing Efficiency, Sight Reading, Musicality Wing Ho is a professor of viola in Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). In this Violy master class, he shared some tips about string instrument practicing, including the usage of some tools, advice on sight reading and expression of musicality. Content of Wing Ho’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Hello everyone, I am Wing Ho. I am very glad to be in Violy master class of viola and share my views. I would like to express my gratitude to Violy team and everyone who is here today. Thanks for providing me with the opportunity of sharing. My topic is **“practicing skills of string instruments”**. I will talk about **how to use tools to assist your practice and norms of sight reading**. I am a viola teacher myself. I can find that many Violy users are viola teachers or students, and there are also some violin students interested in viola. Therefore, I would like to give a brief introduction of the circumstance of viola in China. Currently, there are few good viola teachers in China, not to mention high-quality instruments, teaching materials, or accessories. Besides, we have never attended any viola recitals in China, and few students around us play the instrument. Some people even do not know viola at all. Actually, Viola is an important discipline in music conservatories. The instrument is indispensable in chamber orchestras. Let’s take the circumstance of viola in Beijing as an example. There are 16 grades in CCOM, among which the approximate number of viola students is 80. Adding up viola teachers in the college and performers in orchestra, there are around 100 people who play the viola in CCOM. The scale may be the largest in China. Outside CCOM, there are about 500 viola players in Beijing, who play in other colleges and orchestras as professional or amateur violists. In other cities, the number is even smaller. On the other hand, the teaching level of viola in China is high. The country’s viola teaching has international influence. There are Chinese violists winning prizes in almost every international viola contest, where there are Chinese judges as well. Viola students from China are popular internationally. Also, viola sections are the strongest in almost all domestically and globally well-known orchestras. Overall, China’s specialized teaching of viola does have strength. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*3XznVLPwxDQGh5NTTXQ_ug.png) # The Usage of Viola Tuner Let’s talk about the tuner first. When we are tuning, we usually regard A as standard pitch and tune other strings referring to A. This is the most professional, most standard and fastest tuning method. The reason why we regard A as standard pitch is that British Standards Institution (BSI) uniformly set A as standard pitch in 1939. Before 1939, the standard was various in different countries. The frequency of A is 440 Hz. Hertz (Hz) is a frequency unit, which is used to measure the number of vibrations per second. 1 Hz means 1 vibration per second. When the pitch of A goes up an octave, the frequency will become 880 Hz. The octave can be divided into 12 semitones, which indicates the concept of twelve-tone equal temperament. 440 times 2 and then divided by a power of 12, the result is exactly a semitone. Nowadays, many performers prefer the pitch of 442 Hz or even higher. This is because that people prefer the effect of brightness and excitement, and higher frequencies can help reach the effect. **A professional tuner should meet two requirements. First, it should show the frequency of pitch; second, it can be used to adjust the temperament.** Here I would like to introduce an app called ClearTune. It is available on iPhone and iPad. The range of this app is wide. The intervals of string instruments are quite special and natural. If we tune the instrument by ear and then use tuner to check the pitch, it is usually out of tune. This is very common. I prefer 442 Hz myself. When I tune my instrument using “String Family” feature in ClearTune app, I can get all four strings well-tuned. Then I use another tuner with twelve-tone equal temperament to check the pitches, and find that the frequency of the second string is 442 Hz, the third string close to 441 Hz, and the fourth string 440 Hz. The low pitch will get lower while the high pitch will become higher. You may try this out then. If you play the violin, viola or cello, you can check the frequency and listen to the quint while tuning. After tuning, you can play the pieces you like to feel the beautiful tone. **For string instrument players, intonation means achieving resonance. Our ultimate goal is to know the pitch by ear rather than rely on the tuner. Tuner is just a tool.** # Using Metronome during Viola Playing Several years ago, I used an app called Dr. Beat, which is very useful and fully-functional. It supports the combination of different rhythms. If you cannot find the app, try Tempo. It is very necessary to use metronome during our practicing, and we should form the habit of using it. **Metronome is important during the whole process of music learning, no matter which stage you are in.** Now let’s start with the origin of metronome. During the French Industrial Revolution in 1789, Napoleon paid great attention to the development of science and technology, and promoted the development of musical instruments, such as ancient pianos. The wooden soundboards were replaced by steel or iron plates, making tension and sound evolve into that of our current pianos. Then I must mention a great composer, Beethoven, who was born in 1770. When the French Industrial Revolution broke out, he was only 19 years old! The invention of metronome cannot be verified now. But we know its existence from Beethoven’s works. Beethoven is the earliest composer who used tempo marks. His piece, Symphony №8 in F Major, Op. 93: Tempo di minuetto, described the metronome at that moment. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1098/1*dabgfZSr2zx2vWfwqpnhMw.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*EhKWPqYjBXgtn6Q-quCO3w.png) This work was composed in 1812, which is to say, the metronome was invented before 1812. We can see the original speed of this work in the sheet music above. The BPM of the second movement is 88, which means 88 beats per minute. Metronome is widely used in music. Composers use it to mark the tempo and calculate the length of the piece. It is also used for dotting, splitting track and recording in the studio. For us, we use it to train our rhythm. **Here I would like to share two ways of using metronome to improve our playing.** By the way, I recommend you use digital metronome instead of mechanical metronome, since the latter one may produce incorrect tempo if it is not placed stably, while the former one produces clear sound and steady rhythm. **The first way is listening to shorter beats, counting longer beats and playing the piece.** For example, the piece we are playing is in 2/4 and the BPM is 70. We use metronome to count the shorter beats, which is to say that quavers are counted and the metronome ticks two times in one beat. Besides, we tap our foot, clap our hands or hum to count the longer beats, which is to say crotchets are counted. Then we can start to play. You can try this way. If you can hear the shorter beats while counting the longer beats, the music you play will always be in the framework of rhythm. **The second way is listening to longer beats, playing the piece and counting shorter beats.** For example, again, the piece is in 2/4 and the BPM is 70. We use metronome to count the crotchets. Then we start to play. At the same time, we hum or tap our foot to count quavers. **The second way is very useful since it can be more flexible in the framework of rhythm, which is to say, music should be played under the framework instead of being played randomly.** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*w9BIlRLxHFYBdm7Xz1QGxg.png) # Recording Videos of Yourself Playing Violin, Viola and Cello Recording your practicing can be an effective way to get improved. We all have smart phones now, in which there are apps for metronome, tuner, video playing and digital sheet music. What’s more, recording effects of the smart phone are great. We should make good use of the device. At the moment, teaching via video call is the choice of many teachers. I would like to give some advice to students based on this situation. First, realize the benefit of recording videos; Second, deal with the problems related to video recording; Third, check the videos after recording; Fourth, be aware of the ultimate goal of recording practicing videos. Recording videos can help reveal your authentic practicing, which is the benefit. You can notice the problems of your practicing when watching the recorded videos. Also, you can listen to your playing repeatedly and slow down the video playing to check your motions. This way is also universally used for sports training. As for the problems, sometimes the quality of videos is affected by practicing, and some students have no idea what they should pay attention to while watching the recorded video. Actually, the problems can be solved if the students realize the shortcomings of their own playing. I often tell my students about the major difference between professional and amateur players. When listening to other people’s playing, many amateur players are able to figure out the shortcomings. But when it comes to themselves, they just ignore their own weaknesses. Unlike amateurs, professional players can tell the disadvantages of both others and themselves. This is the major difference between professional and amateur ones. After recording, we should check different aspects, including: 1. The height of scroll; 2. Pinkies of both hands; 3. State of shoulders; 4. Facial expressions; 5. Error correction; 6. Intonation; 7. Tone; 8. Double stops; 9. Sound quality; 10. The way you start and stop bowing; 11. Bowing during playing; 12. String shifting; 13. Position changing; 14. Intervals; 15. Connections among phrases; 16. Other aspects need improvement. I found that some young learners send the recorded videos directly to their teachers without considering the quality. This is a bad habit. Some beginners may have wrong hand shapes, and unnatural postures and facial expressions. Therefore, watching the recorded videos and making adjustments are important. Also, students should check the aspects I mentioned above carefully, pay attention to other shortcomings, make improvements, and record for more times until there is no mistake. Then it is suitable to send the videos to your teacher. The ultimate goal of recording videos is training our ears to help us make progress. # Norms of Viola Sight Reading Most students do not have a good habit of sight reading. They know little about the piece they play. Now that we are learning Western instruments, we are supposed to have a thorough understanding of them. Sheet music originated from Europe. In the year of 500, musicians in church used dots to record the music. Let’s have a look at some early sheet music: The first picture shows the most ancient sheet music, which consists of dots and lines only. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*1smqJ2t6JrEtAJsy53oiEw.png) There are more lines and details in the sheet music in the second picture. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*mr1jvnPC5gv_LBRvtX-PvQ.png) The sheet music in the third picture is similar to that we use today. Sheet music had become what it is currently after 1000 to 1500 years of developing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*nr45vsy3vXNSgpZheLBEmQ.png) The framework of sheet music was set in Baroque era (around the year of 1650 when Bach, Handel and Telemann lived). In the year of 1750, composers including Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven added some marks into sheet music, such as crescendo and decrescendo. In the year of 1820, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin and other composers added a variety of marks, such as rallentando, accelerando, sforzando, fortepiano and other detailed explanatory notes. The following picture shows the relationship among treble clef, alto clef and bass clef. The three notes below are all middle Cs. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1288/1*ftoFcJXdlLe0z_QTTDK1XQ.png) The following picture demonstrates the norms of sight reading. Apart from the marks shown, there are also other marks used in sheet music. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1048/1*90gptrSiu1j-c_0JiNp-uQ.png) Words and marks above the stave are all related to tempo and playing techniques, such as fingering, bowing and speed; while those below the stave are all related to emoticons and dynamics. # Expression of Musicality While Playing the Viola Generally speaking, those who have good musicality can even play open strings beautifully, while some players still cannot express their musicality well even if they are trying hard to do vibrato. Then sometimes, the latter ones tend to blame their bows and strings. Actually, the expression of musicality consists of several elements: * Bowing; * Attentiveness; * Normative language; * Invisible vibrato. **1.Bowing** Since bowing is the basis of good playing, I put it first. Bowing skills can be decisive in some way. We should control the strength the bow applies to strings. Also, we should make sure that the bowing is natural. Bowing needs to be trained for some time to get improved. **2.Attentiveness** We should be attentive when playing music. **3.Normative Language** Normative language is simple. It is close to languages in our life, especially Chinese. We can use “1—2—3—4” to represent “forte—piano—mezzo-forte—piano”. If you count faster, you will find there is a tone. If there are three beats, it will be like “forte—piano—piano” or “forte—piano—mezzo-forte”. For two beats, it will be “forte—piano”. **4.Invisible Vibrato** Invisible vibrato means that whether we are playing vibrato or not, we should always keep the state of vibrato. Invisible vibrato is more suitable for early music. When playing early music, we are supposed to play vibrato less or avoid obvious vibrato. But the music can still be expressed. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} The following two videos show the difference between playing vibrato and not playing vibrato. You may check them out. **No vibrato demonstration** {% raw %}
{% endraw %} **Vibrato demonstration** {% raw %}
{% endraw %} **5.Comprehensive expression** We can visualize a scene or express a kind of emotion when playing. That’s all for my sharing. Please let me know if you have some questions or suggestions. Thanks for your time and the platform Violy provides. # Q & A : Violy team: When is it suitable for students to learn the viola or switch to viola from violin? Wing Ho: On the one hand, it will not work if the students decide to switch to other instruments but do not play the violin well. What counts most is having a solid foundation for instrument playing. Apart from that, I think height does not matter to string instrument playing, while having bigger hands, longer arms, and longer fingers can be advantages. For tall students, they may have chances to play larger instruments, whose sound is more resonant. But we hardly see a world-renowned performer who are very tall. On the other hand, instrument itself plays a very significant role in viola learning. Compared to violin, viola does not have well-developed systems of instrument or string making. This is a major problem. Some teachers replace violin strings with viola strings. This way does not work, because tension of the two kinds of strings is different. Viola strings may not produce sound on violins. This issue also confuses us for long, since there are few high-quality viola strings. Overall, it is beneficial for students to learn the viola from scratch. Violy team: Could you please introduce the customized violas and viola strings? Wing Ho: It is important to develop small-sized violas. The instrument is scarce in China. I developed a new method of measuring. The total length of a viola suitable for you should be equal to the distance between your neck and palm. Or if you are playing the viola on the first position, the angle between your forearm and upper arm should be 90 degrees. Students can choose suitable violas by this standard. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*NqBryi4UnVpJUy-R45XSlA.png) I developed different viola sizes for children of different heights and different ages, such as 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 and so on. I also developed viola strings suitable for small-sized instruments, which have better tension and produce more harmonious sound. Violy team: Some parents know little about music, how can they help their children’s practicing effectively? Wing Ho: This question is widely discussed. I have checked former Violy master classes. I think that Ms. Ling Zi’s view on this question is good. It is very necessary for parents to make progress together with their children. Here I would like to give some examples. Once I had a student, whose father accompanied him to viola lessons. The father repeated what I said all the time, and the student never thought about my words himself. For example, I asked him if it is more suitable to use middle bow while playing, his father would say “middle bow” to the student directly. Therefore, I talked with the father later and told him not to do that, which is important to all parents. Another student of mine also had his parents be with him during viola lessons. His parents recorded videos in every class and took detailed notes during the process. I think our parents can try this way as well. It is a great habit. Parents should encourage their children more during their daily practicing and avoid being too involved. Also, parents should take their children to the concerts of masters. It can be an unforgettable experience for children to enjoy a master’s live performance. What should also be paid attention to are children’s interest and practicing quality. Pushing children to practice for a long time without letting them correct the errors is not wise at all. Playing a few notes correctly is better than playing the whole piece while having many mistakes. The parts not played well should be practiced first. It is a great way for parents to record their children’s practicing and help them improve, which will bring children a sense of achievement. Violy team: Many children start to learn music from a young age and most of them choose not to go professional later, while the investment during the whole process can be quite big. In this case, what does music learning mean to children? Wing Ho: This is a good question. I would like to give some examples to answer it. When I was in college, I knew a cello professor who majored in mathematics. He played the cello excellently and finally went to the music conservatory to teach cello. Actually, there are many professors in universities abroad who do not major in music. They teach other disciplines but work as deans of music conservatories. Here’s another example. One of my students from Peking University (PKU) turned to me after graduation, saying that he wanted to study computer science in Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) but it was hard to get admitted with scholarship. He was asking for my advice at that moment. I told him that the music conservatory of CMU was excellent and he could have a try to take the entrance exam of viola performing major. Then he could study two majors. After listening to my advice, he took the entrance exam of CMU’s music conservatory, got admitted and won the scholarship. When he was on campus, he studied two disciplines and got offers from big companies before graduation. From my student’s experience, we can tell that learning instruments can bring many possibilities. For instance, in California, there is a symphony orchestra for doctors, which is only accessible to professional doctors. They always go on world tours. So it is not a must to go professional for music learning. I also have a friend who is a lawyer and goes to concerts four times a week. He also has abundant knowledge of music. Audience: How to grasp the styles of different pieces? Are there any other ways except listening to the pieces for many times? Wing Ho: We can tell the styles based on characteristics of works in different eras. Works in Baroque era are clean and flexible. Those of Classical era are humorous, relaxing and happy. Pieces of Romantic era express emotions. Contemporary works are with rich imagination and techniques. Besides, some certain techniques are performed differently in various works. For example, trill is usually played from higher pitches to lower pitches in Baroque works. But in Classical pieces, trill must be played from lower pitches to higher pitches. Audience: What is universities’ standard of enrolling in viola students? Are there any requirements for grade tests? Wing Ho: Take CCOM as an example, we enroll students based on their playing mainly. Generally speaking, the level of grade tests does not meet our requirements. Audience: How to improve the skills of sight reading when performing in viola sections of symphony orchestras? Especially when it comes to parts with complex rhythms. Wing Ho: This is a professional topic. We should get familiar with the rhythm, and this suggestion applies to other instruments as well. I had a college classmate who used to practice basic skills every day following the metronome. Later he became the first one of us who found a job in an orchestra, which is Cleveland Orchestra, one of the ten American orchestras. Besides, we should listen to the pieces we play for more times. When I was studying in the United States, I knew another classmate who was able to tell details of many pieces, including the background, movements, tempo and who the conductors are. Here’s a tip: listen to the former recording of performances of the orchestras or conductors for several times, and then we can get to know the styles. Then it may be easier for us to get admitted by orchestras. Audience: Could you introduce the invisible vibrato again? Wing Ho: You can try to play vibrato on every note when you are practicing scales. Then you can feel the state. Your left hand and right hand are both moving when doing vibrato. Invisible vibrato is like you are not playing vibrato, but your left hand should keep in that state. During playing, your bow will coordinate with your left hand when you do invisible vibrato. Here I would like to draw an analogy. If a girl is beautiful, she does not need to put on too much makeup to show her beauty, which is to say, if the sound of the note we are playing is pleasant to hear, we do not need to do vibrato wildly. We should know that vibrato is a kind of ornament. It is not necessary to play vibrato on every note. Audience: What if I cannot figure out whether the double stops I play are in tune or not? Wing Ho: If we listen to the playing carefully, we can find out that in double stops, there is at least one note whose pitch is close to that of the open string. This note should be played in resonance, and we can check the intonation of the other note according to that of this note. Audience: If I start to learn the viola from scratch, are there any differences between the learning method of the viola and that of the violin? Wing Ho: Actually, the methods for beginners are the same. There are a variety of viola books which are suitable for beginners, like Suzuki Viola School (1–3) and the books written by viola teachers from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, by Mr. Hou Donglei from Xinghai Conservatory of Music, and by Mr. Wang Ke from Shanxi Province, China. Besides, new viola books for grade test edited by CCOM will be published soon. For intermediates, books written by Mr. Wang Changhai, by Mr. Wang Shaowu, by Mr. Sheng Li and by other viola teachers are suitable. You may search for them online. The biggest difference between violin and viola is that the viola strings are thicker than violin strings. And the pitches of viola are a quint lower than that of violin. Also, viola is not suitable for showing off techniques. But difficult etudes such as Paganini’s works are required for viola exams. In fact, difficult techniques are rarely used in daily practicing of viola. What’s more, we may need to apply more strength to produce sound on viola strings when we just start to learn the viola. Indeed, there are some different playing skills for producing sound. And the clefs are different as well. Apart from these, viola playing is similar to violin playing. Host: Thanks for Professor Ho’s sharing. Please stay tuned for the next Violy master class and keep practicing! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) [**Violin Master Class - Ling Zi**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Violin-Master-Class-LingZi/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy - Smart Music Classroom - URL: https://violy.app/blog/smart-music-classroom - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/smart-music-classroom.md - Published: 2020-04-02 - Summary: # “App Installation” i, Open “APP Store/Google Play” and search for “Violy”; ii, Find the app and cl # A Professional App for Music Instrument Education and Practice # “App Installation” i, Open “APP Store/Google Play” and search for “Violy”; ii, Find the app and click “GET”; iii, After the installation, click “OPEN”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1244/1*Nyy9KsbMiWKrZ9SCnC8Uyg.png) # “Sign-up and Login” The Sign-up/Login is very easy. It is accessible by simply verifying your Mobile Number/Email Address. A pin is not required. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Y735mAKoCpz22bF8hfC5AA.png) # “Select Identity” “Classroom” is an additional feature for teacher’s account. It allows teachers to manage their students and check students’ practice and homework, see details on page 9) Identity Selection **cannot** be modified optionally by user. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1212/1*9zCW2xjvN5B6LFGOqnNoAA.png) # “Select Instrument” You can now select the music instrument to practice. Selected instrument can be switched by user optionally. Violin, viola, cello, clarinet, and flute are currently supported on Violy. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*KneJg5WBFVEkQbHOoqXrDA.png) # “Audition” Open a Sheet Music, play the initiation notes under “Audition” to initiate an “Audition”. The initiation notes are “#C#D#F” for Piano; “EADG” for violin; “ADGC” for viola and cello; “CEGC” for clarinet; “GBAC” for flute. And start to play the music within 8 seconds. Audition will stop in 8 seconds, if there are no valid sounds detected. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*oG_0IZ5h7N9L7XZunEsFVA.png) You can also stop an “Audition” at anytime. After not playing for 6 seconds/ending the “Audition”, the system provides an overall analysis of your performance. Enter “Analysis Report” to check the details. This feature is only available for Premium members. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/904/1*hxWXoRgA0d_BYyBRp54YWg.png) # “Audition Report” On this page, users can not only check the **“Intonation”** and **“Rhythm”** of each note they have played, but also hear the music they played and compare the records to the sheet music audio. Students’ teachers can also check, review, and comment on their students’ audition reports as soon as the students have been added to their groups in “Classroom”. “Audition Report” is only available for Premium users. Premium is free for verified teachers, see detail on page 10. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*FqEz14KKN1nC5PjR0Cj9UA.png) # “Accompaniments” Find a Sheet Music Album with “Acc.” symbol on the cover. “Acc.” is an abbreviation for “Accompaniments”, especially “Piano Accompaniments”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*mz8319wgD_VeeOCIdJUYtg.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*znhkwKNRariXoizhnvpKfA.png) # “Note-by-note” Enter the sheet music page and click the “Audition”, and choose “Note-by-note”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1332/1*w4Z-boo08RiysWrXUBWtpA.png) Compared to the “Audition” mode, “Note-by-note” is more like a mode for practicing. After receiving a sound in correct pitch, a checkmark would be ticked on the corresponding note. Rhythm and Tempo are not items to be analysed. It helps users to get familiar with the music in a short time. Initiating action is not needed in “Note-by-note” ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/904/1*ug2HcYsn5sS7-97x77Kyog.png) # “Music Cloud“ After sign-up, click the “Violy” button and you will see the homepage of the app, click on “Music Cloud” to enter sheet music library. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/988/1*YL8Lm3jibmEyP9Pcacqflw.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*_ItYg6I3S6CQthaaG7593w.png) # “Creator Studio” Enter “CREATOR STUDIO” and Login Open the official website of Violy (https://violy.app/) with your browser on Mac/PC and click on the **“CREATOR”** on the top. The only supported formats of sheet music files are **MuseScore(.mscz)** and **MusicXML(.musicxml)**. Sheet music files can be directly exported as [MusicXML](https://musescore.org/en) file through MuseScore software. Find “Creator Studio” tutorials on https://violy.app/blog/2020/02/Create-Sheet-Music-on-Violy/ ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Bjbbzvy8ulRgPrSCOLpAFg.png) # “Premium and Free Gifts” The following Violy features are only available for Premium users: 1. Accompaniments; 2. Analysis audition report; 3. Sectional “Audition” practice; 4. Homework review and comment. Click on the “Red Box Gift” to claim “Free Premium”. Violy App is not subscription based, it does not charge automatically. The “Gift” is 100% FREE! Teachers can redeem Free Premium by verifying their real-life identities. Students can also win free Premium Gifts by participating Violy Events in Violy User Community (via Facebook/Instagram, etc.). *We are deeply aware of that it is **impossible** to study a classical instrument like violin **without a professional instructor**; *Violy is **NOT** designed for violin self-learning; *Violy app is **FREE** for **EVERY music teacher/educator**. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1340/1*S93-UKz3ntpXtKAeGHrH6w.png) # “Classroom” Classroom is a student management system and only available for teachers. There are 3 tags on “Classroom” page. Teachers can add students to “Groups” and teach “Live Class” on “MEMBERS”. Teachers can check students’ homework on “OVERALL” and “PRACTICES”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Nns8IZCcZ8LL4lAjfSCjmg.png) # “Live Class” “Live Class” is a video call feature that specially designed for music instrument lessons, it delivers the best quality sounds of music instruments. To start a Live Class, enter “Classroom” -> Enter the “Group” -> “Live Class” There is a 20 minutes limitation for free Live Class, you can start a new Live Class after the limitation launches. Free “Live Class” can upgraded to “Live Class Pro” Charge Standard of “Live Class Pro”: Every 10 minutes: 0.15 USD x total number of participants. **Case 1 — For 60-minute 1to1 “Live Class”: 0.15x2x6=1.8 USD** **Case 2 — For 40-minute four people “Group Class”: 0.15x4x4=2.4 USD** Live Class Pro cost will be charged from group/institution owner’s balance. Check details on: https://violy.app/blog/2020/03/Music-instrument-live-class/ ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*YMTCPky-E4WMbj2CKyIm2w.png) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*xFKoNV_WWmNU-koaD1dqsA.jpeg) --- # Violy Live Class - Smart Music Classroom - URL: https://violy.app/blog/music-instrument-live-class - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/music-instrument-live-class.md - Published: 2020-03-19 - Summary: Violy musicians, the feature of **“Live Class”** is coming in the app! Through “Live Class”, music t # Bring your music instrument class online Violy musicians, the feature of **“Live Class”** is coming in the app! Through “Live Class”, music teachers can make video calls to students and teach music instrument lessons online. It is specially optimized, high-definition audio and video transmission for music instrument education. In the text below, we will introduce the new feature and provide detailed instructions of its usage. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*DN960HJj884shchAVuvTFg.jpeg) {% raw %}
{% endraw %} # How to start a Music Class online? Open the app and select “I’m a teacher”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2032/1*KffkmWwXHvE9utf50tclLQ.png) After login, choose “Live Class” on "Instrument Selection" page. However, the instrument selection does not affect the usage of “Live Class”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2104/1*P2y2NKe0EiBWIFH60Qhfxg.png) Then you can see a popup window introducing the feature after entering the app. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1984/1*-AmEOWGPm9ys5g3nl9XCnA.png) Enter “Classroom” page. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4252/1*k3gYD1-w396SeJqO5YztoQ.png) If the student you want to call is not in your group currently, click on “Invite students” to invite him or her to the group. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4116/1*siLsvylx843ClUo2wnKivg.png) Then you can choose which platform you want to share the link of invitation to. Here we take Instagram as an example. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3148/1*Z4G2eImqE7Gw_Xe3R-twag.png) Once the student opens the link you share, he or she needs to input the phone number or email address and the verification code received to log in. Then the student manages to join your group. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2476/1*X8_ZrC-9zWccq1g37g8KQg.png) When the student joins the group, click on “Refresh” and then you can see his or her name. Later, click on the button of “Live Class” behind the name to start a live class. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4244/1*cV6jPAUy1GXiVhghrWvHxQ.png) You can click on “Manage”, input the phone number or email address of the student and click on “Add Member” to invite him or her to your group. You can also invite other teachers in this way. Only the admin of the group is allowed to invite people via “Manage”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4260/1*S7mBWEWqutL6ek-ZyzMgLA.png) Please notice that the one being called should open the app in the front page on his or her device, and the screen of the device should stay on for accepting the video call. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1396/1*sWLtQOWWFdGEfePqEGY2_Q.png) # Online Music Group Class To switch the group or create new groups, click on “Switch” on the top right corner. For making video calls to more than one student, click on “Group Class”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4120/1*Rmc8sER8p6IgYKZ876r-3Q.png) Choose the video quality and select the students you want to call. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3188/1*nbQ-txXuqMI2v2iaJuG-5g.png) The feature of “Group Class” limits up to 4 people in a live class. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3512/1*-LbCdUDvWU55G_dY-U3UoA.png) After selecting the students, click on “Confirm” to start the video call. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1388/1*Yc2w_lT7JekLqOehVJJh7A.png) Once the video call ends, you can click on “Live Class Log” to check out the time, period, and participants of the live class. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1700/1*jhZfNcFX5KPM2IsetE9_ZA.png) # Music “Group Class” Features ## 1. Focus Mode The default full-screen chat window is that of the teacher. If the teacher who starts the video call clicks on the chat window of a student, the student will be on the focus and his or her chat window will be displayed in full screen. Then the student can be seen or heard by all the participants. The teacher can hear all the students and see their chat windows, while students can only hear the teacher and the one on the focus, and see the chat windows of the two. ## 2. The Feature of “Mute All” Only the teacher has the permission to turn off microphones of all the other participants. ## 3. The Feature of “Mute” and “Unmute” Participants can control their microphones separately. # Things Related to Music “Live Class” Which You Should Pay Attention To 1. Both teachers and students who join the live class should make sure that their apps are updated to the latest version. 2. Both teachers and students should make sure that their network conditions are good. Since “Live Class” provides high-quality audio and video transmission, the feature requires sufficient network bandwidth. 3. Both teachers and students should make sure that the permissions of microphone and camera of their devices are turned on. 4. Only teachers can start video calls in “Live Class”, but the feature requires neither Violy premium nor “Teacher Verification”. Just select the identity of teacher and it is available. 5. The feature of “Live Class” can be used for FREE for the first 20 minutes. To extend the time of using, the teacher needs to go Violy pro and become the pro user. All Violy users can go Violy pro for “Live Class”. # Solutions for “Live Class” Problems If you meet some problems and cannot use “Live Class” normally, try the solutions below: 1. Confirm the apps are in the front pages on all sides. 2. Update the apps to the latest version on all sides. 3. Confirm that the same account is not logged in on more than two devices. 4. Re-login or reinstall the app. The feature of “Live Class” is applicable for all instruments! Digital piano and more instruments will be supported on Violy app in the future. Stay tuned and enjoy music as always! ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*TTxrVCGcZLNTplMHLpBo-A.png) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy Master Class of Violin | Ling Zi - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-master-class-lingzi - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-master-class-lingzi.md - Published: 2020-03-08 - Summary: Ling Zi is a skilled expert of music education. In this Violy master class, she shared some views ab # Parents’ Role in Violin Practice Ling Zi is a skilled expert of music education. In this Violy master class, she shared some views about music education and what parents should do to help their young learners. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*Rs-G3R6a4Rmdqoc2fTNwWQ.jpeg) ## Content of Ling Zi’s lecture is as follows (edited in first person): Violy parents and teachers, good afternoon! I am glad to have the chance to share my views. Some parents say they do not have enough time to be with their children and have little communication with them in daily life. As a result, the parents may have problems dealing with their young learners’ violin learning. My lecture today is to help parents solve the problems and guide them through what they can do during children’s learning process. # A Violin Teacher’s View: Why Do Children Learn to Play the Violin? This question is widely discussed. As a music educator for years, I think learning the violin can bring 3 main benefits: **First, it can arouse children’s interest in music and give them an opportunity to plan their career earlier.** **Second, it can help improve the relationship between children and parents.** **Third, it can help train the musical talents for the country.** Let’s start from the first benefit. Some parents say that they support their children to learn the violin because the children like what they learn and have a talent for it. Actually, it is hard for non-professional parents to tell whether the young children do have a talent or not. Parents need to pay attention to their children’s learning. Many children may have great passion when they just start to learn, but later, they are likely to lose interest or practice less for a variety of reasons. This kind of situation is very common in some way. Children are different from each other. But mostly, they are so young that they need parents’ rational guidance to persist in practicing. Strong interest is the start point of many children’s road to music. When children choose to learn the violin, parents should figure out what can music bring to their young learners. Apart from helping build up willpower and broadening knowledge, learning music can also play an important role in children’s career planning in the future. It is not likely for every music learner to become a musician, but a person who has learned music may have more choices when choosing an occupation since his or her comprehensive quality got improved during years of music training. Therefore, I suggest parents help their children improve musical quality and skills from childhood. During the process, parents may find that their children gain improvements in other aspects as well. Now let’s move on to the second benefit. Parents can grow up together with children to maintain good relationship with them. One effective way is to learn music with children. Many parents may learn with their children at the beginning but quit for some reasons later, such as being lack of time or failing to catch up with children. In this case, I think parents should maintain a positive attitude during the process. Children can be parents’ teachers sometimes and they are willing to do so. Some excellent musicians have common musical topics to discuss with their parents. They also appreciate and talk about music together. Our parents can do it as well. I hope our parents can broaden their musical knowledge first so that they are able to understand the children’s playing and find out the mistakes. Only in this way can the parents help their young learners in practicing, and then both parties are more likely to find common topics and strengthen the bond of parent-children relationship. As for the third benefit, I think parents have a duty to pay more attention to helping their children if the children are very talented, because they can become musical talents for the country. It is almost impossible for a person to become an excellent musician by himself only. Most musicians become successful because they start to learn music at a young age and have parents’ support and teachers’ guidance all along. It takes time to tell whether the children can have achievements in music or not. Parents’ company and teachers’ guidance are extremely significant. # When Should Children Start to Learn the Violin? I think the best period to start is preschool age. We do not expect children to start playing the violin at a very young age, but we can give them a chance to listen to beautiful music first. When the children are three and a half years old, parents can introduce some basic music training, such as rhythm and singing training. Under this condition, children can enter the process of violin learning more easily. On the other hand, parents can encourage children to perform in front of people. For example, the performance can be seen by violin teachers and students via group video call. In this way, children are also able to communicate with their peers. # A Violin Teacher’s Experience in Handling the Problem of Boring Practice Practicing for a long time can be boring for young learners. I suggest parents shorten the practicing time for their children. For example, parents can let children practice for one hour or 40 minutes each time. After practicing, children can be allowed to have a rest and do some other things, like playing games. Some parents say that their children always waste time on little things before practicing. To deal with this, parents can ask some questions based on the piece their children are practicing, like “who wrote the piece”, “is there any other versions”, “what are the differences between this version and another version”, etc. If the children have no idea about the questions, parents can help them search for the information online. In this way, children can feel their parents’ caring and may find some topics to discuss with parents then. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*nJ4yBlNekJGpcye-r2psEA.jpeg) # How to Arouse Children’s Interest and Help Develop Their Persistence? Before the age of three and a half, children are supposed to set up the concepts of rhythm and melody. They do not need to learn some instruments at this moment, but they can listen to different sounds, like clapping hands, bouncing the ball and tapping against the glasses with different amount of water. These do help. When children start their violin learning, parents are supposed to tell the young learners to practice carefully and help them solve the problems they encounter. When there are some problems, parents should analyze with their children and find out how to deal with them. Besides, turning to teachers can help as well. Sometimes it may take some time for children to solve the problems completely, so parents need to be patient. On the other hand, it is important for parents to set good examples for their children. Setting up rules for practicing is helpful. # Tips from A Violin Teacher: How Do Parents Help Children’s Practice? Some parents may say they are too busy to accompany their children during their practicing. In fact, parents can still set aside some time to know more about their children’s playing. Parent’s company is not just sitting beside the young learners when they are practicing, but helping them practice more effectively. For example, sometimes children may find it difficult to understand a certain work, then parents can search for more information of the piece to improve the young learners’ understanding. Moreover, parents can download the music their children are learning and let the young learners listen to it for more times. These things are not hard for parents to do. # What Are Good Violin Teachers Like? I must say that good violin teachers are those who are suitable for the children. If the children just start to learn, it is not necessary to find them an international master. A careful and responsible teacher who was trained professionally is OK. If parents find their children talented after learning for some time, they can take the children to participate in some high-quality summer camps of violin. I have held a summer camp myself for 26 times. Many children who have entered the camp find that it is a good platform for meeting excellent teachers and communicating with peers. It also provides the talented children with an opportunity to become violin masters’ students. For parents, they can get to know how the masters evaluate their children’s playing. It is important for both parents and children to decide whether the professional path is suitable or not. On the other hand, I would like to tell our parents not to push their children too hard. What the children need to do is making progress during learning and practicing. It is not necessary for parents to force their children to speed up too much. Or the children may break down. Having a sense of achievement during practicing counts more for children. **To sum up, there are 4 things that parents need to pay attention to during their children’s music learning:** **First, choose a suitable instrument for children.** **Second, create a good learning environment for children.** **Third, select a good teacher.** **Fourth, take some time to accompany children.** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/682/1*v3WfQRZX6JZD-wyBB0D-WQ.png) # Violin Q&A: Violy: When do you think it is suitable for children to change teachers? Ling Zi: It depends on children’s playing. If the children are very talented and decide to go professional, and their current teachers have some limitations themselves and cannot instruct the children anymore, the children may consider switching to a more professional teacher. If the children do not intend to go professional, and their teachers are trained and responsible, they do not need to change teachers. Violy: In your opinion, what are the differences between Chinese and Western music education? What improvements should Chinese young learners make? Ling Zi: I think the biggest difference is the emphasis on music accomplishment. Western parents pay much attention to it while Chinese parents focus more on children’s skills, results of competitions and grading tests. Chinese young learners should make improvements on their music accomplishment. Violy: Could you please give a brief introduction of your summer camp? Ling Zi: My summer camp started from 2002. The guest of my first summer camp is Ms. Zhao Wei, the well-known professor from Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). We invite excellent teachers from music conservatories in China or even worldwide to our summer camp to help parents solve problems related to their children’s practice. We also have forums for teachers and parents who participate in the summer camp. They can communicate with each other in the forums. Besides, we hold the summer camp in different cities each year. In this way, more students from different places can have a platform for peer communication. Violin parents: How can children schedule practicing since they are busy with their schoolwork? Ling Zi: There is no fixed answer for this question. I would like to give an example here. I visited a child’s parents 10 years ago. The child was excellent in his schoolwork. His parents drove to pick him up every day. At noon, he had his lunch in the car and started to practice as soon as he arrived at home. Then he got 30 minutes for practicing. When he was after school in the afternoon, his parents picked him up, and on the way home, the parents played the recording of the piece he needed to practice. It may take 20 to 30 minutes. Then he practiced for about half an hour when he finished homework in the evening. In this way, the child got one and a half hours to practice every day. He did not become a musician later, but he managed to arrange his study and life very well then. Violin teachers: Sometimes we find some children very talented and may be suitable to go professional, but their parents think the children should pay more attention to their schoolwork, how can we persuade the parents? Ling Zi: First of all, we must confirm whether the children are talented for sure and whether they are suitable to go professional. Professional teachers can tell if parents take their children to meet them. If the children are suitable to go professional indeed, parents may rethink about the children's career path. On the other hand, children's willingness should be taken into consideration as well. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violy Master Class Articles: ## [**Cello Master Class - Wu Linfeng**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violy-Cello-Lecture-WuLinfeng/) [**Violin Master Class - Wang Boyang**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/08/Violy-Violin-Lecture/) ## #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Play Along with Piano Accompaniments - Improve Skills of Violin, Viola, Cello Violy - URL: https://violy.app/blog/play-with-piano-accompaniments - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/play-with-piano-accompaniments.md - Published: 2020-03-01 - Summary: Violy musicians, how’s your practice? To present you with a “violy” way to practice violin, viola an Violy musicians, how’s your practice? To present you with a “violy” way to practice violin, viola and cello, we will go through Violy’s features of **polyphony playback** and **accompaniments** in this article. # Play along with Metronome Open the Violy app and enter the piece you want to practice. Here we take *Canon in D major* for an example: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3272/1*QlovZTX9buZoA2VifkajnA.png) Enter the score, click on the icon of “Metronome” on the left side to turn it on. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3948/1*eEDA8NY7LIQe4nGfYGfELg.png) Tempo of the music can be adjusted by dragging the spanner. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2732/1*GCjcp5plq1nItHufNuZ9Ag.png) Press the “play” button and check the current tempo. Now let’s return to the sheet music page. Click on the blue “Play” button to start playing the music. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4520/1*X_zTYokpsiy0MsFx0HUWrQ.png) If the tempo has been adjusted before, the music will be played at the current speed. During playing, the click sound of metronome can be turned on or off by clicking on the first icon in the bottom left corner. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3880/1*HyOpb--bhCV84QGgOg3OYw.png) # Play along with Piano Accompaniment Turn on the piano accompaniment by clicking on the second icon of “Keyboard”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/proxy/1*OIi3CnDD-Upecx5jFyNMuA.png) The volume of piano accompaniment can be adjusted by clicking on the “Mixer” icon on the upper side. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3324/1*ICCOjKHjQZUjdR9krQGf5Q.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2068/1*XEV2xzdNCUOM-gOPFT4T6Q.png) # Play along with Polyphony and other Instruments The third icon of “Vln.” represents the sound of the first violin. It can be turned on or off according to your own needs. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4044/1*Se56CueSI_1YeG3HDBkjTg.png) Just as same as it works for the piano accompaniment, the volume of the first violin can be adjusted as well. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2092/1*71kdrxQ4II7Y8ReDcHqr7Q.png) Ditto for the second violin. Just click on the fourth icon to turn it on or off, and set its volume. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2866/1*XJwhNi9gMmPG_GZ5rJJG7Q.png) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1298/1*sQfwv-YlpIASPhAmYYic6A.png) That’s all for the introduction of the features of polyphony playback and accompaniments. Now you can start to practice your violin, viola or cello in a “violy” way. If there are any other problems, you are welcomed to contact Violy team at any time. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, more instructional articles based on Violy features will be released~ {% raw %}
{% endraw %} # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violin Articles: ## [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**Perform Harmonics on Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [**Solfeges used in Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Practice-after-Violin-Lessons/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Tango Music for Violin, Viola, Cello - URL: https://violy.app/blog/tango-music-for-violin-viola-cello - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/tango-music-for-violin-viola-cello.md - Published: 2020-02-17 - Summary: Violy musicians, have you tried to combine classical string instruments with tango music? Well, if y # Tango Sheet Music for String Instruments Violy musicians, have you tried to combine classical string instruments with tango music? Well, if you haven’t, now there is a chance for you to enjoy the elegance of cello and the Latino passion of tango at the same time. Here comes Tango, another FREE album in February on Violy. We will bring you with an introduction of tango and go through the pieces contained in the album. ¡Vamos a disfrutarlos (Let’s enjoy)! ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*f-MYmABRj2oEelVyzB6ohg.jpeg) # Tango Music and Tango Styles Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata (La Plata River), the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. It was born in the impoverished port areas of the countries, where natives mixed with slaves and European immigrants. Tango is the result of a combination of German Waltz, Czech Polka, Polish Mazurka, Bohemian Schottische, Spanish-Cuban Habanera, African Candombe, and Argentinian Milonga. The dance was frequently practiced in the bars of ports, where business owners employed bands to entertain their patrons with music. It spread to the rest of the world then. Many variations of this dance currently exist around the world. On August 31, 2009, tango was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Tango consists of a variety of styles that developed in different regions and eras of Argentina, as well as in other locations around the world. The dance developed in response to many cultural elements, such as the crowding of the venue and the fashions in clothing. The styles are mostly danced in either open embrace, where lead and follow have space between their bodies, or close embrace, where lead and follow connect chest-to-chest (Argentine tango) or in the upper thigh (American and International tango). Different styles of tango are: Tango argentino (Argentine tango); Tango canyengue; Uruguayan tango; Tango liso (Smooth tango); Tango salón (Salon tango); Tango orillero; Tango camacupense (from Angola); Tango milonguero; Tango nuevo (New tango); Tango Valparaísino (from Valparaíso, Chile); Tango vals (Tango Waltz); Milonga; Ballroom tango; Finnish tango; ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*jmKUnB4ZsR94Y1TsjwgOqA.jpeg) # Tango Sheet Music for Violin, Viola, and Cello: There are totally 6 pieces of music in the FREE album of Tango on Violy, including: ***1. La Derniere Rose*** | Andante = 76 The work originated from The Last Rose of Summer, which is a poem written by the Irish poet Thomas Moore. He wrote it in 1805. The poem was set to a traditional tune called “Aislean an Oigfear”, or “The Young Man’s Dream”. The poem and the tune together were published in December 1813 in volume 5 of Thomas Moore’s A Selection of Irish Melodies. ***2. Moments Musicaux №3*** | Allegro Moderato = 100 The work is the third movement from Six Moments Musicaux composed by Franz Schubert. This piece in F minor has been arranged by Leopold Godowsky and others. ***3. The Easy Winners | BPM = 80*** The work is a ragtime composition by Scott Joplin. It is one of the composer’s most popular works. The composition follows the structural pattern which is typical of many Joplin’s works. The pattern is extended to include an introduction before strain A and another before strain C, or the trio. Thus, the structure reads: Intro A A B B A Trio-Intro C C D D. The intro is in A-flat major and the Trio is in the subdominant key of D-flat major. ***4. The Entertainer | BPM =80*** The Entertainer is written by Scott Joplin in 1902. As one of the classics of ragtime, it returned to international prominence as part of the ragtime revival in the 1970s, when it was used as the theme music for the 1973 Oscar-winning film The Sting. The Entertainer is sub-titled “A Ragtime Two Step”, which was a form of dance popular until about 1911, and a style which was common among ragtime works written at the time. Its structure is: Intro–AA–BB–A–CC–Intro 2–DD. The work is primarily set in the key of C major. However, for the C section, it modulates to F major. Then through a transitional passage, it modulates back to C major for the D section. The B section contains an indication that the melody is to be played an octave higher on the repeat. ***5. Por Una Cabeza | Moderato = 104*** Por Una Cabeza is a tango song written in 1935 with music by Carlos Gardel and lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera. The name is a Spanish horse-racing phrase meaning “by a head”, which refers to a horse winning a race narrowly by just the length of its head. The starting phrase in the B section may be inspired by Mozart’s Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C major, K. 373. The song was originally composed in A major. It was thereafter adapted to the violin and the piano in G major. ***6. La Bamba | Allegro = 138*** La Bamba is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens. The adaptation is a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of the best-known songs of early rock and roll. Valens’ La Bamba infused the traditional tune with a rock drive. The song features a simple verse-chorus form. It ranked №98 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll in 1999, and №59 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Dance Songs in 2000. Furthermore, Valens’ recording of the song was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violin Articles: ## [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**Perform Harmonics on Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [**Solfeges used in Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Practice-after-Violin-Lessons/) [Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy CREATOR STUDIO - URL: https://violy.app/blog/create-sheet-music-on-violy - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/create-sheet-music-on-violy.md - Published: 2020-02-12 - Summary: Hello, Violy musicians, now you can **upload your own sheet music** into [**Violy App**](https://vio # Upload Your Music into Violy App! Hello, Violy musicians, now you can **upload your own sheet music** into [**Violy App**](https://violy.app/#download) via [**CREATOR STUDIO**](https://creator.violy.app/login#/) and practice it! According to the constant feedback from all users, one of the most frequently asked questions is “when can I practice my own sheet music with Violy ?”. Well, thanks for your patience during such a long time. We have just released the new feature of “**Violy CREATOR STUDIO**”. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2292/1*WpveV258uvpwPYE51LOHow.jpeg) # CREATOR STUDIO, all in Creative! Every Violy user can be a music “publisher” in [**CREATOR STUDIO**](https://creator.violy.app/login#/)! To submit sheet music to CREATOR STUDIO, it requires the sheet music in the format of both **MuseScore** and **MusicXML**. Once the sheet music releases after a short reviewing process, you are able to find it in “**Music Cloud**” on Violy App and start your practice in any time, any mode. # Practice with Current version of Violy CREATOR STUDIO: - The current version of “**Violy CREATOR STUDIO**” is only accessible with a web browser and is preferentially designed for PC and Mac. - Scanning and recognizing of sheet music files in **JPG, PDF** or other formats are not supported; - The only **supported formats** of sheet music files are **MuseScore(.mscz)** and **MusicXML(.musicxml)**. Sheet music files can be directly exported as [**MusicXML**](https://musescore.org/en) file through MuseScore software. Here are the brief steps to upload sheet music onto Violy App with “CREATOR STUDIO”: **I. Create a new album;** **II. Add music and parts in the album;** **III. Submit for review process (for public albums only).** # I. Create a new album ## Enter “CREATOR STUDIO” and Login Open the official website of Violy (https://violy.app/) with your browser and click on the “**CREATOR**” on the top. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4526/1*wk6cBUWnhwF_Ms7OxfgxrA.jpeg) And login “CREATOR STUDIO” with your Violy account. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/5028/1*X81ZbAMqHgb7nUnZKaHyxA.png) ## Add New Album and Complete the Album Info Click on ‘**ADD NEW ALBUM**’ after entering ‘Creator’. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/5602/1*B8v__AR2A29dY8Z2QWUrMQ.jpeg) Once the new album is created, you can add music pieces into it by uploading sheet music files into the album. Also, you need to **fill in the album information** after adding new album (**red items are required**). ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4390/1*55B7iJiT3RZgQKr4uYHjPQ.jpeg) “**Public Visibility**”, “**Album Title**” and “**Album Cover**” must be completed. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1980/1*znnSj_5tBEVR0i6aW7mi6g.jpeg) You can set the “**Public Visibility**” of your album for ‘**Private**’, ‘**Public**’, ‘**Group**’ or ‘**Institution**’. ‘**Private**’: If you set the album as private, it will only be visible to your Violy account. Private albums are not required to pass the Review Process. You can find them in **“Violy” > “Music Cloud” > “Private”** after releasing. **'Group'/'Institution'**: If you are in a certain groups or institutions, and you have set the “Public Visibility” of your album for ‘Group’ or ‘Institution’, the album will be visible to all members in the same group/institution. You need to select the group or institution to share the sheet music album with in advance. ‘Group’ and ‘Institution’ albums are not required to pass the Review Process. ‘**Public**’: If you set the “Public Visibility” of your album as ‘Public’, it will be visible to all Violy users. Every piece of music in public albums needs to be reviewed by Violy team. The sheet music album is also required to be reviewed before releasing. # II. Add music and parts in the album ## Create Music You can add more than one piece of music in an album. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4600/1*7fdhv98WCVmP91x1fNZkoA.jpeg) ## Complete Music Info You need to complete the **music title** ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4480/1*xfHlU5LsDp1l-NmhjygD2w.jpeg) select the **instrument** and **composer**, and upload **sheet music files**. If there are other parts in the uploaded music, you can click ‘**ADD NEW PART**’ to complete the information. Then you can click ‘**SUBMIT**’ to finish uploading. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4432/1*-W0MT4k-CMqBdi7whuLHnA.jpeg) # III. Submit for review process (for public albums only) If an album’s “Public Visibility” is set for public, after the submission, it normally takes 24 hours for Violy team to review and released the album and the sheet music within. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/896/1*_wpFyC5InVJK9IS2aFxQEg.jpeg) The current version of “Violy CREATOR STUDIO” only for sheet music uploading. Please stay tuned, there will be more and more features later, such as adding audio and video demos for the uploaded sheet music, and receiving other users’ likes and comments. By uploading sheet music in “Violy CREATOR STUDIO”, you can give a chance to music lovers all over the world to check out your music works. “Violy CREATOR STUDIO”, it is all in Creative! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # {% raw %}
{% endraw %} ## More Violin Articles: ## [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**Perform Harmonics on Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [**Solfeges used in Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Practice-after-Violin-Lessons/) [Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Cello Suites for Cello and Viola on Violy - URL: https://violy.app/blog/cello-sheet-music-for-viola-on-violy - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/cello-sheet-music-for-viola-on-violy.md - Published: 2020-02-10 - Summary: Hello, Violy cellists and violists! Bach's Cello Suites will run through your 'violy' February and m # Free Sheet Music on Violy App Hello, Violy cellists and violists! Bach's Cello Suites will run through your 'violy' February and make the month more fascinating. During the whole month, the Violy sheet music album of *The Six Unaccompanied Cello Suites* for Cello and for Viola are FREE to all Violy users. In this article, we will go through these Baroque masterpieces from Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers of all time. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4272/1*47txPdmpdbi5jGbTZ5oh-w.png) # Cello Album Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach [Johann Sebastian Bach](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/#Violy-Album-Contents) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. The Bach family had already counted several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician in Eisenach. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the *Brandenburg Concertos* and the *Goldberg Variations*. He enriched German styles through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organization, and his adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*HqQarheeS9aVouuXcwvDgg.jpeg) Bach’s compositions include hundreds of cantatas, Latin church music, passions, oratorios, and motets. He often adopted Lutheran hymns, not only in his larger vocal works, but also in his four-part chorales and sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and other keyboard instruments. He also composed concertos for violin and harpsichord, and suites for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue. Throughout the 18th century, Bach was primarily valued as organist, while his keyboard music, such as *The Well-Tempered Clavier*, was appreciated for its didactic qualities. The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century, all of his known music had been printed. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*FyEL-irkiP_DLmwutUhRuw.jpeg) # Bach’s Cello Composition Bach’s six unaccompanied cello suites are some of the most frequently performed and recognizable solo compositions ever written for cello. Bach most likely composed them during the period 1717–23, when he served as Kapellmeister in Köthen. The title given on the cover of Anna Magdalena Bach’s manuscript was *Suites à Violoncello Solo senza Basso* (Suites for cello solo without bass). As usual in a Baroque musical suite, after the prelude which begins each suite, all the other movements are based around Baroque dance types. The suites are structured in six movements each: prelude, allemande, courante, sarabande, two menuets or two bourrées or two gavottes, and a final gigue. The Bach cello suites are considered to be among the most profound of all classical music works. Wilfrid Mellers described them in 1980 as “Monophonic music wherein a man has created a dance of God.” Due to the works’ technical demands, étude-like nature, and difficulty in interpretation, the cello suites were little known and rarely publicly performed until they were revived and recorded by Pablo Casals in the early 20th century. Since then, they have been performed and recorded by many renowned cellists and have been transcribed for numerous other instruments. The six cello suites are considered to be some of Bach’s greatest musical achievements. # Violy FREE Album Contents: There are totally 42 pieces of music in the FREE album of *The Six Unaccompanied Cello Suites — Bach* (and the same pieces for Viola) on Violy, including: 1. ***Suite I-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 {% raw %}
{% endraw %} The *Prelude of Suite №1 in G major*, mainly consisting of arpeggiated chords, is probably the most well-known movement from the entire set of suites and is regularly heard on television and in films. 2. ***Suite I-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 3. ***Suite I-Courante*** | BPM = 80 4. ***Suite I-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 5. ***Suite I-Menuet I*** | BPM = 80 6. ***Suite I-Menuet II*** | BPM = 80 7. ***Suite I-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 8. ***Suite II-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 9. ***Suite II-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 10. ***Suite II-Courante*** | BPM = 80 11. ***Suite II-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 12. ***Suite II-Menuet I*** | BPM = 80 13. ***Suite II-Menuet II*** | BPM = 80 14. ***Suite II-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 The *Prelude of Suite №2 in D minor* consists of two parts. The first part has a strong recurring theme that is immediately introduced in the beginning. The second part is a scale-based cadenza movement that leads to the final powerful chords. The subsequent allemande contains short cadenzas that stray away from this very strict dance form. The first menuet contains demanding chord shiftings and string crossings. 15. ***Suite III-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 16. ***Suite III-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 17. ***Suite III-Courante*** | BPM = 80 18. ***Suite III-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 19. ***Suite III-Bourrée I*** | BPM = 80 20. ***Suite III-Bourrée II*** | BPM = 80 21. ***Suite III-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 The *Prelude of Suite №3 in C major* consists of an A–B–A–C form, with A being a scale-based movement that eventually dissolves into an energetic arpeggio part; and B, a section of demanding chords. It then returns to the scale theme and ends with a powerful and surprising chord movement. The allemande is the only movement in the six suites that has an up-beat consisting of three semiquavers instead of just one, which is the standard form. The second bourrée, though in C minor, has a two-flat (or G minor) key signature. This notation, common in Pre-Classical music, is sometimes known as a partial key signature. The first and second bourrée of the third suite are sometimes used as solo materials for other bass instruments, such as tuba, euphonium, trombone and bassoon. 22. ***Suite IV-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 23. ***Suite IV-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 24. ***Suite IV-Courante*** | BPM = 80 25. ***Suite IV-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 26. ***Suite IV-Bourrée I*** | BPM = 80 27. ***Suite IV-Bourrée II*** | BPM = 80 28. ***Suite IV-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 *Suite №4 in E♭ major* is one of the most technically demanding of the six suites, as E♭ is an uncomfortable key on the cello and requires many extended left hand positions. The key is also difficult on cello due to the lack of resonant open strings. The prelude primarily consists of a difficult flowing quaver movement that leaves room for a cadenza before returning to its original theme. The very peaceful sarabande is quite obscure about the stressed second beat, which is the basic characteristic of the 3/4 dance. In this particular sarabande, almost every first beat contains a chord, whereas the second beat most often does not. 29. ***Suite V-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 30. ***Suite V-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 31. ***Suite V-Courante*** | BPM = 80 32. ***Suite V-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 33. ***Suite V-Gavotte I*** | BPM = 80 34. ***Suite V-Gavotte II*** | BPM = 80 35. ***Suite V-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 *Suite №5 in C minor* was originally written in scordatura with the A string tuned down to G, but nowadays a version for standard tuning is included in almost every edition of the suites along with the original version. Some chords must be simplified when playing with standard tuning, but some melodic lines become easier as well. The prelude is written in an A–B form. It is a French overture. It begins with a slow, emotional movement that explores the deep range of the cello. After that comes a fast and very demanding single-line fugue that leads to the powerful end. This suite is most famous for its intimate sarabande, which is the second of only four movements in all six suites that do not contain any chords. Mstislav Rostropovich describes it as the essence of Bach's genius. The fifth suite is also exceptional as its courante and gigue are in the French style, rather than the Italian form of the other five suites. 36. ***Suite VI-Prelude*** | BPM = 80 37. ***Suite VI-Allemande*** | BPM = 80 38. ***Suite VI-Courante*** | BPM = 80 39. ***Suite VI-Sarabande*** | BPM = 80 40. ***Suite VI-Gavotte I*** | BPM = 80 41. ***Suite VI-Gavotte II*** | BPM = 80 42. ***Suite VI-Gigue*** | BPM = 80 It is widely believed that *Suite №6 in D major* was composed specifically for a five-stringed violoncello piccolo, a smaller cello, roughly ​7⁄8 normal cello size with a fifth upper string tuned to E. However, some people say there is no substantial evidence to support this claim. Cellists playing this suite on a modern four-string cello encounter difficulties as they are forced to use very high positions to reach many of the notes. This suite is written in much more free form than the others, containing more cadenza-like movements and virtuosic passages. It is also the only one of the six suites that is partly notated in the alto and soprano clefs (modern editions use tenor and treble clefs), which are not needed for the others since they never go above the note G4 (G above middle C). Stay tuned, Violy musicians! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**Perform Harmonics on Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [**Solfeges used in Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Practice-after-Violin-Lessons/) [**Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Acoustic-Violin-VS-Electric-Violin/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/), [**Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Tchaikovsky-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Acoustic Violin VS Electric Violin - URL: https://violy.app/blog/acoustic-violin-vs-electric-violin - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/acoustic-violin-vs-electric-violin.md - Published: 2020-01-20 - Summary: When we talk about violin, we usually refer to the acoustic violin, or classical violin, which is wi # Trivia outside Violin Lessons When we talk about violin, we usually refer to the acoustic violin, or classical violin, which is widely learned and performed all over the world. As for the electric violin, some violin learners may know little about it and never try it before. On the other hand, violin teachers may not teach students to play the electric violin in violin lessons. It is obvious that electric violins are getting more popular in some occasions, such as commercial performances, stage plays, music festivals and so on. In the text below, we will discuss the differences between the acoustic violin and the electric violin. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*M5Xo4WSn8DUikTWyBSHSKw.jpeg) # A Brief Introduction of Electric Violin Which Is Also Used by Violin App Users An electric violin usually refers to an instrument intentionally made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body. Some famous instrument stores sold electric violins in the 1930s and 1940s. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, an American manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, produced a very small number of electric violins in 1958 and reissued them again in 1969. During the 1980s, more companies were formed producing their own brand of electric violin. There has been a great deal of commercial success for manufacturers of electric violins since the 1990s. # Violin App Users’ Opinions: Differences between Acoustic Violin and Electric Violin ## Different Structures The acoustic violin is made of a hollow structure that amplifies the vibrations of the strings. Conversely, the electric violin is often made of a solid structure and must be connected to an amplifier to be heard. Therefore, the main difference is related to the amplifying way of the sound being played. Besides, an acoustic violin has a sound box while an electric violin does not. Therefore, an acoustic violin is heard from the moment being played. As for an electric violin, if it is not connected to an amplifier, it will not be heard by the public but produce a slight sound which is barely audible. ![Original Picture from 3Dvarius](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*PceXkWd1zYqKLM4AFEcsxA.png) [3Dvarius](https://www.3d-varius.com/differences-acoustic-electric-violin) ## Different Weights Since the acoustic violin has a hollow body, it weighs less than the electric violin. An acoustic violin weighs about 480g. The weight of an electric violin differs from one manufacturer to another. Some manufacturers may limit the amount of material and lighten the final weight of the instrument as much as possible, but others may not. Heavy electric violins may tire players' arms and hands, and develop tendinitis in the long term. ## Different Sound Transmission An acoustic violin uses a classical bridge, which is placed on the body of the violin and sustained by the pressure of the strings. The bridge facilitates the transmission of the string vibration to the sound box. However, an electric violin will have to re-transcribe the string vibration into an electrical signal, and then transmit it to an amplifier. The "manufacture" of this electrical signal will be carried out by one or more pickups contained in the bridge. The sound quality of an electric violin will depend on the type of bridge and the number of pickups it contains. There are several types of pickups that can create the electrical signal, such as piezoelectric pickups or magnetic pickups. Almost every violinist has already received complaints from unhappy neighbors because of the sound produced by violin exercises. Sometimes violin players may use a mute to muffle the sound of an acoustic violin, but it is not enough. Using headphones to amplify the electric violin can allow players to play quietly at home without disturbing their neighbors. ## Different Designs An acoustic violin has 4 strings: G(Sol), D(Re), A(La), E(Mi). An electric violin may have 4 or more strings. A 5-string electric violin has the C(Do) string, which is generally used on violas. What's more, acoustic violins always have the same visual appearances. We can find common elements on acoustic violins, such as f holes, tailpiece, scroll and so on. But these elements can disappear on an electric violin. Only some necessary elements are remained on electric violins, such as the neck and the fingerboard. In fact, electric violins can have any type of designs, colors, and materials. The certain appearance can be completely decided by the designer. ![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*h6fnCy1ZPNayysLHaWruig.jpeg) ## Different Sound and Genres An electric violin does not have the same sound as an acoustic violin does. It is possible to get closer to a classical sound with an electric violin using small effects. But if violin players wanted to play classical music, they would be playing it on an acoustic violin. A multi-effect pedal can be used on an electric violin to improve and transform the sound produced. It can transform the sound into different genres. With the effect pedals, violin players can play rock, metal, jazz, pop, etc. on an electric violin. To conclude, acoustic violins and electric violins are designed for different uses. It is common to meet violinists who perform both kinds of violins. Moreover, most violinists have one or more copies of each instrument. They choose to use one or another depending on the playing occasions. In classical performances, such as a church ceremony, they will choose to play the acoustic violin. In other performances, like a rock music festival, they may prefer electric violin. But we recommend violin beginners to start with an acoustic violin, simply because it is much easier to play and does not require anything to be plugged in. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [**Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [**Perform Harmonics on Violin**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [**Solfeges used in Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [**How to Choose Right Violin Strings**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [**Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [**Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [**Violin Books for Beginners**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) [**Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Practice-after-Violin-Lessons/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/), [**Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Tchaikovsky-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Practice Effectively after Violin Lessons - URL: https://violy.app/blog/practice-after-violin-lessons - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/practice-after-violin-lessons.md - Published: 2020-01-13 - Summary: Learning to play the violin involves long hours of training. Every violin student understands that t Learning to play the violin involves long hours of training. Every violin student understands that the total amount of practice you put in will equal how great a violinist you can become. For violin teachers, they also urge their students to practice as much as possible since the practicing amount of weekly violin lessons is not enough. However, just spending every second practicing cannot make you a professional violinist. Apart from practice itself, what should also be considered is how to practice effectively. In the text below, we will introduce several ways to make your practice more effective. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*hxzF52uI-g4juRFwoTiqYw.jpeg) First of all, almost every violinist knows the importance of deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is difficult, but worth it. Deliberate means when you practice, you need to center all your thoughts on practice itself for the entire time. The tips we will discuss below share the common core of deliberate practice. Although you may have your own individual regimen like other violin players do, you can still develop your own deliberate practice style and begin to see remarkable results by incorporating these practice habits and visualization techniques. # Visualize Your Goal When Practice after Violin Lessons Without a clear and attainable goal, making progress can be incredibly difficult. For example, instead of concentrating on the violin fingering that you are doing wrong, you are supposed to focus your mind on how it should be like when it is done properly. It can help if you watch a close-up of a virtuoso performing the same piece. It is important to create realistic images of how it will feel and sound when the piece is performed perfectly. By outlining the practicing goal, violin students are able to focus on the outcome desired, rather than a current limitation. # Organize Your Surroundings Outside of Violin Lessons The place where you practice has a direct influence on how effective you will be able to learn. Essentially, you are practicing to get improved. If your mind is able to wander easily or there are a lot of distractions nearby, deliberate practice is going to be difficult. The place you practice after violin lessons should be organized to support total concentration. It is hard to focus on practice itself if you are being constantly interrupted by texts, phone calls, or other objects which may be distracting. Find a quiet room and make sure that the notifications of your mobile devices are off. It will also help if you situate your music stand in an area that offers few visual distractions. What’s more, you can conduct your practice near a mirror to assist the visualization process. # Train Yourself to Identify and Solve Specific Problems When Your Violin Teacher Is Not There Rather than play the same and incorrect passage over and over again, you should use problem-solving strategies to fix your violin bow technique, fingering issues, or problems with violin notes. The best way to create deliberate practice is to slow down and play softly. Research has shown that sensory perception is heightened when sounds are faint, which makes it easier to detect slight alterations in pitch and vibrato. Moreover, by reducing your tempo, you give yourself time to process the information. Some violin students may have forgotten how beneficial it is to play at an extremely reduced tempo. Reducing the tempo at first can help ensure that your arms and fingers execute correctly, then you can gradually pick up the pace. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*Y92yrmTChIpLNaB27JOdNg.jpeg) # Practice at the Same Time Every Day Set a time slot specially for violin practice and try to form a habit to practice at that time every day. When you have a designated practice time, you are less likely to make excuses or skip deliberate practice. # Use A Violin App to Track Your Practice Violin apps are helpful tools in daily practice after violin lessons. Violin teachers cannot supervise their students’ daily practice at any time after weekly violin lessons. But a violin app can. Try Violy app for example, which is a smart mobile app using AI technology to analyze violin practice statistically. # Use Violin Tuners at the Beginning of Every Practice Session Tuning is a must-do step before playing your instrument. It can also make your practicing effective, since you would not be bothered by higher or lower pitch when playing if all your strings are tuned in advance. There are a variety of violin tuner apps, and Simply Tuner is a good one. # Keep All Your Violin Sheet Music Together for Violin Lessons It can be annoying when you are about to practice but cannot find the piece you need to play. Therefore, always keep your sheet music together and sort it into alphabetical order, or you can sort it according to your own preference, just make sure you can find the piece you need at any time. # Always Have A Pencil on Hand When You Practice without Violin Teachers’ Guidance Have a pencil within reach so that you can mark your violin sheet music with helpful reminders. It is normal to make mistakes during practicing, so you need to mark them in case you play the wrong notes next time. Besides, sometimes you may find it enjoyable playing certain bars on sheet music, so you can mark those bars for afterwards performing. # Use A Music Stand and Practice with Proper Posture Good posture is not only essential to helping you play better, it is also important to preventing injury. Using a music stand can definitely help you form a proper posture for violin practice. What matters more is how you practice, instead of how much you practice. You can make real strides in your playing by making an effort to “deliberately” practice. Just apply all these tips mentioned above for a long term and you will be amazed at your progress. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [Violin Books for Beginners](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/), [Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Tchaikovsky-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of Tchaikovsky on Violin App - URL: https://violy.app/blog/tchaikovsky-on-violin-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/tchaikovsky-on-violin-app.md - Published: 2020-01-10 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. The recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violi # Violin Album of Tchaikovsky (Sheet music on violin app) Hello, Violy violinists. The recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violin app needs you to make them ‘violy’. In today’s article, we will discuss the repertoire from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} # Album (Violin) Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the romantic period, whose works are among the most popular music in the classical repertoire. He was also a guest conductor in Europe and the United States. Although musically precocious, Tchaikovsky was educated for a career as a civil servant. There were scant opportunities for a musical career in Russia at that time and there was no system of public music education then. When an opportunity for such an education arose, he entered the nascent Saint Petersburg Conservatory, from which he graduated in 1865. The formal Western-oriented teaching he received there set him apart from composers of the contemporary nationalist movement, which was embodied by the Russian composers of The Five, with whom his professional relationship was mixed. While his music has remained popular among audiences, critical opinions were initially mixed. Some Russians did not feel it was sufficiently representative of native musical values, and expressed suspicion that Europeans accepted the music for its Western elements. In an apparent reinforcement of the latter claim, some Europeans lauded Tchaikovsky for offering music more substantive than base exoticism, and said he transcended stereotypes of Russian classical music. Others dismissed Tchaikovsky’s music as “lacking in elevated thought”, according to longtime New York Times music critic Harold C. Schonberg, and derided its formal workings as deficient because they did not stringently follow Western principles. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*03I8Ciq9H8SEgG257lUAcA.jpeg) # Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Composition Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote several works well known among the general classical public — *Romeo and Juliet*, *the 1812 Overture*, and his three ballets: *The Nutcracker*, *Swan Lake*, and *The Sleeping Beauty*. These 5, along with two of his four concertos, three of his six symphonies (seven if his program symphony Manfred is included), and two of his 10 operas, are probably among his most familiar works. *The Manfred Symphony*, *Francesca da Rimini*, *the Capriccio Italien* and *the Serenade for Strings* are almost as popular as the works mentioned above. *The Violin Concerto in D major*, one of Tchaikovsky’s freshest-sounding and least pretentious works, is filled with melodies that could have easily come from one of his ballets. It is also one of the best-known violin concertos. The composer also had some chamber music works, including string quartets and one string sextet. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*DJnyuSeKZnqOac6kNOVx-Q.jpeg) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 6 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky on Violy, including: ***1. Andante Cantabile***| Andante cantabile = 76 · This work is from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet *№1 in D major Op. 11*. It was the first of his three completed string quartets that were published during his lifetime. An earlier attempt had been abandoned after the first movement was completed. Composed in February 1871, it was premiered in Moscow on 16/28 March 1871 by four members of the Russian Musical Society: Ferdinand Laub and Ludvig Minkus, violins; Pryanishnikov, viola; and Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, cello. Tchaikovsky arranged the second movement for cello and string orchestra in 1888. The quartet has four movements: *Moderato e semplice (D major)*, *Andante cantabile (B♭ major)*, *Scherzo: Allegro non tanto e con fuoco — Trio (D minor)*, and *Finale: Allegro giusto — Allegro vivace (D major)*. ***2. Chanson Triste*** | Allegro non troppo = 120 ***3. Dance of Little Four Swan*** | BPM = 100 ***4. June: Barcarolle*** | Andante cantabile = 80 ***5. Melodie in E Flat Major, Op. 42 №3*** | Moderato con moto = 84 · This work is from *Souvenir d’un lieu cher (Memory of a dear place) Op. 42 for violin and piano*. It was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between March and May 1878. It consists of three movements: *Méditation (D minor)*, *Scherzo (C minor) and Mélodie (E-flat major; Tchaikovsky also described it as a “chant sans paroles”)*. ***6. Theme for Swan Lake*** | BPM = 82 · *Swan Lake Op. 20*, is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular of all ballets. The scenario, initially in two acts, was fashioned from Russian and German folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. The ballet was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet on 4 March 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Although it is presented in many different versions, most ballet companies base their stagings both choreographically and musically on the 1895 revival of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, first staged for the Imperial Ballet on 15 January 1895, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. For this revival, Tchaikovsky’s score was revised by the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre’s chief conductor and composer Riccardo Drigo. *Swan Lake* is scored for the typical late 19th-century large orchestra: Strings: violins I and II; violas, violoncellos; double basses, harp Woodwinds: piccolo; 2 flutes; 2 oboes; 2 clarinets in B♭, A and C; 2 bassoons Brass: 4 French horns in F; 2 cornets in A and B♭; 2 trumpets in F, D, and E; 3 trombones (2 tenor, 1 bass); tuba Percussion: timpani; snare drum; cymbals; bass drum; triangle; tambourine; castanets; tam-tam; glockenspiel; chimes ## In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/), [**Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Tchaikovsky-on-violin-app/) **Antonio Lucio Vivaldi**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ Ref: 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky 2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky 3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._1_(Tchaikovsky) 4.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souvenir_d%27un_lieu_cher 5.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) [Violin Books for Beginners](https://violy.app/blog/2020/01/Violin-Books-for-Beginners/) {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Books for Beginners - Suggestions for Violin Teachers - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-books-for-beginners - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-books-for-beginners.md - Published: 2020-01-02 - Summary: Among all instruments, violin is very popular and perfect for musicians of all ages to learn. During # Violin Books for Beginners Among all instruments, violin is very popular and perfect for musicians of all ages to learn. During the process of learning, to have a qualified violin teacher is no doubt important. Moreover, right violin books are also valuable tools. Different teachers may use various violin books on violin lessons. Students may also have personal preference when they practice with violin apps. To be frank, there is no such a thing like the most useful and informative book for beginner students. In the text below, we just provide some suggestions based on most people’s choices. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*yk9XFryfcUS4xy3Ao7YJ0w.jpeg) # *Essential Elements for Strings* *Essential Elements for Strings* is very useful for beginners. It offers sound pedagogy and engaging music. The book includes familiar songs and instrument-specific exercises that let violin students focus on the unique characteristics of the violin. It also includes specially designed exercises that translate well in the classroom. That means if you are in group classes and the violin teacher uses this book, practicing with it at home can speed up the learning process. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/458/1*-U5Mn846Uf0cLOcQaTZjsg.png) *Essential Elements for Strings* starts very slowly and moves very gradually, which can be helpful for violin teachers who deal with groups of students. On the other hand, it can work well for violin self-learners who don’t have a violin teacher to provide step-by-step guidance. They can use the book to start with music reading, move gradually to violin playing and get improved later. # *The ABCs of Violin* for the Absolute Beginner This book is the first one in the series of *The ABCs of Violin*. *The ABCs of Violin* is a phenomenally successful series. It owes much of its success to the wonderful original material and the sensitive arrangements of classical, folk, fiddle and other popular melodies. This best-selling instruction book is a good start for a violin beginner of any age. Various melodies plus short warm-up exercises and study pieces can advance students technically in an easy and enjoyable way. Simple duets, scales, a note-reading worksheet, a glossary of music terms and symbols, and a practice chart are also included along with many graphs to show left-hand finger placement. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/486/1*YbROs2bbl--MLDWieZaj_A.png) The included CD consists of 34 songs with violin and piano accompaniments, piano-only tracks for playing along, and printable PDF files of the piano accompaniments. *The ABCs of Violin* series is a truly valuable resource for students in the early stages of violin learning. # *Suzuki Violin School* This 10-book series takes violinists from near-beginning stages to a moderately advanced level. The series is based on Suzuki Method. The key principles of Suzuki Method are that all children have the capability to be good at music and that a nurturing environment can help develop and enhance that capability. For either a young violin child or a learner who is well into adult years, Suzuki Method is appropriate for harnessing the ability to play the violin. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/486/1*tkqVCIpI9pkf4F2UttDAKg.png) *Suzuki Violin School* series contains limited information regarding note reading and musical theory, so it is not ideal for violin students to use the books to teach themselves. However, the series is exceptionally useful if the violin teachers already use Suzuki Method in their violin lessons. If a violin beginner combines lessons based on Suzuki Method and daily practice with Suzuki Violin School together, it will be much more beneficial. On the other hand, *Suzuki Violin School* series contains many children’s songs, so the books may be more popular among violin kids. But for adult beginners, they are likely to find it a little bit boring playing these songs. # Rubank Elementary Method Violin This is one of the most popular violin books, both for individual instruction and same-instrument groups. It employs a very well-rounded approach to violin teaching, including scales and arpeggios, articulation and technical studies, solos and duets, and studies for musicianship. Well-known songs make it fun to progress through each section. The book does not come with a CD. It provides a fantastic wealth of material for all violin students. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/510/1*KvJFrVg5nPvQqOCVovO_Uw.png) # *Violin for Dummies* For either a violin beginner preparing for the first violin lesson, or a learner who just wants to boost violin learning, *Violin for Dummies* is one of the most important violin books in players’ collection. It begins by introducing music fundamentals, including reading musical notation and understanding harmony. Then it focuses on violin specifics, such as tuning your instrument, holding the bow correctly, and keeping it in good condition with regular maintenance. The accompanying CD includes audio and video clips and tutorials to help you get started. It also features MP3 files of every song and exercise in the book. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/510/1*SE-UXJEhQT_GtJ90qG-Bcw.png) *Violin for Dummies* is good for zero-based self-learning. It covers from choosing the right violin for yourself to playing a variety of musical styles. You can learn how to read and feel music from this book. Besides, you can have an idea about how to inject your own personality into whatever you play. You will be playing classical, jazz, country, and more musical styles using this book. The included audio and video instruction encourage you to play along as you learn, and allow you to hear, see, and imitate proper technique. In addition to books, there are a lot of great resources available for violin learning. One of the best resources is a qualified violin teacher. Your teacher can offer more specific recommendations based on your age, current skill level, and specific goals. Although the violin has a reputation of being difficult to learn, the reality is that it is more difficult to master. Practicing over time will refine your performing techniques and musical style. During the whole process, suitable violin books can provide you an impetus to keep making progress. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*F904StK9-BgX7N7rfmUjaQ.jpeg) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy Cello Lecture | Wu Linfeng - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-cello-lecture-wulinfeng - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-cello-lecture-wulinfeng.md - Published: 2019-12-30 - Summary: ## Violy Cellist — Wu Linfeng ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*k-vo59v_YLIVu3fU1sJi9Q.jpeg) Wu # Violy Cello Lecture | Wu Linfeng ## Violy Cellist — Wu Linfeng ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*k-vo59v_YLIVu3fU1sJi9Q.jpeg) Wu Linfeng is the former head and chief cellist of Peking University Symphony Orchestra. He is also the founder of “Cello Lovers Union”, a famous Wechat official account. In this Violy lecture, he shared some of his experiences as a Peking University student with music talent, and some music educational views. **Content of Wu Linfeng’s lecture is as follows(edited in first person):** Hello everyone, I’m Wu Linfeng. I’m very glad to be given this chance to share some of my experience on music. I will divide my lecture into four parts: my cello learning experiences, what the students with art talent are like, my career choice, and the status quo of Chinese music education in my view. # My Cello Learning Experiences in Cello Lessons My grandfather loves music very much and he is a collector of CDs. My father learned to play the violin when he was young and he is an amateur violinist himself. Once he heard a song with cello cover and became interested in the instrument, he intended to let me learn to play the cello instead of violin. This is a brief story about my road to cello. Since I grew up in a family that love music, and my father had some music training before, I have the chance to learn music with these two advantages. I started to learn cello in 1995 and continued to take cello lessons until 2007, when I was about to go to the college. I was in Beijing Sun Youth Orchestra during the whole process of learning and got improved greatly through amounts of practicing and frequent performances. In the meanwhile, I participated in many competitions and was awarded the first prize in The 1st Ai Qin Prize Competition in China. This experience encouraged me a lot. # A Cello Teacher’s Explanation: What the Students with Art Talent Are Like First, I need to make it specific that art students and students with art talent are totally different. Art students are those who major in art in college, for example, a student majoring in violin performing in College of Arts, Renmin University of China. As for students with art talent, they are those who study comprehensive majors but get admitted under the privilege because of art talents. I am a student with art talent myself and got admitted by Peking University under the privilege of 50 points dropping, which means if the enrollment score of Peking University is 650, I can enter the university with a score of 600. Although students with art talent can be admitted under the privilege, they need to participate in rehearsals of college orchestra on the weekend. Besides, they also need to enter the stage and perform when there are activities on campus. The privilege for students with art talent is changing over the past few years. The enrolling number of these students is dropping and the admission criteria is getting more strict. But students with art talent are still competitive in admission of some elite schools worldwide. On the other hand, these students may be easily remembered by others in social occasions because their talents are impressive. To be remembered in social occasions can be important in some way and this is a good beginning for your self-development. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*Wq04jBZqnZpTnO8DNRQT8g.jpeg) # My Career Choice As A Cello Teacher Personally, I think what people should learn are knowledge, skills and ability. These elements are important for career choice. The majors I studied at college are economics and law, and my university also taught me a series of abilities, like learning new skills, interpersonal communication, empathy and so on. To be honest, I tried different things when I just graduated. At the moment, a conductor I knew asked me if I want to give up cello, which I had learned for 17 years, and switch to my majors, which I had studied for just 4 years. He gave me some suggestions and I thought deeply myself, then I decided to be a cello teacher. In this way, I just combined my personal preference, self-competence and market demand together. The intersection of the three aspects for me is being a cello teacher. Some people asked me if my job will be replaced by AI in the future. I think it is not easy for teachers and performers to be replaced. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1108/1*6QN2ZtRAfmTqxd1Vun-Vsg.png) # A Cello Teacher’s View: The Status Quo of Chinese Music Education As far as I know, many Chinese parents of the time have little knowledge of music. Since education in China is utilitarian in some way, Chinese parents lack art education. It is not likely for them to help their children in music learning. But I recognized one thing during my teaching that this situation will be improved in our next generation. Take Beijing for example, in an ordinary primary school, children who learn to play the instrument account for 1/3 to 1/2 of all students. This percentage is much higher than that in our generation. Here I would like to recommend a book for parents, which is called *Producing Excellence: The Making of Virtuosos*. It provides a sociological view on the research of developing path of music learners from dozens of families. It is normal for music learners and their parents to encounter some difficulties at the beginning of learning. It can be hard for most parents to identify if their children have talent in instrument playing, to decide how to help their children plan music learning path, and to know how to help their children in daily practice. Considering these problems, I can say that Violy app is very helpful since it can be an effective tool supervising students’ practice. I have tried some features of the app and can feel that within the product, there is a leading musical education concept. At the end of my lecture, I would like share something related to my communication with other musicians and music educators worldwide. Some musicians from western countries find it astonishing that Chinese children can concentrate on one thing, like listening to instructions, for quite long time. It is almost impossible for children in their countries to sit still for two hours. But from their comments I can find out that compared to Chinese children, children from western countries are likely to regard music as a part of life instead of a burden. For many western music learners, it is quite normal that their parents know a little music or play instruments as well, so there is a musical atmosphere at home and they love music naturally. Therefore, I usually tell parents of my students that if they want their children to learn well, they should let children love the instrument they play. Furthermore, parents should like music themselves. I believe that with the development of society, Chinese children’s music learning road will become more and more smooth. They will enjoy better art education as well. That’s all for my lecture, thanks for your attention! # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) [Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Maintenance/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Tips for Proper Violin Maintenance - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-maintenance - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-maintenance.md - Published: 2019-12-26 - Summary: Most violin teachers will tell students that it is important to take good care of their instruments. # What You Won’t Know from Violin Lessons Most violin teachers will tell students that it is important to take good care of their instruments. But for many students, from regular violin lessons, they are not likely to get a specific concept of how to take good care of their violins on earth. Most violins are worth a good amount of money, and they will sound and look best when you play them if they are well-maintained. In today’s Violin App article, we are going to show you everything you need to know to properly maintain your violin. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*EYzCpWz9-X4_A0P2tfdklA.jpeg) # Clean the Violin after Playing It You can begin with the rear deck when the instrument is new. Take a little dry handkerchief or cloth and make rotating motions. You need to wipe all the curves on the side as well when cleaning the front deck. Every day, after you practice, there will be a little bit extra rosin residue on your instrument, so make sure to clean under the fingerboard and the bridge to wipe off the rosin dust. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/842/1*7nrXo0XNTVQawg4n5InZTA.png) Besides, make sure to clean the fingerboard under the strings if the instrument is old with visible traces of rosin. Use cleaning solutions and don’t apply the solution directly to the wood. Then switch to the cloth. In this way it will not be concentrated in one spot. Don’t clean the neck with a solution, instead just wipe it down with a dry cloth. Every couple of months you need to put a little shine on your violin. When you finish playing, your hands start to sweat a little bit and you also need to use a little rubbing alcohol on your handkerchief. Put that rubbing alcohol on the fingerboard. You can put a little bit on the neck as well, so it is nice and smooth for your left hand to shift and play nicely. # Clean the Strings before Tuning When cleaning strings, you can use moist wipes. If the wipes are not available, just use a dry cloth and spirit. Wipe the strings carefully and don’t let the spirit touch the wood. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/714/1*DcJnc6ikAwyfDyd0hYLMBA.png) # Pay Attention to the Bridge before Performing on Violin Lessons The bridge is an important part of the violin, which is located in the middle of the F hall at the 90 degree angle to the violin. If there has been an accident and the bridge has fallen out of its place, grip it tightly with both hands and put it back in place. Try not to touch the strings in the bow zone. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/518/1*gaA0Kvsdnw4qNZ1ZQTr_ag.png) # Keep Perfect Humidity inside the Violin Case after Violin Lessons Storage is very important for the acoustic violin. In most violin cases, there are built-in humidity meters, so the humidity is easy to control. Perfect humidity is about 45 to 55 percent. 60 to 40 is still okay. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/672/1*A1CUk74XiXs6vlecDJh8AA.png) If a violin is in a dry room, put a container of water into the case. It will evaporate and raise the humidity a little bit. If the air is too humid, put some salt in the case to absorb the moisture. Please take a note: if you are using silver strings, you cannot use salt. Make sure you keep your instrument in the case when you are not playing it, you need to strap it up nicely and not loosely at all. Keep in mind that the case should always be zipped when your violin is inside. Besides, remember to leave it home in a nice and well-ventilated area. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*4IDztId2u6qyGbs5hO3Wkg.jpeg) # Tuning Pegs Need to Be Maintained as Well after Tuning If the peg box has shrunk and the pegs are hard to pull out, put the peg box under the hot lamp for about two hours. The wood will expand and you will be able to pull the pegs out. If the pegs are loose and don’t hold the tuning, use chalk to stroke a few times on them. Then it will tighten the grip. If the pegs are hard to turn, use most basic household soap and apply it just like the chalk. Just make sure it is not scented. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/550/1*92OM8Wdf2TzhmGYpaL_sag.png) # Process of Changing the Violin Strings When changing the strings, don’t take all the strings off at once, because the bridge might fall off and lose its perfect position. Change the strings one by one. Each string has a different thickness shown on the packaging. Take the appropriate string and put one end of the string into the hole of a tuning peg, and carefully wind it around the peg. Then insert the other end into the hole by the fine tuner. You may change all the strings regularly. The frequency depends on how much you practice. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/498/1*-6Ndt5iCG5dY3dZUBLKaNQ.png) # Take Care of Fine Tuners Sometimes the fine tuners get stuck and are not easy to turn when fine-tuning. When they do, unscrew them and apply lubricant. We recommend cork grease. Make sure that the lubricant doesn’t come into contact with the wood. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/502/1*2a39xshS3IlScD4nnpjI9Q.png) # Clean the Bow for Better Tone on Violin Lessons When cleaning the bow, use a dry cloth. Make sure that you wipe the stick without touching the hair. At the side of the bow, there is a screw that regulates the tension of the hair. Make sure that the screw is not too tightly wound. After playing, loosen the screw and the stick doesn’t get bent if humidity changes. Tighten the screw again before playing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/550/1*9DuLp_Um71ISRJlhkHcy4Q.png) # Tips for Applying Rosin before Violin Performing If you have a new bow, you need to apply rosin very carefully like doing it inch by inch. If you have used the bow for a while and feel that you need to reapply the rosin because the tension is fading, apply it more lightly. When applying the rosin, don’t push. It can cause large pieces of rosin to get stuck in the hair and cause unpleasant sounds. If you have applied too much rosin, unwind the screw and hit the bowl lightly to shake the dust off. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/550/1*xUf7JefRCpvdy4YQzLMzmA.png) Just follow these simple steps and your instrument will serve you for years to come. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) [Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Violin-Bowing-Guide/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing - Violin Teachers’ Guide - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-bowing-guide - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-bowing-guide.md - Published: 2019-12-18 - Summary: Bowing is crucial for violin learners, especially beginners. It is also what violin teachers focus o # Things You Must Know About Violin Bowing Bowing is crucial for violin learners, especially beginners. It is also what violin teachers focus on during beginners’ violin lessons. We are going to talk about some bowing techniques and various bowing strokes in the text below. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*JJD01ueToPBcfALaA8r7HA.jpeg) # Bowing Techniques Which Should Be Taught by Violin Teachers on Violin Lessons Violin teachers should tell students that the way they bow their instruments is critical to their health and performance. Incorrect bowing ways such as poor wrist-hand-arm alignment, incorrect motion, and incomplete/over extension, can cause chronic physical issues. On the other hand, poor bowing techniques may impact violin sounds during performances and result in weak, watery, bouncy and/or inconsistent tones, not to mention the intolerable squeaks. Here are 4 tips that will make an improvement in students’ bowing techniques and violin sound. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/880/1*59a85IJNidsnYByZLZ_vzg.png) ## 1. HOLD THE BOW CORRECTLY As we mentioned above, correct bowing hand is significant. How you hold the bow determines the pressure and angle of the bow on the strings. Too much, too little, too angled, etc., can affect the sound. Ultimately, bow grip should be so comfortable that you don’t have to think about it. Just allow the hand to feel stable, in control, flexible and relaxed. To find your natural grip, you can place the hand palm up, curling your thumb towards your middle-ring finger and relaxing. Now flip your hand back around. This is your natural grip. Replicate this position when you place the bow in your hand. Rest half of your thumb-tip on the frog “bump” while the other half rests on the stick. The part right below the thumbnail will rest on the bow hair for support. Let the other four fingers rest in their natural position, with the first three fingers curling over the stick while the first finger rests gently on top. Your forearm may rotate inward just a bit, and the result is a relaxed, comfortable but controlled bow grip. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2544/1*CP7jw5YtinhLNJa4yt633w.png) ## 2. KEEP YOUR ELBOW AT A RIGHT ANGLE When you stand in front of a mirror, with your bow on the A string, halfway between the fingerboard and the bridge, then you should be able to picture a square, with imaginary lines running from shoulder, to elbow, to the line made by your bow. Readjust, bow across the strings and maintain that squared position. Now, run through a basic, 15-minute warm-up and watch to see if your arm maintains the squared position when you change strings. Adjust accordingly. ## 3. KEEP THAT BOW IN THE MIDDLE — AND THE MIDDLE This one is a two-for-the-price-of-one bowing tip. In the beginning, and even at intermediate levels, it is important to keep your bowing to the middle of the bow itself (not too close to the frog or the tip), and to move the bow across the mid-space between the fingerboard and the bridge. Regularly check both of these positions and you will gain better bowing control as well as a straight bowing performance technique, both of which are admired by violin teachers, audiences and musicians. ## 4. KEEP THE BOW FLAT ON THE STRINGS It is true that experienced violinists tilt their bows a bit. Moreover, they have perfected their technique and have an inherent understanding of how to tweak the bow angle achieves a desired sound. As a beginner or intermediate player, however, it is better to keep the bow flat on the strings for control and depth of sound. Over time, you will be able to relax this rule a bit. These violin bowing tips are worth making a part of your regular violin practice and overall awareness. The result will be an enviable technique that allows you to tackle any piece you wish. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*J5N5UptgQm6n1zdHaYWRFQ.jpeg) # Various Bowing Strokes Violin Players Should Grasp In this article we divide bowing techniques into four categories: detaché, martelé, spiccato and others. ## 1. Detaché Detaché is a separate stroke, down and up, with a healthy tone and a seamless bow change. It is often played in rapid succession and it is very useful, because it is in almost the entire repertoire on violin. In **detaché collé**, you perfect a ‘slow motion’ spiccato and lift the bow at the bow changes. In **detaché porté**, you emphasize the beginning of each bow stroke using a higher bow speed without pressure accent. **Son filé** is a bowing technique in which you make a deep and full sound. In **legato** you play multiple notes on one bow stroke. This gives a fluent sound. In sheet music you see a slur above the notes. **Portato** is an up bow with stops. It is a little similar to legato as you play multiple notes on one bow stroke, but you stop your bow between the notes without accents. **Chord** is to play three or four notes at the same time. ## 2. Martelé Martelé is often the second bowing technique you learn on the violin. In martelé you don’t make a silent or seamless bow change, but there remains ‘air’ between the notes. Also every note begins with an accent. Usually you put the weight of your arm through your index finger into the bow and release it when the bow stroke starts. In **martelé collé** you lift the bow at the bow change. This looks a bit like slow motion spiccato or detaché collé. **Martelé lancé** means a longer bow stroke with higher bow speed at the beginning of the note. This looks a lot like detaché porté, but with firm accents. **Staccato** and martelé are mixed up sometimes. Often staccato is used to describe multiple martelé notes on one bow stroke. **Flying staccato** leaves the string between mulptiple martelé notes on one bow stroke. Your bow bounces, but you control the movement. **Fouetté** is the middle between spiccato on the string and a detaché with accents. Most of the time it is played on the upper half of the bow. ## 3. Spiccato Spiccato uses the natural jumping of your violin bow. The bow leaves the string at the bow changes and the bow strokes are short. It is important in spiccato that your wrist and fingers make smooth movements and you are not doing the spiccato with your entire arm. **Sautillé** is done in a high tempo and played higher on the bow than spiccato. In spiccato your hand and the natural bounce of your bow work together. In sautillé you do less and your bow bounces more naturally. **Flying spiccato** is to play several spiccato notes on one bow stroke and you bow almost on the same spot of the bow. There is an almost vertical jump. In **ricochet** you use the natural jumping quality of your violin bow and play several notes on one bow stroke. It is like a pebble bouncing over the water surface. **Jumping arpeggio** is to apply ricochet in broken chords. ## 4. Others There are many more sounds you can make with your violin bow. In **tremolo** you make short bow strokes at the tip. In **col legno** you turn the bow upside down and you play with the wood on the string. **Sul punticello** is bowing near the bridge causing a classy sound. **Sul tasto** is bowing near or above the fingerboard with the soft sound. **Flautato** is bowing with a high bow speed and little pressure creating a whistling transparent sound. For violinists who use violin apps, perfecting bowing techniques works for their better performances on violin apps. On the other hand, violin teachers are supposed to go through all bowing techniques and strokes for students during violin lessons. # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) [How to Choose Right Violin Strings](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/How-to-choose-right-violin-strings/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/). {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # How to Choose Right Violin Strings - Violin Teachers’ Guide - URL: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-choose-right-violin-strings - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-choose-right-violin-strings.md - Published: 2019-12-05 - Summary: As the most direct source of sound, violin strings are extremely important for not only the instrume As the most direct source of sound, violin strings are extremely important for not only the instrument itself, but also the violinists. What should be paid attention to is that most violin students and parents have no idea about choosing right strings, unless professional violin teachers give specific advice to them during violin lessons. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*iCmstv8-vh6haB0pyoHdIg.jpeg) Some violinists stick with the strings they’ve been using for years, while others constantly seek different strings that might improve their instrument’s sound or make playing easier. These days, string players face a multitude of choices when it comes to picking violin strings. Trying every available string on the market to find your dream strings is probably unrealistic, but you can have a general idea of selecting strings after reading this article. In this article we focus on brief introduction and regular choices of violin strings, and based on prices, we will tell you what kind of strings match your violin best. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/800/1*3YPKaZHnJG2R2jSLeWZ2QA.png) ## First we need to clarify that violin strings are consumables. ## It is normal to change new ones when your violin strings are broken. It seems that some violin students feel like ruining their instruments as they break strings when tuning. Actually we don’t have to panic. ## The optimum service life for violin strings is three to six months. ## If your strings are not severely worn, they can serve for about one year. It may be terrified for violin beginners to find that their strings get broken just within several days. But as a fresh hand for tuning, many actions can lead to string breaking, such as wrong stringing ways, bumping and tightening strings too much. Therefore, preparing for new strings to change at any time is what violin players usually do. # Features of Some Violin Strings Used during Violin Lessons # Violin strings used during violin lessons are mainly classified into three types: **gut strings, nylon strings and steel strings.** **Gut strings** are very old and their design goes back several centuries. The tone of this kind of strings can be very gentle and they are suitable for performing music in Baroque era. Typically made from sheep intestines, gut strings are lower tension than other strings and have a complex tone that is rich with overtones. Because of the low tension and winding method, they are more pliable under fingers than other strings and require players to finesse the sound from their instruments with the bow. But gut strings are easy to break and hard to preserve. Besides, the prices are very high. Considering these factors, we don’t recommend students to use gut strings unless they are soloists or hard-core fans of classical music. ![Gut strings](https://miro.medium.com/max/694/1*62767Y-rsWxp67Y6iJpkRw.png) **Nylon strings** are modeled on gut strings. Compared to gut strings, nylon strings combine durability and tone in an effective way. They are much more stable in pitch than gut strings. Though “gut-like,” they tend to have a more focused tone with fewer complex overtones. They are popular among violin students of higher grades and professional violin performers, and can be regarded as standard equipped strings for them. The prices of nylon strings can vary from around 5 to 220 USD. ![Nylon strings](https://miro.medium.com/max/554/1*popM8y8Fkb4yUiO6gF0-TQ.png) **Steel strings** are the most universal strings. In general, steel strings have a quick response and a clear, focused, brilliant tone. But, don’t expect a great deal of depth and tonal complexity from steel strings. Steel strings can be used for quite long time that unless they are broken, they are durable until they get rusty. But they are literally not friendly to violin players’ fingers. Generally, they are the least expensive strings on the market. The prices vary from around 1 to 35 USD. ![Steel strings](https://miro.medium.com/max/534/1*sporZEvSFgG4_C8_FCrOPg.png) # The Way to Choose Right Violin Strings for Violin App and Violin Tuner # **The most practical and operational way to select violin strings is to choose according to the price of your own instrument.** Here we will provide some choosing ranges in violin teachers’ view for your reference. Personal preference and special demands are not included among the ranges. * Price below 150 USD — Steel strings within 3 USD * Price from around 150 USD to 300 USD — Steel strings within 7 USD * Price from around 300 to 700 USD — Steel strings from around 7 to 20 USD or elementary nylon strings * Price from around 700 to 1500 USD — Steel strings or nylon strings from around 15 to 40 USD * Price over 1500 USD — Nylon strings over 30 USD The ranges above are only suggested ranges. It will be definitely better if your professional violin teacher specifies which kind of strings you need to buy. For violins whose prices are below 150 USD, steel strings within 3 USD is enough. Since the size of these violins are usually 1/4 or 1/2, strings of high quality cannot perform well on them. On the other hand, for violin kids who use these kinds of violins, they are not able to take good care of their instruments and may break strings frequently. Therefore, it is reasonable for them to use strings of low prices. ![Steel strings of Shanghai brand are suitable for violin beginners](https://miro.medium.com/max/486/1*cnMJ3enmJjpKA4zUI2xaGg.png) For violins whose prices are from around 150 USD to 300 USD, we recommend steel strings of Alice brand. These kinds of violins are not delicately made, but will sounded more beautiful with better strings. The string prices of Alice brand can be various and you may choose in your own preference. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/482/1*DoZ14jo1xseUZWq4swcaBg.png) For violins whose prices are around 300 to 700 USD, we should decide by sizes. For those smaller than 3/4, we recommend you use steel strings. For those of 3/4 or 4/4, we recommend nylon strings of PIRASTRO TONICA. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*36ZgWwRPh-seEKFgy-GSGw.png) Violins whose prices are around 700 to 1500 USD are generally for adults, so the demands for tone can be higher. But on the other hand, violins of this price range are not that high-grade, so the most suitable strings must be those of around 30 USD. ![THOMASTIK VISION VI100, which is highly cost-effective for violins mentioned above](https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*JegkCReEj7tODHUSo5ur5g.png) As for violins whose prices are over 1500 USD, we will not give advice here. Players who hold these kinds of instruments can decide on their own. Choose right violin strings and enjoy your practice on violin app more! ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*DO3cVhueqkxVTRIEFTHbxA.jpeg) # Have a HAPPY practice!! # ## More Violin Articles: ## [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) ## Also, check out violin sheet music on Violy App~ ## [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), [**Felix Mendelssohn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/12/Mendelssohn-on-violin-app/), **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of Mendelssohn (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) - URL: https://violy.app/blog/mendelssohn-on-violin-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/mendelssohn-on-violin-app.md - Published: 2019-12-04 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. Going through the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — Hello, Violy violinists. Going through the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violin app, is a process filled with ‘violy’ feelings. In today’s article, we will discuss the repertoire from Felix Mendelssohn, who is now among the most popular composers of the Romantic era. ![Felix Mendelssohn](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*A67a9HKu2MqV-4Fu7iLkxg.png) # Album (Violin) Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. He was recognized early as a musical prodigy, but his parents were cautious and did not seek to capitalize on his talent. Mendelssohn enjoyed early success in Germany, and revived interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, notably with his performance of the St Matthew Passion in 1829. He became well received in his travels throughout Europe as a composer, conductor and soloist; his ten visits to Britain — during which many of his major works were premiered — form an important part of his adult career. His essentially conservative musical tastes set him apart from more adventurous musical contemporaries such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Charles-Valentin Alkan and Hector Berlioz. After a long period of relative denigration due to changing musical tastes and antisemitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his creative originality has been re-evaluated. Schumann wrote of Mendelssohn that he was “the Mozart of the nineteenth century, the most brilliant musician, the one who most clearly sees through the contradictions of the age and for the first time reconciles them.” # Mendelssohn’s Violin Composition Mendelssohn’s compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music and chamber music. His best-known works include his overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Italian Symphony, the Scottish Symphony, the oratorio Elijah, the overture The Hebrides, his mature Violin Concerto, and his String Octet. He also composed the two early string quartets: Op. 12 (1829) and Op. 13 (1827), which both show a remarkable grasp of the techniques and ideas of Beethoven’s last quartets that Mendelssohn had been closely studying. The Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 is his most well-known violin work. Joseph Joachim called it one of the four great violin concertos along with those of Beethoven, Brahms, and Bruch. Mendelssohn also wrote a lesser-known, early concerto for violin and strings in D minor (1822) and another double concerto, for violin and piano (1823). In addition, there are several single-movement works for soloist and orchestra. Mendelssohn’s mature output contains numerous chamber works, many of which display an emotional intensity lacking in some of his larger works. In particular, his String Quartet №6, the last of his string quartets and his last major work, is exceptionally powerful and eloquent. Other mature works include two string quintets and sonatas for the clarinet, cello, viola and violin. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1*IO5YNOYPC8Kkqw_PyqtnPw.png) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 6 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Felix Mendelssohn on Violy, including: 1. ***Autumn Song Op. 63, №4*** | Ma non troppo = 120 2. ***Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, I*** | Allegro appassionato = 96 Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, is his last large orchestral work. It forms an important part of the violin repertoire and is one of the most popular and most frequently performed violin concertos in history. The concerto consists of three movements with the following tempo markings: Allegro molto appassionato (E minor), Andante (C major), and Allegretto non troppo — Allegro molto vivace (E major). Although the concerto consists of three movements in a standard fast–slow–fast structure and each movement follows a traditional form, the concerto was innovative and included many novel features for its time. Distinctive aspects include the almost immediate entrance of the violin at the beginning of the work (rather than following an orchestral preview of the first movement’s major themes, as was typical in Classical-era concertos) and the through-composed form of the concerto as a whole, in which the three movements are melodically and harmonically connected and played attacca (each movement immediately following the previous one without any pauses). The concerto was well received and soon became regarded as one of the greatest violin concertos of all time. It remains popular to this day and has developed a reputation as an essential concerto for all aspiring concert violinists to master, and usually one of the first Romantic era concertos they learn. Many professional violinists have recorded the concerto and the work is regularly performed in concerts and classical music competitions. 3. ***On Wings of Song*** | Andante tranquillo = 120 {% raw %}
{% endraw %} 4. ***Spring Song — Op. 62, №6*** | Allegretto grazioso = 98 5. ***Symphony №4 — “Italian”*** | Allegro vivace = 152 The Symphony №4 in A major, Op. 90, commonly known as the Italian, is an orchestral symphony written by Mendelssohn. The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings. It is in four movements: Allegro vivace (A major), Andante con moto (D minor), Con moto moderato (A major), and Presto and Finale: Saltarello (A minor). The joyful first movement, in sonata form, is followed by an impression in the subdominant minor of D minor of a religious procession the composer witnessed in Naples. The third movement is a minuet in which French horns are introduced in the trio, while the final movement, which is in the minor key throughout, incorporates dance figurations from the Roman saltarello and the Neapolitan tarantella. It is among the first large multi-movement works to begin in a major key and end in the tonic minor, another example being Brahms’s first piano trio. 6. ***Wedding March*** | Allegro mod. = 120 In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), [**Ludwig van Beethoven**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Beethoven-on-violin-app/), **Felix Mendelssohn**, **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ Ref: 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Mendelssohn 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_(Mendelssohn) 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._4_(Mendelssohn) # Have a HAPPY practice!! ## More Violin Articles: [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of Beethoven (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) - URL: https://violy.app/blog/beethoven-on-violin-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/beethoven-on-violin-app.md - Published: 2019-11-27 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. Have you practiced happily, effectively and ‘violy’? In this article we wil # Beethoven Album on Violin App Hello, Violy violinists. Have you practiced happily, effectively and ‘violy’? In this article we will continue to go through the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violin app. The repertoire we will discuss today is from Ludwig van Beethoven, who is considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. ![Ludwig van Beethoven](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*9PxBIgFlwBnm8KDzVgkpUQ.jpeg) # Violin Music Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (17 December 1770–26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is a crucial figure in the transition between the classical and romantic eras in classical music and remains one of the most recognized and influential musicians of this period. Beethoven was born in Bonn, the capital of the Electorate of Cologne, and part of the Holy Roman Empire. He displayed his musical talents at an early age and was vigorously taught by his father Johann van Beethoven, and was later taught by composer and conductor Christian Gottlob Neefe. At age 21, he moved to Vienna and studied composition with Joseph Haydn. Beethoven’s legacy is characterized for his innovative compositions, namely through the combinations of vocals and instruments, and also for widening the scope of sonata, symphony, concerto, and quartet. # Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Composition Beethoven composed in several musical genres and for a variety of instrument combinations. During his life, he composed nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin concerto, thirty-two piano sonatas, sixteen string quartets, two masses, and the opera Fidelio. Other works, like Für Elise, were discovered after his death, and are also considered historical musical achievements. Ode to Joy used by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony may be one of the most well-known violin works among audience. His works with piano accompaniment include 10 violin sonatas, 5 cello sonatas, and a sonata for French horn, as well as numerous lieder. He also wrote a significant quantity of chamber music. In addition to 16 string quartets, he wrote five works for string quintet, seven for piano trio, five for string trio, and more than a dozen works for various combinations of wind instruments. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*8ynkpI3ok_3-Vv8bQ4Yr8g.jpeg) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 14 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Ludwig van Beethoven on Violy, including: 1. ***Ecossaise in G*** | Allegro = 120 2. ***Für Elise*** | Poco moto = 44 Bagatelle №25 in A minor, commonly known as Für Elise, is one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most popular compositions. It was not published during his lifetime, only being discovered (by Ludwig Nohl) forty years after his death. The piece is in rondo form, A minor and 3/8 time. It begins with an A minor theme marked Poco moto (in some motion). The same motifs follow around C major and G major, before returning to the original theme. The B section is in the submediant major of F major, which concludes in 32nd note runs leading to a repeat of the A section. In the C section, an agitated theme in the subdominant key of D minor, is accompanied by repetitive chords with some dramatic diminished seventh chords. This section concludes with an ascending A minor arpeggio followed by a chromatic descent over two octaves, leading to another repeat of the A section. 3. ***Gavotte*** | Andantino = 76 4. ***Marmotte*** | Allegretto = 104 5. ***Minuet*** | Allegretto = 104 6. ***Ode to Joy*** | BPM = 100 Ode to Joy is an ode written in the summer of 1785 by German poet, playwright, and historian Friedrich Schiller and published the following year in Thalia. It is best known for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final (fourth) movement of his Ninth Symphony, completed in 1824. Beethoven’s text is not based entirely on Schiller’s poem, and introduces a few new sections. His tune was adopted as the Anthem of Europe by the Council of Europe in 1972 and subsequently by the European Union. Over the years, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy has remained a protest anthem and a celebration of music. 7. ***Romance in F Major*** | Adagio cantabile = 66 The Romance for Violin and Orchestra №2 in F major is the second of two such compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was written in 1798 but not published until 1805 (by which time Beethoven had completed the other work, Romance №1 in G major, Op. 40). The accompaniment is for flute and a pair each of oboes, bassoons and horns, with strings. The length is about eight minutes, Beethoven gives the tempo “Adagio Cantabile”. 8. ***Scherzo: Allegro (in C Major)*** | Allegro = 54 9. ***Sonatina in G Major, Andantino*** | Andantino = 76 10. ***Sonatina in G Major, Moderato*** | Moderato = 96 11. ***Symphony №3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”), I*** | Allegro con brio = 60 The Symphony №3 in E♭ major is a symphony in four movements by Ludwig van Beethoven. One of the composer’s most celebrated works, the Eroica symphony is a large-scale composition that marked the beginning of Beethoven’s creative middle-period. Composed mainly in 1803–1804, the work is grounded in the Classical symphonic tradition while also stretching boundaries of form, length, harmony, and perceived emotional and possibly cultural content. It has therefore widely been considered an important landmark in the transition between the Classical period and the Romantic era. The work is in four movements: Allegro con brio (12–18 min.) (E♭ major), Marcia funebre: Adagio assai (14–18 min.) (C minor), Scherzo: Allegro vivace (5–6 min.) (E♭ major) and Finale: Allegro molto (10–14 min.) (E♭ major). 12. ***Symphony №5 in C Minor, I*** | Allegro con brio = 108 13. ***Symphony №6 in F Major (Pastoral), I*** | Allegro ma non troppo = 66 14. ***Symphony №7 in A Major, I*** | Vivace = 104 In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [**Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/), **Ludwig van Beethoven**, **Felix Mendelssohn**, **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ Ref: 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCr_Elise 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_Joy 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._3_(Beethoven) 5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Romance_No._2_(Beethoven) # Have a HAPPY practice!! ## More Violin Articles: [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) [Solfeges used in Violin Lessons](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Solfeges-used-in-Violin-Lessons/) {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # A Comparison of Movable Do & Fixed Do - Solfeges used in Violin Lessons - URL: https://violy.app/blog/solfeges-used-in-violin-lessons - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/solfeges-used-in-violin-lessons.md - Published: 2019-11-25 - Summary: According to a brief survey we made among some violinists and violin teachers, two solfeges, fixed D # Solfeges used in Violin Lessons According to a brief survey we made among some violinists and violin teachers, two solfeges, fixed Do and movable Do, are both widely used when they used the violin tuner or play the instrument with violin app. In this article, we’re going to discuss the basic principles of solfege, the difference between the two solfeges, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*gb5TtPrnmtK2SIUIV-9a0Q.jpeg) # The Basic Principles of Solfege used in Violin Lessons The word solfege is derived from the names of two of the syllables used Sol and Fa. Solfege, solfeggio or sulfa is a music education method used to teach pitch and sight singing with syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do in western music. There are two current schools of applying solfege: the first is fixed Do, where the syllables are always tied to specific pitches. Do is always C natural, for example. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1652/1*LNjFNVXmu8tzHwhh0EDl2g.png) And then movable Do, where the syllables are assigned to scale degrees. Do is always the first degree of the major scale. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1424/1*j06qaVABW7FJvXIJBHFnBg.png) # The Difference between Fixed Do and Movable Do used by Violin Students and Violin Teachers Here is the difference between the two solfeges: In fixed Do, we have a fixed set of pitches that always stay the same. Do is always C natural and then move on from there. Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si, Do are simply C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. These are note naming. When you have flats or sharps, you don’t need to change anything. Moveable Do is different that it moves depending on what key you are in. It is entirely different although it uses the syllables. Actually it is naming notes based upon the pitch relationship so that Do is the tonic of the major. It means that if you are in the key of C, Do is C; if you are in the key of D, Do is D. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*Vo_GfjkYGyua1Ad67Jw3LQ.png) Movable Do tends to be for violin beginners through intermediates. But that is not to say that people who are advanced don’t use movable Do. However, fixed Do is far superior when it comes to the use of chromaticism and more complex music. Another way of looking at this is that fixed Do is for learning perfect pitch whereas movable Do is for learning relative pitch. # The Advantages and Disadvantages of Both Solfeges When Using Violin App Fixed Do is incredibly important in certain contexts. If you are a conductor who have to face a variety of instruments, it is unlikely to figure out what key each instrument is in exactly. For instance, you have violins in F or E flat, and you’ve got cellos in B flat and other instruments in some other key. At this moment, note naming is very important. Or if you are just not that familiar with the transposition of keys and find it difficult to change the note naming each time, it may be better to use fixed Do. A moveable Do is a tool for hearing music. For a young violin beginner, it is automatic for him or her to recognize that any music he or she hears automatically goes into the syllables. Then he or she may naturally hear music. Since some people don’t have perfect pitch, they often need a reference pitch. For the instruments they are not familiar with, they have no idea what pitches they are hearing. The absolute pitch is yet they assume a key and use the syllables in their head. So this is the benefit and it’s a tremendous benefit for hearing music. This can break down, however, with atonal music because syllables become kind of meaningless when there is no tone center. The whole idea of moveable Do solfege is having a tonic that is the starting note of your scale and all the pitch relationships. # It is hard to say which one is better used in violin lessons The great thing about fixed Do solfege is to be able to know to look at a score. If you’ve ever seen a great conductor just realize the score at the piano, it is awe-inspiring. Imagine taking a page that is covered from top to bottom with staffs and being able to flesh out by reading all these parts, there are all these different keys and transpositions and clefs. It takes brilliance to be able to digest a score and that’s where fixed Do Solfege is really important. If you want to be able to hear music and develop the ability to read music at site, the syllables are incredibly valuable because once you learn your pitch relationships in one key, it’s exactly the same in all the other keys. So if you know your key signatures intimately, transposition is a breeze because you put something in two syllables and you couldn’t just put it into any key you want. That’s how transposition works. Movable Do solfege is great for transposition. It is great for dictation being able to write out music you hear. As a violin teacher, you can just teach your students both solfeges and just choose one you use frequently. Either one works for better performing with violin app. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1760/1*PAeJANWFsIJfEGMDZk9e1A.jpeg) # Have a HAPPY practice!! ## More Violin Articles: [Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures/) [Perform Harmonics on Violin](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics/) ## Also, don’t forget to check out New Violin Repertoires on Violy! [Johnn Sebastian Bach](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [Joseph Haydn](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), [Mozart](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Mozart-on-violin-app/) Visit [Violy.app](https://violy.app/) for more~ Questions? Contact us at Support@Violy.app Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of Mozart (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) - URL: https://violy.app/blog/mozart-on-violin-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/mozart-on-violin-app.md - Published: 2019-11-21 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. In this article we will go through the recently added “Albums” of violin re # Violin Album of Mozart (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) Hello, Violy violinists. In this article we will go through the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violin app, which can help you practice ‘violy’. What should be checked out today is the repertoire of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was praised by Hadyn that “posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years”. ![Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*Xfm3F41iGf8EG9u-xRNYPQ.jpeg) # Violin Music Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756–5 December 1791), was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era. He composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court. During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his early death at the age of 35. He composed more than 600 works, many of which are acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and his influence is profound on subsequent Western art music. Ludwig van Beethoven composed his early works in the shadow of Mozart, and Joseph Haydn was his friend and mentor. # Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Composition Mozart was a versatile composer, and wrote in every major genre, including symphony, opera, the solo concerto, chamber music, and sonatas. His five violin concertos were written in Salzburg around 1775. They are notable for the beauty of their melodies and the skillful use of the expressive and technical characteristics of the instrument, though Mozart likely never went through all the violin possibilities that others (e.g. Beethoven and Brahms) did after him. Mozart also wrote a concertone, an adagio and two stand-alone rondos for violin and orchestra. He composed a variety of chamber violin music as well, including childhood violin sonatas, mature violin sonatas, variations for violin and piano, string duos and trios, string quartet and string quintet. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1762/1*1xXosBEjOUQmU0W3BJEEXQ.jpeg) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 25 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on Violy, including: 1. ***4 Spiegelkanons, Allegro*** | Allegro = 116 2. ***Aria from “The Marriage of Figaro”*** | BPM = 116 * The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492, is an opera buffa (comic opera) in four acts composed in 1786 by Mozart. It premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna on 1 May 1786. The opera’s libretto is based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (“The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro”), which was first performed in 1784. The opera is a cornerstone of the repertoire and appears consistently among the top ten in the Operabase list of most frequently performed operas. 3. ***Fifth Concerto in A Major, Ⅰ*** | Allegro aperto Adagio = 66 4. ***“Haffner” — Rondo from Serenade №7, K. 250*** | Allegretto = 104 5. ***Ländler I*** | Allegretto = 104 6. ***Ländler Ⅱ*** | Allegretto = 104 7. ***Ländler Ⅲ*** | Allegretto = 104 8. ***May Song*** | BPM = 150 9. ***Minuet*** | Moderato = 96 10. ***Polonaise — №4 from 12 Duos, K. 487*** | Allegretto = 80 11. ***Serenade №13 — Eine kleine Nachtmusik*** | Allegro = 120 12. ***The Adélaïde Concerto*** | Allegro = 120 13. ***Turkish March*** | Allegro = 120 14. ***Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”*** | BPM = 100 15. ***Violin Concerto №2, K. 211, I*** | Allegro moderato = 108 16. ***Violin Concerto №2, K. 211, II*** | Andante = 76 17. ***Violin Concerto №2, K. 211, III*** | Allegro = 120 * Violin Concerto №2 in D major K. 211 was composed in 1775. The concerto has the usual fast-slow-fast structure. The movements of the work have the tempo headings: Allegro moderato, Andante and Rondeau, Allegro. 18. ***Violin Concerto №3, K. 216, I*** | Allegro = 120 19. ***Violin Concerto №3, K. 216, I, Cadenza*** | Cadenza = 80 20. ***Violin Concerto №3, K. 216, II*** | Adagio = 66 21. ***Violin Concerto №3, K. 216, III*** | Allegro = 120 * The Violin Concerto №3 in G major, K. 216, was composed in Salzburg when Mozart was 19 years old. He called it in a letter to his father the Straßburger-Concert, and researchers believe this epithet comes from the opening orchestral motive in the third movement, a local, minuet-like dance that had already appeared as a tune in a symphony by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. The piece is in three movements: Allegro, Adagio and Rondeau, Allegro. 22. ***Violin Concerto №4, K. 218, I***| Allegro = 126 23. ***Violin Concerto №4, K. 218, II*** | Andante cantabile = 76 24. ***Violin Concerto №4, K. 218, III*** | Andante grazioso = 76 * Violin Concerto №4 in D major, K. 218, was also composed in 1775 in Salzburg. The autograph of the score is preserved in the Biblioteka Jagiellońska, Kraków. Mozart seemed to have originally composed it for himself to play, but after leaving the Salzburg Court Orchestra, he changed and updated the concerto for the successor of his position in his orchestra, Antonio Brunetti, to play. It is debatable whether the concerto was above Mozart’s level of mastery or if he purposely made the concerto difficult for Brunetti on account of his greater ability. The first movement is nicknamed the “military” Mozart Concerto while the second movement consists of melodic lines. The third movement is joyful and full of fun. 25. ***Wiegenlied*** | Andante = 76 In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), [**Joseph Haydn**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/), **Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**, **Ludwig van Beethoven**, **Felix Mendelssohn**, **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ Ref: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_No._2_(Mozart) 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_No._3_(Mozart) 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_No._4_(Mozart) 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marriage_of_Figaro # Have a HAPPY practice!! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Teachers’ Biggest Difficulty - Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violin-teachers-biggest-difficulty-teaching-violin-students-key-signatures.md - Published: 2019-11-18 - Summary: During violin lessons, many violin teachers find that it is difficult for beginners to read key sign # Violin Teachers’ Biggest Difficulty: Teaching Violin Students to Read Key Signatures During violin lessons, many violin teachers find that it is difficult for beginners to read key signatures when playing sheet music on violin app. The process of getting to know what a key signature can tell us may be confused in some way. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*13ruUAn8KSp4mYWAvoUgAQ.jpeg) Violy musicians, in this article, we will discuss the secret of reading key signatures and how to recognize them correctly. Also, we will look at the pitfall that you need to avoid. # What does a key signature in violin pieces tell us? Firstly it tells us the key that a piece is written in, and secondly as a result of this, it tells us how many sharps and flats we should play in a particular piece of music. Let’s have a look at an example here: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/696/1*hVJCh-_UQaqkwDfz5Rv7bA.png) This hash symbol here which is actually a sharp symbol is the key signature and you’ll see it at the beginning of a piece of music and the beginning of each stave. Because this sharp symbol is on the top line there which we know is an F in the treble clef, what that’s saying is that every time we see an F written in this piece of music we should play F-sharp. It’s telling us that it’s in the key of G major. The same would work if it was in the bass clef. Here we’ve got a sharp again on the F line, so it’s the fourth line up in the bass clef which is an F and that again says whenever you see an F note in this piece of music, you are going to play an F sharp. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/952/1*nPLWo6JrP1kNMT_K7MHceQ.png) Let’s have a look at some flats. We’ve got two flats in this particular key signature one is on the middle line and one is on the fourth space up. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/996/1*Ia3Pz3_wPEk9xdid5qcxBw.png) So one is on the B line and one is on the E space. What it tells us is that every time we see a B written in this piece of music, we are going to play a B-flat. Also, every time we see an E written in this piece of music, we are going to play an E flat. It tells us that the key is B flat major. # What is the secret of reading key signatures? Count up one note from the last sharp of your key signature and you’ll be able to tell straight away what key it’s in. Let’s have a look at our example: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1100/1*CLgaOUor9bSRZF1CHl6BEA.png) We’ve got two sharps, an F sharp and a C sharp. Let’s count up one note from the last shot C to D, and that tells us that the key signature is D major. Now let’s have a look at this key signature and utterly terrifying prospect: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1228/1*4J1WNk4RnFVqpYe-J047ew.png) It doesn’t need to be terrifying anymore, because there’s the last sharp. It’s an A. Go up one note, A to B, that tells us that the key signature is B major. It really is as simple as that. You should be able to impress your musical friends with your newfound knowledge that you can read any key signature that has a sharp in it. There’s a similar rule for the flats: you need to look at the penultimate flat of the key signature. Have a look at this key: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1012/1*t0dk_ju0rWL45JKl73EgLQ.png) Signature B flat and E flat. Look at the penultimate note, that’s B flat and that tells us the key signature is B flat major. Now let’s have a look at this one: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*NYcY3MbW-tdRejQhl_JPtQ.png) Look at the penultimate note. It’s A flat major. With the secret, you are able to tell any key signature in any violin sheet music. # What is the pitfall of reading key signatures using violin app? The pitfall is: every major key has a relative minor. If there are two keys that share the same key signature, you find the relative minor by counting down three note names. Here’s our example of G major: ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1192/1*67ccpqFyPEocKfo8Auz1Tg.png) If we count down three note names, G, F, E, and we know that it’s relative minor is E minor. If we choose B flat major, count down three note names, B, A, G, and it’s relative minor is G minor. So you should be a little bit careful and find out what you are working on is in the major or the minor. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1762/1*KMkguUwQAr7xeNRB7Y3wGw.jpeg) # While playing with violin app and violin tuner, how to find out whether it is in the major or the minor? First, look at the first and last base notes or chord symbols if there are some in the sheet. Most pieces of music start and end on the root chord of the key of the scale. If you look at the first and last bass note, you’re trying to work out whether it’s G major or a minor. If the first and last base notes are both G’s, it’s probably in G major. If they’re both E’s, it’s highly likely to be an E minor. Second, check out are there any accidental sharps knocking around on the piece on the seventh note of the minor scale. Again if you are trying to work out is it in G major or E minor, and you are seeing lots of D sharps knocking around on the piece of music, then you will be thinking that it is probably an E minor, because D is the 7th note of the minor scale. Finally, let’s think about the key changes. If we have a piece of music that starts in G, we will only play F sharps. But then it moves to D major and suddenly we have to place C sharps as well, we will have to look out for those and also beware of accidentals. A few things need to be aware of during violin playing and sheet music reading, and one big thing is to remember the secret of how to read key signatures in sharps and flats. This is going to take your musicianship to a new level straight away. # Visit Violy.app for more~ ## Also, don’t forget to check out Violy sheet music introduction! [Johnn Sebastian Bach](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/) [Joseph Haydn](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/Haydn-album-on-violin-app/) Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ ## Have a HAPPY practice!! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of Joseph Haydn(New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) - URL: https://violy.app/blog/haydn-album-on-violin-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/haydn-album-on-violin-app.md - Published: 2019-11-13 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. let me introduce you to the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires o # Violin Album of Joseph Haydn(New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) Hello, Violy violinists. let me introduce you to the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — the best violin app. Without further ado, let’s check out the repertoire of Joseph Haydn, whose contributions to musical form have earned him the epithets “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet”. ![Joseph Haydn](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*k6LTcc12jXudkA1Wts2QXQ.jpeg) # Album (Violin) Composer: Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He played an important role in the development of chamber music, such as the piano trio. His contribution to musical form has earned him the title of “Father of Symphony” and “Father of String Quartet”. Haydn spent much of his career as a court musician for the wealthy Esterházy family at their remote estate. Until the later part of his life, this isolated him from other composers and trends in music so that he was, as he put it, “forced to become original”. Yet his music circulated widely, and for much of his career he was the most celebrated composer in Europe. He was a friend and mentor of Mozart, a tutor of Beethoven, and the older brother of composer Michael Haydn. [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn#cite_note-5) # Joseph Haydn’s Violin Composition Haydn’s violin concertos are a bit of a puzzle. He composed four in all, of which the Second is lost. The First was written in 1765 for one Luigi Tomasini, an Italian violinist at the Esterháza court. The rest can’t be dated with certainty: it has been mooted that Haydn, also an accomplished violinist, may have written them for himself. The First is very retro and reminiscent of Vivaldi. The Third and Fourth are more courtly and self-consciously grand. Baroque violinist Giuliano Carmignola has been championing them for some time now. His dexterity is at its most sensational in the double-stopped allegro moderato of the First Concerto and the cadenza of the Fourth, while his ability to generate intense emotions by the sparest means leads to unforgettable things in the First’s adagio. The Orchestre des Champs-Elysées under its leader Alessandro Moccia are classy: their acerbic sound keeps the drama uppermost and prevents everything from becoming cloying. [2](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/09/haydn-violin-carmignola-mocca-review) ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*EzwSjePsTW8LwqhWdfvf4w.jpeg) # Joseph Haydn’s Concerto The Concerto in A major, Hob.VIIa:3, is often known as the ‘Melk’ Concerto, as copies of the parts were found at Melk Abbey, where oboes are listed and horn parts actually included. The wind parts are thought by some not to be authentic, as they are omitted in a second source surviving in Venice, and in any case the oboe parts would need to be reconstructed. The concerto is listed in Haydn’s catalogue between the dates 1765 and 1770, and was probably also written for Tomasini. It is marginally more demanding than the earlier work, but again makes considerable use of chains of dotted notes, double stopping, relatively high registers of the violin and ornamental figuration. The D major slow movement is followed by an extended and vigorous finale. [3](https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.570483&catNum=570483&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English) The Concerto in G major, Hob.VIIa:4, is not included in Haydn’s own catalogue but is listed in the 1769 Breitkopf catalogue, with the Concerto in C major. Manuscript parts survive dated 1777 with the Vienna Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and in the Breitkopf archive. As with the other concertos, there is no autograph manuscript surviving. [3](https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.570483&catNum=570483&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English) The G major Concerto is rather less demanding than the other two and may well be earlier than either of them. The solo part makes relatively modest demands on the violinist and the high registers explored in the other concertos are avoided. Baroque chains of dotted notes still have their part, while double stopping is limited. The slow movement aria is in C major, and the last movement, as before, allows the soloist to enter with the main theme, first heard from the orchestra which returns to it to end the whole work. [3](https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.570483&catNum=570483&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 7 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Johann Sebastian Bach on Violy, including: 1. *Andante from “Surprise Symphony”* | Andante = 76 2. *Concerto №1 in C Major, I* | Allegro moderato = 73 (Accompaniment available) 3. *Concerto №2 in G Major, I* | Allegro moderato = 64 4. *From Symphony №100 (Military)* | Allegro = 108 (Accompaniment available) 5. *Serenade* | Andante cantabile = 76 6. *Theme from “Surprise Symphony”* | Andante = 76 (2 violin parts) 7. *Toy Symphony* | Allegro = 120 (2 violin parts) The Symphony №94 in G major (H. 1/94) is the second of the twelve London symphonies written by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as the Surprise Symphony. Haydn’s music contains many jokes, and the Surprise Symphony includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden fortissimo chord at the end of the otherwise piano opening theme in the variation-form second movement. The music then returns to its original quiet dynamic as if nothing has happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the joke. In German, the work is referred to as the Symphony mit dem Paukenschlag, or, with the kettledrum stroke. [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._94_(Haydn)) Ref: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn#cite_note-5 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/09/haydn-violin-carmignola-mocca-review [3] https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.570483&catNum=570483&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._94_(Haydn) **In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of** [**Johnn Sebastian Bach**](https://violy.app/blog/2019/11/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app/), **Joseph Haydn**, **Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**, **Ludwig van Beethoven**, **Felix Mendelssohn**, **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ # Have a HAPPY practice!! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # How to Perform Harmonics on Violin - URL: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-perfrom-violin-harmonics.md - Published: 2019-11-08 - Summary: As a violin learner, personally I think one of my toughest experiences about the instrument is learn # How to Perform Harmonics on Violin? As a violin learner, personally I think one of my toughest experiences about the instrument is learning to perform harmonics. But it must be admitted that harmonics can be regarded as the most beautiful sound in violin playing. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*owCsh7lfpna_0mnxgp9NjA.png) # When a violinist plays a note on a violin string, the string starts to vibrate very fast. This vibration makes the air vibrate and the sound waves travel to our ear so that we can hear it. If the note were absolutely pure the string would move in a perfect sinusoidal shape and produce only one frequency, but instead there are multiple frequencies being produced at the same time along with the main one. The note played on the violin string makes the string vibrate in a very complicated way. The higher the note, the faster the string vibrates. An A above middle C (the violinist’s A string) vibrates at 440Hz (440 times per second). This is the “fundamental” or “first harmonic”. The second harmonic vibrates twice as fast (ratio 2:1): 880Hz. This gives an A an octave higher. The third harmonic will give a ratio 3:2. This will be an E (an octave and a fifth above the fundamental). The higher the harmonic the quieter it is, but the ratio is always a whole number. # A violinist can place his finger very lightly on a string so that it divides the string into half. A violinist will hear a harmonic (the note an octave higher than the open string). By placing his fingers in other places he can get more harmonics, e.g. by touching the string a quarter of the way down he gets the next harmonic. “Artificial harmonics” can be played by stopping a string with the finger in the usual way (so that the string is now shorter) and placing the little finger farther up the string to get a harmonic of the stopped note. Artificial harmonics are very hard to play well. The higher the pitch, the harder to play it with great effect. # Practicing tips for harmonics on violin But reading the description only cannot give learners an objective understanding of what to do in detail. Here are some practicing tips for harmonics on string instruments especially on violin: 1. Keep your little finger in a completely relaxing condition, straighten it and try your best to cover the point of harmonics on the string with your finger pulp. In the meantime, your thumb and index finger should hold the neck firmly. The necessary basis for performing is that you need to get accustomed to playing with relaxed finger when it comes to harmonics. 2. Your finger is supposed to stop the string accurately. Even if the deviation is tiny, the harmonics cannot be played well. Therefore, you need to slow down your performing when practicing harmonics and make sure every harmonic is clear and accurate. Vague or hoarse tones should be avoided. 3. When you are performing harmonics, remember to keep your bow close to the bridge. Besides, your bowing is supposed to be swift. It should be kept in mind that when the pitch of harmonics is higher, your bow should be closer to the bridge and bowing should be swifter as well. But never make your bowing too hard. Otherwise, the effect of playing can be impacted or even damaged. 4. Keep your bow steady instead of letting it swing randomly while playing. Or the vibration may be destroyed. Apart form that, your bowing needs to be smooth instead of stiff. Stiff bowing may lead to fluctuating vibration. 5. While playing artificial harmonics, you need to maintain a correct hand type of a fourth. With your index finger stopping the string as usual and your little finger being placed lightly on the string, remember to play within the fourth position as well. Sometimes artificial harmonics are also played on the fifth position on string D and G. But do remember not to break the normal ratio. 6. Performing double-string harmonics can be relatively difficult. As for the skills, you need to play an artificial harmonic using index finger and little finger, as well as a natural harmonic using middle finger or third finger at the same time. You are supposed to pay attention to the contact area between bow hair and strings together with dynamics while performing. 7. Try vibrato if you are already skilled. The sound of harmonics can become even more attractive and less stiff when vibrato is used. Vibrato can resonate well with vibration. # Harmonics can provide unique feelings for both learners and listeners. In general, as a series of special notes, harmonics can provide unique feelings for both learners and listeners. The role played by harmonics is irreplaceable. The special effect of harmonics gives a chance for performers to explore more performances of string instruments, expand the range of violin and intensify the expressiveness in some way. Hopefully the practicing tips above can be effective and do help your performing. # Have a HAPPY violin practice! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violin Album of JS Bach (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) - URL: https://violy.app/blog/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/bach_violin_repertoire_on_violin_app.md - Published: 2019-11-06 - Summary: Hello, Violy violinists. We will introduce you to the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires # Violin Album of JS Bach (New Albums on Violy | The BEST Violin App) Hello, Violy violinists. We will introduce you to the recently added “Albums” of violin repertoires on Violy — The BEST Violin App. Without further ado, let’s start from Johnn Sebastian Bach who was also as known as the father of music. ![Johann Sebastian Bach](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*r5FsDZPMNd_h2UCGDL-Ldg.png) # Album (Violin) Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach [Johann Sebastian Bach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach) (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685–28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque era. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Art of Fugue, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations, and for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival, he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Western art musical canon. [1]
# Bach’s Violin Composition Bach’s most advanced compositions of violin have been considered to be the highest peak of every violinist’s achievement. The unaccompanied Partitas and Sonatas as well as his violin pieces with accompaniment require a high level of violin mastery and a seasoned musicality. Players who have not reached these heights are also eager to become more adept at his music and deepen their understanding of Baroque playing skills. [2] ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*ehAIq-Zl7QcHvGyoC3nkCg.png) # Violy Album Contents: There are totally 18 pieces of music in the self-titled Album of Johann Sebastian Bach on Violy, including: 1. ***Air on the G String*** | Lento e molto espressivo = 52 * “Air on the G String” is August Wilhelmj’s arrangement of the 2nd movement in J S Bach’s Orchestral Suite №3 in D major, BWV 1068. * The arrangement is different from the original in that the part of the 1st violins is transposed down so that it can be played entirely on a violin’s lowest string, the G string. It is played by a single violin (instead of by the first violins as a group). [3] 2. ***Allegro*** | Allegro = 120 3. ***Bourrée*** | Allegro moderato = 80 4. ***Come Let Us to the Bagpipes Sound from “The Peasant Cantata”*** | Allegro = 120 * In 1742, Bach, late in his career, took a long look back at the music of his day and made such a thorough-going parody of it that we’re still not sure if he was making a social commentary or a musical joke. * The Peasant Cantata, BWV 212, also has the title of Mer Hahn en neue Oberkeet, which in local Saxon, for We have a new Governor.[4] 5. ***Gavotte*** | Allegro vivace = 136 6. ***Invention No.13 in A Minor BWV 784*** | Allegro = 120 7. ***Invention No. 2 in C Minor BWV 772*** | Allegro Moderato ed Espressivo = 116 8. ***Largo*** | Cantabile ed Espressivo = 46 9. ***Minute 2*** | Andantino = 104 * One of the three most popular minuets in the violin repertoire by Bach. * A minuet is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time. The word was adapted from Italian minuetto and French menuet, possibly from the French menu meaning slender, small, referring to the very small steps, or from the early 17th-century popular group dances called branle à mener or amener. * The Minuet in G major is a keyboard piece included in the 1725 Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. For a while, it was attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV Anh. 114), but it is now universally attributed to Christian Petzold. It is a 32-measure piece primarily in the key of G major. 10. ***Musette*** | Andante = 76 11. ***Sarabande (violin trio)*** | Allegro = 120 12. ***Suite in B minor: II. Rondeau BWV 1067*** | Allegro = 120 13. ***Violin Concerto in A Minor, I BWV 1041*** | Allegro moderato = 108 14. ***Violin Concerto in A Minor, II BWV 1041*** | Andante = 76 15. ***Violin Concerto in A Minor, III BWV 1041*** | Allegro assai = 130 * The Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, was written by Johann Sebastian Bach. While it has been “generally thought to be composed at Köthen in 1717–23”. Christoph Wolff has argued that the work may have been written in Leipzig during Bach’s time as director of the Collegium Musicum; John Butt also believes that Bach wrote it “probably soon after taking over the Leipzig Collegium Musicum in 1729”. In any event, the only autograph source to survive are parts Bach copied out (along with other copyists) in Leipzig circa 1730 from a now lost score or draft. [5] 16. ***Violin Concerto in E Major, I BWV 1042*** | Allegro = 120 17. ***Violin Concerto in E Major, II BWV 1042*** | Adagio = 100 18. ***Violin Concerto in E Major, III BWV 1042*** | Allegro assai = 52 * The Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042, by Johann Sebastian Bach is a concerto based on the three-movement Venetian concerto model, albeit with a few unusual features as each movement has “un-Italian characteristics”. * While there are two 18th-century scores, neither is autographed; however, Bach re-used the concerto as the model for his Harpsichord Concerto in D major, BWV 1054, found in his 1737–39 autographed manuscript of these works. The concerto is thought to have been written when Bach was working for the court of Köthen or when Bach was in Leipzig. [6] In this series of article, we will introduce you the music pieces of **Johnn Sebastian Bach**, **Joseph Haydn**, **Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart**, **Ludwig van Beethoven**, **Felix Mendelssohn**, **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky**, and finally, **Dmitri Shostakovich**. Stay tuned, Violy musicians, let’s bring the music fashion of violin back~ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach [2] https://blog.oup.com/2018/05/playing-bach-violin/ [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_on_the_G_String [4] https://interlude.hk/bach-makes-joke-peasant-cantata/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_A_minor_(Bach) [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_E_major_(Bach) # Have a HAPPY practice!! {% raw %}
{% endraw %} #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Niccolo Paganini - The First Ever Violin Rockstar - URL: https://violy.app/blog/the-first-ever-violin-rockstar - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/the-first-ever-violin-rockstar.md - Published: 2019-10-26 - Summary: Niccolò Paganini, an Italian violinist and street performer, was one of the most famous virtuoso of # Niccolo Paganini - The First Ever Violin Rockstar Niccolò Paganini, an Italian violinist and street performer, was one of the most famous virtuoso of all time and some people believe that he was a metaphorical musical god while the others think that he traded with devil to get such talent and virtuosity. He was also known for his speed in playing violin with 12 notes played per second. Is he really a god or devil? In today's topic, lets unveil this violin master's backgroud story. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*cdGmEVc7VP6wfUoBTaP16A.png) ## Devil Violinist Was Born Niccolò Paganini was born in Genoa, Italy, on October 27, 1782 as the third of six children born to Teresa and Antonio Paganini. His father knew how to play mandolin and taught Paganini when he was 5 years old. Paganini's talent was quickly recognized, and his father sent him to study with various local violinists, including Giovanni Servetto and Giacomo Costa. In 1794, 11 years old Paganini had his first public violin performance at Genoa. He then seeked guidance from Ferdinando Paer and Gasparo Ghiretti who had influenced his style of later composition. With hardwork in practicing which it was said that he practiced for 15 hours a day, Paganini gained more frame by traveling to local cities including Livorno and Parma to display his unparrelled violin skills. However, he indulged himself in gambling, womanizing and alcohol as he became famous locally. After he paused his career for a while, he got a great opportunity in 1805. At that time, Napoleon annexed Lucca which was state of Italy, and gave control to his sister princess Elisa Baciocchi. Paganini quickly earned favor of Baciocchi and became the violinist of her court. He also gave private lessons to Baciocchi's husband Felice. It was speculated that he composed masterpiece solo "24 Caprices" at this time. However, he soon left Baciocchi and resumed his traveling virtuoso life. ![“The Devil’s Violinist” is a 2013 film based on the life story of the 19th-century Italian violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini.](https://miro.medium.com/max/1300/1*Bt-3vUOLBw3FtN8_6DL5GQ.jpeg) ## Life Of A Virtuoso For the next few years, Paganini traveled throughout the Geona and Parma region and in 1813, his concert in La Scala, Milian was a huge success. Many audiences found his music concert attractive. Some people cried when he executed tender passages and some believed that they had seen the devil helping Paganini with his performance. In 1827, Pope Leo XII honoured Paganini with the Order of the Golden Spur. Paganini soon spreaded his frame through the Europe with his violin concert began in Vienna and stoped at major countries in Europe including Germany, France and Poland. ## Health Decline Of A Violin Master Paganini's health soon decline after his extravagant lifestyle and frequent concert schedule. It was said that he suffered Marfan syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. However, many people believed that because of those syndrome, Paganini was able to play violin like a devil with long fingers and extraordinary flexibility. Plus he always weared black suit and his pale skin made him looked unnormal. Thus, he had nickname of 'Rubber Man' and 'Devil Violinist'. He was later on diagnosed with syphilis in 1822 and as his got treatment withmercury, his health became worse. In 1834, he was treated for tuberculosis, which ended his concert and returned to Geona. ## The Final Ending Of The Violin Rock Star Eventhough his health drastically declined, he still devoted himself in teaching his violin techniques and publishing his music compositions. He taught a young virtuoso called Apollinaire who was only 11 years old and found his violin skills impressive. In 1840 May 27, he died of larynx cancer in Nice, France. However, Paganini died without receiving the last rites and church in Geona refused to bury his body on consecrated ground because he was widely rumored with having relationship with devil. His body was finally buried in 1876, in a cemetery in Parma. The devil violinist settled but his music work and his skill of playing 12 notes per secound are still widely known today. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3080/1*vJT6cgd8Cem6jpQN6smDSg.png) #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Limitations of the Violy, the best violin, viola and cello app - URL: https://violy.app/blog/limitations-of-the-violy-app - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/limitations-of-the-violy-app.md - Published: 2019-10-16 - Summary: Hello, we are Violy team. We always dedicate to provide users with better experience in string instr Hello, we are Violy team. We always dedicate to provide users with better experience in string instrument practicing. We incorporate AI and computer music technology to generate insightful feedback toward user’s individual practice, making sure that users can practice effectively and enjoy learning to play instruments. Our slogan is: Practicing with Violy, practicing with efficiency. Because of technology limitation, the current Violy App still needs more improvement. We guarantee our users that we will continue to enhance our app. Some problems may be hard to handle in the short term but we will keep working on them. We sincerely welcome any constructive feedback and suggestion. Please feel free to contact our support team through support@violy.app . In today’s article, we will talk about some technical limitations and problems existing in our current app. It also serves to help our users and parents understand how our mobile app works. Through the article, you may find answers to some of your questions. ## Clarity of string sound * To improve the accuracy in identifying music notes, each note must be played loud enough to stand out from background noise. Try to reduce the background noise to minimize the interference. Although our app has a certain level of tolerance of background noise and even occasional talking, playing in a noisy environment will lead to inaccurate identification of music note. * Each note must be played clearly for our mobile app to follow your pace and identify where you are in any sheet music. Try to avoid random touching of other strings while you are playing. Otherwise, it will impact the result of final scoring report. * If the background noise cannot be avoided, you are suggested to get closer to the app and play more loudly. If you are exposed to extreme noise, we recommend you to install the pickup (transducer) and input the sound into your device running Violy App. * Most of the time, you may practice with metronome. However, the sound of metronome can somehow interfere our app to identify the notes. We will work on the future update to make sure that our algorithm can leave out the sound of metronome. * Do not talk loudly when practicing since the tablet or smartphone will highlight human voice instead of other sound, which can affect the accuracy of report. ## Error in identifying music notes * Sometimes, the following problem may appear: We think the recording sound is alright but the Violy App generates a low score. Or the Violy App wrongly identifies two consecutive notes that the first one is correct while the other is not. * The reason behind this problem is that the mobile app has its own algorithm and it has a certain level of tolerance in identifying a note. If the note is not played articulately or loud enough, or there is random touching of strings or wrong sound of the previous note, some errors may take place. Therefore, we highly recommend beginners to play their instruments in a slightly slow speed and articulate each note. * If you believe the Violy App keeps displaying inaccurate result, please have your instructor play the same note for you and see if the result is different. Remember, our app serves as a tool to help you practice and it is only a reference. ## Inaccuracy in identifying bass sound * When you play the bass sound, especially in G string, the Violy App may have errors in following or identifying your note. * The reasons behind can be various. 1. First, the sound of string depends on the quality of the instrument. If the instrument is not tuned, the output sound can be impacted. 2. Second, it is hard to play the G string clearly and articulately for beginners. 3. Third, the device running Violy app can varies in brands. The bass sound may not get recorded accurately in different devices. * We suggest that you always play your instrument in a quiet, echo-free environment and place your device running Violy App close to your instrument. We will work on our algorithm to identify the bass sound better in future update. ## Double stops and chords identification * Some sheet music of double stops or chords cannot be auditioned with flickering cursor and the app prompt of “sound not found” during the process. Since identifying a note of these types requires better technology and higher identification rate, Violy app can only identify it if the note is played very clearly and correctly. Besides, users are supposed to play it well enough, or the note cannot be identified normally. * On the other hand, some special sheet music cannot be auditioned no matter how well you play. Therefore, we suggest users not audition the sheet music with the app. In addition, the identification of one note may interfere that of another one when it comes to double stops or chords, especially for the double-stop note that spans exactly one octave. It is difficult to recognize for the current version of Violy app. ## Decorative note and Pizzicato * Decorative, pizzicato, trill and appoggiatura in audition are not supported for the current version of Violy app, but we will continue to develop new technology to support them in future update. * The sound effect of pizzicato contains lingering sound, ending and blanks which may impact the effect of identification and the audition result of pizzicato periods can be negative. * We are trying our best to improve the app! ## Sheet Music Demos * The current demo music for each sheet music is generated with computer instead of recording real music played by human. Therefore, it might sound inauthentic and different from what we expect. In addition, the current demo music does not contain the ‘pizzicato’ sound. It will be contained in future update. * We will work on the demo music and add the real exemplary music played by professional string player. ## Pre-set BPM of Metronome * If the gap between user playing speed and pre-set BPM is more than double, the Violy App cannot follow the user very well and will negatively impact the final rating. Therefore, * we recommend you to adjust the BPM of metronome according to your actual demand every time when you practice with the app. ## Just intonation and Pythagorean tuning are not supported * Just intonation and Pythagorean tuning are not supported in current version of app due to technology limitation. * We will continue to develop new technology to support them in future update. ## Display issue and device adaptation * Some of the old devices, especially those released several years ago, may not display the long music sheet properly. * This issue currently exists in the following devices: * * A. iPad Generation 1,2,3,4 and iPad Air 1 * * B. iPad mini Generation 1,2,3 * * C. Any iPhone before and including Generation 6 * Some special notes or symbols may not be displayed properly or cannot be displayed. * Due to the screen size of different devices, some sheet music sections, especially ‘Cadenza’, may not be displayed clearly in devices with narrow screen. ## Final Recap We gladly appreciate all the users who use our app and we understand that, although the Violy app is very helpful and powerful in instrument practicing, we still have many challenges and we will definitely work on enhancing our app and improving user experience. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to making practicing an enjoyable and effective process. #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) --- # Violy at Music China Expo - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-at-music-china-expo - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-at-music-china-expo.md - Published: 2019-10-10 - Summary: ## Music China x Violy - Smart Music Instrument Partner Music China is an international trade fair a # Violy at Music China Expo ## Music China x Violy - Smart Music Instrument Partner Music China is an international trade fair and Asia’s leading fair for musical instruments and accessories, which will take place once a year in Shanghai. ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*nmb8YosViRkrIv66QkFzQA.png) ## Music Instrument Expo Vlogs As a well-known AI instrument training app, “Violy” is honored to be invited to participate in the Shanghai Musical Instrument Exhibition. At the same time, we will upload Vlog of the show so that you can also visit the exhibition online.
It is our second year of participation. We are looking forward to welcoming you at Music China! <<<<<<< HEAD ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/cbcvy.png) ======= ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2060/1*CQt57ATXotk-_K1zTmGCEQ.png) >>>>>>> 5716bceecbaa9127131eb6c09476b24fee017b67 Follow us on: [Violy.app](violy.app) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) <<<<<<< HEAD Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/bedio.jpg) ======= Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*MRSNjxmMp71nPHRfhY3ffg.jpeg) >>>>>>> 5716bceecbaa9127131eb6c09476b24fee017b67 --- # Violy - Smart Violin, Viola & Cello Partner - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-smart-violin-viola-cello-partner - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-smart-violin-viola-cello-partner.md - Published: 2019-10-08 - Summary: Violy, an intelligent app which can listen and understand instruments' voices. Violy is a must-have Violy, an intelligent app which can listen and understand instruments' voices.
Violy is a must-have app for Violin, Viola & Cello learning and practicing. Violy app makes the practice of string instruments easier for the music teachers, students, and all-level players. It listens and auditions your music practice! Violy can hear and follow your practice without any extra hardware. At the end, Violy provides audition results and scores. You can have 15 days to experience premium service for free. Even if you are not a Premium user, most of features are available to you, including sheet music downloading and audition. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/3qy6p.png) ## [ Why practice violin, viola, and cello on Violy ] Violy makes music/music instrument practice easier. - For student: real-time audition feedback; Violy increases efficiency of practice. Students can persist in music learning with no difficulty. - For teacher: real-time homework report; Spend less time correcting students’ basic parts like intonation, rhythm, etc. And teach students more efficiently, knowing more about a student’s performance. - For parents: no more pain as music practice partner; Have a comprehensive view of your child’s music skill. ## [ How to practice violin, viola, cello on Violy ] - Get your smart device at hand. - Enter the app, find the sheet music you want to practice, and click to view the sheet in Audition mode. - Smart Start: play open strings 1/2/3/4 (E,A,D,G for violin) in turn, and start a practice. - Score Following: the app recognizes your performance. Meanwhile, the cursor on the sheet will catch up with the music you have played. - At the end of the audition, the app evaluates the practice, and outputs the result.
- Score and stats: analyse every note in wrong intonation/rhythm, and pitch offset of each note. ## [ Features ] Active score following for Audition: - Smart Start: no device operations are needed. Just play the open strings to start a practice. - Music following: during the practice, the cursor follows the played sound, and automatically jumps to the right point. - Automatic Stop: no device operations are needed. If you want to stop the practice, just stop playing. - Section Practicing: start playing at any start point, just click on sheet music to set a start point. - Repeat Signs: repeated sections of the sheet music are supported as well. You can set to turn off the repeated section. - Polyphony: the app follows multiple parts on the sheet music, and indicates the deviation of each note.
### Two Modes: - the default mode is Audition: It is the recommended mode for the users who are familiar with the music. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/4txl2.png) - Note-by-note mode: Under this mode, you just play the note where the cursor is located. If your note is correct, the cursor will go to the next note, otherwise the cursor will not move. This mode is for the users who are not familiar with the music. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/h5uym.png) ### Violy Music Sheets: - The digital sheet musics are input based on original music books. - All musics can be played. Just click on the music to set new start point. - 100% free to download. - Updates will be launched automatically if an incorrect notation is fixed. - More musics will be added, and will be always FREE. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/bo83t.png) ### Practice stats: - Audition score is calculated for every time. - Detailed intonation and rhythm stats, and offset trends are analyzed for every practice. - Stats for overall. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/wbt0u.png) ### Together for teacher: - Create groups to organize students. - View practice timeline of every student. - View the detailed result of each practice: score, stats, and details. ## [ Feedback ] ### Your feedback is important! - During using, any question, idea or suggestion can be submitted on “Me -> Help&Feedback -> Feedback” page. - There is a feedback button on the left-top side of sheet page. By clicking this you can report sheet error of any sheet and tag the false. Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/bedio.jpg) “Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche --- # Happy Birthday to Antonin Dvorak | ViolyMusic - URL: https://violy.app/blog/happy-birthday-to-antonin-dvorak - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/happy-birthday-to-antonin-dvorak.md - Published: 2019-09-06 - Summary: Antonin Leopold Dvorak, a Czech composer, was one of the first to achieve worldwide recognition with Antonin Leopold Dvorak, a Czech composer, was one of the first to achieve worldwide recognition with his famous style of finding effective ways of utilizing rhythms and other aspects of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. ## Early Music Education Born as the first of nine children in an innkeepers family in September 8th 1841, Dvorak displayed his musical gifts at age of six as a violin student. In 1853, Liehmann who was an excellent local musician recognized the exceptional talents of Dvorak and taught him about different instrument including organ and piano. Liehmann convinced Dvorak’s father, Frantisek, that his son deserved to study at music academy. Therefore, Dvorak moved to Prague and studied at Prague organ school in 1857. Within a year, Dvorak quickly became the viola player of the Cecilian Association Orchestra and gained valuable music knowledge. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/oka21.png) ## Gain International Reputation Seeking recognition beyond the Prague area, Dvorak submitted his first symphony to a competition in Germany in 1873 but encountered failure. In the next year, he submitted new works to Austrian State Prize Competition. This time, Johannes Brahms who was in the jury found Dvorak’s compositions very impressive and promoted them to his publisher. In 1878, Dvorak gained international reputation with his published work “Slavonic Dances, Op. 46”. The dances were played in France, England and United States. It is also known today as Dvorak’s representative work which was inspired directly by Slavic traditional music. ## World Tour Dvorak continued to compose “String Sextet in A Major” and “Violin Concerto in A Minor” in 1879 which were both dedicated for strings instrument. He also wrote music for choir such as “Stabat Mater” which received great acclaim in Britain. In 1890, influenced by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Dvořák also visited Russia, and conducted performances of his music in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 1891, Dvorak received an honorary degree from the University of Cambridge, and was offered a position at the Prague Conservatory as professor of composition and instrumentation. Dvorak later on spent time in New York writing “ Symphony No.9” and “Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104” from 1893 to 1895. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/sin41.png) ## Last Years In 1897 winter, Dvorak was appointed a member of the jury for the Viennese Artists’ Stipendium. On April 1900, Dvorak conducted his last concert with the Czech Philharmonic, performing “Tragic Overture” by Brahms, “Unfinished Symphony” by Schubert, “8th Symphony” by Beethoven and his own symphonic poem “The Wild Dove”. In his last years, Dvorak wrote several string quartets in Prague Conservatory and died in 1904 because of influenza. Follow us on: [Violy.app](https://www.violy.app/) [Facebook - ViolyPractice](https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice) [Twitter - ViolyPractice](https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice) [Instagram - Violy.Practice](https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/) [Reddit - Violy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/) [YouTube - Violy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7VUB4zxSh-7VMWEawOBTQ?view_as=subscriber) Feel free to contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/j3hr6.jpg) --- # Music Auditions for Violy Violinists & Musicians - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy_violin_audition - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy_violin_audition.md - Published: 2019-09-03 - Summary: ## Section Violin 2, Audition apply before October 7th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/zst ## Section Violin 2, Audition apply before October 7th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/zsthf.png) In the last 60-plus years, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has taken its place as one of Canada’s foremost orchestral ensembles. Its current roster includes 56 musicians from Canada and around the world, performing a wide-ranging repertoire from the great classical masterworks to pops and family concerts. ESO is currently hiring full-time ‘Section Violin 2’ position. For more information, please visit https://auditioncafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Canadian_National_Vi.pdf ## Section Principal Violin 2, Audition apply before September 20th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/htm3x.png) As a national company with international status, Welsh National Opera sits at the heart of music-making in Wales and play a valuable role in the communities they serve in England. Welsh National Opera works with their partners to discover and nurture young operatic talent, and provide the springboard for international careers. WNO is currently hiring full-time 'Section Principal Second Violin' position. For more information, please visit https://wno.org.uk/vacancy/section-principal-second-violin-1?instrument=violin ## Principal Violin 2, Audition apply before September 20th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/seqx7.png) Discover the great traditions and innovative programming of Michigan's oldest orchestra. Whether you're a fan of Bach, Beethoven, or the Beatles, the Battle Creek Symphony has a program just for you. BCSO is currently hiring full-time 'Principal Violin II' position. For more information, please visit http://yourmusiccenter.org/symphony/auditions/ ## Section Violin, Audition apply before September 16th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/l6pzk.png) The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), a leader in the world of classical music, embraces and inspires individuals, families and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences. It is an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music. DSO is currently hiring full-time ‘Section Violin’ position. For more information, please visit https://www.dso.org/Page.aspx?page_id=48 ## Section Leader Viola, Audition on September 2nd, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/l92tg.png) Founded in 1966, the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life in Northern Ireland and the Orchestra’s sixty three full-time musicians form the region’s only professional symphony orchestra. The Ulster Orchestra’s mission is to enrich the lives of people living in and visiting Northern Ireland, as well as promoting the region through international touring and regular broadcasts with BBC. Ulster Orchestra is currently hiring full-time ‘Section Leader Viola’ position. For more information, visit https://www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/who-we-are/current-vacancies/ ## Quartet Violinist, Audition on September 1st, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/f3t41.png) As classically trained musicians, Renovare Music love to play pieces from the likes of Haydn, Beethoven, or Brahms to the works of composers still living today. Renovare present these performances exploring our common humanity in an effort to foster understanding and harmony among people and communities. Renovare is currently hiring full-time ‘Quartet Violinist’ position. For more information, visit https://www.renovaremusic.org/ ## Tutti Viola, Audition on August 29th, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/fg1tk.png) Regarded as “the cultural heartbeat of the South West”, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra strives to be the model of a 21st century orchestra, enhancing lives through the power of music. BSO is currently hiring full-time 'Tutti Viola' position. For more information, visit https://bsolive.com/jobs/tutti-viola/ ## Principal Viola, Audition on August 23rd ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/r54qd.png) The Juno and Grammy-award winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is the largest arts organization in Western Canada and third largest orchestra in Canada. We present passionate, high-quality performances of classical, popular and culturally diverse music, creating meaningful engagement with audiences of all ages and backgrounds wherever we perform and developing and delivering inspirational education and community programs. Vancouver Symphony Society is currently hiring full-time 'Principal Viola' position. For more information, please visit https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/about/careers/ ## Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Audition on August 23rd ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/zgm6n.png) The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is among the finest orchestras in the nation. Since its inception in 1959, the MSO has found innovative ways to give music a home in the region, develop music appreciation and talent among area youth, and raise the national reputation of Milwaukee. MSO is currently hiring full-time 'Section First Violin' position. For more information, please visit https://www.mso.org/about/employment/orchestra_auditions?instrument=violin ## Section First Violin, Audition on August 23rd, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/xiimi.png) Since its founding in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has been Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene in the cosmopolitan city-state. SSO is currently hiring full-time ‘Section First Violin’ position. For more information, please visit https://www.sso.org.sg/about/career/section-first-violin?instrument=violin ## Associate Concert Master, Audition on August 19th,2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/jzffz.png) The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House was founded in 1946 with history more than 70 years. The Royal Opera House seeks to be always accessible and engaging, to develop audiences across the UK and to break new ground in the presentation of lyric theatre. They are currently hiring full-time ‘Concert Master’ position. For more information, please visit http://recruitment.roh.org.uk/vacancyView.php?requirementId=3594 ## Section Violin, Audition on August 1, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/fq79l.png) Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a thriving organization bucking national trends with conspicuous artistic growth. ASO is currently hiring full-time 'Section Violin' position. For more information, visit https://www.arkansassymphony.org/section-violin-quapaw-quartet-violin ## Principal First Violin, Audition July 22, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/ngkr8.jpg) As one of the most professional orchestras in Australia, Queensland Symphony Orchestra is currently hiring the position of Principal First Violin. For more information, please visit https://www.qso.com.au/administration/employment/principal-first-violin-0?fbclid=IwAR2V7hQo0zMQ3KCq2-mb8ladyDwYsSqJwc8I3p1a3fCMitxH19bRH4UQyr8 ## Section 2nd Violin, Audition July 26, 2019 ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/rd524.jpg) The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s oldest national symphony orchestras with recordings for more than 70 years. It is recruiting for the position of Section 2nd Violin and auditions are only open to the candidates with right to work in New Zealand. The recorded auditions due by July 26, 2019 Live applications close on July 26, 2019 Live audition date is August 1, 2019 Check the detailed information by https://www.nzso.co.nz/new-zealands-orchestra/work-with-us/section-2nd-violin/?instrument=violin ![ViolyPractice makes PERFECT!!](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/p519z.jpg) Violy is a Smart Music Practice Partner that makes the violin practicing easier for both the teacher and the student. It listens to, follows, evaluates, and grades your practices. --- # Happy Birthday to Claude Debussy | ViolyMusic - URL: https://violy.app/blog/happy-birthday-claude-debussy-violymusic - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/happy-birthday-claude-debussy-violymusic.md - Published: 2019-08-15 - Summary: Among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the French composer # Happy Birthday to Claude Debussy | ViolyMusic Among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the French composer Claude Debussy, is generally regarded as the first impressionist composer. Debussy was born on August 22nd, 1862 on the north-west fringe of Paris and he showed talents to be admitted to France’s leading music college, the Conservatoire de Paris at his 10. In fact, Debussy started with piano lessons and transferred into innovative composition as his vocation. Under influence of Russian and far-eastern music, Debussy developed his own style of harmony and orchestral coloring. Debussy’s orchestral works include Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1894), Nocturnes (1897–1899) and Images (1905–1912). His piano works include two books of Préludes and two of Études. Throughout his career, he wrote mélodies based on a wide variety of poetry. He was greatly influenced by the Symbolist poetic movement of the later 19th century. In his final years, he focused on chamber music, completing three of six planned sonatas for different combinations of instruments. Debussy’s works have strongly influenced a wide range of composers including Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, George Benjamin, and the jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/qbkvv.jpg) In 1880, Tchaikovsky commented on one of Debussy's early pieces: "It is a very pretty piece, but it is much too short. Not a single idea is expressed fully, the form is terribly shriveled, and it lacks unity." It was not until 1894, aged 32, that Debussy completed the first piece to truly declare his independence of thought: Prelude a l'Apres-midi d'un Faune, a highly innovative piece inspired by a poem of Stephane Mallarmé. Debussy has spent years to develop the mature style, and nearly at his 40, he achieved his international fame in 1902 with Pelléas et Mélisande, the only opera he completed. Debussy entered a new creative phase in 1903 with La Mer in Eastbourne where he observed that “the sea behaves with British politeness”. In 1914, Debussy was diagnosed with cancer and the operation left him so debilitated that he composed nothing for over a year. His final masterwork before death is Violin Sonata and he passed away on March 25th 1918 in Paris. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/qutwn.jpg) --- # Violy Violin Lecture | Wang Boyang - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-violin-lecture - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-violin-lecture.md - Published: 2019-08-08 - Summary: ## **Violy Violinist - Wang Boyang** ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/s59vj.png) Wang Boyang has ## **Violy Violinist - Wang Boyang** ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/s59vj.png) Wang Boyang has been a seed player of New York Young Concert Artist (YCA), a finalist of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and was invited to participate the Naumburg Foundation Violin Competition. Wang Boyang began to learn the violin at the age of six under the guidance of Chen Yubo, the Chief of the People's Liberation Army Symphony Orchestra, and the famous educator Jiang Xiongda. Wang Boyang is currently not only learning the violin from Won Bin Yim, who is the director of College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati and the former director of Great Mountain Music Festival in Korea, but also assisting Won Bin Yim with teaching.
Wang Boyang took the stage for the first time at the age of thirteen, performing solo of the Laro Spanish Symphony in corporation with National Youth Orchestra of China at the Forbidden City Concert Hall. He performed with the orchestra at Beijing Concert Hall, Poly Theatre, Shanghai Oriental Art Center and other concert halls as well. Wang Boyang also performed solo and ensemble in many foreign countries, such as New York Merkin Concert Hall, Cincinnati Corbett Theatre and Illinois Smith Concert Hall. He has worked with many famous quartets, for example, St.Lawrence Quartet, Julia Quartet and Orion Quartet. Besides, Wang Boyang has actively participated in some important social activities, such as Beijing Rotary Club Opening Ceremony and China-US exchange activities to meet with Henry Kissinger by following National Youth Orchestra of China. Some internationally renowned violinists, such as James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, Paul Huang, Janet Sung, Emerson quartet, st. Lawrence quartet, and groups have praised Wang Boyang’s performance.
## **Comments from his lecture are as follows:** Host: let’s welcome today’s guest speaker Wang Boyang. Wang Boyang: Hello, I’m Wang Boyang. Today, I am going to talk about how to improve music literacy in combination with other art forms in our spare time and of course some violin skills. _The feeling of melody and tune is significant in playing the violin._ Please look at the following sheets, Bach’s violin solo, sonata no. 1 in D minor, adagio no.1. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/0h1ln.png) The first picture is the normal form of music sheet. Generally, the music sheets we buy are like the above one, which looks relatively clear, with more notes and chaotic rhythm. Generally speaking, these are the must for students in Conservatories of Music or high schools. I’m going to talk about how to adjust the tune and the melody by taking example of this piece. The second picture is an original handwritten manuscript, which looks much more chaotic than the first picture, and I believe many of you could not get what that is. This is in G minor, which means it’s in G minor. I’m going to play you two versions of this piece. The first is a normal version of violin playing method and the second is a more traditional version of violin playing method. I personally prefer the second because of its classic method.
Next, I am going to talk about what melody is. I am separating the first row into four pieces. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/33kq9.jpg) The melody of this song is formed by these four chords. When you are watching this video, please focus on the long note because the chord that makes up the melody is important. The mess that comes after this long note is ornaments, generally assisting the long note. With the long note and other ornaments, a sheet is presented. When you listen to it a few times, you match the chord and the ornaments. After you listen to it a few more times, you can see how this music feels. I have met a lot of students who have trouble with these notes at the beginning. They felt confused and helpless with it so they put effort on those small notes, trying to clear them out. In fact, the long note is more important than these ornaments. When you study pieces of music, you should distinguish between the primary and secondary, develop this sense of melody slowly. That’s what it means to improve the sense of music. ## **Also, using short words or abstract markers to summarize specific feelings in your spare time is helpful.** When you’re not practicing, use your spare time to summarize how you feel when you practice, especially the muscles in your hands. When playing the violin, the first word that pops up in your brain is your direct and accurate feeling about playing the violin. Write out and then if, after a few days, that feeling changes, you write another word. The following picture is a summary of my feelings. There is the difference between the first picture and the second picture. In the second picture, there is an arc above the horizontal line, like a small bridge connecting the two sides of the arc. This is to remind myself to drop the finger well. Everyone feels muscles differently. So, in practice, you can’t say the teacher said that you should practice so, you must practice so. The process of absorption the violin playing method is different for everyone, so you can write down how you feel in an abstract form, so that you can summarize it for yourself. Then you look for your feelings based on what you have concluded, and continue to improve, and then the left hand will form a sense of the whole, and finally you will find the sense of the whole. Let’s talk about developing vocabulary to express your feelings about a particular piece of music. Let me give you an example. There are two pictures. The first is a violin sonata by Richard Strauss and the second movement is the second movement of the Baroque violin concerto no. 2. You can clearly feel that these two pieces are not the same thing, although they are both slow movements, a very coherent slowly feeling. The mood is completely different; the first is deep love while the second is the soothing feeling of country minor. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/tp2k9.jpg) When you listen to the music, you can write down your feelings. For example, take a piece of paper and write down what you listened to today and what you felt. Then you can listen to it and write it again in a few days. If there’s a difference, even a word, think about what makes you feel different. Is today better than yesterday, so you think this music is better, or today something happened, and you think this music can reach your heart, touch your heart somewhere. This is a good training for children. Because when you listen to music, your brain will naturally touch on some previous memories, or some of your feelings. With more practice, you can clearly and concretely capture your feelings and memories, which is very helpful for learning and appreciating classical music. Learning a classical instrument is actually a process of using an instrument to clearly and concretely express certain feelings. Instrumental playing is a kind of re-creation, where you have to put emotion in during the performance. Composers writing a piece of music is a creation. When you interpret it, it is a second creation. So you have to understand what you’re feeling, what you’re expressing, and then the audience can receive the feelings you are conveying. ## **The ability to learn from other art forms is essential.** Now, as I have mentioned, students learning violins should not only focus on violins. That doesn’t mean they have to learn all the instruments. I mean, in order to learn violin well, they have to pay attention to other music, at least listen to it and read it. Why does the violin often need to cooperate with other instruments? Because the music that comes out like this is much richer and more detailed in terms of range, timbre, feeling, breadth and so on. The feeling of the violin with different instruments is completely different. Specifically, a combination of violin, cello and piano is much more ideal than a combination of four violins. Therefore, those who learn violin must also pay attention to other instruments and listen to the works of the orchestra rather than listening to violin concertos every day. Here is a picture of an orchestra and what I recommend you listen to. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/2em6a.jpg) If you look at this violin, the underneath wood grain it is very beautiful, and when you get to the upper right corner, it suddenly breaks. It’s not a good board, but it’s actually very well made. If its original wood can be completed in one sitting, it will be truly amazing. So do not break the consistence in feeling and learning classic music. This is the same thing in other music sheets. So when you are learning the violin, don’t confined to the violin. Instead, other art forms could help. To see the exhibition is a good way to release the stress from practice the violin and also a way to get inspiration from other art forms. So keep open to other forms that can help us improve our artistic accomplishment. Host: thank you very much for Mr. Wang’s wonderful speech. --- # Several tips for giving a child violin lessons from a violin app user - URL: https://violy.app/blog/several-tips-for-giving-a-child-violin-lessons-from-a-violin-app-user - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/several-tips-for-giving-a-child-violin-lessons-from-a-violin-app-user.md - Published: 2019-07-25 - Summary: Hi there, I am a grandpa, and I have five-year experience of accompanying my son to learn the violin # Several tips for giving a child violin lessons from a violin app user Hi there, I am a grandpa, and I have five-year experience of accompanying my son to learn the violin. Here are some tips I‘d like to share with other violin parents who have no musical background like me and hope they are helpful. 1. It is better for children to start the violin lessons sooner than later. Many violinists began to learn musical instrument when they were very young. For example, Tchaikovsky started piano lessons at age five, and Mahler took piano lessons at four. Some parents with musical background begin to create a musical atmosphere at home when their kids are only three. I believe when children are able to concentrate, their musical interests can be cultivated, and learning an instrument at a young age makes sense for their future development. 2. Understanding the difference between group lessons and private lessons is important. When children start their first violin lessons, they are better able to build their violin interests by joining in group lessons although private lessons are better for children’s violin learning results. Of course parents can hire professional and responsible tutors to guide children’s violin performance, but they should notice investing in children’s private violin lessons requires a huge amount of money. 3. Violy is a good violin app that can help parents know how kids’ violin performance is. I was introduced to Violy by my son’s violin teacher Zhang, and I surprisingly found that this app can help parent without musical background like me know how’s the violin performance of my kid. Thus, I encourage my son to try his best to achieve 90 points without wrong sound when he was practicing. I think when my son achieved more than 90 points, he got the sense of achievement and he got stronger incentives to practice more frequently. 4. Keeping good learning attitude is the key in kids’ violin training. Any musical instrument learning requires persistence, so developing a good learning attitude is essential for children. I have accompanied my son to learn the violin for five years and we haven’t missed any class, regardless of the hot weather or the snowy wind. Parents’ persistence and accompaniment at children’s young age determine whether children can insist on practicing the violin. If necessary, parents could make some notes, record videos and communicate with teachers to help children learn the violin. Don’t play mobile phones or do other things when watching children practicing the violin; otherwise, these young beginners would consider it not important. Also, if parents have time, they should learn some relevant knowledge to better guide children's practice. 5. Paying attention to adjust children’s posture when they are playing the violins. Parents should attach importance to children’s violin playing posture since this is a long-term effective skill that would influence children’s violin performance. After one year of violin class for the enlightenment, my son transferred to teacher Zhang and Mr. Zhang spent a lot of time to correct my son’s posture, for example, the position and the shape of left thumb and how to hold the bow with right hand. Once the habit of posture is formed, it is not easy to change; so parents need to correct children’s violin playing posture. 6. Don’t forget to develop children’s practice habits. After my son began to primary school, he has to complete the school work and practice the violin. Although his daily schedule is very busy, he practices the violin for at least two hours every day. Generally, he practices the violin for half an hour before he goes to school every morning and two hours before bed. Therefore, with two hours’ violin lessons a week, my son practices the violin more than sixteen hours a week. 7. Encouraging children to participate in exams and group performances is a good way to cultivate children’s sense of accomplishment. Children don’t want to take exams or group performances because of the stress, but exams should be considered as a test and also an incentive. My son started to participate in many international and domestic violin competitions from elementary school; he did so not for the prize or the honor, but for better understanding of his shortcomings of violin performance and making friends with other violin kids. After all, it makes me super happy to be able to spend time with me grandchildren. Music sounded, happiness flow to the face indeed. Hopefully my experience could help you. --- # How to tune the instruments Violy | A real-life story about violin and cello - URL: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-tune-the-instruments-violy - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/how-to-tune-the-instruments-violy.md - Published: 2019-07-23 - Summary: To tune an instrument is indeed the first thing you need to do before you are ready to master it, no # How to tune it Violy | A real-life story about violin and cello To tune an instrument is indeed the first thing you need to do before you are ready to master it, no matters if it's a violin or a cello you have around you. Well, we all remember how tricky it is to tune an instrument during the first period of learning stage, and we also know it is a MUST lesson to learn. In addition, to properly tune a cello you will need to be familiar with the parts involved and how the whole instrument acts as a unit. Just like other similar wood-crafted instruments, the cello is susceptible to changes in humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure (please do NOT ignore those environmental conditions, they not only affect how frequently you’ll need to tune the strings, but also, as the wood expands and contracts, can severely damage your cello.). In this article, we are going demonstrate “How to Tune a Cello”. An ordinary cello normally has four strings which are tuned in perfect fifths. The strings are 1(A), 2(D), 3(G), 4(C), in ascending order of thickness. The lowest tone, C open string, is corresponding to two octaves below middle C on the piano. *Please encourage your students to tune their cellos by ear training, and guide them to tune their cellos according to different pitches. If your student is in his/her very first stage of learn (lack of ear training skill), to use a tuner app would be one of the easiest way to approach tuning. Yet, most tuner app in the market can not receive the actual sound of 1(C) string(any relatively lower bass) without external accessory, because of the limitation of the mic in your phone. I personally recommend Simply Tuner. It is one of the best tuner app for string instruments in the market, available for both Android and iOS devices. In this app, you can easily see the instrument option button on left top corner, and select cello. Secondly, you can click the tuning peg symbols below to select which corresponding string to be tuned, which also means you have to tune the strings separately (Well, I am not very used to this feature from my perspective of view. After all, it is an app for the beginners.) Next, play the corresponding string, and the indicator on the meter will show you how many cents are off, also there is also simple instructions above the meter that you can follow to tighten or loosen the string. When the instruction word tunes into yellow Slightly Low/High, you can use the fine tuner(s) for the micro tuning. When the word tunes into green Perfect~ The current string is ready to play. Additionally, if you student is well skilled in ear training, you can always let him use the Speaker Mode by clicking the speaker symbol below the meter. The app can play each open string notes by 2(A) at 442Hz. Tips: 1, Never, ever remove or all of the strings of your cello at the same time. 2, It’s a good idea to ensure that your fine tuners are loosened before the beginning of the tuning process. 3, Use cautious movements! Over tightening your strings can result in damage to your cello and your person—particularly the face and eyes, so be careful! 4, Always ask your teacher or a trusted instrument dealer to help you if you need it. Other very important notes for intermediate and advanced players: The bridge actually moves when you adjust the strings up or down. You should pay attention to the angle of the bridge because if it's not a good angle, the bridge can warp. This can happen after just a couple days at a bad angle. Warped bridges get gradually more warped if being used and it will affect sound and string height more and more. This can only be fixed by having a luthier put the bridge in clamps for a number of days and is a huge pain because it likely won't fix tbe problem permanently. This is why whenever putting on a new string, have a graphite pencil on hand to draw in the grooves where the string will sit on both the bridge and the nut. This will reduce friction and keep the bridge from moving a lot. While tightening the strings, watch the feet of the bridge to make sure they are completely flat on both sides when the strings are at or near the correct pitch. Also observe the bridge angle from the side of the cello (in profile) to ensure it looks perpendicular to the top. Please note that bridges should always be flat on the tailpiece side and curved on the fingerboard side to give more leverage to counteract the weight applied by the bow. Because of this, the bridge will appear to be angled slightly towards the tailpiece even when actually perpendicular As OP stated, you should never take all the strings off at once. The soundpost is held in place only by the preasure from the top, applied by the tension of the strings onto the bridge. It is likely the soundpost will fall down if the strings or bridge are removed and only someone with the right tools and expertise can return it to its correct position. --- # Violy Performer of the Month | ViolyMusic Event - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-performer-of-the-month - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-performer-of-the-month.md - Published: 2019-07-22 - Summary: Do you notice the fact that many people give up violin practice due to the the busy daily schedule a # Violy Performer of the Month | ViolyMusic Event Do you notice the fact that many people give up violin practice due to the the busy daily schedule and the repeating process of violin playing? This fact has drawn our attention and thus we are launching a project, the Violy Performer of the Month, to create a violin practice community in which violin players could communicate and share their experiences of violin playing. By launching this project, we are hoping participants and other violin players would enjoy the violin practice and proudly share their performances' grades with others. We would select the best violin performer on Violy every month and the prizes for the violin performer of the month would be one month membership and special derivatives of violinists. The rules of this project are as follows: * The participant's final score picture must be shared on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. * Also, it is necessary to contain your Violy ID and #ViolyPractice in the caption to confirm the participation. * On the last Firday each month, we would announce the Violy Performer of the Month on social media platforms and we would send a special award to the the performer of the month. * We would rate participants' performance by the difficulty of the music, and the accuracy and creativity of performance's expression. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/od378.png) --- # The Story of La Marseillaise | ViolyMusic - URL: https://violy.app/blog/the-story-of-la-marseillaise - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/the-story-of-la-marseillaise.md - Published: 2019-07-14 - Summary: After France declared war on Austria on April 20, 1792, the mayor of [Strasbourg](https://en.wikiped # The Story of La Marseillaise | ViolyMusic After France declared war on Austria on April 20, 1792, the mayor of [Strasbourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg) expressed the need for a marching song that would rally troops to “defend their homeland that is under threat”. When Rouget de Lisle stationed at Strasbourg, this lowly army officer has responded to the call by composing both the words and music of “[La Marseillaise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Marseillaise)” (April 24, 1792). Originally this song was entitled “Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin” (“War Song of the Army of the Rhine”); it gained its familiar title “La Marseillaise” because of its popularity with volunteer army units from [Marseille](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marseille).
It was made France’s anthem in 1795 but lost its status under Napoleon I and was suppressed during the Bourbon restoration. However, La Marseillaise was reinstated in 1879 and has remained as the national anthem since then. The message of defiance and resistance have proven incredibly potent at key history moments in France’s history. Nevertheless, La Marseillaise’s martial theme has been controversial due to the “fairly bloodthirsty” lyrics. The anthem contains lines about “ferocious soldiers” who are “coming to cut the throats of your sons, your women”. Considering it too warlike, Valery Giscard d'Esta, the president of France from 1974 to 1981, slowed the rhythm. La Marseillaise today is less warlike but still inspiring. Check [Violy](https://violy.app/) bottle challenge and [La Marseillaise on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_5sw_EbpI8). Vive La France!! ![ViolyPractice makes PERFECT!!](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/p519z.jpg) --- # ViolyMusic| Happy Birthday to Gustav Mahler - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-music-mahler - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-music-mahler.md - Published: 2019-07-07 - Summary: [Gustav Mahler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Mahler) was one of the leading conductors of hi # ViolyMusic| Happy Birthday to Gustav Mahler [Gustav Mahler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Mahler) was one of the leading conductors of his generation and a late-Romantic composer in music history. As a composer, he was as the bridge between the 19th century German and Austrian traditions and the modernist music of the early 20th century. ![Gustav Mahler](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/jglep.png) Mahler was an early starter; he started learning piano at the age of 4 and gave his first public performance at age of 10. Due to the poor performance at school, Mahler was sent to study at the Vienna conservatory when he was 15 years old. Mahler likely began conducting and composing classical music while studying at the conservatory. Ultimately, he turned to conducting after graduation, believing it to be a more practical career choice. When Mahler graduated from the Vienna Conservatory in 1878, he served as the conductor in the European Opera House. From 1897 to 1907, Gustav Mahler served as director for the Vienna Court Opera, during which time, Mahler changed from a Judaism to a Catholic, but he was still excluded by anti-Semitism due to his Jewish origin. Nonetheless, his performance as a conductor was not only excellent but innovative, which made him one of the greatest opera conductor in history. In his later years, Mahler went Stateside to become director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic at the turn of the twentieth century. Mahler conducted his final concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall. For much of Mahler’s life, composing was more likely a part-time activity while he earned his living as a conductor. He wrote 10 symphonies during his career, which became popular for their 20th-century techniques and emotional character. Mahler’s compositions were solely symphonic rather than operatic. He eventually composed 10 symphonies, each very emotional and large in scale. He also wrote several song cycles with folk influences. His work is characterized as part of the Romanticism movement and is often focused on death and afterlife. He is known for his choral work Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) and the song cycle Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer). With the background of German-speaking minority among Bohemians and also Ashkenazic Jewish, Mahler developed on a permanent sense of exile, “always an intruder, never welcomed.” Besides that, because Mahler is both a composer and a performer, both Jewish and Christians, both innocent and sophisticated, Mahler’s works are contradictory. Such conflicts and contradictions are expressed by relative emotions: rising melody, strong desire, uncoordinated, and also string sounds representing suffering and despair. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/qdxkb.jpg) Join Violy on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice Twitter- https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/ Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/ Questions? Contact us at Support@Violy.app #ViolyPractice makes Perfect!! Visit Violy.app for more ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/p519z.jpg) --- # Celebrate LGBT Pride June by Playing the Tchaikovsky on ViolinApp - Violy - URL: https://violy.app/blog/celebrate-lgbt-pride-june-by-playing-the-tchaikovsky-on-violinapp-violy - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/celebrate-lgbt-pride-june-by-playing-the-tchaikovsky-on-violinapp-violy.md - Published: 2019-06-27 - Summary: ![Happy PRIDE June~](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/87yrx.jpg) [Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky](https://en # Celebrate LGBT Pride June by Playing the Tchaikovsky on ViolinApp - Violy ![Happy PRIDE June~](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/87yrx.jpg) [Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky), the most popular Russian classical music composer of all time, was famous for tuneful, open-hearted melodies, impressive harmonies and picturesque orchestration, all of which had great appeal for the general public. Tchaikovsky’s well-known compositions include music for the ballets Swan Lake (1877), The Sleeping Beauty (1889) and The Nutcracker (1892). He was also celebrated for the Romeo and Juliet overture (1870) and the celebrated for Symphony No.6 in B Minor (Pathetique) (1893). ![the young Tchaikovsky](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/dbvqy.jpg) One interesting controversy about Tchaikovsky is his sexuality. Russia’s culture minister Vladimir Medinsky and the screenwriter of Tchaikovsky’s film biopic Yuri Arabov have denied Tchaikovsky’s homosexuality, claiming there was no evidence to suggest he was anything other than a lonely man failing to find a suitable woman to marry. However, historians insist it is a historical fact that Tchaikovsky’s own writings reveal his sexuality. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, conceded Tchaikovsky was probably gay. "They say that Tchaikovsky was a homosexual," said Putin. "Truth be told, we don't love him because of that, but he was a great musician, and we all love his music. So what?" Although Tchaikovsky had long been struggling with societal pressure to repress his homosexuality, we are so proud to have such a talented gay composer who brought us numerous symphonies, operas, ballets, violin concerto and piano songs. Therefore, we have recently added Tchaikovsky’s collection to Sheet Cloud on Violy with six pieces of music including Andante Cantabile, Chanson Triste, Dance of Little Four Swan, Barcarolle, Melodie in E Flat Major, Op. 42 No.3 and Theme for Swan Lake and we proudly created an album cover with rainbow color to show our respect and love. Join us to practice Tchaikovsky's classical music compositions on the best ViolinApp >>> [Violy](https://violy.app/). ![the album of Tchaikovsky is now available in Sheet Cloud on Violy](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/xjldq.jpg) What’s more, [The XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition](https://tch16.com/en/) which is held every four years is approaching to the end in Moscow and St. Petersburg. All events of the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition are available online and check the delayed viewing on the tech16.medici.tv platform. Join Violy on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice Twitter- https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/ Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/Violy/ Questions? Contact us at Support@Violy.app ![ViolyPractice makes Perfect!!](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/1tevn.jpg) --- # Violy Practice makes Perfect —— An AI Music Practice Partner - URL: https://violy.app/blog/violy-intro - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/violy-intro.md - Published: 2019-06-23 - Summary: ## **Violy, an intelligent app which can listen to and understand strings’ voices.** Without any ext ## **Violy, an intelligent app which can listen to and understand strings’ voices.** Without any extra hardware, Violy can hear and follow your practicing, at the end output evaluation results and scores. Currently it supports evaluation of pitch and rhythm. You can get 15 days gift to experience Premium features. Even if you are not a Premium member, most of features are available to you, include all sheets downloading and playing. ### **[ Why Violy ]** VIoly makes your practicing easier. - For student: get practice feedback in time, raise efficiency of practicing; with less difficulty students can persist the violin studying. - For teacher: spend less time to correct student’s basic parts as pitch, rhythm, etc. So teach students more efficiently; get more knowledge about student’s practicing. - For parents: no more pain as practice partner; get more real data and stats about child’s practicing. ### **[ How to use ]** - Get your iPhone/iPad device at hand. - Open the app, find the sheet you want to practice, and click to view the sheet. Check in evaluation mode. - Play open strings 1/2/3/4 (E,A,D,G) in turn, start a practice. - Score Following: the app recognizes your playing notes. Meanwhile, the cursor on the sheet catches up with your voice. - At the end of the practice, the app evaluates the practice, and outputs the result: score and stats - how many wrong pitch/rhythm notes, how much is the bias of each note. ### **[ Features ]** Active score following for evaluation: - Smart start: no need touch on device, just playing notes starts a practice. - Sheet following: during practicing the cursor follows the playing voice, and auto jumps to the right sheet position. - Auto stop: no need any touch on device. If you want to stop the practice, just stop playing. - Section practicing: start practicing at any start point, just need to click on sheet to set start point. - Duplicated section: duplicated section of sheet is supported well. Can set if or not duplicated section will be played. - Multiple voices support: follow multiple voices in sheet, and direct the bias of each note. *VIoly is the must-have violin learning/practicing app.* *Violy is smart and AI-based. It listens, follows, evaluates, and grades your practices. It tells you where is wrong.* Two practice modes: - The default mode is **Audition** Mode. It is the right and recommendatory practice mode for ones who is familiar with the sheet. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/dwkbg.jpg) - Another option is **Note-by-note**. Under this mode, you just play the note where the cursor is. If your play is right, then the cursor will go to the next note, otherwise the cursor will not move. This mode is fit for ones who are not familiar with the sheet. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/4lm1f.jpg) ### **Sheets Cloud:** - The electronic sheets are input based on original sheet books, so it can replace paper books. - All sheets can be played. Just click on the sheet to set new start point as playing. - Totally free for downloading all sheets. - Updates will be done automatically if any sheet bug is fixed. - More and more books will be added, and they will be free always. Practice records and stats: - Score is calculated for every practice. - Detailed pitch/rhythm stats, and bias trends for every practice. - Stats for overall practicing time. ### **Together for teachers:** - Create team to organize all your students. - View timeline of practices of all students, or of one. - View the detail result of one practice: score, stats, and analysis. ### **[ Feedback ]** We expect your feedback eagerly! - During usage, any question, idea or suggestion can be submit on “Me -> Help&Feedback -> Feedback” page. - There is feedback button on the left-top side of sheet page. By clicking this you can report sheet error of any sheet and tag the position. Want to practice on Violy? Follow us: - https://www.facebook.com/ViolyPractice - https://twitter.com/ViolyPractice - https://www.instagram.com/violy.practice/ Contact us at Support@Violy.app ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/p519z.jpg) --- # Brand New Music Practice Partner - URL: https://violy.app/blog/brand-new-music-practice-partner - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/brand-new-music-practice-partner.md - Published: 2019-06-22 - Summary: ### Dear Violy Users: To better service the violin teachers and students over the world, we have dec ### Dear Violy Users: To better service the violin teachers and students over the world, we have decided to rebrand the app, which includes changing the app name from Lian to Violy. The logo and user interface have also been redesigned. ![](https://media.17lianqin.cn/ipic/izomx.jpg) However, we have been persistently improving the music practicing experience through our app. With the brand new app - “Violy”, users can easily enter the functions like the Tuner and the Metronome, and practice the violin more efficiently. Furthermore, more officially authorised musics and new features are coming soon. In additional, we are going to release a series of Violy accessory gifts, including resin, music stands, violin cases etc., which are free, and only available for those who practice Violy. Hopefully, you can practice the Violin “violy”. Violy Practice makes Perfect!! --- # Going Global - Lian - URL: https://violy.app/blog/going-global - Markdown: https://violy.app/blog/going-global.md - Published: 2018-11-06 - Summary: Finally we are ready to Go Global. We released first version iOS app QIN in App Store 15 months ago. Finally we are ready to Go Global. We released first version iOS app QIN in App Store 15 months ago. QIN is only for Chinese learners, it has only Chinese sheets. In past 15 months, QIN app got 600+ grades, and average 4.6 stars in App Store. Chinese sheets library got more and more sheet albums, and the album number reaches 150 now. Since the app releasesd, we have gotten lots of feedbacks from users, especially from parents. They are very excited with this app, because it is so helpful for home practicing. For parents, the app is a technical helper for them, because kids have no need to see the screen when practicing and evaluating with the app. The app helps parents to be a better practice partner. Everyday lots of users practice violin with the app. We have gotten 300 milions evaluation practices totally. So we think the app should be useful to global learners, too. Most of all, we have not found the similar app. The KEY feature - active score following, no any other app implements it. To go Global, we re-designed the app a little, and make it some different from QIN, and name it to LIAN. So, here we are, LIAN. # Legal (6) --- # Violy Account and Data Deletion Notice - URL: https://violy.app/account-and-data-deletion-notice - Markdown: https://violy.app/account-and-data-deletion-notice.md - Summary: Before you cancel your account, please fully read, understand and agree to the following: Your act o # Violy Account and Data Deletion Notice Before you cancel your account, please fully read, understand and agree to the following: Your act of canceling your "Violy" account will cause us to terminate the provision of this service to you, and will also bring a lot of inconvenience to your subsequent use. After successful cancellation, we will delete your personal information so that it cannot be retrieved or accessed, and anonymize your music scores, uploaded videos, comments and other information. - If you still insist on canceling your account, your account must meet the following conditions: - The account has no assets in the "Violy" system; - There are no outstanding orders in the account; - The account is free of any disputes, including complaints and reports or being reported by complaints; - The account is an account in normal use and there is no record of any account restrictions; - During the cancellation of the "Violy" account, if your "Violy" account is involved in disputes, including but not limited to complaints, reports, lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations by the competent state authorities, etc., "Violy" has the right to terminate the cancellation of this "Violy" account without obtaining your consent. - Please be sure to unbind other related accounts before submitting the cancellation application. For details, please contact our customer service. - Once the "Violy" account is cancelled, it cannot be recovered. Please back up all information and data related to the account before operation. - If you cancel the "Violy" account, you will no longer be able to use this same "Violy" account, and you will not be able to retrieve any content or information in your "Violy" account or related to the account (even if you use the same mobile phone number again and use "Violy"), including but not limited to: - You will not be able to log in and use the "Violy" account; - Personal data and historical information (including but not limited to user name, nickname, avatar, practice records, favorite albums, private scores, group information, comments and replies, etc.) of the "Violy" account will not be retrievable; - All the records of the "Violy" website and App that you log in with your "Violy" account will not be retrievable. You will no longer be able to log in and use the aforementioned services, and the MusicConch, Premium membership, and video Live Class account balance you have obtained will be deemed to be given up by you, and will no longer be available for use. You understand and agree that "Violy" cannot assist you to restore the aforementioned services. - The cancellation of the "Violy" account does not mean that the account behavior and related responsibilities before the cancellation of the "Violy" account are exempted or mitigated. --- # Violy Auto-Renewal Terms - URL: https://violy.app/auto-renewal-terms - Markdown: https://violy.app/auto-renewal-terms.md - Summary: ## Release Date: November 15, 2022 ## Version Number: V1.0 ## Important Notice You are welcome to us # Violy Auto-Renewal Terms ## Release Date: November 15, 2022 ## Version Number: V1.0 ## Important Notice You are welcome to use the automatic renewal service (hereinafter referred to as "automatic renewal service" or "this service") provided by Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Violy"). In order to protect the rights and interests of users (hereinafter referred to as "you"), please read all contents of this service agreement (hereinafter referred to as "this Agreement") carefully before using this service. Unless you have read and agreed to all the contents of this Agreement, you have no right to use this service. If you purchase or use this service, it means that you have reached an agreement with Violy and voluntarily accept all the contents of this Agreement. If you are under the age of 18, please use this service accompanied by or with the consent of the legal guardian; minors who exercise and perform the rights and obligations under this Agreement are deemed to have obtained the approval of the legal guardian. This Agreement is legally binding on you and your legal guardian. ## Article 1 Service Description 1.1 This service is launched based on your demand for automatic renewal to avoid service interruption due to your failure to renew in time. Automatic renewal currently only has the subscription service period type of recurring monthly subscription, and the billing cycle fee is paid monthly. 1.2 If you activate this service through Apple ID ("Apple" in this Agreement refers to Apple Inc. and its affiliates), and you do not cancel the automatic renewal service 24 hours before the expiration of the next subscription service, then Apple will automatically deduct the service fee for the next subscription period from the balance of the Apple ID account (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "account") bound when you opened this automatic renewal service, 24 hours before the expiration of each subscription period, thereby extending the service validity period corresponding to the subscription period. 1.3 Please pay attention to the above-mentioned various accounts and the status of the deductible balance. If the renewal fails due to account problems or insufficient balance, you will be responsible for the risks or losses caused by it (such as the termination of corresponding rights, membership status, etc.). ## Article 2 Automatic Renewal Usage Rules 2.1 In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations, in order to facilitate you to know the automatic renewal status, Violy will notify you by text message, in-site message, etc. 3 days before the deduction of the next subscription period, and the third-party payment channel may also send you a reminder notice before the deduction, so please pay attention. 2.2 Please pay special attention to the fact that based on the characteristics of the automatic renewal service, the automatic deduction will be completed in accordance with the method and time stipulated in Articles 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this Agreement. If you do not explicitly cancel the automatic renewal service before the deduction, Violy will issue a deduction instruction for the next subscription period to the relevant subject according to your entrustment, and in principle, the fee deducted based on this instruction will not be refunded. 2.3 If there is an error in the process of deducting the fee, Violy and you should cooperate closely to find out the reason, and each bear the loss caused by its own fault; if the loss is caused by the unequal fault of both parties, both parties should bear the corresponding responsibility according to the degree of fault; if both parties are jointly responsible, the responsibility shall be equally shared by both parties. 2.4 Violy does not charge you any additional fees for the automatic renewal service, but Violy has the right to decide whether to charge extra for the automatic renewal service according to business development needs, and will announce it to you on the relevant page. 2.5 The service provided to you by Violy is limited to your use on the Violy App platform. Any use of paid services to avoid renewal by malicious cracking or other illegal means constitutes a violation of this Agreement. All legal consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the perpetrator, and Violy will investigate the perpetrator's legal responsibility according to law. ## Article 3 Service Suspension, Interruption and Termination 3.1 Unless otherwise notified or announced by Violy, this service will be valid for a long time. This Agreement becomes effective after you choose to accept or use the service, and will be terminated when you terminate the service or cancel the paid service qualification. 3.2 In the event of any of the following situations, Violy has the right to immediately terminate the service to you, and it will not be liable to you or any third party for this: - (1) It is confirmed by the effective legal documents of the national administrative or judicial organs that you have violated the law or infringed, or Violy, according to its own judgment, believes that your behavior is suspected of violating the content of this Agreement or the rules of use published by the Violy App platform from time to time, or suspected of violating the provisions of laws and regulations; - (2) Your behavior interferes with the normal operation of any part or function of the App; - (3) Violy believes that there are major risks in providing you with this service. 3.3 Violy may choose to suspend or interrupt this service according to its own business decisions and other reasons. If such a situation occurs, Violy will notify you in the form of an announcement. 3.4 If you want to cancel the automatic renewal, you can cancel the automatic renewal 24 hours before the end of the next subscription period by the following methods: - Apple ID purchases - iOS 12 and higher systems: Open the iOS device "App Store" → click the Apple account avatar in the upper right corner → enter "Account" → click "Subscriptions" → select Violy and cancel the subscription; - For systems lower than iOS 12: open "Settings" → enter "iTunes Store and App Store" → click "Apple ID", select "View Apple ID", enter the "Account Settings" page, click "Subscriptions", select Violy and cancel the subscription. 3.5 After the successful cancellation of this service, it will not affect the paid service that you have successfully been deducted for and that has taken effect, and the paid service that has taken effect will not be automatically renewed after its expiration. Before you choose to terminate this service, the instruction that you have entrusted to Violy to automatically renew the payment is still valid, and Violy will not refund the fee deducted based on the instruction, and you will bear the relevant responsibilities. ## Article 4 Other Agreements 4.1 Law and Dispute Resolution: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China, and the application of all conflict of law provisions shall be excluded. In the event of a dispute, you and Violy agree to submit the dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its currently effective arbitration rules, and the trial will be conducted by three arbitrators. The arbitration award is final and binding on both parties. Arbitration costs shall be borne by the losing party. 4.2 If Violy does not exercise, does not exercise in time, or does not fully exercise the rights enjoyed under this Agreement or in accordance with the law, it shall not be deemed to have waived the right, nor will it affect Violy's future exercise of such rights. 4.3 If the user has any questions about this agreement, please email us at . Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. --- # Violy Copyright Notice - URL: https://violy.app/copyright-notice - Markdown: https://violy.app/copyright-notice.md - Summary: ## Intellectual Property 1. Violy App is an app for the production, acquisition, sharing, and dissem # Violy Copyright Notice ## Intellectual Property 1. Violy App is an app for the production, acquisition, sharing, and dissemination of music content. We respect and encourage user-created content, recognize the importance of intellectual property protection to the survival and development of Violy App, and commit to protecting intellectual property as one of the basic principles of Violy App's operation. 2. Violy is not a professional intellectual property institution. It does not have the ability to review or judge whether a work is infringing, nor the ability to review the legality, authenticity, or quality of content published by users. Each user shall independently and fully bear legal responsibility for their own uploads. Any disputes, controversies, or litigation arising from your personal conduct are unrelated to Violy. 3. The copyright of content published by users on Violy App belongs to the users themselves. Users may authorize third parties to use such content in any way without the consent of Violy App. 4. The logos, page designs, layouts, text, images, graphics, and other elements contained in the network services provided by Violy App are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Without the consent of the relevant right holders (including Violy and other original right holders), none of the above content may be directly or indirectly published or used on platforms other than Violy App, adapted or redistributed for the purpose of publication or use, or used for any other commercial purpose. 5. To promote the sharing and dissemination of music content, users grant Violy a free, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to use all content they produce and publish on the Violy website. Violy has the right to use such content in all forms of products and services of Violy App or its partners, including but not limited to websites, published applications, and other Internet products. 6. If a third party, for non-commercial purposes, reposts content published by users on Violy to places other than the Violy website and mobile App, it shall indicate the original author's name (or the account name used by the original author on Violy) in a prominent position at the beginning of the work, provide the original link, and indicate "Published on Violy", and shall not modify or adapt the work. If the third party needs to modify the work or use it for commercial purposes, it shall contact the user to obtain separate authorization and use the content in the manner specified by the user. 7. For content uploaded or published on Violy App, users shall guarantee that they are the copyright owner or have obtained legal authorization, and that the content does not infringe the legitimate rights and interests of any third party. If a third party raises an objection concerning copyright, Violy has the right to delete the relevant content according to the actual situation and to pursue the user's legal responsibility. If losses are caused to Violy App or any third party, the user shall be liable for full compensation. 8. If any third party infringes the rights of Violy users, the user agrees to authorize Violy, in its own name or through its designated agent, on behalf of Violy itself or the user, to issue warnings or complaints against such third party, initiate administrative enforcement, litigation, or appeals, or negotiate settlements, and the user agrees to participate in joint rights protection when Violy deems it necessary. 9. Violy has the right but not the obligation to review content published by users, and has the right to handle infringing information based on relevant evidence in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information. 10. Violy holds full intellectual property rights in Violy's self-produced content and other exclusive content obtained through authorization. Without Violy's permission, no organization or individual may repost or disseminate such content, provide viewing services for it, or otherwise infringe Violy's intellectual property rights. Otherwise, Violy will pursue the legal responsibility of the infringer. 11. The intellectual property rights enjoyed by Violy shall not be transferred as a result of any use by users. 12. No one may obtain the source code of Violy through reverse engineering, decompilation, disassembly, or other similar acts. Otherwise, the user shall be responsible for all legal consequences arising therefrom, and Violy will pursue the legal responsibility of the breaching party in accordance with the law. ## Infringement Report Violy App attaches great importance to the protection of online copyright, other intellectual property rights, and users' rights and interests. If any individual or organization finds content on Violy App that infringes their legitimate rights and interests, please contact Violy App (email: ). To ensure that the issue can be handled in a timely and effective manner, please be sure to submit true, valid, complete, and clear materials; otherwise the report will not be accepted. Please use the following format (including the serial number of each item): 1. Proof that the right holder owns the trademark rights, copyright, and/or other rights that may be exercised in accordance with the law over the allegedly infringing content. If the reporter is not the right holder, the reporter shall provide a written authorization certificate for reporting on behalf of the enterprise. 2. A full and clear description of the content that infringes the right holder's legitimate rights and interests, the specific page address of the allegedly infringing content on Violy, and an indication of which parts of the allegedly infringing content infringe the legitimate rights and interests of the right holder listed above. 3. The right holder's specific contact information, including name, a copy of the ID card or passport (for natural persons) or a copy of the organization registration certificate (for organizations), mailing address, telephone number, fax, and email. 4. The following statement on the authenticity of the report, included in the infringement report: - I am the legal right holder of the reported content; - The content I report, published on Violy App, infringes my corresponding legitimate rights and interests; - If the content of this infringement report is not entirely true, I will bear all legal responsibilities arising therefrom. After receiving the relevant materials and having them verified by the relevant institutions, Violy App staff will complete the handling and give a reply within 10 working days. During the handling period, no inquiry services by telephone, email, or other means will be provided. If content that Violy has already deleted or handled can still be found through search engines such as Baidu or Google, this is because such search engines maintain their own caches. Violy has neither the right nor the ability to handle such issues, and related applications will not be accepted. Legal disputes arising from users' commercial activities on Violy shall be handled by the parties to the transaction themselves and are unrelated to Violy. ## Disclaimer 1. Violy App cannot guarantee the correctness of content published by users. 2. Content published by users on Violy App only represents their personal positions and views, and does not represent the position or views of Violy. As the publisher of the content, the user is responsible for the published content, and shall bear all legal and joint liabilities for any disputes arising from the published content. Violy App does not assume any legal or joint liability. 3. Due to the limitations of technology itself, Violy does not guarantee that its network services will meet users' requirements, nor that the network services will be uninterrupted, and makes no guarantee as to the timeliness, security, or accuracy of the network services. 4. Violy App assumes no responsibility for network service interruptions or other defects caused by force majeure or causes beyond Violy's control, but will do its best to reduce the resulting losses and impact on users. 5. Since the client and other software provided by Violy can be downloaded and disseminated through the Internet, for Violy service-related software downloaded from sites other than Violy's designated official sites or obtained through channels not designated by Violy, Violy cannot guarantee whether it is infected with computer viruses or hides disguised Trojan programs or other hacking software, and assumes no legal responsibility for any direct or indirect damages suffered by users as a result. 6. Users shall properly safeguard their accounts and passwords, strengthen password security, and guard against account leakage or theft. Violy assumes no liability for compensation for any losses caused by the leakage or theft of user accounts. Where accounts or in-account assets are lost or reduced due to causes not attributable to Violy, such as communication line failures of telecom operators, network or computer failures, system instability, or force majeure (such as server downtime), Violy assumes no liability for compensation. 7. Users understand and agree that they choose to download and use Violy services at their own discretion and at their own risk, including but not limited to their conduct during the use of Violy services and all consequences arising from the use of Violy services. Users shall bear full responsibility for any damage to mobile phones or computer systems or loss of data caused by downloading or using Violy services. --- # Violy Membership Terms - URL: https://violy.app/membership-terms - Markdown: https://violy.app/membership-terms.md - Summary: ## Important Notice In order to use the Violy VIP service, please carefully read, understand and abi # Violy Membership Terms ## Important Notice In order to use the Violy VIP service, please carefully read, understand and abide by the "Violy VIP Service Agreement" (hereinafter referred to as "this Agreement"). This Agreement is jointly concluded by you and Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Violy" or "Violy Company"), and has the effect of a contract. - The clauses in the Agreement that have a major interest in your rights and interests, including but not limited to clauses related to exemption or limitation of liability, clauses restricting user rights, clauses agreeing on dispute resolution methods and jurisdiction, etc., may be bolded, color marked or highlighted by other reasonable means to prompt your attention and ask you to focus on reading. - If you do not agree with any or all of the terms of this Agreement, please do not activate or use this service. - If you choose this service, you can proceed to the next step or use the service by accepting it (including but not limited to clicking to agree, activating or renewing fees, conducting transactions related to VIP services, accepting gifts, participating in activities, or performing any other form of confirmation operation, collectively referred to as: the form of accepting the service), to indicate that you have read, understood and agreed to sign this Agreement, and voluntarily accept and abide by all the stipulations of this Agreement. - If you are under the age of 18, please read this Agreement accompanied by a legal guardian, and pay special attention to the terms of use for minors. - If you are the legal guardian of a minor, we hope you can reasonably set the usage time of the minor and cultivate healthy usage habits. ## 1. Definition and description of the Agreement 1.1 **Violy VIP and account** If you need to use and enjoy the VIP service, you need to authorize and log in with the mobile phone account or social account that you have the right to use. You are a Violy VIP within the validity period of the membership period, and are also referred to as "you", "user" or "member" under this Agreement. 1.2 The content of this Agreement also includes the relevant agreements, platform rules, membership rules and other content about the service that have been released by the Company and may be released or updated from time to time. Once the above content is officially released, it will be an integral part of this Agreement and will also be effective for both parties. Due to the wide range of services we provide to you, some additional terms or product requirements (including but not limited to age requirements, etc.) will be added and applied. Relevant terms will be provided together with the provision of services, and your use of these services will make the relevant terms a part of this Agreement. 1.3 Violy VIP service, that is, the membership rights and special services that a Violy VIP can enjoy in the Violy App, and may also enjoy some of the special or time-limited benefits of Violy, including but not limited to evaluation, follow-up, piano accompaniment, custom segmented practice, etc. This Agreement is also referred to as the "VIP Service" or the "Service". 1.4 Membership rules, that is, the user rules, activity rules, usage rules, announcements, tips, notices, online FAQs, etc. for the VIP users of Violy published and revised from time to time by the Violy service provider. 1.5 The service provider refers to Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd., which provides you with the "Violy" App service, referred to as "Violy" or "Violy Company" in this Agreement. 1.6 Member data refers to various data recorded by the server during your use of Violy, including but not limited to login records, browsing records, practice records, download cache records, uploaded files (including but not limited to sheet music, audio, video, etc.) records, operation behavior logs, purchase logs, recharge records, messages, comments, membership period and other data. 1.7 Intellectual Property Rights. Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. is the intellectual property rights holder of the Violy App. All copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and other legitimate rights and interests of Violy, as well as all the information content (including text, pictures, music scores, audio, video, etc.) related to Violy, are protected by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and the corresponding international treaties concluded by the People's Republic of China. Violy enjoys the above intellectual property rights and legitimate rights and interests, except for the rights that the relevant rights holders should enjoy in accordance with the law. Without the prior written consent of Violy, you may not use Violy in any way (including Violy as a whole and all the contents, components or elements involved in Violy) for commercial use. Violy may involve intellectual property rights of third parties, and if such third parties have requirements for your use of such intellectual property rights in Violy based on this Agreement, Violy will notify you of such requirements in an appropriate manner, and you shall comply with them as well. 1.8 Modifications to the Agreement. Violy has the right to modify this Agreement (including the components of this Agreement) (modifications include changes, additions, and reductions of the corresponding terms). Once this Agreement is modified, Violy will prompt or publicize it on the relevant page; please be sure to read it carefully. If you do not agree to the modification of this Agreement, you can stop using the service. If you choose to continue using the service, you can take the form of accepting the service for the next step or continue using the service to indicate that you have accepted all the modifications to this Agreement. If you have any questions, you can consult our customer service according to Article 8 of this Agreement. The updated version of this Agreement shall become effective on the date of publication of the updated version. 1.9 In the process of using the Violy VIP service, you shall abide by, including but not limited to, the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Security Protection of Computer Information Systems, the Computer Software Protection Regulations, the Regulations on the Protection of Information Network Dissemination Right and other laws and regulations related to computer and Internet regulations; you shall abide by public order, respect social morality, shall not endanger network security, and shall not use the network to endanger national security, honor and interests, incite subversion of state power, overthrow of the socialist system, incite secession, undermine national unity, advocate terrorism or extremism, advocate ethnic hatred or ethnic discrimination, spread violent, obscene and pornographic information, fabricate and spread false information to disrupt economic and social order, or engage in activities that infringe on the reputation, privacy, intellectual property and other legitimate rights and interests of others. In any case, once Violy reasonably believes that the user has engaged in the above behavior, it can terminate the service to the user at any time without prior notice. 1.10 If you see other paid services other than the VIP service on Violy, and want to know about the related services, please read the rules or service agreements on the relevant service pages carefully. ## 2. Account management and use 2.1 Due to the necessity of providing you with services, you need to fill in some necessary information in the process of applying for the VIP service. Please keep the information true and update it in time so that Violy can provide you with help, or serve you better. If your information is incomplete or inaccurate, the use of the services may not be available or may be limited. 2.2 You should ensure the authenticity of the account registration information. If your personal information is untrue and the consequences are unfavorable to you, Violy Company will not be responsible for any consequences. If you use another user's mobile phone number or social account to activate VIP, Violy Company has the right to stop the service function of the account and cancel the VIP qualification of the account without any compensation or refund. 2.3 Violy Company especially reminds you that you should keep your account and password properly. When you are finished using it, you should exit safely. You may suffer account theft, password theft, and use/transfer of virtual property due to your poor custody, and you are solely responsible for it. 2.4 Violy Company and users are committed to the protection of personal information, and protecting users' personal information is a basic principle of Violy. Without your consent, Violy will not disclose your personal information to any other company, organization or individual, except as otherwise provided by laws and regulations and this Agreement. 2.5 In the event of any of the following circumstances, the Company has the right to disclose or process the user's information: - (1) Disclosure with the consent of the user; - (2) Necessary for the conclusion and performance of this Agreement; - (3) Necessary to respond to social emergencies, or to protect the life, health and property safety of natural persons in emergencies; - (4) Conduct news reports, public opinion supervision and other acts for the public interest, and process personal information within a reasonable range; - (5) To deal with personal information disclosed by individuals themselves or other legally disclosed personal information within a reasonable range; - (6) According to the relevant provisions of the law, or the requirements of administrative or judicial organs, to disclose to others or administrative or judicial organs; - (7) Other circumstances that Violy Company deems appropriate to disclose for the purpose of user service; - (8) Other circumstances that may be disclosed by the Company according to law or contract. 2.6 You understand and agree that, in order to provide better services to users, Violy Company can: - (1) Use the information you submit; the results of the use may be inaccurate, so please make an independent judgment when using related services; - (2) Use information such as your nickname, avatar and relevant operation information in the VIP service, and show it to yourself and other users through the services provided in the Violy service. ## 3. Acquisition and Termination of VIP Services 3.1 You should obtain VIP services through the official designated channels that have been and will be added in the future. When you use a specific method to activate the VIP service, you must carefully check the account number, term, price, membership rights and other specific information, and confirm that you agree to the relevant agreement and use method. After the activation is completed, no transfer or refund is allowed. 3.2 You shall not open the Service for yourself or others in any of the following ways: - (1) Open this service for yourself or others for the purpose of non-personal use such as profit and business; - (2) Open this service for yourself or others through any program or software such as robot software, spider software, crawler software, and screen refresh software; - (3) Open the service for yourself or others by any improper means or in a way that violates the principle of good faith; - (4) Open this service for oneself or others by means other than those designated by Violy; - (5) Open this service for yourself or others by infringing on the legal rights and interests of Violy or others; - (6) Open this service for yourself or others by other means that violate relevant laws, administrative regulations, national policies, public order and good customs. 3.3 The term of this service is subject to the term displayed after you choose and successfully activate it. You can also log in to the Violy member center to inquire about the term of various services. Before the VIP service expires, Violy Company may prompt you to renew the fee. If you do not renew the VIP service on time before the expiration of the VIP service, Violy will stop providing you with the VIP service. 3.4 You understand, know and agree that during the service period of this service, due to non-intentional behavior of the Company, including the resolution of Violy malfunctions, server maintenance, adjustment, upgrade, and third-party infringement handling, etc., which may affect your normal use, you agree to exempt Violy from responsibility for the adverse consequences arising from the above situation, and do not require additional compensation from Violy. 3.5 After becoming a VIP, if you apply to cancel or terminate the VIP service under the circumstance that it is not the fault of the Company, you will not have the right to ask the Company to refund the membership service fee you have paid. After the VIP qualification is cancelled/terminated, you can no longer participate in the VIP privileged activities, and can no longer enjoy the various VIP privileged services and value-added services provided by Violy Company. 3.6 Both parties agree that in the event of any of the following circumstances, the Company has the right to interrupt or terminate one or more services provided to you at any time according to the actual situation and without notice, and terminate your VIP qualification: - (1) According to laws, regulations and policies, you should submit real information, but the personal information you provide is untrue, or inconsistent with the information at the time of registration and fails to provide reasonable proof; - (2) You violate relevant laws, regulations, policies or the stipulations of this Agreement and relevant rules and regulations; - (3) In accordance with the provisions of the law or the requirements of the competent authorities; - (4) For safety reasons or other necessary circumstances. 3.7 If you obtain VIP services by illegal means or improper means, or through channels other than those designated by Violy, or maliciously refund the fees by exploiting loopholes in different channels, Violy has the right to terminate your VIP service immediately without any need to give any compensation, and without the need to refund the activation fee. Unofficial channels include but are not limited to e-commerce platform charging, private charging or other unauthorized channels. All kinds of losses caused by your use of unofficial channels shall be resolved by you and the unofficial channels, and Violy Company is not responsible. ## 4. Special agreement for VIP service 4.1 **Differences in equipment and systems** After you activate this service through the designated channel of Violy, the specific services you can actually use may differ due to differences in the software version, equipment, operating system, etc. you use or other third-party reasons. You understand and agree to waive the relevant responsibilities of Violy for any inconvenience this may bring. 4.2 **Advertising Service** You understand and agree that in the process of using Violy, you may see commercial advertisements or other types of commercial information (including but not limited to screen-opening advertisements, banner advertisements, button advertisements, floating advertisements, pop-up advertisements, pause advertisements, and emerging advertisement forms that may appear in the future according to Violy's business arrangement). Violy will minimize the impact of the above advertising services on your experience. You understand and agree that Violy can send you practice reports, public welfare courses, member benefits, preferential activities and other information through mobile phone text messages, App notifications, announcements or other methods. 4.3 **About Charges** - (1) This service is a fee-based service provided by Violy. You must pay the corresponding fee according to the charging standard of this service before you can use this service. In addition, you may also enjoy and use this service by participating in activities and other official methods recognized by Violy. - (2) Violy may modify and change the relevant rights and interests, charging standards, methods, etc. of this service according to the overall planning of the service. The aforementioned modifications and changes will be displayed on the corresponding service page. When you take the form of accepting the service for the next step or continue to use the service, it means that you have accepted all the modifications to this Agreement. According to the actual situation, Violy will give different discounts to VIPs who have recharged and renewed in different stages or activities. The specific preferential policies are subject to the information published on the relevant service pages. 4.4 **Usage Guidelines** - (1) Do not use this service to publish, transmit, disseminate, or store content that endangers national security and unity, undermines social stability, violates public order and good customs, insults, slanders, is obscene or violent, or any content that violates national laws and regulations; - (2) Do not use this service to infringe any legal rights such as intellectual property rights, trade secrets, property rights, reputation rights, etc. of Violy or any third party; - (3) This service is a fee-based service; for infringing or destroying the act of collecting fees by any means, Violy holds the right to hold the perpetrator responsible and claim compensation; - (4) Do not use this service to conduct any acts that endanger or are suspected of endangering minors; - (5) Do not use this service to maliciously fabricate facts, conceal the truth to mislead or deceive others, or publish or disseminate advertising information and junk information; - (6) Do not use this service to engage in any behavior that violates laws, regulations, policies, public order and good customs, social morality, etc. 4.5 You fully understand and agree that you must be responsible for all behaviors under your login account, including but not limited to any content you publish and any consequences arising therefrom. You should make your own judgment on the content of this service, and bear all risks arising from the use of the content, including the risk arising from reliance on the correctness, completeness or usefulness of the content. 4.6 You understand and agree that the services provided to you by the Company may include related services provided by the Company under the authorization of the legal right holder. Therefore, due to the time, scope and restrictions of the authorization of the Company by the right holder, Violy Company will make certain restrictions on the region where the relevant service users are located, and the time, content, geographical scope, terminal equipment, etc. of the user's use of the service. For the aforementioned reasons or other third-party reasons that make you unable to enjoy related services, Violy does not need to assume any responsibility. 4.7 **Login Restrictions** - (1) The Violy Premium account is exclusively authorized for use within the Violy App and is strictly limited to individual use. Each account is intended for use by a single individual and may not be shared or used by others. - (2) In the event of any violation of the above restrictions, all resulting losses shall be borne solely by yourself. Violy reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to take measures including but not limited to restricting login access, limiting functionality, suspending services, or terminating the account to address such violations. 4.8 **VIP extra fee** You understand and agree that after you successfully activate the VIP service, in addition to your membership rights, there is still content that you need to pay for, including but not limited to: - (1) Based on the requirements of the copyright owner, some scores and albums are not included in the VIP service, and you need to pay additional fees. - (2) For other types of content that require additional payment, please pay attention to the payment instructions on the relevant pages. For the above-mentioned service contents that require additional payment, Violy will remind you on the corresponding page with a prominent mark. Please read the page description before purchasing the additional payment content, and choose whether to purchase it according to your own needs. After you have paid successfully, such additional paid content may have corresponding usage and/or validity period restrictions (please refer to the purchase page description for details). At the same time, you understand and agree that after a certain period of time, Violy has the right to provide some content in the additional paid content to other members/users for free listening/playing. 4.9 VIP rights cannot be transferred between the user's bound mobile phone number and social account. 4.10 If Violy finds or receives reports from others that the information you publish violates this Agreement, Violy has the right to make independent judgments and take technical measures to delete, block or disconnect the link. At the same time, Violy has the right to take measures, including but not limited to suspending or terminating this service, and pursuing legal responsibility, depending on the nature of your behavior. If your actions cause any damage to any third party, you should be solely responsible; if the Company suffers losses due to it, you should also compensate. ## 5. Limitation of Liability 5.1 You know and agree that the content uploaded, published or transmitted by the user on the platform is the user's personal behavior, and Violy has the right to review and delete it, but Violy does not take responsibility for the accuracy, authenticity, availability, security, integrity and legitimacy of such information and content, and you hereby agree to waive the related responsibilities of Violy. 5.2 To the extent permitted by law, Violy is not responsible for service interruption or loss of account or property in the account caused by the following circumstances, including but not limited to: - (1) Damage by computer viruses, Trojan horses or other malicious programs, or hacker attacks; - (2) Communication line failures, network or computer failures, and system instability in the telecommunications departments; - (3) Your misconduct; - (4) You activate/use the VIP service in a way that is not authorized by Violy; - (5) Other circumstances that are not the fault of Violy and cannot be controlled or reasonably foreseen. 5.3 If you come into contact with content that violates the law or regulations, makes people feel uncomfortable, or even causes fear and disgust, please contact Violy in time to deal with it. Thank you very much for your assistance. 5.4 When you use, view, share, repost, forward, and recount related information and content ("use behavior"), you should make independent judgments and use them legally. For any damage to yourself and any damage to third parties caused by your use behavior, Violy does not assume any responsibility. 5.5 Violy obtains the right to deal with illegal content in accordance with this Agreement. This right does not constitute an obligation or commitment of Violy, and Violy does not guarantee timely detection of illegal acts or corresponding handling. Under no circumstances should you be gullible with borrowing, asking for passwords or other network information involving property. If it involves property operations, please verify the identity of the other party first, and please always pay attention to the tips on preventing fraud and crimes issued by Violy Company. 5.6 You understand and agree that the VIP services provided to you by Violy Company may be changed, interrupted, suspended or terminated due to changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policies, requirements of rights holders or copyright owners, requirements of law enforcement or judicial authorities, complaints from other third parties, etc., including but not limited to the right to temporarily or permanently remove the music scores and other content involved in the VIP service, stop providing playback, evaluation, and follow-up, stop providing download or cache, and limit the equipment terminals that provide services. If you are unable to enjoy VIP related services or content due to the aforementioned reasons or other reasons, your prior consent is not required, and Violy does not need to assume any responsibility. ## 6. Modification and termination of the Agreement 6.1 The suspension or termination of this service includes the following situations: - (1) The user voluntarily suspends or terminates the subscription, including but not limited to failure to renew the subscription upon expiration; - (2) Due to the user's breach of contract, the Company voluntarily suspends or terminates the service; - (3) Suspending or terminating the service due to the requirements of the state or relevant departments or the occurrence of force majeure events; - (4) Other services that should be suspended or terminated in accordance with laws and regulations. 6.2 Due to the special nature of Internet services, legal compliance requirements or changes in authorization, Violy has the right to modify, change, suspend or terminate some or all of the services (hereinafter collectively referred to as "change behavior"). You agree and understand that the service provided in accordance with any stipulations in this Agreement can be changed, interrupted or terminated under the circumstance that Violy has made an announcement or notification, and Violy shall not be liable to you or any third party for this; but at the same time Violy will minimize the impact of the change behavior on you. After the change of behavior occurs, when you find that you cannot log in or enjoy the service, you can consult our customer service staff. 6.3 Processing after suspension or termination: - (1) Except for the responsibilities stipulated by law, the suspension or termination of this service shall not be liable to the user or any third party; - (2) Unless specifically specified in this Agreement, the fees already collected will not be refunded; - (3) Relevant member data information will be retained for a certain period of time, and other member rights and interests will be changed or reduced according to the website regulations; - (4) For the ongoing platform transaction, Violy will make a reasonable judgment according to the situation on whether to continue or terminate the relevant transaction, and decide whether to refund or deduct the relevant fees as liquidated damages according to the situation. ## 7. Terms of Use for Minors 7.1 If you are under the age of 18, you are a minor, and you should read this Agreement and use the VIP service under the guardian's supervision and guidance, and have obtained the guardian's consent. 7.2 If the guardian agrees that the minor uses the VIP membership service, he must apply for consumption in the name of the guardian. The minor's use of the VIP service and the exercise and performance of the rights and obligations under this Agreement shall be deemed to have obtained the guardian's approval. 7.3 Minor users should pay attention to the following matters when using VIP services, improve safety awareness and strengthen self-protection: - (1) When filling in personal information, strengthen the awareness of personal protection to avoid harassment of personal life by bad actors; - (2) Under the guidance of guardians or teachers, learn to use the Internet correctly; - (3) Avoid random meetings with strangers or participation in social activities, so as to avoid criminals taking advantage of it and endangering their own safety. 7.4 Guardians and schools should give more guidance to minors when using VIP services. ## 8. Other agreements 8.1 **Notice** - (1) All notifications to users under this Agreement can be sent through client push, official account notifications, mobile phone short messages reserved by customers, or regular mail transmission, and such notifications are deemed to be delivered to the user on the date of sending. - (2) In order to facilitate you to receive relevant notices, you should ensure that the contact information you have reserved is correct and valid, and log in to your Violy account to modify it in time after any change. If you fail to provide correct contact information or fail to inform of new contact information in time, resulting in failure to receive notifications in a timely manner, you will be responsible for the losses and legal consequences arising therefrom. - (3) Violy can send you various notices through one or several of the above methods, and the content of such notices may have a significant beneficial or adverse impact on you, so please make sure that the contact information is valid and pay attention in a timely manner. 8.2 The place where this Agreement is signed is Bao'an District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, the People's Republic of China. 8.3 The establishment, entry into force, performance, interpretation and dispute resolution of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Mainland of the People's Republic of China (excluding conflict of laws). 8.4 If there is any dispute between you and Violy Company, you should first resolve it through friendly negotiation; if the negotiation fails, you agree to submit the dispute to the "Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration" for coordination and settlement. 8.5 If, for any reason, the terms of this Agreement are partially invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms are still valid and binding on both parties. 8.6 The headings of all clauses of this Agreement are for reading convenience only, have no actual meaning in themselves, and cannot be used as the basis for the interpretation of the meaning of this Agreement. 8.7 If you have any questions about the content of this Agreement, please give feedback through the "Help and Feedback" of the Violy client, or contact Violy customer service for consultation. Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. --- # Violy Privacy Policy - URL: https://violy.app/privacy-policy - Markdown: https://violy.app/privacy-policy.md - Summary: Last Updated: March 10, 2023 Effective Date: March 10, 2023 Violy is an instrument practice tool pro # Violy Privacy Policy Last Updated: March 10, 2023 Effective Date: March 10, 2023 Violy is an instrument practice tool provided by Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. This Document will explain how Violy collects, uses and stores your personal information, along with the rights you are entitled to. We will use this Document to explain the relevant details and here are key points: - We will describe the types of personal information we collect and their corresponding uses in order for you to understand how we collect specific types, reasons for its use and methods of such collection of personal information for a particular function. - At present, Violy will not actively share or transfer your personal information to any third parties. - At present, Violy will not actively obtain your personal information from a third party. - You can access, correct and delete your personal information through the instructions listed in this Document. You can cancel your account. For more detailed information on the above, please refer to the relevant sections in the following index: 1. The Information We Collect 2. Storage of Information 3. Information Security 4. How We Use Information 5. External Parties 6. Your Rights 7. Amendments 8. Protections of Minors 9. Contact Us ## 1. The Information We Collect In the process of using Violy service, Violy will, in accordance with the following ways, collect information provided by you during the use of the service or information generated by the use of the service in order to provide such services to you, optimize our services and protect your account security: 1.1 When you register with Violy service, we will collect your mobile phone number, student/teacher identity, etc. The purpose of collecting is to assist you complete the Violy registration and ensure your account security. Mobile phone numbers are considered to be sensitive information. As such, the collection of such information is to meet the relevant laws and regulations of the identity verification network system requirements. If you do not provide such information, you may not be able to use our services properly. You may also choose to fill in nick name, profile picture, gender, region and other information in accordance to your own preference. 1.2 When you use Violy’s service, in order to ensure the normal use of our services, to maintain the normal operation of our services, and to optimize and improve our services and protect the safety of your account, we will collect information about your device model, operating system, unique device identifier, login IP address, Violy version number, access network mode, type and status, the quality of your network, operation logs, service logs and other log information. Such information is basic information which must be collected to provide you with Violy’s service. 1.3.1 When you use Violy’s Audition Practicing function, we will record voice during the Audition practicing, save the practicing voice and upload the practicing record and voice file to cloud. This is the key function of Violy service. Cloud saved records and voices are used to support teachers to view student's practices, help Violy to carry out further statistics and analysis of practice and provide better services by improved algorithm. 1.3.2 When you use an electric piano to practice in Violy and use Audition or Note-by-note in the App, you need to enable Bluetooth permission to connect Violy with your electric piano to more accurately identify your instrument's sound. You have the right to refuse the authorization and the refusal will only make you unable to use the above functions but will not affect your normal use of other functions of Violy; 1.3.3 Some mobile phone systems require the App to have location permission when searching for nearby Bluetooth products. Only with this permission can the App search for nearby Bluetooth electric piano products. We promise that the location permission will only be used in matching the Bluetooth connection of the electric piano and will not be used for other purposes. 1.4.1 When you explicitly operate the function of Daily Challenge in Violy, the App will start recording, analyze and count the duration of the music instruments' sound on Violy. This recording will not be uploaded to the server. It will only be used for analysis on the App client, and will not leave the current device and be shared. When you explicitly stop Challenge practicing and clock in, the recording will stop. By default, the recording will stop automatically when the App exits the user interface. 1.5 When you use Live Class function of Violy, we collect and upload call records, which are the basic components of Live Class function. We will not save media data such as video screens and voices generated during video calls by default unless we explicitly ask for your consent and get an affirmative answer before saving and uploading a piece of data when we need to save it. This is also a part of service. 1.6 When you use the Live Tutoring function of Violy, we collect and upload the Live Tutoring teacher's name, ID card, bank card and other information to pay for your Live Tutoring lessons. Violy will not share this information with any third party. 1.7 When you use the group management function of Violy App, the group you created and the members who joined the group will be saved in the background to provide better services. Violy will not share this information with any third party. 1.8 When you change your avatar, upload a picture, or make a video audition in the Violy, you need to enable the camera permission and/or photo album permission (subject to the specific function you use) for real-time shooting or picture/video upload. When you log in, you need to authorize log and resource file storage permissions. Log storage is to provide corresponding tracking logs when an exception occurs in the App to help find problems. Resource file storage is for users to use the basic functions of the App even when there is no network. 1.9 When you browse music sheets on Violy Discovery page, in order to intelligently recommend suitable music scores, we will provide you with personalized recommendations based on your past practice and playback preference information. If you do not want to use this kind of personalized recommendation service temporarily, you can turn off this function through the path "My" → "Settings" → "Personalized Recommendation". In addition, in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and national standards, we may collect and process your relevant personal information without asking for your consent in the following circumstances: - When it is directly related to national interests such as national security and national defense, or it is directly related to major public interests such as public safety, public health, and public right to know; - When it is directly related to a criminal investigation, prosecution, trial or execution of judgments; - In order to protect vital legitimate interests of you or of other individuals, such as right of life, property, and reputation, while it’s hardly to obtain the consent of the individual; - When the personal information is disclosed to the public by yourself; - When the personal information is collected from legally publicly disclosed information, such as legitimate news reports, government information disclosure, etc.; - When it is necessary for entering into and/or performance of a contract to which you are the party; - When it is necessary for maintenance of the safe and stable operation of the products or services provided, such as discovering malfunctions and/or troubleshooting products or services; - When it is necessary for legitimate news reporting; - When it is necessary for conducting statistical or academic research which is for public interest, and when the results of academic research or description are provided externally, the personal information contained is de-identified. - Other circumstances as stipulated by laws and regulations. Please understand that the functions and services we provide you are constantly updated and developed. If a function or service is not in the above description and your information is collected, we will explain to you the type of information, the scope and the purpose of the information collection by means of page prompts, interactive processes, website announcements or other ways, to obtain your consent. Please note at present Violy will not actively obtain your personal information from a third party. If there is a requirement to obtain your personal information indirectly from a third party for future business development purposes, we will clarify with you the source, type and scope of such personal information. If the processing of personal information for a specific development is beyond the scope of what you originally agreed to provide to a third party, we will obtain your prior express consent before processing your personal information. What's more, we will strictly abide by the relevant laws and regulations and require that the third party guarantees the legitimacy of the information provided. ## 2. Storage of Information 2.1 Where information is stored: We will act in accordance with laws and regulations and store personal information collected within the territory in China. 2.2 The Duration Storing Information: In general, we will only keep your personal information for the time necessary to achieve a specific purpose, for example: - Mobile phone number: When you use Violy service, we will need to store your mobile phone number to ensure your normal use of the service. When you delete your Violy account, we will delete the corresponding information; In the event where we cease our products or services, we will notify you in the form of push notifications, announcements, etc., and delete your personal information or anonymize such information within a reasonable period of time. ## 3. Information Security We strive to secure users' information to prevent information leakage, improper use, unauthorized access or disclosure. We will use a variety of security measures to ensure the security of information within reasonable security standards. For example, we will use encryption technology (for example, SSL), data anonymization and other means to protect your personal information. We use ever-improving technical means to enhance the security of the software installed on your device to prevent your personal information from leaking. ## 4. How We Use Information We may use information collected by certain features for our other services. For example, we may use the information we collect when you use one of our features, and provide you with specific content in another service, including, but not limited to ads (please click About our Advertising for more details), information security tips for content you have read, indirect crowd portraits based on feature tags, and providing more accurate and personalized services and content. In order to ensure the security of our services, and to enable us to better understand the operations of our applications, we may record information such as your frequency of using our applications, crash logs, overall usage, performance data, and the sources that apps are installed from. We will not combine the information stored in the analytics software with any personally identifiable information you provide in the application. If we utilize your personal information beyond the scope of our collection statement or a direct or reasonable connection, we will inform you and obtain your prior express consent again before using your personal information in such situations. ## 5. External Parties At present, we will not actively share or transfer your personal information to a third party. If there are other circumstances in which your personal information is to be shared or transferred or where you require us to share or transfer your personal information to a third party, we will directly obtain or verify the third party has obtained your prior express consent to such share or transfer of your personal information. In addition, we will conduct a risk assessment on the behavior of providing information to a third party. The third-party SDKs connected to the App are listed as follows: - **Facebook Login SDK** - **Function:** Facebook Login - **Types of personal information collected:** DisplayName, Email - **Facebook Login Privacy Policy:** [https://zh-cn.facebook.com/policy.php](https://zh-cn.facebook.com/policy.php) - **Google Login SDK** - **Function:** Google Login - **Types of personal information collected:** DisplayName, Email - **Google Sign-In Privacy Policy:** [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) - **Aurora Push SDK** - **Function:** Implement of message push (or other notification push) functions - **Types of personal information collected:** Device information, geographic location, network information - **Aurora Push Privacy Policy:** [https://www.jiguang.cn/license/privacy](https://www.jiguang.cn/license/privacy) - **Umeng+ SDK** - **Function:** Statistical analysis service and basic anti-cheating service provided by the accuracy of geographic location calibration report data - **Type of personal information collected:** Device MAC address, unique device identification code (IMEI/Android ID/IDFA/OPENUDID/GUID, SIM card IMSI information) - **Umeng+ Push Privacy Policy:** [https://www.umeng.com/page/policy?spm=a211eg.10560647.0.0.547034dcafEUZJ](https://www.umeng.com/page/policy?spm=a211eg.10560647.0.0.547034dcafEUZJ) - **Flurry SDK** - **Function:** Statistical analysis service and basic anti-cheating service provided by the accuracy of geographic location calibration report data - **Type of personal information collected:** Device MAC address, unique device identification code (IMEI/Android ID/IDFA/OPENUDID/GUID, SIM card IMSI information) - **Flurry Privacy Policy:** [https://developer.yahoo.com/flurry/docs/analytics/privacyregulation/summary/](https://developer.yahoo.com/flurry/docs/analytics/privacyregulation/summary/) - **Firebase SDK** - **Function:** Statistical analysis service and basic anti-cheating service provided by the accuracy of geographic location calibration report data - **Type of personal information collected:** Device MAC address, unique device identification code (IMEI/Android ID/IDFA/OPENUDID/GUID, SIM card IMSI information) - **Firebase Privacy Policy:** [https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy](https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy?hl=zh-cn) - **Tencent Bugly SDK** - **Function:** Used for App exception reporting - **Type of personal information collected:** Device MAC address, unique device identification code (IMEI/Android ID/IDFA/OPENUDID/GUID, SIM card IMSI information) - **Tencent Bugly Privacy Policy:** [https://privacy.qq.com/document/priview/fbd2c3f898df4c1c869925dd49d57827](https://privacy.qq.com/document/priview/fbd2c3f898df4c1c869925dd49d57827) - **Zego SDK** - **Function:** The user uses the video call feature - **Types of personal information collected:** Camera permissions - **Zego Privacy Policy:** [https://www.zego.im/privacy](https://www.zego.im/privacy) - **Qiniu SDK** - **Function:** Used for remote file storage - **Types of personal information collected:** Location permissions - **Qiniu Privacy Policy:** [https://developer.qiniu.com/pili/8027/sdk-privacy-policy](https://developer.qiniu.com/pili/8027/sdk-privacy-policy) - **Agora SDK** - **Function:** Used to provide point-to-point message communication - **Types of personal information collected:** Network status, storage writes - **Agora Privacy Policy:** [https://www.agora.io/en/privacy-policy/](https://www.agora.io/en/privacy-policy/) We will not publicly disclose personal information collected by us. If we have to disclose such information publicly, we will inform you of the purpose of such disclosure, type of information disclosed and the sensitive information that may be involved, and obtain your prior express consent. As our business continues to develop, we may engage in mergers, acquisitions, transfers of assets, etc. We will inform you of such circumstances and continue to protect your personal information and require new controllers to continue to protect your personal information in accordance with the laws, regulations and the standards as strict as required by this Document. In addition, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and national standards, in the following circumstances, we may share, transfer, or publicly disclose personal information without prior consent of the subject of personal information: - When it is directly related to national security or national defense; - When it is directly related to public safety, public health, or major public interests; - When it is directly related to a criminal investigation, prosecution, trial or execution of judgments; - When it is for protecting vital legitimate interests of you or of other individuals, such as right of life, property, and reputation while it’s hardly to obtain the consent of the individual; - When the personal information is disclosed to the public by yourself; - When the personal information is collected from legally publicly disclosed information, such as legitimate news reports, government information disclosure, etc. ## 6. Your Rights During your using of Violy, in order to provide you with an easier way to access, change, delete your personal information while ensuring you with the right to withdraw your consent regarding the use of personal information and the right to cancel your account, we have provided you with the applicable function in our product design. You may refer to the following operational Guidelines. In addition, we have also set up a report and complaints channel, in order to address your feedback in a timely manner. 6.1 Access and Modify Personal Information - After entering the Violy App, tap on "Me". - Tap on the column with your profile photo. - Access your information and modify it. 6.2 Feedback - After entering the Violy App, tap on "Me"; - Tap on "Help/Feedback"; - Tap on "Feedback/Suggestion". 6.3 Delete Violy account Email us at . We will process your request promptly. Note: After your account is canceled, we will delete or anonymize your personal information. ## 7. Amendment We may revise this Document opportunely. In the event where the terms of this Document are amended, we will show you the amended Document by means of push notifications and/or pop-up windows when you log in or when the App version has been updated. ## 8. Protection of Minors We place great importance in the protection of personal information of minors. If you are a minor under the age of 18, according to the relevant laws and regulations, your parents’ or legal guardian's written consent should be obtained prior to your use of Violy service. If you are a legal guardian of a minor, you may contact us through the contact information specified in Section 9 when you have queries regarding the personal information of your minors. ## 9. Contact Us If you have any other complaints, suggestions, or queries regarding personal information of minors, please email us at . We will review your queries as soon as possible and respond within three days after verifying your identity. Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. --- # Violy Terms of Service - URL: https://violy.app/terms-of-service - Markdown: https://violy.app/terms-of-service.md - Summary: In order to use the application software provided by Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. (her # Violy Terms of Service In order to use the application software provided by Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") and the services provided by other clients or websites (hereinafter referred to as the "Platform"), you shall read and abide by the User Service Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement"). You must read carefully and fully understand the content of each clause, especially the clauses of exemption or limitation of liability, jurisdiction and applicable laws. Limitations, disclaimers, and other items that require special attention may be highlighted in bold or underlined, so please read them. Unless you have read and accepted all the terms of this Agreement, you (including you and your minor children performing guardianship duties, persons with no or limited capacity for civil conduct) are not entitled to use the services provided by the Company, and you should stop registration and usage immediately. Your (including you and your minor children performing guardianship duties, persons with no or limited capacity for civil conduct) registering and using the Platform services shall be deemed that you have read and agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you are under the age of 18, please read this Agreement with your legal guardian, pay special attention to the terms of use for minors, and seek the consent and guidance of your legal guardian before submitting registration, providing personal information, and purchasing services. ## 1. Scope of Application 1.1 This Agreement is an agreement between you and Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd. regarding your use of the Platform services. "User" means the Platform service user. 1.2 The services under this Agreement refer to the services provided by the Company to users through the Platform. Users can perform musical instrument learning, training guidance, and services provided by other Platforms through the Platform (hereinafter referred to as the "Service" or "Services"). 1.3 The content of this Agreement also includes all the terms of this Agreement and various rules that the Company has issued or may release in the future. All rules are an integral part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as the body of this Agreement. 1.4 This Agreement is signed by the user and the Company and applies to all your activities on the Platform. This Agreement is effective once you register or use the Service. 1.5 During the performance of this Agreement, the Company may from time to time formulate and modify the relevant provisions and various rules of this Agreement according to actual conditions and needs. Once the contents of this Agreement and related rules have changed, the Company will announce the latest agreements and rules (statements, notices, warnings, business rules, etc.) through relevant system sections or emails, SMS reminders, etc., and no longer give individual notifications to users. Once the revised agreement and rules are promulgated, they will take effect immediately, which is an integral part of this Agreement, and you should also abide by it. If you do not agree with the revised agreement and rules, you should immediately stop using it and stop accepting the Service; once you continue to use or accept the Service, you are deemed to have agreed to the revised agreement, rules and agreed to abide by it. ## 2. Account and Password Security 2.1 You need to register an account when using this Service. A user account will be generated after successful registration. At the same time, if the Platform explicitly allows users to register or log in through their legally owned accounts including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., and the user uses the above methods to register and log in to the Platform, this Agreement also applies to users. The user account will record the various operations and activities of the user in the Service. The user has the right to use the account, and the ownership of the account belongs to the Company. The user account is the unique identity of the user on the Platform, and is the only account for the user to log in to the Platform. The Company uses the user's account and password to identify the instructions, anyone who confirms or uses the user's account and password to log in to the Platform, all actions on the Platform through the personal account are deemed to be the user's true intention and behavior. The electronic information records generated by the operation are valid evidence of the user's own actions, and the user himself/herself bears all legal consequences. The user promises to keep his/her account and password properly, and not to disclose personal account information to anyone else. The user agrees that it is the user's responsibility to ensure account security. The Company does not assume any responsibility for any unauthorized use of a user's account or password caused by hackers, viruses, or negligence of the user's custody. The user agrees that the status confirmed by the Service process on the Platform will become the sole basis and clear instructions for the Company to perform related operations. The user agrees that the execution time of the relevant instructions shall be subject to the actual operation time of the Company. 2.2 In order to strengthen security, when you use this Service, you may use mobile phone verification code or email verification code for login verification. You should strengthen the security protection of the verification information such as the above verification code. 2.3 The Company specially reminds you to keep your account and password properly. When you are done using it, you should exit safely. You may be responsible for hacking or password theft due to your improper storage. 2.4 After the user uses the user account to log in to the Platform, according to the relevant rules of the Company, the various operations performed by the user account ID on the Platform through click confirmation or similar methods are deemed to be the user's true will and operated in the user's name, which has legal effect. Users should keep their account information such as their accounts and passwords properly. Users perform various operations through the aforementioned methods are legally binding on all parties. Users should not use the account information such as their account passwords for theft or other reasons to deny the authenticity of related operations and legally binding. 2.5 In the process of Platform registration or receiving Services, you shall provide correct, complete and effective personal information (including real name and various related materials) as required by the Platform. If any information provided by you is inaccurate or unclear, and any party suffers any delay or loss, you shall bear corresponding responsibility. If the personal information you provide changes, you should promptly notify the Company to change it in a timely manner. If the Company fails to contact you due to your failure to notify or change in time, and your service is affected, you shall bear your own responsibility. ## 3. Usage of the Service 3.1 You shall use the Service in a manner provided or approved by the Company. In addition to this Agreement, if you have signed other written documents with the Company on how to use the Service, you should also comply with it. 3.2 The rights you have obtained in accordance with the terms of this Agreement cannot be transferred, divided, shared, leased, cooperated, etc.; you must not sell, transfer, share, or rent the Services provided by the Platform without the written permission of the Company, otherwise, the Company has The right to suspend the provision of the Service and request correction, or to terminate the Service directly without any liability. 3.3 When you use products or Services provided by third parties on our Platform, in addition to complying with this Agreement, you must also comply with the third party's user agreement. 3.4 In using this Service, you shall abide by national laws and regulations and relevant local laws and regulations, and respect local morals and customs. If your behavior violates national laws and regulations and local laws and regulations or ethics, you should be solely responsible for this. ## 4. Services based on the Platform 4.1 The Services provided by the Company through the platform are only software licenses and platform network Services. You can obtain related Services through the platform website or platform client software. You should understand that you may need to prepare the terminal equipment (such as computer, modem, mobile phone, tablet, musical instrument, etc.) related to the relevant Service yourself when using the Company's Services, and bear the necessary costs (such as telephone charges, Internet access fees, Etc.). You understand and agree that your use of this Service will consume resources such as your terminal equipment and bandwidth. 4.2 You shall not use plug-ins or third-party tools that are not authorized by the Company to interfere, destroy, modify or otherwise exert influence on the Services under this Agreement. 4.3 Since the Company mainly relies on software to provide Services to you, you should also observe the following agreements: - In order to improve the user experience, ensure the security of the Service, and the consistency of product functions, the Company may update platform versions such as software to optimize the user experience. If users receive prompts for platform version updates such as software, they must complete the update as soon as possible. If the update involves a fee, you may need to pay for the update. If you do not update in a timely manner, the platform versions such as the software you use may not work properly and maintenance will be stopped. If you cannot use the Service normally because you have not updated it in time, the Company will not bear any responsibility. For partial updates, the Company has the right to update the software or to change or limit some of the functional effects of the software without special notice to you. After the new version of the software is released, the old version of the software may not be available. The Company does not guarantee that the old version of the software will continue to be available and the corresponding customer Service, please check and download the latest version at any time. - The Company may develop different software versions for different terminal devices. You should choose the software version that matches the installed terminal device from the Company and its authorized third parties according to the actual situation. If you obtain the software or an installer with the same name as the software from the Company and it is authorized by a third party, the Company cannot guarantee the normal usage of the software and will not be responsible for the losses caused to you. ## 5. Charged Services 5.1 Some of the Services are provided on a fee basis. If you use fee-based services, please abide by the relevant agreements and rules. The specific information such as the content and price of the paid service shall be subject to the information published on the platform and the order information placed on the user account. For paid services, if you do not pay in time, you will not be able to use these paid services. 5.2 The Company may modify and change the charging standards and methods of paid services according to actual needs, and the Company may also start charging for some free services. Before the aforementioned amendments, changes or charges start, the Company will make a notice or announcement on the corresponding service page. If you do not agree with the above modifications, changes or paid content, you should stop using the Service. ## 6. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality 6.1 Unless otherwise specified by the Company, the platform website, software, hardware and other information materials on the platform (including but not limited to text, pictures, audio, video, diagrams, practice modes, music, scores, track lists, interface design, layout framework, etc.) trademark, copyright, patent rights and other intellectual property rights or other legitimate rights and interests belong to the Company. The intellectual property rights and other legitimate rights and interests of the above and any other content contained in this Service are protected by law. Without the written permission of the Company, no one may use or create related derivative works in any form. 6.2 With "Violy", "Lian" and the Company name, product name, font size, domain name, trademark, service mark, LOGO, brochure, audio and video and other related information and related materials related to this agreement and related information All rights belong to the Company; you must not use it in any way without the written permission of the Company. You must not, under any category, apply for registration of the mentioned, including, but not limited to, any trademark, service mark, and any other type of intellectual property rights related to the Company and its affiliates. 6.3 Without the written consent of the Company, you must not use the intellectual property rights of the Company (owned by the Company or authorized by a third party) and other rights in any way by yourself or by a third party for any reason, otherwise the Company has the right to immediately and unilaterally terminate this agreement and have the right to ask you to compensate for all losses (including but not limited to economic losses, investigation and evidence collection costs, notarization costs, lawyer fees, etc.). 6.4 Unless the Company gives written permission, you must not do any of the following: - Delete copyright information on the software and its copies; - Reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the software; - Use, rent, lend, copy, modify, link, reprint, compile, publish, establish mirror sites, etc. of the Company's intellectual property rights; - Copy, modify, add, delete, attach, or run data that is released to the memory of any terminal during the software running process, the interaction data between the client and the server during the software running process, and system data necessary for the software running. Create any derivative works in the form of, but not limited to, plug-ins, or third-party tools / services not authorized by the Company to access the software and related systems; - By modifying or falsifying the instructions and data during the operation of the software, adding, deleting, changing the functions or operating effects of the software, or operating or disseminating the software or methods used for the above purposes, whether or not these acts are for commercial purposes; - Infringement of the Company's copyrights, patents, trade secrets, technical solutions and other legitimate rights and interests. 6.5 Without the written consent and authorization of the Company, the user shall not in any way provide the platform technical data, trade secrets and other confidential information and information learned from the conclusion or execution of this agreement to any third party or disclose to third parties or use it without permission. If the user violates the foregoing agreement, the Company has the right to terminate this agreement immediately and require the user to compensate for its losses. 6.6 If the Platform allows users to post comments, experiences, upload pictures, files, etc., the Service belongs to the platform to provide users with information storage space. Such behavior of the user only indicates the user's personal position and views, and does not represent the platform's position or views. For any disputes caused by the content published by the user, the content publisher shall bear all legal liabilities. At the same time, for the content published by the user, the user agrees to grant the platform a permanent, irrevocable, non-exclusive, and global use authorization and sub-authorization for free. The platform can be used for platform operation and promotion purposes; if there are other third party copies or illegally uses the content published by the user, the user agrees that the platform has the right to handle rights protection (warnings, complaints, reports, claims, etc.). ## 7. Responsibilities 7.1 You must abide by laws and regulations when using the Service, and you must not use the Service to violate the laws and regulations of the military, including but not limited to: - publishing, transmitting, disseminating, and storing content that endangers national security and unity, undermines social stability, violates public order and customs, insults, defamation, obscenity, violence, and any content that violates national laws and regulations; - Publish, transmit, disseminate, and store content that infringes on the intellectual property rights, trade secrets, and other legal rights of others; - Maliciously fabricate facts, conceal the truth to mislead, and deceive others; - Publish, transmit, and disseminate advertising and spam information; - Other acts prohibited by laws and regulations. 7.2 If you violate the Clause 7.1, the relevant state authorities or agencies may file a lawsuit, fine or take other measures against you, and ask the Company for assistance. If your actions cause damage, you should pay compensation in accordance with the law, the Company will not bear any responsibility; if the Company suffered losses as a result, you can also compensate. 7.3 If the Company finds or receives reports from others that your information violates the Clause 7.1, the Company has the right to make independent judgment and take technical measures to delete, block or replace the link. At the same time, the Company has the right to take measures including, but not prematurely suspending, restricting, freezing or terminating the Service, and investigating legal responsibilities, depending on the behavior of the user. 7.4 The user guarantees and promises that any information uploaded or released through the Company is true and valid; the user promises not to use the Company's services and content for any illegal purpose or channel, and to comply with all laws, regulations and other specifications related to the Company's services; users promise not to use the platform to collect, inquire, and solicit personal information, contact information, and financial status of other users of the platform; the user undertakes not to use the software and related services in any illegal way, for any illegal purpose, or in any way inconsistent with this agreement; the user undertakes to perform his/her obligations strictly in accordance with this agreement. The user is solely responsible for the losses and consequences caused by the breach of the above commitments, and has nothing to do with the Company. If any loss is caused to the Company, the user is fully liable. 7.5 If some of the user's actions or statements in the Company are illegal, untrue, inappropriate, violate the relevant agreement, violate the Company's interests, etc., the Company has the right to directly delete the user's actions on the Company with independent judgment. The above acts or speeches have the right to take temporary or make up the account or suspend, terminate, restrict, restrict users from using the Company's services and other measures without notifying the user and without bearing any responsibility. The user shall be liable for damages caused to the Company as a result. 7.6 The user promises that he/she will not publish unfavorable statements about the Company and related to the Company for any reason, and prohibit malicious attacks, otherwise the Company has the right to protect its rights and interests by various means at any time and request users to stop infringement and restore reputation, eliminate the impact, make courtesy refunds on some influential media, compensate for all losses, etc. 7.7 In accordance with this agreement, if you need to compensate the Company for losses, the scope of compensation includes, but is not limited to, economic losses, attorney fees, announcement fees, investigation and evidence collection fees, litigation fees and other costs. In response to these compensation obligations, the Company has the right to deduct the corresponding amount from the paid amount that the user has paid but has not yet used, and the remaining part can be claimed by the user separately. ## 8. Termination of Agreement and Account Cancellation 8.1 Based on the security and legality of the Service (such as that the user's personal information is lack of authenticity, legality, validity or completeness, or there are abnormal transactions, or there is a violation of this agreement or the rules, or other risks that the Company believes exist), the Company has the right to change, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the provision of some or all services to the user, temporarily freeze or permanently freeze (delete) the user ’s account, and delete information such as registration data without any responsibility to the user or any third party. 8.2 The user shall not terminate or terminate this agreement without written authorization from the Company. 8.3 When the user violates this agreement and its related rules, or the user violates the relevant laws, regulations, regulatory policies, or the user infringes the legal rights and interests of others and is requested by the relevant right holder, or the judicial authority and other authority, the Company has the right to suspend, terminate this agreement through E-mail, WeChat, SMS, etc., block user accounts or restrict, suspend, or terminate users' usage of some or all of the services without any responsibility. However, the suspension, termination and restriction of the Company does not relieve the user of the obligations that have not been fulfilled in accordance with this agreement. 8.4 When the user decides to no longer use the user account, he/she shall perform all obligations and responsibilities and apply to the Company to cancel the user account. After the Company's review and approval, the user account may be officially cancelled. After the user's account is cancelled, the contractual relationship between the user and the Company based on this agreement is terminated, and the Company has no obligation to disclose any information in the cancelled account to anyone. 8.5 When necessary, the Company has the right to terminate the user account services without prior notice, and can immediately suspend, close or delete the user account and all relevant information and files in the user account. The legal funds (if any) held by users in these accounts will be properly handled in accordance with this agreement and related rules. 8.6 Suspension, interruption or termination of the user ’s account does not represent the termination of the user ’s responsibility. The user shall still be liable for possible breach of contract or damages during the use of the Company ’s services, and the Company may still retain relevant information of the user. 8.7 If a user registers a Company user account with a third-party website account, the third-party website account corresponding to the user account of the Company shall have legal use rights. If the user loses the right to use the third-party website account for some reason, the Company may stop servicing the user account. ## 9. Force Majeure and Other Exemptions 9.1 You understand and agree that the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the security of your data storage in the platform software and services, but the Company cannot provide guarantees in this regard. 9.2 You understand and agree that the Company's services are provided in accordance with the current state of the art and conditions. The Company will do its best to provide you with services to ensure the continuity and security of the Service; however, the Company cannot foresee and prevent legal, technical and other risks at any time, including but not limited to force majeure, viruses, hackers, system failure stability, third-party service defects, government actions, policies and other reasons may cause service interruption, data loss, and other losses and risks. When the above situation occurs, the Company will try to repair it in a timely manner, but for the loss caused to you, the Company is exempted to the extent permitted by law. 9.3 To the extent permitted by law, the Company does not assume any responsibility for service interruptions or obstructions caused by the following situations, or for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the generation or transmission of any materials: - Damaged by computer viruses, Trojan horses or other malicious programs, hackers; - The user or the Company's computer software, system, hardware and communication lines have failed; - Improper user operation; - The user uses the Service in a manner not authorized by the Company; - Other circumstances beyond the Company's control or reasonably foreseeable. 9.4 If you violate the relevant laws and regulations or the clauses of this agreement, or the Company, according to legal requirements or the requirements of the competent authority, the Company has the right to interrupt or terminate the Service to you without notice. The Company obtains the right to deal with illegal content in accordance with the agreement. This right does not constitute an obligation or commitment of the Company. The Company cannot guarantee the timely discovery of illegal acts or the corresponding treatment. ## 10. Change, Interruption and Termination of Services 10.1 The Company reserves the right to interrupt or terminate the Services provided to you without notice if any of the following situations occur: - According to the law, you should submit true information, and the personal information you provided is not true, or is inconsistent with the information at the time of registration, and fails to provide reasonable proof; - You violate relevant laws and regulations or the provisions of this agreement; - As required by law or the competent authority; - For security reasons or other necessary situations. 10.2 The Company has the right to charge according to the provisions of Clause 6 of this agreement. If you fail to pay in full and on time, the Company reserves the right to interrupt, suspend or terminate the provision of services. ## 11. Other 11.1 The headings of all clauses of this agreement are for convenience only, and have no actual meaning in themselves, and cannot be used as a basis for interpretation of the meaning of this agreement. 11.2 No matter what the terms of this agreement are partially invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms are still valid and binding on both parties. 11.3 Users should provide their true, up-to-date, valid and complete personal information, and they should properly maintain and update their personal information (especially common email addresses, common contact telephone numbers, common contact addresses, postal codes, etc.) to ensure that the information is true, up-to-date, effective, complete, and secure. When personal information such as contact information is changed, it should be updated within 3 days. If you have comments or suggestions about this agreement or the Service, you can contact our customer service department, and we will give you the necessary help. To the extent permitted by law, the Company has the final interpretation right. 11.4 When the user clicks to confirm and agree to this agreement or through registration or use of the Service, it is deemed that the user agrees to this agreement, this agreement takes effect immediately, and this agreement has legal effect between the user and the Company. This agreement will be retained in the Company's platform system in the form of electronic files, and will be used as the basis for both parties to perform and follow. There may be multiple language versions of this agreement, including Chinese and English. If there is any conflict between the Chinese version and other language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail. Shenzhen Mango Future Technology Co., Ltd.