Borrowed a violin, now what?

[groutt]

Any tips on what a beginner whould do with a borrowed violin?

Especially how tight is tight for the bow?

 

I've looked at some online care guides and what I saw was a lot of "don't leave it in the sun", "don't set it in front of a sulfuric acid throwing machine" ...

 

Any common sense tips? I'll never be a real fiddler, but I've been wanting to get my grubby hands on one for a long time.

[catphish]

If only we had a smokin', mud-hole stompin, fiddle player here.

[JacieFB]

Well, since you meet the criteria, I'd say play in Texas.

[BottomHeavyKate]

You should be able to fit your pinky fingertip (depending on the size of your hands) between the hair and the wood on your bow. It doesn't have to be super tight. Don't forget rosin or you're not going to get much out of it

 

Also - pick up a humidifier for it. I also suggest a shoulder rest - most people need them to play comfortably - you shouldn't be using your hands to hold it up. It's held between your chin and your shoulder....

[resojo]

I found this on a website:

# "Righty tighty, lefty loosey." Remember this when you tighten the bow.

# These are a few ways to check if your bow is at the correct tightness.

 

* Look a the string of the bow. If the strings are loosely hanging, or not straight, the bow is too loose.

* When you think the bow is at the right tightness, place your index finger between the string and the "stick" part of the bow. If you finger fits in smoothly,it is at the right tightness.

* If the wooden part is bending outward, the bow hair needs to be loosened.

 

# There are different effects of different amounts of rosin.

 

* To little rosin will result in a terrible sound. It will be quiet, and rough.

* A lot of rosin will release extra rosin dust, which may fly into the air, or fall to your violin, as a white powder. It is still sticky. The sound is rich. You can clean the violin by just using a damp cloth.

* Just the right amount will make a beautiful sound and will help keep the violin clean.

 

# Be gentle with the bow, but play powerfully, if needed. You can do this by adding a little bit more pressure, or put more speed to it.

 

 

 

 

If you don't read music but can read tab, find mandolin tablature for Irish or simple bluegrass type tunes. If you have a good ear, you should be able to pick it up fairly quickly.

[slapthefunkyfour]

When I play, I tighten the bow just enough to keep the wood from touching the hair and strings when I play pretty hard. I think my bow is a little tighter than most people would prefer. If the wood touches the strings, you are most likely pushing too hard on the bow.

 

I hope you really do take seriously the comment about not leaving it in the sun. Heat will destroy a violin. I left an old fiddle in the trunk of my car for a couple days, and it completely fell apart. The top and back came unglued. Solidbody instruments can deal alright with heat/humidity extremes, but violins, and other hollowbody instruments are VERY susceptible.

 

If there is anything else I can help with, let me know. I hate to admit it here, but I've played the violin 3x longer than I've played the bass.

[Rob Martinez]

Practice!!

 

Violin is a real subtle instrument, and takes great dexterity and muscle control. Beautiful intstrument!

 

You also need to have sharp intonation, as there are no frets ( I know you know this already!).

 

Bowing can be tricky and calls for a great deal of control.

[slapthefunkyfour]

When bowing, keep the bow perpendicular to the strings and halfway between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge.

 

You might have already known that, but if you didn't, it's good to know. I've seen so many people try to learn to play and their bow was right in the middle of the strings.

[Teletypist]

This is a sore subject!

The Resojo post has some starting points, to which I'll add:

 

A light wrist. Work on getting an even tone(pitch) on full stroke, with the right tonality. (Not screetchy, nor "grumpy").

 

Once you get that down, proceed to trying to produce actual notes (on pitch).

 

Just a start

[groutt]

Thanks.

 

When I loosen the bow, it looks like the "slidey thing" slides a little bit and then hits the "grip" and stops, but the strings seem still pretty tight. Maybe I need to tighten it more than I think. Sound like a guick trip to the music store where we bought my daughter's uke is in order. They should be able to show me how to do it.

 

I'm not even really trying to play it right at this point. I'm just trying some stuff to see what IT wants to do. And then do more of that. I don't know if that makes any sense.

 

I'm surprised how much you can do with lightly touching the strings and playing the harmonics.

[slapthefunkyfour]

 

Thanks. When I loosen the bow, it looks like the "slidey thing" slides a little bit and then hits the "grip" and stops, but the strings seem still pretty tight. Maybe I need to tighten it more than I think. Sound like a guick trip to the music store where we bought my daughter's uke is in order. They should be able to show me how to do it. I'm not even really trying to play it right at this point. I'm just trying some stuff to see what IT wants to do. And then do more of that. I don't know if that makes any sense. I'm surprised how much you can do with lightly touching the strings and playing the harmonics.

 

 

The "slidey thing" is called a "frog". The bow hair doesn't need to be droopy loose, just loose enough to take the tension off of the wood.

[toolbar]

go to the HCFF - harmony central fiddle forum.

 

 

 

tune it g d a e - low to high.

 

I tighten the bow like slapthefunkyfour. bow wrist (right mostly) should be flexible and free. hold the fiddle with your shoulder and chin. string wrist (left mostly) is kicked out so that the tips of your fingers are playing the notes. not to much rosin - be sure to clean it off after playing. lots of practice. I've been playing for 30 years and still ain't worth a sh1+, but I practice bass more.

[groutt]

Thanks for all the advice.

 

After looking at the bow again, what was said above makes sense. When I tighten it, I need to tighten it more than I was. When I loosen it, it doesn't go real loose, but does take some tension off it.

 

A little background: It's an old rental instrument. 3/4 size built early 70's. Not high end, but it looks like it's built pretty well. Has some old tape "lines" on the fingerboard that I need to remove.

 

I won't leave it in the sun or a hot car.

[slapthefunkyfour]

Thanks for all the advice. After looking at the bow again, what was said above makes sense. When I tighten it, I need to tighten it more than I was. When I loosen it, it doesn't go real loose, but does take some tension off it. A little background: It's an old rental instrument. 3/4 size built early 70's. Not high end, but it looks like it's built pretty well. Has some old tape "lines" on the fingerboard that I need to remove. I won't leave it in the sun or a hot car.

 

first: Don't take the tape lines off. They can be pretty helpful.

 

second: get a 4/4 size.

[NeonVomit]

This man had a few ideas...

[Pickdust]

Do what I do!.............get all liquored up and screech our your very own version of Orange Blossom Special!

 

They'll deny it but the neighbors love that stuff!

[groutt]

second: get a 4/4 size.

 

Yeah. But not unless I find some hidden talent, hidden ambition, hidden dedication, hidden personal focus, hidden money...

[Les_Izzmor]

 

tune it g d a e - low to high.

 

 

A violin is strung in 5ths. That's gonna take some getting used to.

 

Have fun.