25 Responses

1. Amarynthine

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   1

   I have an unbalanced bow, its heavier in the upper part, does that affect my playing?

2. professorV

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   2

   Thanks, BarrageHero. Good luck with the Mendelssohn!

3. BarrageHero

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   3

   Hey Prof,

   I have been looking for a video that accurately describes this technique for a while. I can honestly say that yours is by far the most helpful. I have come across other videos that explain this technique, but not in such wonderful detail as this. Thank you so very much! This will come in handy, as I am working on Mendelssohn now.

4. hofstra1718

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   4

   Hi Todd can you post a video of the thirs movement of mendelssohn violin concerto there is alot of bowing techniques there thanks

5. handelviola

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   5

   Dear Todd,
   what are your thoughts on the use and not use of shoulder rests? i noticed on some of your video you are using one and some you don’t. thanks
   Si

6. dewery123

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   6

   my teacher was teaching me how to do these and i busted my bridge:) im a clutz

7. Sortilegio1000

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   7

   !!Trés, trés bon cours de violon, c’est gentil de votre part de compartir les cours, on apprens beaucoup quand on est vraiment interesés, il n’y a pas de doute, felicitations vraiment!! Bon continuation et bonjour de la Frànce

8. ugforthewin

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   8

   Makes me want to take up the Violin even more, excellent stuff.

9. Rialas

   April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

   9

   You have great control/technique Professor Todd.

10. professorV

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    10

    Hi bailezz, thank you for your note. Please give him my warmest regards and best of luck to you with your studies!

11. bailezz

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    11

    Todd, your lessons are so informative. I have been watching them for quite some time now and surprised to find out today that your teacher was a student of Paul Rolland. Small world. We just purchase his CD “Action in String Playing” along with the companion book from Mr. Rollands son. My husband and I are novice students and are have been taking lessons from Mr. Rolland’s son who is amazing… Thanks for the the video and the simplified instructions you teach.

12. 360FFrPyl3

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    12

    Im glad we are getting help for us who dont have the time or funds to visit a local teacher if infact we have 1 locallly.
    Finally we are able to get connected to prominent teacher via the Net. I am so greatful that we have all you guys. Thank you Violin Professor.

13. lilbabygurlxD

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    13

    Hi Todd,

    I am really having trouble doing to Sautille and I would like you to tell me some tips on doing the Sautille. I have been watching you videos lately especially the Sautille ones!
    Hope you reply soon!

    Louisa

14. Fiddlerpt

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    14

    Thanks Todd! I’ll give it a try.
    Regards, Carlos

15. professorV

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    15

    Carlos, I have two chinrests that I have modified by adding extra wood to the base. The first is a Flesch model with the hump, which is mounted over the tailpiece. The second is the Vermeer, which you see in this video. Both work pretty well for me and allow me to play without a shoulder rest. Over-the-tailpiece chinrests are supposed to be better for people with short arms, making it easier to bow at the tip. I actually like the Flesch model better, even though I don’t have short arms.

16. Fiddlerpt

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    16

    Hallo Todd
    First things first I’d like to congratulate you on the great teaching videos you have made. I now have a question that is completely un-related with the video in question. I have noticed in your latest videos that you have been using a different chin rest and I’m curious to know what it is? I have a long neck and think a high chin rest like that would be perfect for me.
    Thanks
    Regards Carlos

17. fiddlinmatt

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    17

    It makes a lot of sense. I think I was just interested in the generation of the bounce from the wrist motion you were doing at 1:20-30. Thought that looked like a good idea. Just did Scheherezade with an orchestra I play in so the whole technical idea is still floating around in my head. I can’t exactly describe how I did what I did to get it done, but i know it sounded good. Definitely will try your technique though.

18. professorV

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am

    18

    Matt, You are talking about the E string up-bow stroke, right? I was taught to give the 2nd E a small accent with the wrist. In Frank Thistleton’s book ‘Modern Violin Technique’ (1922), he says “When the highest string is reached, a slight accent is given in the upward stroke (the 2nd E) by means of the forefinger, which allows the bow to spring back again to its starting place.”

19. fiddlinmatt

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    19

    good tip about the wrist motion creating the impulse. Hadn’t heard it before but now I can’t wait to try it.

20. zeagle79

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    20

    I updated your pages at Fiddler Cove and highlighted you ‘again’, at the Front Entrance… Since everything going on in life, I haven’t had time to practice for a week now and it’s aggravating me to no ends–but priorities first I guess. So’s, I’m just gonna kick it and get done what must be done freeing my focus, and review in my mind etc…

21. gmajadim

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    21

    Thank you very much. Very concise. You are very good at explaining things.

22. professorV

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    22

    Thanks, Al.

23. zeagle79

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    23

    Talk about a master class in 4:41…. Yes, that seems tough! Great work Todd.

24. professorV

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    24

    Hi Joseph, California should be great! Welcome to the US.

25. studentoflife01

    April 14th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    25

    Hello Professor, I am student. I must ask you a question that may, or may not be relevent to your feild. It is what is Creativity?