(I hope you don't mind if I call you by your first name - I feel I know you a little, just from your videos.) I just wanted to say, having stumbled across ViolinLab during a random internet search last month, I am positively HUMBLED by the scale and scope of this incredible resource you are offering. The depth and detail are truly, truly amazing. And you address literally everything. I am overjoyed!!!! You've fired me up to learn again after a five-year hiatus, and pretty well from scratch. I am thrilled to go back to square one, I feel so supported now. I really think the Universe led me here.
More than building new skills, however, I’ve also learned so much about myself as a person, through learning to play the violin. I’ve rediscovered through it that I can be very driven and disciplined when I am doing something I am passionate about. I’ve also learned to be more patient with myself, especially when I am doing painstaking work, and that it’s alright to take my time when things aren’t going my way, as there’s always bound to be some payoff in the end. It’s also nice to have something tangible to aim for and work towards consistently amid the utter uncertainty of life in this country. I’ve had the privilege of growing from this experience through Violin Lab.
I’ve actually written in before to thank you, but wanted to do so again. I’m a violin teacher, and I had a long break between completing all my grades/ doing a music degree before I started teaching violin (16 years!!!)… so it’s been an interesting learning curve figuring out how to impart what to me feels as natural as talking (I started learning violin aged 7 and can’t honestly remember a lot of how I learned!) Your videos are such an excellent resource for me in working out how to best explain things to people. Especially explaining why all the nuances are important etc.
People have no idea how much goes into teaching something well. (I’m learning that the hard way!!) … but again, a big THANK YOU for all you put into violin lab- it’s very much appreciated.
Thank you for reaching out. You made my whole week.
Beth
I'm not sure what clicks led me to Violin Lab this morning, but after the first minute into one of your informational video clips, I got pretty excited about your program offering: it's structured, its vast, it SYSTEMATIC. The bonus of finding the music reading component was enhanced by the ability to direct download the files for access offline, as our rural internet connection and access has been problematic.
Not only could your program open a door for me and have a wealth of content, I very much like your presentation style, vocal range and clarity. I believe those 3 aspects either build or undermine trust in an online instructor, no matter how strong the content. Well done.
Your video lessons are concise, engaging and provides us with the exact information we need to progress. I also love your videos with other professional violinist and how they offer different insight and techniques to help us learn. Violinlab has certainly been a blessing and I am grateful for all the hard work that you and your crew has been able to share with us beginners. Your site has been a truly invaluable resource for me.
Once again, thank you for your guidance and for lighting the way.
Thank you for your VERY methodical approach to learning the violin.
I can't wait to watch and learn more.
Lasting Impressions: Well, 9 months later I can say with absolute certainty -- nothing has changed -- Beth, you are incredible!...I cannot contain my excitement for your work on VLAB. From my perspective, ViolinLab is the most extraordinary compilation of learning materials and on this planet: I am truly gobsmacked at the your whole approach from the microscopic attention to detail, your thoughtful insight and analysis of videos posted by the members, the multiple perspectives offered by your colleagues, to the solid foundations from which you add all the layers so logically and lovingly. You have conceived, developed and delivered a master piece ...a quintessential application of andragogical (and pedigogical) theory. And I'll wager that long after we have passed on to fiddle heaven, your collection of videos will be regarded as one of the most important works in the history of violin educational resources.
Thank you for providing us with such a rich, thoughtful, sensitively presented curriculum. I am 53 years old and have been working through Suzuki book 1 this past year while taking a lesson once per month. Although I am making wonderful progress, I know my lengthy practice time needs better focus and clear intent for the best understanding and progress. Your lessons give me the perfect amount of understanding and insight into what I am trying to learn. With a clear mind set and insight into the subject, I am able to begin to master the huge amount of information and knowledge required to play the violin well. I am enjoying the process of learning, and feel no need to rush. (Although who would not want to play like Hilary Hahn?!!:) I thought it was too late for me to learn to play music....but here I am beginning to produce beautiful tone which is actually pleasing to hear. That lovely sound is reward enough to keep me practicing diligently.
You have probably been told by many a grateful student that you are truly an amazing teacher, but please allow me to echo those words and add that you have a real gift for sharing what you know in a way which is very easy to understand. Thank you so much!
There is an ease in learning from the web- it leaves the embarrassment out and allows us to work as hard as we can or are able. I’ve already seen the vibrato video a half dozen times. It has relaxed my frantic haste to learn. Thank you,
You have helped so many of us with learning to play the violin. I have been searching for something like Violin Lab for a long, long time. It is truly a dream come true for me, and many others, I am sure! My only regret is that I didn't find it sooner. I know that others are struggling too, to learn, to play the violin. It would be so much easier to have chosen another instrument, but that's not where the heart is.Thank goodness we have YOU! Anyway, I want to thank you for all your hard work. Teachers are getting paid mega bucks, for what you are offering us for next to nothing. I will hang in there with you as long as I continue to play the violin.
I enjoy my time with you each day. You enspire me in many ways. Thank you Beth!!
HAVE A GREAT REST OF THIS SUMMER!
You have given me hope again. There are so many things I like about the way you teach it would take me all day to list them and I have only watched the first 20 videos (some of them several times) in the Beginner's section. And I feel so much more comfortable and less stressed learning to play the violin at home. And you are there for us at our convenience all day every day.
Claude O Ramer III
I am a new subscriber to your amazing site. This is by far the best resource I have found. I have played the violin off and on all my life beginning at age four. I am now 73 years old and enjoying it more than ever. I work very hard trying to correct some life-long bad habits and it is slow going but I feel I'm making progress and now ,with your help, things are improving more rapidly.
Murray Booth
Redmond, Washington
with detailed valuable violin knowledge.
I being a fiddler for 30 years have always loved the power of the Instrument. I celebrated the cosmic nature, sacred geometry and dynamic physics of the instrument that have been discovered since it was invented.
Although I don't intend to become a violinist I do want to learn how to get the most from my instrument and continue my journey to becoming the best player I can be, fiddler or not. Your video's have totally
captivated my interest in the techniques used by master players.
Keep up the GOOD WORK!
My best regards,
Roland White
Thank you for your wonderful web site. It is complete and very easy to use. I bought a violin a few weeks ago and due to time restraints and travel distance,
I have not been able to find a violin instructor as of yet. I need to locate one close to where I am located. I can't locate anyone that even knows someone that
plays one, until I stumbled across your web site! You are truly an amazing lady! With all your talent and knowledge, yet you still take time to instruct the
very basics of the instrument. You remind me of my nephew that is in the Marines (F/A-18 Hornet pilot) and he is still approachable and takes the time to answer
all the questions I have. It never made his head swell up. Your teaching methods are perfect for me. I couldn't hold my violin without slipping off my shoulder.
With your video that problem was corrected in a matter of minutes. I made it up to lesson 19 and still amazed at how easy you make things to understand. I love
the Irish fiddle and hope that some day I may be able to play some reels. I am 60 and with work (up at 3:00AM), volunteering and a brother with cancer, time is
so precious. Thank you for bringing a little sunshine into my life and thank you for sharing your passion of music and the violin.
I saw your Vibrato basics video today and it was the first video of yours that I've ever seen; I am so amazed and moved that there is such deep understanding out there. I've had a horrible experience with teachers growing up, and being a performer, I've learned to develop a immense distrust and dislikes for teachers other than some Russian teachers I've personally worked under. I teach my students with all their knowledge and my knowledge from over the years. Your Vibrato Basics video was so carefully communicated and very much like the way I teach my students, it really meant something special to me to see a public video with the special information that I had to travel to acquire away from my earlier teachers.
I saw your tutorials, Beth , on a reference strip on you tube.I was impressed.
Your style and understanding of the basic questions that are encountered by
most beginners..is encouraging!
I watched your "stage right" free videos on home page..reviewed the list of
available lessons..and signed up ! Thanks.
I have 5-6-lessons from a BA-violin, teacher.,.accomplished, but I came to understand
more of what I need to know - practice, from your free tutorials..in an hour last night.
I write just to say: Thanks a lot for violin lab, every day i repeat to myself: this is an extraordinary discovery, in three months i have a huge progress just look at your videos.
Hope to continue enjoying this beautiful project.
Cheers from Medellin- Colombia
Beth's presentations in the videos are outstanding, and very clear. My handling of the instrument, my tone, and and overall playing are improving month by month.
Thanks for creating this wonderful website!
thanks for the initiative..
kind regards from a very happy soul
Thanks a million for your dedication and motivation.
I was fortunate enough to accidentally discover your website on the internet and started my violin training with Violinlab thinking I should get a teacher once I learnt the ABC of it from your site.
I can now play all sorts of things on the violin after 7 months and my only teacher has been Violinlab!! In fact my piano teacher, who is a school musical director in Spain, also joined when I gave her a tour of ViolinLab!!
This could not have been possible without help from your well prepared and most informative library of videos and above all, your expertise and personal dedication that comes through every one of your lessons. If one day I can just do the scales on my violin as beautifully and expressively as you do, I shall be so happy!!
Many thanks for a job well done.
Today I failed again to find the right teacher (I'm 47) - then, within hours, I found your site, through a YouTube video.
Thank God for the modern age, showing us through technology what is possible for learners nowadays!
Violin lessons have been too expensive for me for many years - 14 precisely, since I fell in love with it.
I have had the score of the Mendelssohn Concerto in e Minor printed out since then.
Now I can learn it - without being told I can't - and that it's only for people who have been at an academy for 2 years.
Dear Beth,
I think you have rescued me from a 'slough of despond'!
A rudimentary beginning, now over fifty years ago, got me started on
the violin and for my 60th birthday I bought myself a really good
instrument and began again with enthusiasm.
I am most fortunate to live in a truly tranquil paradise in isolated
wooded hills to the south of Pisa in Italy's Tuscany, where I have the
leisure and solitude to play for as many hours as I care to.
But a month ago a professional violinist visited me and I woefully
realized what a meager beginner I am still. I watched my pride and
confidence evaporate and I began to doubt that I would ever make the
kind of music my soul yearns for.
A teacher is not for me for many reasons and I wonder if you can
imagine the joy I feel this night (just one week after I have
successfully tethered my iPhone to my computer and, of a fashion, am
'online') to have discovered Violinlab.com and your vivacious
virtuosity! It takes an hour, at least, to down load 4 minutes of
video, but what a resource you bring me.
I just became a member of ViolinLab, and I'm excited to learn more so I can pass the information along to my students! I'm a new high school/ middle school orchestra director. As a trained percussionist, I have little experience with string orchestra, other than playing timpani in college and as a fill in percussionist for the local symphony. The videos on your site are really great for people like me, who need to know how to communicate the ideas behind fundamental and intermediate techniques, without having a string background.
Louisiana
Finland
At your website I'm like a kid in a candy store. I jump all over the place because everything is so dang interesting. It's overwhelming, and I'm not sure how profitable it is to jump around to different categories of lessons, but I'm doing the best I can. It takes a lot of discipline to follow the steps. For instance . . . I can't resist playing Christmas carols with you right now!
Thank you so much. I appreciate you and your lessons, and the fact that I can revisit them as many times as I want. It also helps so much that you play the violin so often in your lessons. When I can hear how the music is supposed to sound, there is a much greater chance that I can achieve something similar.
"Something similar" is what I'm going for at this stage. Something remotely recognizable to what you sound like. J
I'm attracted too by your focus on adult students. I think a lot of teachers are uncomfortable with adult students because we often ask a lot of questions, and aren't satisfied to just do whatever the teacher says. I've learned a lot from Violin Master Class, but get annoyed that the students shown are all quite young. The implicit message is that you have to start when you're a kid. And I really don't need constant reminders that there are kids who are much more skilled than me!
I applaud the professionalism of your lessons. They're extremely well organized and presented. You're very relaxed before the camera, and know just what you want to say. I'd watched other video teachers fumble around, correct themselves, or apologize for some goof or technical production problem. I wish they'd just do another take and get it right, showing the same care that they would for a performance CD.
I'm a very visual learner, and I like your videos' sharp image quality and plain backgrounds, which let me focus totally on the lesson. In some other teachers' videos, I've gotten irritated at poor camera angles or lighting, or distracted by interesting personal objects in the background of their living rooms or studios.
Perhaps your most impressive single feature is the lesson with vibrato in slow-motion. I've seen this nowhere else, and it's so helpful to see exactly what the motions are in real performance-level vibrato.
You have the most detailed and well cataloged video violin lesson encyclopedia on the Internet.
I am studying under Gwendolyn Taylor, the Associate Concertmaster of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. She has seen your work and considers it an excellent resource in addition to my weekly lessons. I am getting towards the end of Suzuki book 1 after about 10 months and your videos have prepped me on each new piece I work through in my lessons. That maximizes my learning in each weekly 1 hour session with Gwen. Your work has contributed significantly to my progress as a 61 year-old adult starter.
You also keep updating your site and that really enhances its value. I especially like the recent slow motion bowing grip techniques you added. Brilliant and very helpful as I continue to improve my bow hold.
Your videos on slurs are excellent with simple explanations and simple, efficient exercises.
Short of a personal financial calamity, I could not see myself not renewing considering all that you and your Violin Lab resources contribute to my learning.
I'm so pleased with your effective teaching! Many, many thanks. You are patient, sooo explicit, & passionate about your students gaining skill to play violin. I'm glad I signed on with you. Thank God for that.
I appreciate you. What an enjoyable way you teach! I'm learning to play violin.
With every good wish,
Alvin Harms
-Joe Quinn
I am an absolute beginner who has had only a handful of lessons many many years ago. I live in Tokyo, and I haven't found an english speaking teacher yet who doesn't charge the earth, so for now, its just you and I, and A Tune a Day, Essential Elements 2000 and the Australian music exam board preliminary grade book. Its kinda fun! (but noisy haha)
Your video tutorials and your insights into violin make it really enjoyable, and and I look forward to my 'lessons' with you.
Even though I'm really struggling getting my left hand to relax, your special tutorials on the left hand issues are giving me hope haha! (but gosh its hard!)
I'm a relative newcomer to Violin Lab, but I must say your videos have helped me make more progress on tone production in the last two months than 2 years of private lessons. Your video on how to play staccato and right hand relaxation have been incredibly helpful. Many of your suggestions speak clearly to my engineer's mind and the slo-mo hand cam is incredibly helpful.
By the way, I am turning 54 next month. Two years ago, in a moment of insanity, I picked up the violin as a means to rehabilitate my right hand after a carpal tunnel and a trigger thumb surgery. I never really expected to play anything complicated, but it actually sounds acceptable sometimes and I have surprised myself by getting nearly all the way through 2 Suzuki books. My dream is still to play the second movement of Eine kleine nachtmusik.
Thanks again for your truly fantastic video lessons.
I just wanted to send you an email to tell you that I just found your site today via some of your YouTube videos on learning violin. I'm an adult who started taking Bluegrass Fiddle lessons about 5 months ago and I am loving it! I played the piano for years and always wanted to learn the violin so it has been a lifelong dream of mine come true. However, I have had shoulder and neck problems over the years and was afraid that playing the violin would exacerbate those problems. And it did seem to really be adding to them, but even worse I was having extreme left forearm pain - almost like tennis elbow but on both sides of my forearm. My instructor couldn't understand how my arm hurt and said it should be pain-free. He plays a number of stringed instruments in addition to the fiddle; banjo, bass, guitar and mandolin and has had years of holding up his left arm playing so thought maybe he had more strength in his arm. I thought that it was my grip on the neck so I started searching YouTube for solutions to my pain problem.
After watching a number of 'how to hold the violin properly' videos I finally chanced upon your "Left Hand Squeezing: How to Stop" video and you have solved my problem!!!! I was unconsciously gripping with my thumb and your explanation of how to place your thumb and the proper pressure has dramatically improved my hold! Thank you so much for sharing your years of experience and knowledge. I just wish I lived near Austin so I could stop in your shop sometime. The next time I make it there I will.
Thank you so much, Beth!
All the best,
Deb Roberge
So again: a very big thank you to you!
I wish you a wonderful and blessed week.
Greetings from Germany,
Elke
The community is great because I don't feel so alone and can see how others are doing with their practice and all the help they get through other members responses and yours. Thank-you for putting this incredible website together. You are a fantastic teacher! I love the minute details in all of the video's!
I can't thank-you enough.
At 63 I decided to get a head start, I invested in a better violin and bow and started taking lessons. I was still working full time so I didn't have much time or energy to practice. Two weeks ago, the big retirement day finally arrived! The following Monday morning I was ready with my violin and determined to practice, practice and practice. But I had a problem with my bow grip. So I started to look up websites for help. Several sites later I found Violin Lab! I thought I'd died and gone straight to heaven!
Now, I must point out that I have a fantastic violin teacher. She's very competent, patient and she can tailor lessons to her individual students’ needs. But, she can't be with me 24/7 and I can't afford more than 2 lessons a month so often, in between, I can't remember in detail what she showed me or what she said. Your videos are like having an extremely competent and patient private tutor at home, a tutor who explains very clearly and teaches techniques in minute details and who's with me whenever I need. I can replay the videos over and over (love the slow motion and close ups!) or freeze a frame to study it carefully and get the benefits of a workshop even if I wasn't there. Despite being a very accomplished violinist (I watched About Us) you are never condescending and you address challenges that sometimes I don't even know I have, even if these challenges may seem silly to a professional violinist.
The website is very well put together, easy to navigate and it took me no time at all to feel at home. I am amazed at the extent of the material covered and the number of videos available to me for a very reasonable cost, actually the cost is very low which I appreciate very much given that I’m now on a retirement income.
And there's another thing my teacher can't give me a sense of community, reading fellow members' testimonials and stories, their issues on the Community page (I seem to have them all!) the answers, the workshops, but especially knowing that I'm not the only very 'mature' beginner out there. I used to think I was a freak (getting the condescending smiles and ''how sweet'') but now I find that I'm a member of a very thriving community and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am. As a 65 year old beginner violinist, you make me feel that I belong.
My bow hold is now under control (pencil in my pocket to pick up and practice throughout the day!) I just watched Laurie in the workshop (kneel the pinkie down and pray for good sound ...priceless!) and I must admit that I've already watched your videos on techniques that are much too advanced for me at this point but I enjoy knowing where I'll be soon if I keep up the good work.
My big dream is to become good enough one day to join a quartet or an ensemble, nothing professional of course but to be able to make beautiful music with other musicians, for our own enjoyment. In the meantime, while I dream, I'm going to keep practicing and enjoying this fantastic website and new friends. Thank you Beth!
Helene
I also found a nice sounding, attractive violin through USA Music Supply with a one piece back. It received a great review from an excellent strings teacher who also does extensive repair and rebuilding; she was very happy with the quality of this violin and thought the price was too low.
Your videos are smart and simple, perfect for people who likes learning extremely useful stuff in the nick of time. Also, did you bewitched your videos? For I was completely engaged in it! ;) As a teenage orchestra player for several years, I learnt important tips that I wish I knew since I started violin. It means so much to me, getting to know these smart tips, and I feel so grateful for the time you spent on figuring out best ways to convey violin knowledge to every violin enthusiast out there, without asking for anything. <3
I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. For, with your videos, I am able to improve my violin playing skills just by watching probably 9000 miles away.
Thank you so much!
Best regards,
Xin Ning
My name Shahe Deirmendjian and I just wanted to share my gratitude for violinlab. I've been wanting to learn the violin since I was a child and though music was large part of my upbringing, my brother took the one slot in our family for a musician while mine was the more traditional academic route.
Well after a degree in philosophy and grad school in anthropology and having just enrolled in school for yet another degree in nanoelectronics with military service somewhere in between, the desire to learn the violin hasn't diminished. Of course I wait till my mid 30's with a full time job and now full time school to start learning a difficult instrument but that's why I'm so grateful for violinlab. It lets me practice while on a hectic schedule.
I finally decided to pick up a rental instrument from violins etc. little over a week ago but my plan is to start lessons with one of the instructors from Blackerby's. In the meantime, I've been working through the lesson videos several hours a day and I'm thoroughly enjoying them. I purchased a one year membership and it's been worth every cent so again, thank you very much for saving me from a sea of mix and match you tube videos and for providing such a wonderful service.
Soon as possible, I'll be calling up to schedule an actual lesson with an instructor, hopefully before I develop too many bad habits.
With deepest thanks,
Shahe
I signed up for a membership to your Violin Lab website. I really like your teaching style on violin. I'm 60yrs old and play guitar, and piano. I've taken Guitar lesson for about 5yrs total, and I can read music. I always wanted to learn to play the violin and decided on my 60th birthday to buy one. After attempting to play it for a couple of weeks I broke down and signed up for private lessons. My teacher told me my sight-reading skills were excellent, but I just need to learn the technic of playing the violin. I never heard her play the violin for me!! She told me she had neck surgery and was unable to pick up the violin. But, talking with her she new music, and she showed me some mistakes on my bowing and posture which helped. I came across your website and after learning more in 1hr than I did in two months of expensive lessons, I decided to have you teach me violin. I just wanted to say thank you!
You realize adults need to learn HOW to play - the mechanics - rather than just stumbling through a song a week.
I have taught golf to children and adults - the two groups are VERY different!
Thanks again
I had been thinking recently I might take lessons myself, having now developed an interest in learning the instrument. Then, i found your website a couple days ago, and, while I won't rule out in-person lessons in the future to make sure I am acquiring correct technique, your instructions are so detailed, broken down so carefully and so systematically, I think that for the time being, this fits my current needs more than private lessons. I confess to having jumped ahead, just to see how certain things I had had curiosity about (like vibrato) were explained. But now, I am committed to moving through using your sequence.
What a big but tremendously useful project you have undertaken. i would describe it as the Khan Academy of violin!!!
So, while I am waiting for my shoulder rest to arrive and am no farther than that, I wanted to thank you in advance for what I can tell will be very useful. I am so happy I found you!!!!
The community is great because I don't feel so alone and can see how others are doing with their practice and all the help they get through other members responses and yours. Thank-you for putting this incredible website together. You are a fantastic teacher! I love the minute details in all of the video's!
I can't thank-you enough.
Your website has totally changed my outlook on my life. I now consider myself someone interesting with challenging hobbies that are respectable. I feel like playing violin has given me so much confidence -- and I've only been playing for a month! But I am positively loving every second I get to practice. I have made time almost every single day, and my excitement is growing all the time. I have started listening to concerto pieces while I drive to and from work and I have a growing list of pieces I hope to play someday.
I can tell that you care about students and that you enjoy teaching. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making violin lab. It has been the source of much joy for me. My wife is delighted that I am finding such a fun way to spend my free time, and my children are all determined to learn an instrument now that daddy is learning :)
Every day I look forward to the time you and I will spend together, even though we've never met :)
Bless you!!!
I picked up the violin after many years and am so delighted with my progress after becoming a member/ student of Violin Lab three months ago. I took lessons for a year as a child and decided to start playing again when I retired! Your teaching method and wonderful manner has been so helpful and has inspired me to practice daily for the sheer pleasure of playing the violin. I even took my violin to Costa Rica for two and a half months to miss some of our Canadian winter😎! I have just renewed my subscription for another 6 months and hope one day to find a community orchestra to play in.
I just wanted to share with you (my second teacher) as I feel you have definitely played a part in my journey.. I have just got my abrsm grade 5 result and I passed with distinction!!! I wasn't at all sure what to expect and it just feels so good! I love that you believe in us adult learners. This is proof that although it often doesn't feel like it, there is progress. I haven't finished yet... LOADS to do...! I LOVE my violin!
Thank you for doing such a wonderful job sharing your gift and your time. It is obvious that you are a true and dedicated teacher who cares that people really learn. Thanks for inspiring older people like myself.
Judith Pringle
A dedicated lifetime member, to be, of Violinlab.com
Each time I go on this site, I am more impressed with the professionalism, warmth and encouragement you give us as students.
- MCM
I'm only seventy seven and go to work and anticipation of violin class enriches my day.
Thank you so much.
I recently became a member of your website and I am writing to thank you for creating such an incredible resource for violin students. I am an adult beginner and decided to start learning the violin because I write music. I have learned so much from you in just over a week and I very much enjoy going through the guided practice videos on a daily basis. Your lessons are extremely engaging and your explanations of the various concepts and techniques have made the whole process seem a lot more manageable. The quality of the videos is outstanding too.
Even at this early stage, the techniques I've learned have given me a new perspective on writing for strings, which is very exciting. I have just started the lessons on tone production and ring tones have made practising such fun! The violin seems to come alive when you manage to produce them! I very much look forward to progressing through the rest of your online learning programme.
Once again, thank you for creating such a wonderful resource for students. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to learn from you and will certainly recommend your website to others who want to learn the violin.
With very best wishes,
Soolin
I hope you are doing well so far. As soon as I had the chance to get access to Violin Lab's materials freely because of your generosity, I decided to give the feedback weekly about how I improve my skills through the help of Violin Lab .
To tell the truth, Before my acquaintance with you and Violin lab, I had the feeling that "I never improve more than this anymore", and I had stopped my daily exercise for a couple of years. But, after I started watching your instructive and useful videos form the beginning lessons, my mind was changed simply because you know how to teach playing the violin. I have never seen someone like you so far. Honestly saying, you have a strong common sense in teaching violin, that is, you know almost all the gaps that students may have. In brief, you understand what is wrong with students. Since last week, my skill in bowing has been improved remarkably. To demonstrate, yesterday, a friend of mine said that "you produce a better sound, and it is not like before."
Mrs. Blackerby, thank you a ZILLION times for all you have done for me so far.❤
I have been a member of your interactive website for two years, Just after buying my violin.
After viewing and studying hundreds of your videos it is obvious that you are a charming personality capable of creating great energy in a student.
You are a natural teacher with a humble approach with great feeling. I appreciate your keen sense of humor. Most importantly you project confidence.
My musical background is none existent. Two years ago, after carefully shopping, I fulfilled a long time ambition and bought a violin. Unsure if I would play it or set it up in the TV room for decoration. When I picked it up at the Violin store in Pleasanton, I immediately felt an unexplained sense of community. I took it home and tuned it with my newly discovered tuning app. The minute I heard the self-generated ring tone it was like someone had flicked a switch. My wife of 42 years has described my passion for the violin as an example of cold fusion energy.
Thank You for providing such a well-designed and carefully managed media outlet.
Courtesy of your wonderful teaching style and the brilliant content of the site, my playing has progressed more in the last four weeks than in the last three years. In addition, my confidence has increased greatly and my enthusiasm for the instrument has been restored.
I cannot thank you enough.
Please keep up the good work!
I just wanted to send an email to say thanks for providing such a great service. I started playing the violin when I was around 15 but had to give it up after only 1.5 years because I had too much going on at the time with final school exams and other things (plus I also play piano which is my main instrument). Violin has always been a dream of mine. Now I'm 35 at home with 3 kids and although I have some time the cost for lessons is prohibitive as my husband is the only income earner and there's those 3 mouths to feed.
I stumbled across your website googling "how not to squeeze with your left hand", signed up for one month to try it out and ever since then I've been hooked. You explain things so well and are so detailed orientated I think I've gotten more out of this week with you then with my entire time with my lessons in school.
I'm only working through beginner level 1 but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your lessons (you probably get it all the time!) and I definitely will be renewing at the end of my membership term. You have given me a means to "do something for myself" while I take some time off from my career to bring up the kids.
With kind regards,
Jane
I recently singed up for your Violin Lab and Note reading program. I had decided to start learning to play the Violin and read music a few months ago I'll be 62 in August. Any way I did a bit of online rearsearch and you have the best program I could find and I looked at quite few. I have been watching your videos and studying your lesson plan I am very impressed with the detail. I haven't rented a Violin yet but I found a Violin Shop not to far away I'm going to talk to soon.
Thank you for you hard work and effort.
Previously I had written a mail regarding inquiries on the violin lab method of teaching to understand and play the violin. At first, I was a little concerned about its completeness and authenticity but now,
It has been over a month and I am really happy the decision on my investment, I can feel the quality and quantity of effort that you have put in to develop such a perfectly structured and fully equipped method of TEACHING.
The main purpose of this mail is to show my appreciation towards your efforts and thank you for providing such authentic, top-notch information to aid in our accurate skill development on playing the violin.
I feel really confident every time I open your website as I am sure I can trust it and will not find any other reliable source like this. Your efforts are inspiring and motivating for me to give my commitment towards the learning process.
Thank you
Im sending you this email to say thank you from my heart to everything you have done for us.
I have finished the beginning 2 level , learned so many things in the note reading course and played all the songs that you have learned us.
I always say she is not just a good violin teacher , but she is the best teacher at all not just for violin.
Your way of teaching , your techniques in learning and everything is great and scientific.
Im a medical student in the 4th stage and still see the teachers dont have your abilities and skills , you are the best my teacher
Thank you so much
Your student
I have worked through every lesson and every piece up to Intermediate 1. I’ve watched approximately 400 of the videos including the interviews with your colleagues. I had absolutely no idea, as an adult, that I could learn this much in 8 months
I have enjoyed playing and learning everyday. Literally have not missed a day since I started in January.
I am absorbing every single word, gesture, glance you make or do ... I think you really are a great pedagogue ! More than a teacher, I get instantly absorbed by what you are stressing through your videos... So I would love to make a step further and see what Violin Lab could bring me.
you have given me the confidence to go purchase my first violin and I will begin practicing soon!
I look forward to each of your videos, and I thank you with all my heart. You have made me hopeful after 4.5 years of struggle.
Your site beautifully augments that with reinforcement and additional tips... and the magic of on demand availability.
Let me use this opportunity to tell you that I very much like Violin Lab, and I am really in awe of all the work you have put into it and of how, with your thorough and accessible approach and attention to details, you keep making me believe in my ability to one day make this wonderful instrument truly mine. I have come to it rather late in my life, with a lot of doubts as to the wisdom of taking on such a challenge in concert with all the other demands on my time - and without the means of taking regular lessons. But you give me hope. And just recently, when I took up my instrument after our christmas vacation, I found that, astonishingly and almost unnoticed by me, my playing has improved in such a way that I cannot reasonably call myself a beginner anymore, that I am well on the way to becoming the violinist I long to be. Thank you for that.
I’m already a member, but just wanted you to know that this 50 year-old adult learner is LOVING your lessons! You are a fantastic teacher! And, this was the first time I’d ever heard the new info about how vibrato is REALLY made!
I have recently signed up for your beginners and note reading course. I am a couple of weeks in and enjoying it immensely.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate you on compiling this work.
It really is a remarkable.
Incredibly detailed, well thought through and very clearly explained and demonstrated.
The website has also been put together very cleverly and makes perfect sense, which is curiously rare these days.
Hats off to you!
Jody
Thank you for all you do
Hi from Paris! I have been your virtual student( beginner) for more than a year. I do absolutely appreciate and admire your lessons. You wrote your goal was to be the best teacher for adult learners and you lessons are an accomplishment to that goal. Well, You are the best I know. I love your explanations they are so à propos and so crystal clear and help with autonomous learning. You have a great pedagogical gift to explain extremely complex matters such as movements, sensations, perceptions... I would like to say you all my gratitude for keeping me going on and helping me progress (it is so so so hard though!!!) Please, don’t ever even think about stopping that beautiful purpose and project!!!
I think your on-line learning course is the best I have ever come across on any topic.
Im from India. As a child I liked singing but music got lost under tuitions and studies. After getting a job I got attracted to the singing quality of the violin. Later got addicted to Auer-s pupils (at that time I did not know this) like Mischa Elman, Nathan Milstein (one of my inspiration), Jascha Heifetz etc and others like Michael Rabin (my favourite), Itzhak, Pinchas, Joseph Szigeti, Sarah, Hilary, Midori (and list goes on and on) etc etc etc.
During this time, I noticed that each one of them is holding their bow in a slightly different manner. When I checked with my teacher, the answer I got was something like this
-the way I taught is the right way. anything else is not acceptable in my class-. But there was no explanation of why the fingers are arranged on top of the bow like the way it was.
That research led me to one of your youtube videos about the bow hold. I was awestruck by the minute details you went through and your close-up video explanation. I never had a second thought on joining violinlab after that.
The things I like the most in your teachings are, you never stop self updating and self correcting (your bow/violin holds and vibrato lessons). Always bring the latest (research backed) contents to students with detailed explanation.