the Violin Lab curriculum
Overview Violin Courses
Our courses cover every level of student learning. For beginners, we start literally at the very beginning. No previous musical experience needed! Intermediate and Advanced students, we have courses for you as well as guidance to help you know where to start.
Courses for Beginning Levels
How to use this website and FAQs
Video Exchange • Navigation • Other How-Tos
The Fundamentals
Important Basics of Bow Hold • Set Up • Violin Hold • Bowing Mechanics
Beginning Lessons: Level 1
Establishing Left Hand • Preview to Finger Motion at Frog • Staccato Basics • String Crossing Essentials
Beginning Lessons: Level 2
Finger Action • Bow Control • Tone Production • Beginning Scales
Beginning Lessons: Level 3
Intonation Studies • Fluid Bowing Style • New Finger Spacing Patterns
Beginning Lessons: Level 4
String Crossings • Hooked Bowings • Left Hand Conditioning
Courses for Intermediate Levels
Intermediate Lessons: Level 1
Playing in Flat Keys • Finger Motion • Coordination Issues
Intermediate Lessons: Level 2
Shifting Training • Lyricism • Articulations • Legato Bowing
Intermediate Lessons: Level 3
2nd Position • Collé • Spiccato • Staccato • Trills
Intermediate Lessons: Level 4
Shifting Styles • Dynamics • Positions • Advanced Bowing
Courses for Advancing Levels
Advanced Bowing Articulation
Etudes on All Articulations • Sevcik Op. 3
Advancing Lessons: Level 1
3-Octave Scale System • Sautillé • Expressive Phrasing • Off-the-string styles
Advancing Lessons: Level 2
Chords • Advanced Double Stops • Baroque and Romantic Literature
Advancing Lessons: Level 3
Thirds • Chromatic Scale • Up Bow Staccato • Advanced Literature
Courses for Learning Special Skills
Learning Vibrato
Complete Curriculum: From the First Tapping Motions to Polished Vibrato
Violin Practice Course
Practice Efficiency • Maximization of Resources • Effective Practice Strategies
Note Reading and Music Theory
Fingerboard Geography • Note Reading • Scales • Intervals • Tonality
Repertoire and Live Streams
Supplemental Repertoire, Etudes and Exercises
Carols • Folk Songs • Beautiful Slow Melodies • Scaludes
Live Stream Archive
Previously Recorded Live Presentations on a Variety of Violin Topics
Interviews with Violin Pedagogues
Recordings of Beth’s Interviews with Distinguished Colleagues