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Advice Please !I am worried about my Violin Exam? (Vibrato)?

• Advice Please !I am worried about my Violin Exam? (Vibrato)? PLease help, I am very worried about my Violin Exam! I started violin when I was 13 and I did it until Suzuki Book Level 3. At that time I had dreams of playing the violin in the orchestra. I quit violin when I was 14 because I was also doing piano at that time and my piano teacher said that my Piano playing is getting from bad to worse because I was focussing too much time on the violin. At that time , I was doing piano ABRSM Grade 5/6. My violin teacher was upset when I quit because she said I was doing so well, but she left the state shortly one month later after I quit, so I could not find another teacher for a long, long time even if I wanted to continue. I completed my piano ABRSM Grade 8 and went on to get my piano recital associate diploma. Now , in my 20s , I want to continue to learn violin all the way to at least Grade 8, as I originally intended when I was 14. I now realise that my piano teacher was mean and she didn't want me to learn the violin, when she made that harsh remark, because she is now encouraging me to teach piano at a studio she recommended. I had great respect for my piano teacher back then, so listened to my piano teacher and quit violin halfway, instead of listening to my heart. Now, after a hiatus of not having a violin teacher for a long , long time, I finally found a teacher and I had to learn from scratch all over again. I took ABRSM Violin Grade 3 last year and I got a merit ( 126/150). I was upset at not getting a distinction , but I lost it due to my intonation. Now, my violin teacher wants me to do ABRSM Violin Grade 5 exam this year, but I registered for grade 4 instead because I am really worried about my vibrato technique. I really really wanted to take the Grade 5 exam, but I don’t know my teacher well enough to trust her, and I was worried that If I take the Grade 5 exam with a not so quite fully developed vibrato, I might get stuck at Grade 6 and Grade 7 levels.So I trusted my instincts and registered for the grade 4 violin exam instead of Grade 5 to give me more time to develop vibrato. I figured that I will practise Grade 5 technique and repertoire, but take the Grade 4 exam. On one hand, am I wasting my time? On the other hand, am I doing the right thing ? I still have dreams to play in an orchestra, but I realise that technique must be developed first. I am worried and afraid, as now I will have another exam to prepare and 2 jobs to juggle on top of my music exam. I really want to do well in my exam. Is the vibrato something that you have to constantly work on, or is it one of those things where, when you get it in your hands, you really get it ? Did I do the right thing by registering for Grade 4 instead of Grade 5? What is your Advice ? Thank you in advance !

• Answer:

  1. Results not Excuses This is something that my instrumental instructor tells me, nearly everyday. Don't let your mind fill with excuses for the reasons you cannot succeed, instead, simply succeed. I am assuming that your goal is to perfect vibrato, so don't stop practicing until you get it. Look into different techniques, try each one you are given. Make sure to try them all at lest twice so you don't make excuses for yourself about the techniques. Here is one to get you started http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTY0v7ySTL4 2. Practice Makes Permanent You probably won't just get it right away, you are going to need to practice. There is the old phrase "practice makes perfect" that is true. But why settle on the one time perfection? If you still want to succeed in your goal of playing in an orchestra (which I highly recommend you go for because it is a most amazing experience) then you need to permanently know the techniques. They should just come out of habit for you. Everyone learns differently and plays vibrato differently, so when you find what works for you, practice it, until it becomes a permanent habit. 3. Listen, Analyze, Change When Needed Find a clip (audio or video, maybe on youtube) of someone playing vibrato in the way you would like yours to sound. Then, play your best vibrato, recording it so you can hear. You are your best critic. Listen to your recording then analyze it, see what you like about your technique, and what you don't. Compare it to the one you want to be. If you hear or see that you could change something in your posture, hand movements, etc. then change it. If it doesn't work again, then change it again. 4. Common Sense Remember, obviously. If something is obviously wrong, change it. If you don't know how to change it. ASK! There are plenty of professionals out there who would be willing to help you improve your playing. I have most luck in emailing college professors. There are many out there who won't answer, so email a lot. You WILL find one that will take an interest in helping you. Just keep searching. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!