JULIA'S VIOLIN BLOG

A simple guide to using violin fine tuners Ever wondered what those small metal screws in your tailpiece are, how they work, and why some violins have less than four? Violin fine tuners are a relatively new invention from the early 1900s that allow violinists to adjust the pitches of the open strings quickly and [...]

The word appoggiatura comes from the Italian 'appoggiare' which means 'to lean'. It is a form of ornamentation, a small note in front of the principal note, sometimes called a 'grace note', that is played before the principal note. Sometimes there is more than one grace note. There are two types of grace notes, one [...]

Learn what beautiful pieces can be played by a violin and cello duet. Among the instruments in the violin family, the violin and cello are the most well-known and have the most repertoire available. The violin is perfect for playing the main melodies and has a clear, high-pitched and loud sound that stands out. The cello, [...]

Check out what are the best electric violins available and what to take into account when buying one. Electric violins come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and which one is the best electric violin for you will depend on various factors. There is a huge number of makers, with vast differences between brands, [...]

Learn about the violin bow hair and the signs that will tell you to rehair your bow! Violin bows are made of horsehair and over time, the hair can get worn down, dirty, break off, or just not produce a good sound on the violin. Take care of your bow regularly and you won't have [...]

Believe it or not, the violin bridge position matters a whole lot! The bridge itself helps transfer vibrations from the violin strings through the entire instrument, and if the bridge isn't in the correct position, we won't get the sound we want. This article will help you learn everything you need to know about violin [...]

Learn what are arpeggios and download a booklet with exercises! Arpeggios are common in music and can be played as an easy warm-up exercise. You might be wondering now: what is an arpeggio?, how and why would I want to practice it? I hope this article will answer all your question on that matter. An [...]

With the holidays coming up so soon, now is the perfect time to learn easy violin Christmas music. I've chosen 12 Christmas songs that are jolly, full of Christmas spirit, and will impress your family and neighbors. They are arrangements meant for beginners but maintain many of the traditional elements of the tunes so others [...]

Learn what are violin finger positions, patterns, and download free cheat sheets! Positions are where you place your arm, hand, and fingers. With each higher position, your entire left arm moves to a different place. The music has to follow some structure, otherwise, it would be an amorphous mess. In western music, this structure comes [...]

Check out how to buy a violin with this easy guide! So you want to start playing the violin? Well, first you have to buy one! In this guide, I’d like to share with you the best tips for buying a violin as well as recommended places to purchase one. If this is your first [...]

Learn who are the most famous film composers of all time! When you watch a movie, you hear the music that creates the atmosphere and adds an interesting background to the plot, highlighting the most important scenes. This is one topic that many movie-lovers often don't realize, that each film is enhanced by the music [...]

In this post, I'm sharing with you Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D violin sheet music. This is an excellent Baroque piece to learn. Since it's very recognizable, your friends will be so impressed to hear you play it! My free sheet music contains all the fingerings and bowings you'll need to learn the piece. Download [...]