Learning the violin, learning the viola - Prima Music Center

A BRIEF HISTORY

The violin is a musical instrument from the string family, which is also known in our country under the old-fashioned terms fiddle or skant. She is the smallest representative in her family, besides her we also know viola, cello and double bass. Most of the similar ancient musical instruments were intended for strumming with the fingers and we classify them in the family of strums, and for the ancient musical instruments that are played with a bow we say that they mostly originate from the Asian world. Such musical instruments spread further and reached the Italian ports via the Byzantine Empire, and thus in the 16th century in the north of Italy the violin was created, as we know it almost unchanged today. The most famous makers of these musical instruments, we call them fiddlers, whose names still ring, are from here, namely the Amati and Guarneri families and Antonio Stradivari.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Roughly, we divide the violin into three parts, i.e. the head, neck and body, and each of these parts into smaller subunits. The head consists of its end or auger, helix and winding keys. The neck includes a pick (usually made of ebony) against which the fingers press the strings (the violin has four) to change the pitch. The body is usually made of spruce wood, with a wooden keel in the middle of its lid to support the strings, and two f-shaped speakers. The violin can also be played with the fingers, but mostly with a special stick, called a bow, on which a horse string is strung. A normal-sized violin is called a quarter note (4/4), but to make it easier for the youngest to learn the instrument, we also know three quarter notes (3/4), half notes (1/2) and quarter notes (1/4).

VIOLIN LESSONS

In the violin program, we first get to know the instrument in its entirety, and then we start learning the correct posture - how to hold the instrument in the first place, how to use one of the hands. We learn to play with the left hand and, of course, with the right hand, which is mostly used to hold the bow, but we can also play the instrument with the fingers (this is called pizzicato). With the students, we pay special attention to the training of the ear, as it is very important in the violin. Soon we will get to know the sheet music and start learning the basics of musical notation. Students can write their own composition in their own way and learn notation as they play. They perform a variety of compositions, including Slovenian folk songs, and everyone is encouraged to be creative. Let's familiarize ourselves with the rich literature and history of the violin, meet various violin masters, both composers and performers. We learn that the violin can be part of an orchestra, so we also learn compositions that the student can play in a duo with the professor. Hearing, a sense of rhythm and melody are developed all the time, motor skills and self-confidence of the individual, perseverance and will are strengthened. We also work with the students in chamber groups and prepare for various performances, both of which are often a great motivation for everyone. In general, we learn the classical program for the violin and enrich it with pieces of other musical genres, and we also learn a popular piece chosen by the student.