How to improve my violin playing?

[GaraMedouar]

I am an adult learner of the violin. I started at age 40, I’m now 50 and passed my Grade 8 last year. So, I’m an ok player now, and play 1st violin in various orchestras - I prefer 1st violin as it keeps me practising the higher positions, and I prefer the melody line!
I also play a wind instrument , semi pro , and can waltz up and sight read anything without a problem and I am a very good level.
So I am frustrated with my violin playing in a way though as I want to be as good on the violin as I am on my first instrument (but I have played that for 45 years!)

So - my question is how and what can I effectively practise to actually improve? I work full time, and a single mum so not a lot of time available nor money for lessons. I’m thinking of trying to go back to a lesson a month maybe.
If I tried to manage 1 hour a day? With a regime of some sort - what is best - scales, Kreutzer studies, Schradiek, to improve technique, maybe trying to learn the concertos - Bruch / Mendelssohn? I need also to improve my tone and vibrato. I need a plan of action as I just flip from one thing to another. I do want to improve - is it possible for me to become good being age 50 now? I just love the violin, I so wish I’d started learning it as a child.

It may sound backwards, but how good are your violin and bow? For some things the tool really does matter. For example the bow can help or hinder certain bowing styles. It's easier to shift etc on a violin that suite you.

Any good player can make a cheapo violin and bow sound their best, but with more advanced stuff, the tool can help.

Aside from that play, play, play. As much different music as you can.

Scales are great - don’t stick to the same shifts/ fingerings/ bowing. Mix it up.

Also how often do you see your teacher? Can they advise?

It might me worth a change in teacher. Not because your other one hasn’t been great, but because everyone has something new to offer.

I had an original teacher until grade 7, and had sort of outgrown her. Then for my grade 8 I took lessons with my children’s violin teacher, and she is a fantastic teacher. But I stopped having regular lessons since doing my grade 8. Partly it’s difficult to find the time, and partly the cost. I’ve had about one lesson every 3 month in the past year. Not enough I know. My violin is not bad - it was upgraded when I was around grade 6 with my previous teacher. She insisted I upgrade from the student violin and it is much better.

Which part of the country are you in? A lesson every few months with a professional who teaches might up your game.

Have you upgraded your bow? When I did for uni, something’s i thought I couldn’t play suddenly became playable. It also did wonders for my tone.

Also try posting in extra curricular activities - there's a lot of players/ teachers over there.

I’m in the South East. Yes, also upgraded my bow for my grade 8.

I think I’m just going to have to crack on, try for 1 hour practise a day and start lessons again in the new year. I could probably manage one a month. One of the orchestras I play in has a professional leader who also teaches , so I’ll do that. Youtube is quite good too I find sometimes. My old teacher couldn’t break down how to do vibrato, she just could show me and said it’d come. Nope. So I watched some YouTube where they did it really slowly and building up. I ended up teaching myself vibrato - so much for my teacher!
I was watching some masterclasses on the Bruch today on YouTube and getting some tips. Also watched a Vengerov master class - so skilful, mind blowing , so much to aspire to.

Thanks LemonGingerCakes - I’ll try posting over there too .

I’m only grade 4, doing grade 5 exam next year, so nowhere near your level! However my teacher (who is brilliant) tells me that Schradiek and studies (eg Sandor) are the best things to practise and really move your playing forward.

Getting to grade 8 in ten years is awesome. Go you.

When did you last change your strings? That can make a difference to tone, particularly if you’re using a cheaper brand and then upgrade.

Otherwise, I don’t think you can beat Kreutzer studies for general technique though a lot of them go on for about 4x as long as seems necessary! And just pick pieces that you want to play and practice them. Personally I try and make sure I always have a Bach piece on the go, I’ve never found anything that makes me focus as much on keeping my tone and intonation true, and there’s something for pretty much every level. Have you looked at any of the sonatas/partitas for solo violin?

I honestly don’t think it’s the violin, or bow, or strings that would make a major difference - it’s me! I just don’t have the skill set I want. And being a proficient wind player I know I’m lacking. Forthrloveofscience I think I have the Bach sonatas and partitas, I’ll fish them out. When I ramped up for my Grade 8 I was doing 1 - 2 hours a day practise. The difference was noticeable and I managed a merit which I was chuffed with. Pulled up to that by my aural - I loved that bit (unlike my son who hates it with a passion). I find kids often do well on their pieces but don’t like doing the peripheral stuff. I loved my piece Kreutzer 10 for my grade 8 as it’s just arpeggio after arpeggio!!!!

So - plan of action - 1 hour a day, split into chunks, scales, Kreutzer, Schradiek , vibrato and tone practise , then some piece work, maybe Bruch, Bach, Four seasons, no easy way round it. I am thinking of working towards the ARSM - that’d give me some focus.

What strings do you use @Fortheloveofscience? Currently I have Evah pirazzo (spelling not right!) - but they probably do need changing thinking about it. Xmas present to me maybe. [santa]