Ben Chan ViolinEst. 2007

Technique routes

Search a technique, a problem, or the words you would use in practice. Parents can use this as source material for better observations and teacher questions.

01 / Governed routes

Start from what you notice.

Tone and bow contact

My violin sounds scratchyRouteMy sound is crushed or chokedRouteMy sound is weak, airy, or unfocusedRouteI do not know where the bow should contact the stringRouteMy tone changes unpredictablyRoute

Bow control

My bow keeps bouncing when I do not want it toChoose pathMy string crossings are noisy or I hit two stringsRouteMy bow changes make a bump or accentRouteI cannot keep the bow straightRouteI run out of bowRoute

Bow hand

My bow hand is tense or I am squeezing the bowRouteMy bow thumb locksRouteMy bow pinky collapsesRoute

Left hand

My left hand squeezes the neckRouteMy fourth finger is weak, flat, or hard to reachRouteMy fingers collapseRouteMy fingers lift too high or feel too slowRoute

Intonation

My double stops sound wrong even when each note seems rightRouteI cannot tell whether I am sharp or flatRouteMy high-position intonation is unreliableRouteMy notes are generally out of tuneChoose path

Shifting

My shifts land out of tuneRouteI tense up, overshoot, or undershoot shiftsRoute

Vibrato

I cannot start vibratoRouteMy vibrato is tense or my thumb squeezesRouteMy vibrato is unevenRoute

Articulation

My spiccato will not bounce or bounces too highRouteMy staccato, détaché, or martelé is tight or unevenRoute

Coordination

My left and right hands are not togetherRoute

Practice

I can play it slowly but not fastRouteI lost the thread or do not know what to practice nextRouteI do not know what is causing the mistakeRouteI can play it once but cannot repeat itRouteI keep making different mistakes every repetitionRoute

Rhythm and reading

I lose the rhythm when notes get difficultRoute

Musical execution

My phrasing disappears when I focus on techniqueRoute

Safety boundary

My neck, shoulder, wrist, hand, or finger hurtsRoute

Instrument setup

My bridge, soundpost, or instrument setup may be unsafeRoute

Instrument basics

Tune the violin itselfRoute
Technique Library - Ben Chan Violin