Violin Class

Active listening: a vital skill for all violinists. Learn how to source good recordings, which to avoid, whether it makes a difference to listen with video or audio, and then, the most important part, how to listen.

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I’m going to walk you through this using several recordings of the same piece, and we’re going to listen and analyze them together.

Lastly, you’ll hear from my private students discuss how they use recordings, and how it has helped them.

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If you’re learning a piece of music, there’s one thing you really need to be doing outside of practice. Part 1/2

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2026 update: Since recording this episode, Evalynn has won a viola chair in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

In this episode, violist Evalynn Tyros gives you a behind-the-scene perspective into what only happens behind closed doors in the classical world: the audition process.

Musicians give their everything in these auditions, and it’s incredibly difficult and competitive to win a job. And that’s the term we use— winning a job. Because it is every bit a competition.

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Tracking your progress and progress can be a great tool to keep you motivated and organized.

I will walk you through how to keep a practice journal effectively, and how to use it to keep your violin practice on track.

For the full show notes, including a full example of one of my own practice plans, sign up for the newsletter at violinclass.co/newsletter

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To read the full show notes and extra tidbits, join the Violin Class newsletter here: violinclass.co/newsletter

We all know that intonation is one of the biggest struggles we have as violinists. Digital tuners and tuning apps seem like a cheap and easy tool that will help you improve, but it’s not so simple.

Like everything, there are pros and cons to working with a tuner, and most violin teachers (myself included) generally don’t recommend them. That said, they can be a very valuable tool to some adult learners when used correctly!

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When should you start learning vibrato?

I answer my #1 most asked question as a violin teacher. Listen to learn what I look for before starting vibrato, how long it takes to learn,  when I personally teach it, and what you can do to start preparing-- even as a beginner.

For the full show notes, including my favorite vibrato explanations on the internet, vibrato examples + guided listening questions, sign up for the newsletter at violinclass.co/newsletter

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Sign up for the Violin Class Insiders newsletter to read the full show notes, written parts of this episode, and some bonus content at  violinclass.co/newsletter

New to classical music? Start here!

The classical world is a bit intimidating if you're just starting out, but attending a live concert is one of the best things to go out and see if you're learning the violin.

Listen to learn audience etiquette, the best places to find local concerts , what type of concerts you should see for your first show, how to find affordable concerts, and much more. You'll also hear how to get the most out of your listening experience as someone studying a classical instrument.

You can contact me directly at [email protected]

If you would like to support the show, you can donate here.

This podcast is a one-woman operation and uses no affiliate links or sponsorships, so your donations are what keeps this show running and available for free. Your support will help to cover the costs of hosting, the website, and other recurring fees, as well as the many hours of research, recording, and editing. Thank you so much for your support!

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Do you have what you need to have a successful violin practice? Listen to find out what you need to set up your space (spoiler...it's not much).

In the second half, I cover some ideas and solutions for those of you who have to be mindful of your noise production (thin walls, roommates, neighbors...)

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In this episode, my private student Andres shares his story of how he came into the violin 5 years ago without any previous musical experience, and how he's been able to establish a consistent practice over the years while balancing with a demanding career. 

Andres shares his process and practice tips, what the violin means to him, and how he's kept on going through the challenges. He also discusses how performing has made him a better violinist, and his advice for someone who is just starting  in their violin journey. 

If you're just starting to learn the violin as an adult or have been playing for a few years, this episode is for you. 

Student stories #2 - Andres 

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Classical violinists are expected to have the skills to play virtuosic repertoire, beautiful melodies, and sight read almost perfectly...so why can't most improvise over simple chord changes? The history is pretty fascinating!

Sources: 

The Decline of Improvisation in Western Art Music: An Interpretation of Change -Robin Moore
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43873094?seq=1

Ferand, Ernst T. “Improvisation in Music History and Education.” Papers of the American Musicological Society, 1940, pp. 115–125. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/43873094. Accessed 4 Dec. 2020.

Ivor Keys - Mozart, His Music in His Life

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Recommended listening:

Stephanie Grapelli & Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CDoJFmdFgA

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