Up the bank, doun the brae, and yon burn-side we gae, where the Water is Wide! Also known as ‘O Waly, Waly’, this is a lovely, yearning folk song that originates from Scotland.
Up the bank, doun the brae, and yon burn-side we gae, where the Water is Wide! Also known as ‘O Waly, Waly’, this is a lovely, yearning folk song that originates from Scotland.
This delightful traditional song in the key of C, often known as 'Come Follow Me', can be played as a round, with each player starting at a different time.
Sharpen your swords for this riotous Renaissance dance! This version of the piece is written entirely in 3rd position ... play it with loads of rhythmic energy!
This traditional French folk song from the 1500s was a popular choice for singing and dancing in French villages, so play it with plenty of energy!
Don’t be at cross purposes when it comes to crossing strings! You’ll need to agree on the what, where, when and how to move seamlessly from one string to the next!
There are lots of zebra crossings in this piece, helping you to move from one string the next. Make sure you know where they are and always cross at the zebra crossing!
Make the journey as smooth as you possibly can, as you cross the open strings in a variety of different bowing patterns. Smooth sailing all the way!
This useful checklist of practice techniques will help you to stay focused on what you need to do to make effective progress in your violin practice.
A 7-step approach to violin practice. Follow these steps to achieve continual improvement in your violin playing!
If you always know how to improve then you'll always be getting better and better! And this Practice Menu helps provide a clear structure for your violin practice.
Each finger experiences the highs and lows of first position in this super-useful exercise! Listen really carefully to make sure you don’t go too high, or too low!
William Crawford Honeyman was a violinist, orchestral leader and teacher. He was also, under his pseudonym, James McGovan, a writer of police detective novels!
Are you a major or a minor? A perfect or an augmented? Find out if opposites really do attract in this excellent exercise … a great way to improve your intonation!
I like the flowers, the daffodils, the mountains, the rolling hills, and the fireside when the nights are cold and I’m singing, “Doo wappa doo wappa doo wappaty wop!
Here's the scale of F Major in one octave. Listen, sing, then play along with the track until you know the pattern from memory!
This study by Dancla is a veritable feast of violinistic vitamins and musical minerals - staccatos, chromatics, syncopations and plenty more to tuck into. Enjoy!
A ‘Bransle’ is a type of Renaissance dance popular in the early 16th century … lots of dancers, in a line or circle, usually holding hands, having a merry old time!
A jaunty Baroque dance for two! This famous tune by English composer Henry Purcell will have your fingers springing sprightly up and down the G major scale!
Hanon made loads of exercises for pianists to develop the speed, agility, strength and accuracy of their fingers. They work pretty well for violinists’ fingers, too!
Here's the scale of G Harmonic Minor in one octave. Listen, sing, then play along with the track until you know the pattern from memory!
This famous Viennese Waltz by Johann Strauss II was inspired by the river Danube, one of the longest rivers in Europe.
Old Folks at Home, often known as 'Swanee River', is a gorgeous melody written by Stephen Foster in 1851. Swan off down the river with this exclusive duet version!
This impassioned, lyrical piece is a classic of the violin repertoire. You can play it entirely in 1st position, so it’s a great choice for your first Violin Concerto!
