Violin Improvisation Lesson | 14 Best Practice Tips
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- This violin improvisation lesson tutorial shares 14 best practice tips on how to improvise on violin. For more violin improvisation exercises, get my free course: bit.ly/CreativeStringsEducation
See the full post and find more resources on improvisation for Jazz and other kinds of violin playing here: christianhowes.com/2018/09/04...
In this video I cover some of my best practice tips for how to improvise on the violin. Whether you're looking to make your own violin covers, arrange your parts to play violin in a band, or develop deeper skills in improvisation in any style, you'll take away new insights into creative violin practice from this video. The song used in this video to demonstrate my approach to practicing violin improvisation is "Hasta Siempre Comendante."
Here are some of the key points from the violin improvisation tutorial, also related to teaching improvisation to classical musicians, or jazz improvisation for classical violinists:
00:00 Intro
00:47 - Write down the chord progression of a song you’re beginning to practice improvisation on
1:00 - Come up with & play a simple, functional bass line on the violin, viola, or cello
01:25 - Diagram the voice leading in first position, in extended range, on the violin - To make this easier to visualize and internalize, make sure to download my Free Voice-Leading diagram
here: christianhowes.com/education/
1:30 - Play the arpeggio of each chord in root position
1:40 - Internalize each arpeggio in all inversions on the violin
02:14 - Play the chords as double stops & triple stops in spread & close voicings on violin
02:30 - Connect arpeggios with voice leading
03:50 - Choose a scale to use for each chord
4:00 - Tip: Any chord scale should always contain the notes in the chord
4:10 - Tip: Choose scales with as many common tones as possible across the chord progression
04:34 - Pair two chord-scales using voice-led sequences in extended range, first position on violin
4:56 - Tip: Write down the key signatures on a staff and look at them when you practice
05:52 - Play a chord tone on the downbeat of the chord, or on strong beats
06:10 - Use chord tones to create a skeletal melody
06:17 - Embellish the core melody
06:48 - Choose a melodic rhythm & change the notes
07:55 - Play constant 8th notes
08:30 - Use constant triplets or 16ths
8:35 - Mix rhythmic values, such as combining 8ths & 16ths, 1/2s & 1/4ths
08:40 - Combine rhythmic values such as 8ths and/or 16ths with rests
08:57 - "Micro-improvisation”- Repeat a melody, making different, tiny changes each time
09:59 - Write out a solo (with or without the violin in hand)
10:24 - Transcribe ideas from other recordings
11:24 - Vary phrasing (long/short, dense/sparse, etc..)
13:02 - Vary techniques, register, & articulations (specific to violin improvisation)
13:30 - When practicing improvisation on violin, be conscious of the framework, structure, constraints, or parameters
13:55 - My Best Violin Improvisation Tips: Record yourself, listen back, take notes, & eliminate your least favorite material in the future.
My gear- I use a Yamaha SV-250 electric violin. Boss ME-70 signal processor. Ditto Loop pedal (stereo). D'Addario strings. FIshman loudbox amp.
I buy all my electric gear from electric violin shop. Call them at their number posted on their website: www.electricviolinshop.com/creativestrings
If you're interested in creative violin playing, make sure to get the free eCourse: bit.ly/CreativeStringsEducation
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#JazzViolin #CreativeStrings #Improvisation - Hudba
Kind thanks Christian for your selfless tips.
I’m so happy you find them helpful thank you
The most wonderfully talented and generous musician I've ever met. GREAT TEACHER. Saw him play at a big showcase. First time met face to face there. Felt like I was talking to an old friend. I'm blown away by his creativity, talent, and technique.
Big Hug to you Randi!
Why did I only discover your channel now? I could have applied so much of your amazing method in my older videos haha! Better late than never! Just this one video is already a game changer for me, what more after I binge your entire channel's content? Thank you Christian for such a generous lesson. I look forward to more lessons from you.
String Player Gamer what a kind compliment! It’s my honor to welcome you here to the channel. I hope it can support you and I thank and acknowledge you for your incredible work on your channel!
I really like the idea of picking a rhythm and choosing notes later. Good stuff!
Thank you! So glad it resonated with you:)
This Man feel free when he play.... Wonderful. 🙏 👏 🎻 Best Regards from Poland See you soon 😉
Such amazingly rich content! Thank you Sir.
You are welcome Sandrine!
probably the most comprehensive music lesson on youtube yet :)
Thank you Mahendar!
Chris, you are the greatest as ever: inspiring, organised, helpful to us all out here! Mucho gracias!
Paul Lindenauer thank you so much!
Great, inspiring and generous as usually. Thanks Chris!
Thank you Luis for your feedback! I appreciate you
Thank you sir, ❤
So many great ideas, so well explained. I have my improvisation ideas on a music stand in front of me so I don't forget them. I can add a few of my own tips - Phrasing is so important. Leave big gaps between phrases so the other players appreciate that you are listening to them. Questioning and answering phrases give a feeling of tension and resolution. A classic trick a lot of us do when we make a mistake, we repeat that mistake with a resolving cadence and it sounds intentional.
Dynamics is also a fundamental dimension. Even inexperienced players will hear your crescendos and diminuendos and respond to them.
thanks for your support!
WHAT A PRICELESS LESSON. NO WORDS TO THANK YOUR GENEROSITY IN SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH ALL OF US AROUND THE WORLD. CHRISTIAN YOU ARE GREAT ARTIST AND HUMAN BEING. THANKS A LOT.
Thanks so much for your feedback:)
You make teaching and learning so easy and interesting. I learnt a lot from watching this video. Thanks for being a blessing to the world!
thanks for your support!
Thank you Chris ! Love the clear instructions and where and what to focus while I am practicing.
I’m happy it helps Yuka! Would be good to see you inside the members fb group (creative strings workshop online)
Really ingenious, you are the best teacher ever, thanks so much for your inspiring teaching and playing!
Marthe Reinard thank you so much for your support!
Always helpful information!
Thanks Rasheed. I always appreciate your feedback
I really enjoy your lessons. Great tips and examples. Thank you so much.
Thanks Peggy! I’m so glad you find them valuable. Are you on my email list? If you sign up at christianhowes.com/education I’ll send you a bunch if cool stuff:)
Absolutely generous with his knowledge and experience.
ken elkins thanks!
It's amazing the way you explain, I have been trying to practice this for 5 years and no teacher could do it as easy and clear as you do. Thank you so much! In every video you can find a lot of connected exercises to build a good grounding!
Thank you so much Bea for your feedback! Shhh.. don't tell anyone, but for Black Friday I have decided to offer a secret link to a few folks. If you’d like to set up a free private lesson with me, check it out here- we will be taking the link down soon. Here it is: bit.ly/christianhowes_csa_free_trial thanks again!
You are great inspiration for me I am trying your techniques... Your violin is very good produces wonderful music.
Wonderful! thank you very much. Happy practicing 🙂
Amazing!!! So inspiring!! Thank you!!!!
Thank you Jenny! (You’ve still got a free private lesson waiting for you if you decide to redeem it:))
this is amazing exactly what ive been loking for !! thank you sir
So glad! thanks for your support!
Beautiful inspiring I must practice and practice... Thank you.... You are so good.
Thanks for your support and feedback!
Great explanations! The most important aspects for improvisation in 15 Minutes...never seen this before!
Thanks!
Thank you so much! You can find more improvisation lessons in this playlist: czcams.com/play/PL6By1KZHRO2IJ1ftTLCHWXthP77bRBhhC.html
For Transcriptions, Lessons & Proven Strategies to Grow Your Musicianship, subscribe to my free newsletter. It’s actionable and loved by 10,000 subscribers. swiy.co/ChristianHowesFreeNewsletter
Happy practicing 😊
Great teacher. Very good musicians. Complete method
thanks for your support!
JUST AMAZING !!! thank you so much!
Thank you for your feedback and support!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
You are so welcome! You can find more of my improvisation videos here: czcams.com/play/PL6By1KZHRO2KZ-hcfArcdQd4z48_CvDc5.html
Thank you for sharing your methodical approach. very helpful for someone starting improvisation like me.
You’re welcome! Thank you for your feedback!
So clean is that sound, truly beautiful. Electric violin, no? Great lesson, thanks. Could listen to your playing all day. ciao.
trumpsahead thanks!
i
Really ingenious, you are the best teacher ever, thanks so much for your inspiring teaching and playing!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the detailed video!
my pleasure!
i don't even have my violin out right now, i'm just enjoying listening to you practice! You do such a brilliant job teaching. My brain so doesn't work like this, I'm such an ear / heart improv player .... Trying so hard to wrap my head around theory stuff and it feels like a wall! Where were you when i was a kid and hated practicing classical (and was even more of a sponge for learning)!? Every kid needs you!
Thanks Maesyn! you;re the best!!! I appreciate your support and encouragement. You might be surprised at how lonely and frustrating it can be sometimes to be in my position, having been practically begging the teaching community to take my ideas seriously for 25 years and always feeling like they just don't want to go to the prom with me haha..... Anyway, it is what it is. We all have to find our path. I appreciate you.
@@ChristianHowesViolin Oh my gosh are you kidding me?
That’s insane - almost every kid i grew up playing with in orchestra has quit their instrument, because the world of classical music is so snobbish and elitist, and no one ever felt they were good enough. And they were never taught to have a personal relationship with their instrument as a tool for self expression.
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That’s incredibly sad to hear you have had to fight the teaching establishment for string players. How insane!!!. Any teacher who doesn’t support your method just feels threatened by their own lack of ability to jam, and they secretly know they need to learn from you, and that what you are doing is going to put them out of a job if they can’t keep up with you!
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I don’t know if i told you, but i almost went to Berklee … but instead I chose Vanderbilt, because it seemed like i could get a degree that might actually be useful for a career …. ended up majoring in poetry (hahaha) and just going out all the time to jam in basements with 70 year old session player fiddlers who lived in Nashville and took me under their wing. Still, i was always playing by ear, and i never really felt i had wings. It took me so long to figure out how to trust myself on a loud stage, improvising, with no tools other than my ears and my intuition, and call and response style learning.
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I can’t even imagine how good i could be if i had listened to my first instinct and followed my curiosity about music school. But honestly, i was worried it would just be more of the same, and at that point i almost hated my violin and had sworn to never play it again. I honestly still struggle with a wall of resistance towards practicing every day, which was instilled by a lifetime of being forced to practice every day with music i wasn’t passionate about …. I can’t even imagine how good i could be by now if i had had a teacher like you
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At this point, I almost fear I’m an old dog trying to learn new tricks by making my brain try to wrap itself around theory … yet i listen to all the jazz players playing with such freedom and i ache to have those wings. I’m always traveling, so i never want to pollute the sonic space for my neighbors by doing anything except playing beautiful songs for them to hear, so it’s hard to find somewhere i feel safe to run all the ugly new sloppy stuff i haven’t mastered yet. So I remain stuck.
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I’ve seriously considered going back to Berklee , just for a semester or two, so i could use the practice rooms, and just take the classes i want to take to learn what i want to learn in a safe, focused environment. I swear someday when i have some more cash flow i’ll start doing online lessons with you again. Those kids out there who discover you young are SOOOO LUCKY!
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Big hugs to you CHristian, the world of string players really need you! Like, desperately. You're leading a revolution and the future of music will thank you. Who knows how many lives you will change who are still in elementary school, they are so lucky. Don't give up your badassery and your joy! You're the best violin teacher I ever had, and really, you're the only real violin teacher i ever had!! Everybody else just stuck sheet music in front of me and acted like a strict stern Freulein, pressuring me, and pointing at dots and lines. Bless you my brother!
@@Maesynlivemusic "so it’s hard to find somewhere i feel safe to run all the ugly new sloppy stuff" That's where an electric violin with headphones comes in very handy.
@@theOne234Five Yes, very different animals. Imo, they both have their pros and cons. That being said, there is *nothing* like the sound and feel of the real McCoy.
Why didn't I see this before !!
Looking forward for more lessons
Thank you 👍❤️
You are welcome!
You're awesome, great teacher..my inspiration..
Thanks Suresh!
Thanks for your method
Most welcome
Dude your a great teacher! Loved the video
thank you, I appreciate that! If you're available, join my free Webinar + Q&A this Thursday Nov 29, you can get on the guestlist here: christian-howes.ck.page/ba8209dbe5
I'm also about to launch my 7-week Creative Strings Workshop Online on November 1 for some more in-depth learning, how to grow in your playing, teaching, and/or business, check it out here: christianhowes.com/csw_online6/
Wow. Very impressive and useful!
Thank you Stryker!
Great advice, thanks!
Glad it was helpful for you!!! Let me know if you’d like to try out a live group lesson sometime
Thank you sir Christian howes... For this wonderful precised and most creative improvisation tutorial i have seen... I play classical and improvisation is a complicated one for me... So with your instructions by GOD's grace i can say i can confidently and beautifully play at ease... A big love from India💕💕💕.. Happy easter .... May GOD bless you in everything you do 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you!!!!
Thank you for your sharing.
My pleasure! Welcome to the channel. I hope I can support you.
What a lovely person and excellent tutor you are Christian ....why didnt I have teachers like you?
Eddie thanks so much. appreciate it. Thanks for tuning in and commenting, and let me know if i can help with anything. anytime!
@@ChristianHowesViolin Thank you Christian
This lesson is one of the best
Thank you Josef
I'm a guitarist. All of your ideas transfer perfectly. Thanks!
Hey Tim! So glad to hear it :). I’ve worked with a few guitarists in my online workshop with great results! Happy to support your practice.
Happy practicing :)
Excellent job 👏
Thank you! Cheers!
can't stop watching your videos and learn even at 00:30 a.m. :)
So glad you’re enjoying them!
Thank you very much
My pleasure Hector. Thanks for your feedback.
I feel enlightened
Awesome!!! thanks for your feedback. Glad it helped.
That was really excellent! Thank you so much!
Yay:) glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback.
I will probably sign up for your trainings. Chili Dog String’s fan too. This is exactly what the string world needs!
Awesome:) let me know if I can help with anything
where are you based out of?
Hi Mr. Howes, I’m sorry I didn’t respond. I tried to but the link wouldn’t work to reply for some reason. It’s working now though so.....
I’m not terribly far from you but I’d rather share that in a private message perhaps to your website. I’ll send you a message there. Btw, I saw you subscribed to my channel. I’m actually a little embarrassed because its not very developed. I’ve really just been testing it out & just making practice videos for my students. Thank you for your replies. I’ll reach out via email. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you
Wattanakorn Boonjaiyai my pleasure!
Great lesson Christian. I play guitar, but the lesson is music not instrument specific. Love to hear you play in a jazz setting. We need a hot club of Columbus.
Thank you Ron!
The best I have seen
Thank you!
Blooming genius 👍☺🤗
Thanks Patrick!
You are a joy and pleasure to listen to, plus you're an extremely talented tutor. ☺👍😊
Sir... very helpful information... shall I know what is the effect processor you r using, and are you using the same preamp provided by Yamaha for Sv 250 .. Thank you...
Thanks! Yes i am using the Yamaha SV 250 preamp. Yamaha provided me with an attachment so i can have preamp under my shoulder instead of on my belt. I'm playing through a Fishman Acoustic Amplifier (loudbox) and I run my violin through a Boss ME-70 processor and a Ditto looper. Im glad you enjoyed the video. thanks for your comment.
One follower more couse im learning english and I understand your indications
Welcome aboard!
thank you sir. greeting from bali island
Hi Rio, sending you all my best to Bali
@@ChristianHowesViolin 😇
Top class lessons. Could you please indicate what amp you are plugged into and anything else to do with playing an electric violin (Which I have)
I use the Fishman loudbox. the other answers are here: christianhowes.com/2015/05/27/electric-violin-shops-duncan-monserud-how-to-get-the-best-amplified-sound-on-violin-viola-and-cello-creative-strings-podcast-episode-9/
👏👏👏
thanks guys!!! Much Love to the EVS Family!
❤❤❤
Thanks Master Christian, can I ask if you have something of Charly Daniels, like "when the devil went down to Georgia" ?
look for the Bluegrass Play Alongs Playlist on my channel page!! or just search christian howes bluegrass or christian howes fiddle styles
It's out of my mind but still I love the tunes.
Thanks
Hello! Great tune. Is this backing track somewhere by any chance?
Hi Esme- I don’t believe I have a the backing track for this one sorry
Hi I'm looking to improvise while playing along to songs, what scales should I practice while getting back into the Viola? And then is there anything else I should look to do?
Yes check my courses at christianhowes.com
Hoping 1day l will also be a violin player.
that would be great!
How does your eléctric violín sounds so great ? My Yamaha yev sounds like squeaking boots😢 are you using a effect pedal?
Yes I am!
Watching video ❤️
Hope you enjoyed it!
Get my Free E-course here: bit.ly/CreativeStringsEducation
La explicación armónica es excelente pero eso.es una Guajira hay que pensar en el estilo
Gracias
I don't have a clue what you mean by triple stop and you don't really provide much of an explanation. Any help please? I would have thought you meant playing chords but it doesn't look like that
Hi Val- yes a triple stop is when you play three strings at the same time. A double stop is playing two strings at same time. Hope that helps.
🙂
thank you!
Dear Chris, How may I contact you by Email?
Chris@christianhowes.com
I envy you ...
Sadly I didn’t understand anything in this video you do need to slow down i’m a beginner and have no idea what you are saying
there are many easier videos on this channel for you as well
@@deadmanswife3625 Oh wow somehow 11 months later, i have much more knowledge now than i ever imagined i would have on theory and violin. i understand it now
Wow, that eleccy violin sounds as good as any acoustic violin I’ve heard. Not bad. That pizzicato’s a bit iffy though. A guitar would be better accompaniment. No offence. You’re still a hero and play like a real trouper 👍🏻
You make teaching and learning so easy and interesting. I learnt a lot from watching this video. Thanks for being a blessing to the world!
I appreciate it!