Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with music and violin

Who designed this dress?

Joe Beese — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:11:57 -0800

Who designed the gorgeous dress Anne-Sophie Mutter wears on the cover of her box of Mozart sonatas and related DVD?

VST for Linux?

Squid Voltaire — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:26:55 -0800

What do Linux people do for realtime music effects? I used to play around with AudioMulch and a whole bunch of sweet VST effects on my Windows machine, and it was great. You know, stuff like Transverb and the like.

Now I use Linux, and while there are a host of advantages, there is no VST (something about the license from Steinberg, I think?). In fact, the DAWs I've used (Audacity and Ardour) don't seem to be set up for effects processing at all.

I'm assuming that you are meant to do you effects processing upstream, and chain it into the DAW at the last step (I use JACK, so this wouldn't be a problem) but that's just a guess. So...

A) What do Linux people do for digital audio effects? Is there maybe a nice converter or emulator or something I could run that will let me use my old windows stuff?

and B) I presume that there's some sort of program that takes in audio, runs it through an effect, and spits it out again, right? What is it? I use Rarkarrack, but that's only good for a certain number of effects (and is also impossible to spell).

Any advice?

I need a new violin, and I need it to be quiet. Help?

katillathehun — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:17:41 -0800

I'm considering a new violin... but I live in an apartment. And I have no intention of performing for anyone but myself. What's the most reasonable violin to get, and how can I best keep from driving my neighbors insane? I've played the violin since I was 7, but my two gorgeous concert violins were stolen from me a few years ago. I never replaced them, and I'm really starting to miss them now. It's time to get a new one (or awesome old one. Something like that).

I don't really like to play for other people anymore, so this doesn't need to be an amazing - or amazingly expensive - concert violin. Just something that won't sound like drawing a bow across a tin can. I also need a way to keep the volume down as much as possible (do metal mutes actually work? I never had one). I know it won't be totally silent, but somewhat quieter would be great. I'm open to the possibility of electric, but I have no experience with electrics, so I wouldn't even know where to start.

My budget on this is somewhat flexible, but I'm not looking to spend $1500 on something that nobody but me is going to hear. What do you suggest?

There's a frog on my bow.

mendel — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:29:04 -0800

Why is the wooden block at the end of a violin bow called a "frog"?

twist my arm

crazylegs — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:12:18 -0800

fiddle filter: why won't my arm do what I want it to do when I play the fiddle? I've just decided to learn to play the fiddle. Fifteen minutes into my first attempt at practicing scales, my left arm is stiff and hurting and won't bend properly. The position that I need to get my hand into seems very unnatural and uncomfortable. Is this me, or does it come with the territory? Am I physiologically unfit to play the fiddle? Am I doing something wrong?

String her up: non-classical violin music

sciencegeek — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:14:31 -0800

I have a friend who is a violinist. She's only played and listened to classical violin music. Please recommend artists and recordings of non-classical violin. Stephane Grappelli, and Joe Venuti are great but I don't know which recordings are good examples of their work. I'd like her to get a taste for what is out there including jazz, bluegrass, cajun, kelzmer, and any other genre/artist showcasing good violin/fiddle playing.

Help me name this song!

Baby_Balrog — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:04:01 -0800

Please help me identify this song! I learned it as a boy... I remember there being one sheet of music, sautille throughout. Also, it was called "something something," where I believe the first something was an evil mythical creature, like a goblin or a witch or a vampire and the second something was an activity, like a party or a dance or a parade.

Argh it's making me crazy, because I force all my poor students to learn this song and I can't even tell them what it's called.

Help me find the best Moroccan music featuring the violin.

jeremias — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:29:49 -0800

Looking for excellent, traditional,(i.e. not westernized) examples of Moroccan music featuring the violin. I've followed some of the links from a related askmefi thread a while back. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the landscape, however and am particularly interested in high quality examples featuring the violin. I'm focussing on Morroco just because I *know* there are some examples, but any other examples of other regions of the Middle East that feature top notch violin playing are welcome.

The "treble" with alto clef...

ViolaGrinder — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:03:26 -0800

Violin-to-Viola: please help me with a sound, non-bad-habit-forming technique to read and play alto clef after 27 years of treble only. I am a violinist of moderate skill who has played since 5th grade (I'm 38) but never took lessons, and studied music theory for just one semester many years ago. Most of my previous experience is "classical" in nature.

I have been seduced by the husky, sultry tone of the viola, and its greater size and wider finger spacings fit my large body/hands better than the violin ever did.

Unfortunately, in the 1.5 years since making the switch, I have only worked with bands (folk, rock, bluegrass/country) where my playing is largely improvisational, or in original musical theatre where the composer simply used software to transpose the viola music so I could "pretend" it was in treble clef. This has allowed me to work on my ear, and my playing technique, mechanically speaking, but hasn't helped with reading sheet music written in alto clef.

Now, a fellow string player proposes a small chamber ensemble to make some extra cash playing weddings and such, and I realize reading viola sheet music reliably is going to be required.

I understand the theory that the clef tells me where middle C is on the staff. But after 27 years of reading only treble clef, when I see that note, I see "B," and my first finger wants to press on what would have been the A string of the violin. It's obvious how this would mess everything up.

I don't want to just transpose on the fly--to see "B" and have to do the mental calculation "no, that's 'C'"--everything I've read suggests that is a lousy technique. I think it must be something like learning a foreign language as an adult--trying to translate on the fly instead of "thinking in the language" is always discouraged by educators.

If you give me the tonic, I can generally sight read/sight sing pretty well because I can recognize intervals on the staff. Could this be my key to "switching" my brain between alto and treble clefs?

Can you tell me anything about how my (normal, as far as I can tell) brain works that will suggest a good technique? Can it be as simple as playing scales while reading them on the staff, over and over and over, until some switch goes off in my brain? If my foreign language experience is any indication, this will take forever--if it happens at all. Lessons are not an economically feasible option right now.

I'm old and play the violin, ok?

sully75 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:04:26 -0800

What are some resources and events for adult amateur classical musicians? I'm a late starter adult fiddle player/violinist. I have a degree in music in a different instrument (double bass) but started fiddle in my 20s and studying classical violin in tandem with fiddle in the last 2 years.

What festivals, camps, workshops and the like would be open for adults? What is the best way to get a great teacher to take you seriously as someone who is seriously interested in getting to the best playing level they can in the midst of living their life?

This is one thing I know about but I'm wondering what else is available?
http://www.applehill.org/index.htm

I'll be located in Boston, for whatever that's worth. If there are any violin teachers in the area you think might work, I'd be interested in hearing that too.

How to play this on the violin?

sconbie — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:17:04 -0800

How to transpose cello music for violin? I have been asked to accompany the groom when he sings this song to his new wife. Bonus points for free download of the sheet music with violin arrangements.

I can't countz!

sully75 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:12:00 -0800

I'm looking for some books on music (the playing thereof). One on developing rhythmic skills and then any good recomendations on the performance of classical music. I'm practicing scales a lot lately and lately I'm trying to play 5 and 7 beats over 2 beats. I have no idea how to do this. Additionally, my rhythmic skills against a metronome are a little shaky. Is there a book on developing your rhythmic skills? Preferably it would be something that would be non-instrument and style specific, but that would give practical tips and exercises in developing a deeper knowledge of rhythm.

Also, I'm a fiddle player who's taken a strong interest in playing classical music. My interests are playing baroque music and shmaltzy and unshmaltzy encores. Debussy, spanish music, Kreisler.

I'm interested in good books on classical music interpretation, from a how-to perspective more than a theoretical perspective. Also I'm looking for a good, readable book on baroque theory, specifically Bach.

Any recomendations?

My wrist hurts when I play violin!

vaguelyweird — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:25:39 -0800

Does anyone know of a good wrist brace for a violinist? I am a classically trained violinist (for 21 years, so no pancake wrist), who plays in a rock band, and putters around on guitar and piano. But without fail, after playing, even after just holding my violin (vertically by the neck), my left wrist will hurt a lot. And then the pain spreads through to my forearm, stopping at the elbow. I'm sure there is inflammation happening, so usually I take a break and put my arm in cool water.

For the most part, I stay in first position, but I've always had difficulty holding my palm parallel to the neck, so I'm usually at a 45* angle. I have a feeling some of the pain is due to twisting my wrist, but I'm not sure, since it doesn't feel twisted, until it hurts. This also happens when I play the guitar (although that seems more understandable to me due to wrist positioning).

I was hoping to find a wrist brace that I can wear while playing. My wrists are very thin (I am a small person) and I have a hard time finding good braces (my knee and ankles have similar twisting problems) or knowing how to use them. And maybe some other advice (wrist exercises, supplements, etc although I've read all the RSI threads here). I don't have health insurance, so please keep that in mind. Also for what it's worth, I do yoga and regularly avoid backbends/non-fist pushups for the same reason.

Songs for acoustic guitar and beginner violinist?

bondcliff — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:05:16 -0800

Songs for acoustic guitar and beginner violinist? My wife has been taking violin lessons (mostly to help my son with his lessons) and I can strum a chord or thirty on guitar. We’d like to find some fun songs we can play together.

Although she’s a beginner violinist, she’s very musical and can find the right notes, find the key of the piece we’re playing and pick out a melody. She’s very rusty though, so she’s more comfortable doing simple improvising or playing melody lines rather than following along with a score or my chord charts.

We’re looking for songs that, though not necessarily guitar/violin songs, are particularly suited to this combination. What seems to work are songs that have a straight-ahead chord progression for me and a lead guitar she can imitate with the violin. So far we’ve had fun playing Melissa (Allman Bros.), Sultans of Swing, Norwegian Wood, and a couple other songs that generally fit into the classic rock genre. You know, those basic campfire/party songs that every guitarist knows. The Devil Went Down To Georgia is probably a little advanced for us.

I’m generally interested in rock-ish songs, mostly because it’s all I know. Feel free to open my mind a bit though, especially if you can link to reliable chord charts. I’d prefer specific song suggestions, rather than generic “Check out Allison Krauss” or “look into bluegrass songs.”

What's the best way to practice long pieces?

Melismata — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:42:56 -0800

Instrumentalists: How do you practice long pieces? So in my violin studies, I've graduated from playing simple 16- or 32-measure pieces to actually playing LONG ones, sometimes 100 measures or more. How do you practice such a piece? How do you break up and go over the different sections? How often do you find it useful to go all the way through the piece from beginning to end? When you have a difficult phrase or two and practice it over and over again, how many measures before or after it do you play? Any other techniques in playing long pieces are welcome! I'm a bit overwhelmed by all these notes. :) Thank you.

Help me identify this song: instrumental violin hip-hop.

archagon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:05:35 -0800

What is the song in this video? Sounds like some sort of string-based (violin?) instrumental hip-hop.

Musicians in "Mixed Marriage"

swarkentien — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:45:12 -0800

My music theory professor challenged our class to identify a married couple where one plays the violin and the other the trumpet. His theory is that the personalities of violin and trumpet players clash. Can anyone name a prominent musical couple where one plays a bowed instrument and the other brass? I would imagine that a saxophone player or drummer would be equally incompatible with a string player.

Music identification!

ashaw — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:40:35 -0800

Can anyone identify this piece of classical music which is featured in this video clip, it appears at the beginning and at 4:54. I've used a few pieces of music identifying services (Shazam etc), tried to find music credits for the series all to no avail. Hive help!

Plucking strings?

Korou — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:05:13 -0800

What songs feature the pizzicato technique? I've always liked pizzicato music (as in Benjamin Britten's Simple Symphony, Op. 4: II and Andrew Bird's Skin is, My). What classical and non-classical songs feature the pizzicato technique?

Random acts of violins

spamguy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:17:20 -0800

What music written after 1830 is playable by an amateur violinist? I've played violin for about 11 years, most of them in a school orchestra. I took private lessons as well. Once I got to college (as a computer sci major, not music), orchestra became more of a loathsome chore than the recreational fun it was supposed to be: no competitive events, rehearsals of 2.5 hours, no parties. I stopped playing entirely.

Now that I have a salaried job and my own apartment, I have the time and inclination to play again, and it feels pretty damn good. My job gives me access to UTexas' library system, its massive library included, so any music I want to play, I can get.

I am, of course, limited by talent. I play acceptably, but I'm sure no virtuoso. The body of 'playable' repertoire lies in the Classical and Baroque eras, when music as a whole was much simpler. That's why much of Suzuki method is made up of Handel/Mozart/Bach works.

Under my own training Bach's Violin Concerto in E Major (legally free score) is the current pinnacle of my abilities. Still, after years of Suzuki, I am so very sick of Handel/Mozart/Bach music and I'd love to experiment in Romantic and 20th century. These are the eras in which composers take liberties and let loose, which unfortunately results in a prohibitive difficulty for amateurs. Bartok = ouch, Elliott Carter = arm rape.

To the violinists in the house: what solo music (accompaniment OK) do you know written after 1830 (Beethoven died in 1827) that would be playable by a mediocre amateur? I tend to enjoy Romantic more than contemporary music, but will gladly try both. Because I'm a prude, I would strongly prefer composers I've heard of. I know enough modern music that anyone with an ounce of credibility to his name will likely ring a bell, so all ideas are welcome.

Mini-question: I've always wanted to play in a quartet, but my high school could only train one group, so it was sort of the 'awsum kidz only' club that I wasn't in. Any ideas how I could join/start a recreation-only quartet in Austin?

Alban Berg Violin Concerto

freddymetz — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:45:45 -0800

12tone Music: I need a little help regarding Alban Berg's Violin Concerto Firstly i want to say that im studying music in germany so im not sure if i'm using the right terminology.
I know that the first movement symbolises Manon's life and the second one symbolises her death, but how do i analyse the parts in more detail?
The original row of 12 notes at the beginning symbolises her childhood (like a beginner tuning a violin) but what does it mean when it gets repeated and variated later on? (and how do i find all the variations?)

Help me identify the solo violin melody/recording from Crispin Glover's "What Is It?"

treepour — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:16:17 -0800

What composition/recording does the eerie melody played by the solo violin in the trailer to Crispin Glover's film What Is It? come from? Does anyone recognize the tune and/or recording? (YouTube link to trailer inside). I realize it could have been composed for the film, but I was under the impression that the film's soundtrack was a mashup of various recordings.

Before clicking on the NSFW link, please be aware that the trailer contains some bizarre, disturbing, and possibly offensive imagery.

The solo violin starts around 0:52.

I wanna be louder, but still sound like me.

lauranesson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:14:34 -0800

Can you offer any advice on a violin pickup? I play in a jug band with miked guitars and a few other instruments and just can't compete using the vocal mics we've got. And I'm also pretty hazy on what kind of pickup might be best, so any ideas would be super useful.

Relevancies:
- My violin is pretty normal. Slightly above average, the kind played by the pretty-good concert master of a decent high school orchestra.
- I won't have a separate amp, but just plug into the band's general system. I'm confused as to how this all works.
- The saxophony sound of some of the amplified violins I've heard drives me a little crazy. I'm not really looking for any additional effects, just a louder version of what I'm already doing.

Right now, I'm leaning toward an L.R. Baggs, since people I trust have recommended it and it's at the lower end of the price range I'm looking for.

I know there must be more relevant information, but I'm not really sure what it is, so let me know what else you need. And thank you!

Would it work to RE-learn Piano AND learn Violin?

DetonatedManiac — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:39:42 -0800

Given that I have a somewhat substantial history playing the piano, how difficult would it be to take up lessons for the piano again after years out of practice AND start, for the first time, lessons on the Violin? How beneficial would such "cross training" be? How difficult would it be to find a teacher who could guide me on such a hybrid path? Other Thoughts? I have to say, from the start, that though I played for more than a decade, I never considered myself all that musical, so forgive me if any of this sounds overly simplistic.

I played the piano from when I was 5 or 6 up until I was 18... however I had many teachers and ended up with a quasi "Suzuki" method, never really learning to sight read or any theory. Also I quit for varying lengths of time due to power struggles with the parents.

It has been 5 years without seriously touching the keyboard and aside from the key movements of one or two of my favorite songs, I feel I have retained nothing from years of practice.

I kinda feel like if I take up a new instrument along with resuming piano practice it may allow me to practice the fundamentals of sight reading and theory on the violin while still playing the more impressive pieces I used to on the piano. Additionally I always loved the sound and sight of a violin, in all its forms.

Is this dual approach misguided or too simplistic? Does it have any merits? Are Piano and Violin theory and sheet music similar enough that this cross pollination would work or are they like oil and water?

Also, what should I do for a teacher (or teachers)? Two separate teachers or just one?

ISO Satan's fiddler.

Thin Lizzy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:54:03 -0800

Name the darkest, most evil fiddle player out there. Atonal, discordant, scratchy, and furious are all big pluses. This isn't for any type of public performance, so any kind of recording is ok- be it you tube, itunes, CD, or what have you.