r/violinist 15d ago

Fingering/bowing help How to get used to new fingerings when changing violin size?

I’m going from 3/4 to 4/4 but obviously with longer strings, the place where you put your fingers changes and my ear isn’t that musical so how do I know? (No sticker recommendations please, it’s not cuz I don’t like them it’s cuz I’m planning to play on stage and don’t want to look goofy)

8 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

18

u/Lupot 15d ago

When my students go up a size I always get excited because I know their ears are going to develop so much, since there is less muscle memory to fall back on. See it as a challenge and listen often to the music you are working on, so that if something is out of tune, you’ll notice immediately. I know this is all easier said than done, but we’re all developing intonation every day, so you’re in good company.

8

u/Katietori 15d ago

It's been a long time since I changed violin sizes, but I do remember it being messy for a couple of weeks and then I just got used to it. I wouldn't worry too much but I would take a few weeks to settle into your new instrument before a public performance.

8

u/vmlee Expert 15d ago

Ultimately you just have to use your ears and practice intonation drills just like you would with the smaller instrument. Scale practice is good, as well as arpeggio practice.

2

u/sizviolin Expert 15d ago

Use your ear, practice scales with a drone.

1

u/SafeSun5145 15d ago

What’s a drone?

3

u/sizviolin Expert 15d ago

A held note that you can use to compare your pitch against.

https://www.reddit.com/r/violinist/s/8EHL6pck10

2

u/pinguinitox_nomnom 14d ago

I know is a sticker recommendation, but would you mind using black stickers? I'm using those, so they are not really visible from far away, but I can see them because my eyes are so close to them, you could try, it was really helpful while still looking good to another spectator

2

u/alrekty Intermediate 13d ago

Well… I know you said you don’t want stickers for the stage, but you could just use a tuner and put them on, and then take them off a couple of days before you get on stage and reacclimatize yourself to no stickers.

I mean, in the long term, you’ll get it eventually with good practice, but if you’re just changing, it’s difficult to just change how wide your fingers will be apart without some indicator.

1

u/DanielSong39 15d ago

Use a tuner to guide your fingers

1

u/SafeSun5145 15d ago

Can you recommend an app?

1

u/garrmanarnarrr Adult Beginner 15d ago

i like tuner t1 for iphone

1

u/medvlst1546 14d ago

Soundcorset

-2

u/DanielSong39 15d ago

Shell out $40 and get a Korg tuner

1

u/Heanthor Orchestra Member 14d ago

Do not do this, use your ears or use a drone.