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Many of us were drawn to play the violin, viola, or cello because we'd heard playing that brought us to tears, filled us with joy, or expressed a feeling that we couldn't even describe with words. Truly, there seems to be no limit to the emotions and the variety of sounds these instruments can express. However, our first weeks, months, and even years of learning to play can feel very technical - focused on just playing the right notes, at the right time, and hopefully with decent tone! Securing these basics can often feel like it could take a lifetime, so when and how will we get to actually play more musically? Today we're exploring what a difference just a handful of elements makes in creating a more musical version of a simple folk song from Suzuki Book 1. And yes, one element is vibrato, but even before we learn vibrato and begin adding it to our pieces, we have other factors that even a beginner can use to start to add more personality to their renditions.

Show Notes: "Sweet Beauty" full track ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/7jjfysw3FoEQnvrNbBgcMB?si=32ce40e225b74803⁠

My YouTube Channel with recent deep dives into tone etc.: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5W2-LP_E2A65RCxIC9uGw⁠

My "Complete Vibrato Mastery" online course ⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-vibrato-mastery/?referralCode=5B724D936FF08F7DDFB8⁠

Happy Practicing!

Please email me at laurel@laurelthomsen.com if you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question you’d like answered in the blog or on a podcast, have a story or insight to share, or if you’d like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me, in-person or online via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom.

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Laurel Thomsen

Violin, Viola, Vocals
Performance, Instruction, Recording

Based in Santa Cruz, California

Site by Laurel Thomsen
Photography by Michelle Magdalena

laurel@laurelthomsen.com
831-224-0913
Skype: laurelthomsen

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