When It Doesn’t Just Happen

Yesterday I received an email from a woman in her sixties who has made excellent progress on the violin in three short years. She is, however, having some difficulty cultivating a vibrato, and asked my advice on the subject.

Previously she had been told that it would ‘happen naturally.’ Well, it hasn’t and she asked what she could do to help it along.

Unfortunately, the way I teach vibrato cannot be imparted in an email. One must see the exercises to really appreciate the motions of the wrist, arm, and fingers. I referred her to Kreutzer, Vol. 3 where I lay out my approach in some depth.

Volume 3 also addresses another query that arrived yesterday concerning shifting and the violin hold. Again, all the factors involved are impossible to impart in an email, but are covered in some detail on the DVDs.

These are excellent cases for the old adage, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ In our case we’re talking MOVING pictures, which are even better. Mind you, I do have plenty to say while you watch my demonstrations. They’re both important.

So, if vibrato and shifting are techniques you want assistance with you know where to go. Online, Volume 3 is available only with Volume 4. Those of you reading this, however, may call in your order and purchase Volume 3 individually, should you wish to do so.

My recommendation is to take advantage of the multi-volume discount, get the whole set, and Go To School On It.

You see, it all works together; the left hand techniques, the right hand techniques, the practice techniques, all of it.

Recently a review was posted on Violinist.com which really sums up the value of the Kreutzer course beautifully. If you have the Kreutzer course I hope it inspires you to continue practicing what you have seen. If you don’t have it perhaps this will inspire you to claim it for your library.

So here’s what one fine player had to say:

“I congratulate Mr. Haslop on a job well done! This is an ambitious project in the undertaking. He is an outstanding teacher — one of USA’s best kept secrets (but hopefully for not too much longer)! I can see that he clearly wants to pass on his wonderful knowledge. There are only a few former Milstein pupils around, including Oliver Steiner and Dylana Jenson.

I have examined the dvd’s that a friend purchased and was impressed. It was nice to see that Mr. Haslop and I shared similar teaching ideas. The video is very well organized.

There is a lot to be said, and this is a video that you can’t just “turn on, watch, and then expect to miraculously turn into a Milstein, Jr.”. You need patience and need to work hard. I think if you follow Mr. Haslop’s suggestions, you’ll find that your practice time of the Kreutzer etudes will be cut in half.

In addition, if you feel that you’re already a “Kreutzer expert”, then try to take the technical principles from these videos and apply to other etudes and repertoire. These principles just are not for Kreutzer. The successful students are the ones who can take Mr. Haslop or any teacher’s ideas and “apply” them.

Thank you Mr. Haslop for your wonderful contributions. Your dedication is so much appreciated. You’re a teaching genius!”

– Sung-Duk Song

Well, there you have some thoughts of a very accomplished violinist. And just so you know, we have never met.

Get a copy speeding your way.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. If you’re already a Kreutzer Master you may want to go right into Paganini for Violin Virtuosity, Vol. 1.