The wonderful effects of playing the violin…

1. Good measurable physical effects on the brain and nervous system
2. Good evident effects on the soul, heart, mind, and strength.

 

Enhanced connectivity between left and right brain functioning 
carries over into other activities of living with beneficial effect 

Neuro-Physiological (Brain and nerve system) effect of learning the violinIncreased activity and strength to the right hemisphere of your brain. Increased connectivity between the two hemispheres which yields greater communication between those two parts of your brain. This should yield overall greater total function.

This can result in increased co-ordination between analytical details (left brain breaking things down into their component parts) and big-picture thinking (right brain).

Very simply, increased used of the left hand, increases the stimulation of the right brain. To use the left hand for fingering and vibrato and simultaneously use the right for bowing requires a tremendous increase in connectivity between the left and right hemispheres of your brain. Why? Because these two activities must be carried out at the same time, in perfect synchronization, co-ordinated wonderfully.

This growth occurs when the demand is put upon the body and nerve system to carry out such a complex function. In some ways the brain and nervous system have growth similar to a muscle. If you use it, it grows to accommodate the use.

A blind person reading braille through his finger tips can learn to read through one finger feel or through three finger feel. Their brain grows path ways to communicate the sensation from either one, two, or three fingers. It is thought that the three finger read is a broader path than the one finger. This same kind of increased growth of connectivity happens anytime a person increases the normal demand put on a system of their body.

Interesting phenomena:

While sitting at your desk, lift the right knee so the foot is off the floor. Then begin rotating the foot and lower leg in a clock-wise circle.

Without stopping the lower leg rotation, pick up a pencil and write the number 6.

Did you notice your leg stop and reverse direction of rotation? Most people do. This shows many things about brain connections. Maybe we can write more on it later.

Remember, anyone studying the violin will increase these brain connections. Even adults. Yes, a child can benefit in growth by a greater amount than an adult, but it has been shown that adults also have ability to grow more brain connections.

Gil Shaham does Carmen Fastasy (Sarasate) 1

Yasuki Nakamura is coming to Singapore

Yasuki Nakamura has been involved with the Suzuki Method movement for almost 60 ears. He was one of the very early Suzuki students in Tokyo learning violin from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and Mr Hachiro Hirose and as a student he performed and demonstrated on many occasions to introduce the Suzuki Method in the early years.

The International Suzuki Association and Alfred Publiahing Company have invited Mr Yasuki Nakamura to present this first Suzuki Seminar Tour of S.E. Asia. Apart from being a professional teacher and international teacher, he is also on the Board of Directors of the International Suzuki Association. Through ISA’s regional arm, the ASA (Asian Suzuki Assoc.) and respective country’s representatives, will be able to support violin teachers with further training workshops on the Suzuki Method.

Mr Yasuki Nakamura will be conducting a seminar (The New Suzuki Violin School) in Singapore on the 24 March 2009. I have already booked my place to attend, and will not miss this for nuts!

Gil Shaham does Carmen Fantasy (Sarasate)

One of my few favourite performers. 🙂

A new way to play the violin….

Was surfing on youtube and came across the really unorthodox way of playing the violin…. strangely it sounded quite good!

Before You Buy a Violin

Your mind is set, you are going to buy your first violin and start taking lessons. But before you do, here are some tips to guide you on your purchase.

Budget

You will hear me saying this often. As with any special purchase you make, the first thing to determine is your budget. How much or how little can you spend on buying a violin? A helpful tip is to give yourself a timeframe to save up enough money so you can buy a decent, good quality violin.

What to Look For

Look for a violin that is properly set up, meaning, every single part of the instrument down to its minutest detail must be made and functioning correctly. Tone and power are some of the qualities you should look for in a violin. Bring someone knowledgeable about this when you go shopping.

Try Before You Buy

Most shop owners will let you try their merchandise before you buy. I strongly suggest you do so, or bring along someone you know who’s been playing the violin for sometime. That way you’ll have added input on the instruments’ feel and performance. If you are just starting out, sizing of the violin is more important. Most china made violins come in a set, however do ask the shop owners properly.

Violin Accessories

Sometimes you need to buy the violin accessories separately. Don’t forget to look at the quality of the bow. A quality bow has a good weight, balance and flexibility. For beginners, fine tuners are useful as it’ll help you tune your violin easily. And not forgetting shoulder rest, this is important for correct posture and holding of the violin. Also, don’t forget to purchase a case, extremely important especially when you have to travel for your lessons.

 

Contact me if you need help 🙂

Which String Instrument You Like Best?

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Learn the Violin in 12 Weeks!!

Learn the basics to playing the violin in 12 weeks! Results assured!

Fees: $90 for 4 x half hr lesson. (once weekly)

To maximise my teaching tools, classes will be conducted at my humble abode. (near to kovan MRT)

It is advised to call in advance so that I can arrange for your instruments and learning tools. Please note that fees are only for the lessons. Instrument and books will be charged accordingly.

Contact me: +65 8282 1243 or email me: weihan@floweraffairs.com.sg

Hello world!

Welcome to my world of violin. I am actively involved in a quartet, Cordas Quad, and have been teaching the violin during my free time for the past 6 years. I have recently quit my job and decided to go into violin teaching full-time. This allows me to be more dedicated to my students and able to reach out to more people.