Violin-playing is a refreshing artistic pursuit that’s worthwhile at any age. We realize that the prospect of learning the instrument without lessons can be daunting. Luckily, the modern world offers access to resources that would not have been imaginable even twenty years ago. One of those sites, and the beginning violinist’s best friend, is Violin Online (www.violinonline.com).If you’re learning the viola or cello instead, don’t stop reading. Dr. Robin K. Deverich, developer of the Violin Online program, also offers Viola Online and Cello Online. For brevity’s sake, we’ll refer to Violin Online in this article. (more…)
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The sound of a violin in modern music is no longer the sign of an eccentric progressive rocker. Many modern musicians, both bands and individuals, integrate violin into their works. Here are a few of the more interesting examples:Darol Anger: Anger plays a unique style which incorporates elements of folk, jazz, and bluegrass. His band Psychograss is a fitting description of his sound. His most recent album is the collaborative Mike Marshall and Darol Anger with Vsen.Emilie Autumn: This violinist is best recognized by her flaming-red hair and punk-goth outfits. Her music is an idiosyncratic blend of cabaret, industrial rock, and classical music. Her compilation album A Bit o’ This & That was released in 2007. (more…)
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While violinists aren’t usually known for hanging out with sky-divers and hot-dog contest winners, a couple of them have made it into the Guinness Book of Records.Vanessa-Mae: In 2003, Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson became the “youngest soloist to record both the Beethoven and Tchaikovsky violin concertos.” She was 13 at the time. Since then, she’s started integrating a techno influence into her albums, which include 1995′s The Violin Player, 1997′s China Girl: The Classical Album 2, and 2004′s Choreography, among others. She also set another record: in 2006, she was the wealthiest entertainer under 30 on the Sunday Times Rich List. (more…)
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