FOUR NOT SO TRICKY SPOOKY VIOLIN PLAYING TREATS
Whenever a certain mood needs to be created from playing the violin or listeners’ emotions need to be manipulated, there is a simple formula to follow no matter the desired effect.
For the sake of this blog post, “spooky” is our desired effect; however, if you wanted to create a joyful emotion the same formula can be applied.
There are 4 aspects to always consider, explore and investigate for any emotion you wish to create through violin playing:
- Left Hand
- Right Hand
- Combination of Left and Right Hands
- Music Theory
YOU WANT TO ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
HOW TO SOUND “SPOOKY” WITH THE LEFT HAND
With the left hand on the violin we create high and low pitches that can be solid tones, harmonics, slides etc. These pitches are enhanced with vibrato of varying widths and speeds.
Now, before you say “Well, elementary Dr. Watson” or “No s*** Sherlock,” ask yourself, which of the violin left hand techniques match the desired mood I want to create?
Since this post is about a “spooky” mood – what pitches match a spooky mood, high or low? What left hand violin techniques can be used for a spooky feeling?
You can take it a little further and put yourself in an environment with the desired mood you want to create. What do you hear?
In this example…what sounds would be heard in a haunted house? ghost whistling? leaves crackling? Rusty hinged door opening? etc.
Time to get a paper and pencil out and start brainstorming :
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I may earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Want more in depth training? Enroll in How to Sound Spooky on the Violin
Don’t miss out on this short, sweet and fun 4 part violin lesson video series that you will learn how to sound spooky violin techniques in a very fun setting.
HOW TO SOUND “SPOOKY” WITH THE RIGHT HAND
With the right hand on the violin we can manipulate the sound created by contact point, bow distribution, bow speed, and a combination of some or all of the above.
Ask yourself, which of the violin right hand techniques match the desired mood I want to create?
For a “spooky” mood, we can play around a lot with the contact point….sul ponticello, over the fingerboard and even behind the bridge.
Perhaps you are after recreating a specific sound within that mood….a squeaky door or even the sound of the knife from the shower scene in Psycho.
In that case bow speed is a very large contributing factor…
Squeaky door – slow, low in the bow with tons of weight
Psycho knife – super fast repeated down bow strokes…just like the motion of the knife.
Time to get a paper and pencil out and start brainstorming 🙂
HOW TO SOUND “SPOOKY” WITH LEFT AND RIGHT HAND COMBO
Here is where the fun begins with some creative juices…
This is where sounds can be recreated and you can truly impress your friends with your rock star violin skills.
For example; the glissando tremolo combination. Can you guess who made that terribly popular and in what piece?
First, I have to tell you it is one of the easiest things to ever do on the violin and no matter your skill level it is totally something you can do and all your friends will think you are the most amazing violinist. It is the infamous technique that beat the devil in “The Devil Went Down to Georgia….”
Yep, the Charlie Daniels band….
Want to learn exactly how to do this and incorporate it in your rock band playing violin?
Enroll in Online Violin Education’s mini violin course “How to Sound Spooky on the Violin.”
HOW TO SOUND “SPOOKY” USING MUSIC THEORY
This is where you may have wished you paid a little bit more attention to that boring music theory class right?
Or perhaps you haven’t had a teacher to teach you theory.
At any rate it is good to know a bit of theory in order to create your desired mood.
Simple breakdown:
- Major = Happy
- Minor = Sad
- Diminished = Confused
Ready to learn music theory? Check out Online Violin Education’s Course Music Literacy – How to Read Music and More.
How to Sound Spooky on the Violin 4 part video series walks you through the following “spooky” techniques:
Left Hand – Vibrato manipulation…how to use vibrato to create an uneasy spooky effect.
Contact Point – How to radically change your contact point to create crazy spooky sounds like a rusty door and sound like Alfred Hitchcock’s shower scene in Psycho. Also discover sul ponticello and a contact point you may have never experimented with before… (insert evil laugh.)
The third technique I can’t give away until you watch the video but let’s just say the devil used this specific technique to win the contest in Charlie Daniel’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” It is one of the simplest technique combination on the violin and everyone thinks it is the hardest. Your friends will think you are hot s*** if you play this for them.
Finally, how manipulating a bit of music theory can make you sound spooky, sad and scary… all in one.
Don’t miss out on this short, sweet and fun 4 part video series that you will learn violin techniques in a very fun setting.
LOVE this blog post? Want a copy to keep on your music stand?
Click here to purchase the PDF for $4.00.
Please share in the comments which above tips you will be implementing into your daily practices sessions.
Happy Magical Practices,
P.S. Looking for an excellent method book devoted specifically to the fourth finger in different positions? Be sure to check out Fourth Finger Fitness – Strengthening exercises designed specifically for the fourth finger. These books WILL revolutionize your fourth finger, with practice of course.
FOURTH FINGER FITNESS
EXERCISE E-BOOKS
Heather Kaye
Violinist
Heather is a classically trained concert violinist performing with the Yambol Chamber Orchestra, Bulgaria. She received her BM violin performance degree from CU-Boulder, studied with top teachers including Rachel Barton Pine. Heather has held leadership positions with multiple orchestras in the Greater Chicago-Milwaukee area. She has instructed millions of violinists globally via Youtube videos, online academies, group coaching and one on one sessions. Heather’s students have won multiple awards, concerto competitions, held concertmaster positions in orchestras and even performed in Carnegie Hall. Heather is an advocate of a holistic violin lifestyle – putting one’s mind, body and spirit as a violin journey priority.
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