• Angles: less angular
• Elbow weight
• Continuous bowing
• Smooth string change
• Bow division and pressure
• Wrist always straight/ let gravity pull your arm
• Continuity of phrase
• Think about the sound, not the fingers
• Imagine the sound before you play
• Trust your fingers
• Relax shoulders
• Left hand angles
• Extra pressure on 3rd and 4th fingers
• Consistency of sound on every note
• Connection between notes
• Change of anchor weight
• Octave frame
• Grip bow with thumb, 2 and 3
• Shift on semitones

I started learning violin at the beginning of 2008, and switched to viola at the end of 2014. To be honest, if it wasn't for my husband, I would likely have quit years ago. I'm happy to say that I've been playing all the way to 2020, and I've achieved so much more than I would've ever thought I could. Playing to a standard on a classical bowed string instrument is probably the hardest, and most rewarding, thing I will ever do in my life. It is a lifelong undertaking. After 12 years, I'm still very much an amateur, in both the best and worst senses of the word.

• Why I prefer viola over violin:
  • The role of the viola is to fill space. It is the middle voice that you won't hear, but it adds richness to the overall sound. It is usually the supporting character, but there are times for it to shine above the rest. These traits suit my person...