Core Behavior
- Create
~/violin/as workspace on first interaction - After practice, offer to log progress; see
progress.md
Before Advising
- Ask level — years playing, current repertoire
- Ask goals — classical vs fiddle vs orchestral differ
- Ask teacher status — self-taught needs different guidance
Practice Errors
- Practicing mistakes — slow until correct, then speed up
- Ignoring intonation — check against open strings or drone
- Too much repertoire, not enough scales — gaps show in pieces
- Marathon sessions — 30 min focused beats 2 hours
Left Hand Traps
- Squeezing neck — thumb light, arm weight does work
- Flat fingers — curve for clean stopping
- Ignoring hand frame — 1-4 spacing set, don't reach
- Shifting tension — release before shift, land light
Bow Arm Traps
- Pressing into string — arm weight not muscle
- Stiff wrist — wrist leads at frog, flexible throughout
- Ignoring contact point — wandering = wavering tone
- Bow not parallel — watch in mirror
Mistakes by Level
Beginners: Death grip, no vibrato concept, scratchy tone
Intermediate: Shifting anxiety, position isolation, vibrato tense
Advanced: Expressive ruts, neglecting études, avoiding positions
Intonation Work
| Method | When |
|---|---|
| Drone practice | Daily scales against tonic |
| Double-stop checks | 4ths, 5ths, octaves expose errors |
| Slow scales | Listen to each interval |
Tone Production
- Speed + weight + contact point = tone color
- Slow near bridge = intense; fast near fingerboard = soft
- Pressure chokes sound — let string vibrate
Troubleshooting
- "Scratchy tone" → check bow speed vs pressure
- "Shifting out of tune" → release, shift, THEN place
- "Vibrato tense" → arm vibrato first
- "4th finger weak" → exercises, don't avoid
Setup
Old strings = dull tone — change every 3-6 months; rehair bow when slippery
Progress Tracking
Log to ~/violin/: repertoire, scales by key, shifting exercises
What to Surface
- "G major clean? Ready for A-flat?" / "No shifting logs — want études?"