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A Talented Approach to Violin Technique!

Do you practice without progress? Are you stuck?  Congratulations, you are amongst the vast majority of students!

In the exam room, it is well known that most violin students will not progress past seventh grade. The book Principles of Talent has been written for these students, and for violinists who are prepared to diagnose and refine subtle technical barriers to progress.

A Supplement to Tradition

The book Violin Diploma Technique: Principles of Talent does not replace traditional teaching, and it is not intended as a method. It is intended as a supplement. It fills in the small number of specific technical problems, that stop progress for most candidates. It does this by defining five core technical principles that differentiate between the successful candidates, and those that plateau in the exam room. These principles allow students to explore a new pedagogical discipline of technical sensations. They focus on:

• Physical ease

• A thinking technique

• Logical cause-and-effect

They are not tied to any specific school of violin playing and can be easily integrated into existing methods. While only a few violinists develop these insights intuitively, once taught, they become instantly recognisable in great playing—and are easily taught. 

It’s a top-down pedagogy that brings the physical ease of talent, into the earliest stages of learning. It is essential that traditional pedagogy must still be taught, however, the technical demands of a programme do not need to be done in the most difficult way possible. 

Core Principles of Technical Talent Introduced

1. Intonation and Co-ordination Security

Most candidates do not play in tune, and lack co-ordination control. Beginner methods teach marked fingerboards, finger patterns, muscle memory. The violin, however, is an unstable instrument, strings do not stay in tune. In higher positions, one finger width can also cover several notes. Consider: Every violin technique takes time, which means that every technique can be placed into a timeline, including listening. If a finger is already lightly touching the string, and has been tuned, at the moment of the bow change, this creates a timeline that fully defines the moment of co-ordination, and also captures intonation security. It automatically solves the problems of strings not staying in tune, because all notes are individually tuned before playing by including active listening. The pressing down of the finger at the moment of the bow change, then becomes the technical sensation of intonation and co-ordination. It adds security to traditional muscle memory exercises by including listening. The use of a timeline also corrects the problem of traditional teaching, that states co-ordination is only placing a finger in advance. This may be co-ordinated, but ignores the act of tuning the note. Both are dependent on each other, not separate.

2. Active Listening to Control Muscle Memory

Diploma technique requires students to actively engage their ear and mind—developing true control over muscle memory requires an ability of active listening. For musical interpretation, this occurs during the time of the follow through of the bow stroke. This is a technical sensation of focus, at a specific timeline moment.

3. Using the Forces of Nature with the Bow

Many students fight against gravity and air pressure, with tension and muscle strength. Beginner methods reinforce this, they do not harness natural forces for speed. The feeling of a bow falling with gravity from one string to another is a technical sensation.

4. Momentum Control in Fast Passages

Flailing through fast passages is common at the Associate Diploma level. Beginner students are not taught how to manage rapid changes in directional momentum with precision and ease. These are sport techniques.

5. Inventive Logic and Efficient Practice

At the Licentiate level, progress depends on invention and logistical thinking—not just more practice. Most students repeat early-level methods hoping for results. Thinking like a violinist rewires this approach, putting logic and creative problem-solving front and centre.

Proven Results

Judged by violin professors, Conservatorium staff, performers and examiners, students trained in these five principles have consistently achieved:

• Distinctions in Diploma-level exams

• High placements in national competitions

• Faster, more confident technical development

Whether you're a student struggling to advance, a teacher looking for new tools, or a curious professional performer, consider something different—a talented approach that works.

Order your copy: Violin Diploma Technique: Principles of Talent
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