Teaching Philosophy

Violin performance has evolved significantly, and today, excelling in violin technique is no longer a mystery. Music lovers worldwide are treated to performances by increasingly superior violinists, who often surpass the achievements of their predecessors. The pressing question now is how to make the learning process more efficient, reducing the time required to achieve proficiency.

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My teaching method combines the positive experiences of previous generations with a personalized approach tailored to each student's needs. Playing the violin is inherently complex, necessitating long-term study. However, by employing specific methods grounded in objective and scientific principles, students can achieve excellent results in a shorter time.

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Learning by technique yields the best results, as it familiarizes the violinist with each technique and its application or combination with others. Some might consider this method demanding, but ultimately, it is a shortcut to proficiency. The great benefit is that the violinist is consistently on the right path, regardless of their current skill level. Moreover, the enjoyment of playing the violin, which often requires significant effort to play notes in tune or produce a decent tone, becomes more accessible through these methods. Perseverance is still necessary, but the effort is rewarded with noticeable progress in a short period.

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This method is based on the understanding that musical notes are the fundamental symbols of music and must be known as well as the letters of the alphabet. The corresponding tone pitch must be heard and gradually memorized in strong connection with these musical notes. Subsequent details, such as the string on which the bow is drawn or the finger used to play the note, also connect strongly with these primary symbols. These details advance the process into actual tone production, leading to self-controlled intonation, completing the circle with or without tone pitch correction. These details apply to producing a single tone, which highlights the complexity of the process as even simple tunes consist of many tones. Techniques such as playing in rhythm, changing positions, vibrato, various bow strokes, and double stops are studied both separately and in connection with each other.

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Learning to play the violin is a journey which has no end once you embark on it. The accomplishment knows no boundaries, and that is the greatest charm of violin playing — an ever-expanding infinite pursuit of excellence.

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Darin Varbanov