If you’re a beginner at playing the violin, one of the simplest yet most powerful tools you can utilise is recording. Not any fancy recorder, a mobile phone will do. Pretty simple, just record your practice sessions so you can see where you at and where you’re going. This is helpful if you don’t have anyone by your side and you can’t ask someone about your improvements.

Whether you’re learning on a cheap violin or a higher-end one, recording helps you make the most out of your practice sessions.

The Value of Recording for Musical Growth

When you listen to or watch yourself play, you’ll see a fresh and new angle on your performance. It helps you spot errors or mistakes that you probably don’t notice while practising. You can also refine your technique, like properly positioning your hand and bow. Most importantly, you can track your improvement as you go along. It sure feels good that a masterpiece that once felt very hard has become an easy piece for you.

Beginners and students need this awareness so they can also be motivated. The fact that they can see real evidence of their progress actually makes practice feel more rewarding.

Making Recording Part of Your Practice Routine

Again, you don’t need fancy gear to do this. Here’s how you can make it simple.

• Use a phone, webcam, or online video recorder that can record both sound and video.
• Do the recording in a quiet and well-lit space, where there are fewer distractions for clearer recording.
• Don’t forget to stabilize your camera. If using a phone, use a tripod or a stack of books.

Aim for a relaxed process and think of it as sharing your music rather than a test.

Reviewing Practice Videos Together

If you’re someone who loves constructive criticism, but recordings don’t only mean critique, it’s also a celebration.

You can watch your recordings with your family, your teacher, or other learners, so you can get feedback on how you do. Screen time? No. It’s more of a reflection time.

Using Recordings to Set and Reach Goals

Using recordings is also another way to set and reach goals.

For instance, you can track your journey on particular pieces like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and take note of your bow control and finger placement.

You can then create monthly progress compilations that you can share with your friends, teachers, or even online communities. What’s even exciting is that you can stage mini-recitals for yourself at home, using your recordings as both a benchmark and remembrance.

Final Thoughts

Recording your practice is one of the easiest and most effective ways to speed up your learning process. Get your cheap violin, a quiet room, and a simple online video recorder, and you’re good to go! You can turn every practice session into an opportunity to become a better musician.

You can look back at these recordings, and you’ll surely thank yourself for capturing your journey as it perfectly shapes the whole you in terms of music.