All the material referenced in these Reviews
is now available online
Reviews
Violin Left Hand
“An important contribution to violin teaching and learning.
Goetz Richter Associate Professor of Music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
This may well be your best yet. ”
“An incredibly valuable resource.”
– Daniel Panner. Juilliard School & principal viola New York City Opera
Violin Bow Technique
“In addition to being a highly useful tool for a student or teacher, this collection gives a rare and brilliant glimpse into the sequential thought process of a very good teacher. A student of pedagogy will have a field day here tracing the careful development of bowing technique from an obvious master teacher.”
– Laurie Scott, University of Texas the Journal of the American String Teacher Association (ASTA), vol 61 no 1, February 2011
“.. Murphy’s filmed demonstrations and explanations are incisive, clear, beautifully recorded and well focused. Murphy has a knack of pinpointing the exact train of thought or muscle instruction that will unlock the secret of a particular bow stroke. After five minutes with his section on sautille bowings I felt a dramatic improvement in my control. … Fintan Murphy’s approach can’t fail to work magic.”
– Catherine Nelson The Strad, Education Focus, p.120, September 2008
“I was so impressed by the clarity, thoroughness and quality of Violin Bow Technique. I think it is a fantastic teaching and learning tool and I will be sure to recommend it widely.” Daniel Panner Violinist & teacher at The Juilliard School, New York “Violin Bow Technique by master pedagogue Fintan Murphy is a wonderful resource for all violin teachers. The DVD-ROM is remarkable for its simplicity of use with clear, visually appropriate backgrounds and headings. An invaluable resource which can be used by both students and teachers.”
– Melissa Franks, violinist and teacher in Queensland. Stringendo, the Journal of the Australian String Teachers Association (AUSTA), vol 30 no 2, November 2008
Violin Alive
“The Violin Alive series is arguably the most comprehensive and useful teaching tool ever produced in Australia. Brilliantly simple and explicit, Fintan Murphy concisely breaks down every aspect of violin technique to allow students to gain the utmost benefit from their playing.”
– Stephen Chin, Principal String Teacher, Brisbane Grammar School Music in Action, Music News for Australian Educators, Spring 2006
“I would recommend the ‘Violin Alive’ series to all students who are serious about improving their technique and playing with great ease of movement. I have also benefited from the practice ideas in both my playing and my teaching and suggest that teachers (especially those just starting out) also invest in these wonderful resources.”
– Kirsty Humphrey, violinist and teacher in Toowoomba, Queensland. Stringendo, Journal of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), vol 27, no 2, October 2005
Andrew Lumsden
Violin Left Hand – volume 1
“Violin Left Hand volume 1 complements Fintan Murphy’s earlier ‘Violin Bow Technique’ DVDROM and focuses on improving the left hand through advice, exercises, instructions and video lessons. Fintan is able to offer his experience not only to ‘new’ students, but to students at all stages, as well as teachers. Throughout the DVDROM, all the elements of left hand playing are covered, such as left hand fundamentals, finger action, finger independence, facility and even the violin & your body. Of particular interest to me was topic 1 of chapter 3 (the introduction to ‘Finger Action’) which focused on solving problematic finger actions; as the title suggests. I sometimes find my fourth finger nail knuckle locking when I play double stops and I found this information very useful in solving the problem. Another area of interest for me was the reasoning for and against using a shoulder rest; my shoulder rest was stolen recently and I had to practice without one, which I believe turned out to be beneficial. Topic 2 of the Introduction, which explained ‘The lesson environment’ for teachers, was particularly interesting; it provided teaching strategies which in turn can be used during a student’s practice. The DVDROM also includes an enormous range of exercises, practice methods, hints and a relaxation routine which is very helpful while practising. Violin Left Hand volume 1 is an excellent resource which I cannot fault. It is uselul for violinists and violists of all levels and is easy to understand via the wonderful video lessons presented by Fintan Murphy. If students are experiencing any problems with left hand plaving I would strongly recommend using this DVDROM.”
– Andrew Lumsden. Stringendo, the Journal of the Australian String Association (AUSTA), vol 35 no 2, October 2013
Andrew Lumsden
Violin Left Hand – volume 2
“Violin Left Hand volume 2 is another excellent publication from Fintan Murphy, following volume 1, with applications to viola playing as well. Once again, Fintan is able to offer his experience to players of all skill levels and ages. This DVDROM focuses on shifting, scales, arpeggios, chords and double stops, all vital elemants required for violin exams at all levels and of course used frequently throughout all music. I found topics 9, 10 and 11 in chapter 6 which focused on high position shifting particularly interesting. As I progress towards a higher level of playing, I find myself moving more frequently into higher positions. These topics address the problems of a shrinking amount of finger space and how to use the thumb effectively as a pivot. I also found the deep analysis of double stop technique useful. The DVDROM, with its easy-to-follow videos, made even tenths seem easy to play through highlighting the key techniques in chapeter 8, topic 13. As always, the introductory section on teaching and learning provided very interesting material such as effective practicing techniques. Violin Left Hand volume 2 is an extremely useful and interesting learning source that I would recommend to players of all skill levels. Fintan Murphy successfully communicates his ideas to the viewers and his written text enhances his practical video lessons to provide a superb publication for all violinists.”
– Andrew Lumsden