The Joy of Being a Violinist

"If music be the food of love, play on"

(Shakespeare's play, Twelfth Night) 

 I used to play my violin with an orchestra. I was once a member of the Symphony Club of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. That was many years ago. 

 Normally a violinist does not play alone (solo) unless accompanied by at least a pianist or several violinists or other stringed instruments playing together for colour tone, which in music, we call it timbre. This is one reason. The second reason is, for a violin we can only play one note at a time, at maximum (very rarely) two notes simultaneously where the sheet music shows there is a double stop where we need to use two fingers to play two notes together. 

 In music, a double stop or triple stops is the technique of playing two or three notes simultaneously on a stringed instrument such as a violin, a viola, a cello, or a double bass, unlike a pianist who can use ten fingers when playing the piano, one finger from each hand. These fingers are numbered 1 to 5, with finger 1 being the thumb and finger 5 being the little finger. 

 Sheet music often includes small numbers above or below the notes to indicate which finger should be used for that particular note. By using many fingers (possible only on the piano), the piano is complete by itself like in an orchestra where so many other instruments are being played together to give a spectrum of various colour tones. Although ten fingers can be used simultaneously, it still has one one type of timbre, unlike variations of timbre in a mixed orchestra. 

 Even for a professional concert violinist who plays solo as in a violin concerto, he / she is always accompanied by a full symphony orchestra, never alone.

Usually, the symphony orchestra will play the overture first before the soloist comes in. An overture means a musical introduction by an orchestra before the main musical work.

In a violin concerto, many passages will be played by the soloist alone for him to stand up as a virtuoso violinist after the overture, but soon the rest of the full orchestra comes in to accompany him.  

A street violinist may play alone in a corner of a street. But in videos I have seen, even for a street violinist, say in the street of Paris, you can still hear background music played by other unseen musicians accompanying him, else, playing a violin note-by-note does not sound nice at all unlike a piano where 10 accompanying notes can be played at the same time - like in an orchestra. 

 Violinists only play alone in the privacy of his house for fingering exercises on the fingerboard that can be quite tough and tricky if you don't practice this everyday especially for difficult compositions containing passages with running notes. 

 Besides this reason about musical colour, since only one note at the time can be played on the violin, should the violinist make a mistake on any note, the sound becomes so obvious to the listener. But if he plays along with many other violinists or in an orchestra or with many other stringed instruments, should the violinist make a mistake, the rest of the violinists or other instrument players will cover up for him. That way an ordinary person would not know or realize it, unless he is the conductor who has an excellent ear to pick it up. I passed my 8th Grade music for violin playing when I was still an undergraduate - years ago  me to make a video recording of my violin playing. I shall try to make a video of me playing the violin  only if I can find an orchestra or at least a pianist to accompany me.

There is the beauty and complexity of violin playing. 

I shall now extend and refine the introductory letter to my friend into a comprehensive - 

"The Art and Intimacy of Violin Playing: A Personal Reflection". 

This will give readers a better colour depths ("timbre" of my thoughts?) into the intricacies of violin playing, as "The King of Instruments" that is considered the hardest instrument to play.  

There is something deeply intimate and profound about the violin, an instrument often described as the closest to the human voice. For those who have devoted themselves to its study and mastery, the violin is more than just a wooden body with four strings; it becomes an emotional and spiritual extension of the self.

As I said earlier, I  once played the  violin in an orchestra and had the honour of being a member of the Symphony Club of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Though many years have passed since those days, the memories and lessons remain vivid, etched not just in my fingers but in my soul. A friend recently asked me to record a video of myself playing the violin. That request has led me to reflect on the nature of violin performance, the intricacies of the instrument, and the deeper meaning of musical collaboration.

 Why Violinists Rarely Play Alone

Unlike a pianist who can press down ten keys simultaneously - thanks to the anatomy of ten fingers, violinists are limited in their scope of simultaneity. The violin, being a monophonic instrument by nature, usually allows the player to sound one note at a time. Occasionally, advanced techniques like double stops (playing two notes simultaneously on adjacent strings) or even triple stops (in rare cases) can be used to produce harmony. However, these techniques are demanding and are sparingly used due to the inherent constraints of bowing and fingering.

This limitation, far from being a weakness, is what gives the violin its charm and its vulnerability. Each note must be shaped, intonated, and carried with precision and intent. When a pianist strikes a wrong note, it may be hidden amidst other keys or lost in the rich texture. But on the violin, a single error rings out starkly, with nowhere to hide. That is why solo violin playing is not only rare but also daunting. Even the most seasoned violinists typically perform in the context of an ensemble or with piano accompaniment.

The Importance of Timbre and Musical Colour

In orchestral or chamber settings, violinists thrive. Music is not merely about pitch and rhythm, it is also about timbre, the unique quality of a sound that allows us to distinguish a violin from a flute, or a cello from a trumpet. The timbral interplay between instruments creates a vivid musical palette, akin to a painter using different hues to bring a canvas to life.

The violin contributes a lyrical and sometimes melancholic colour to this spectrum, but it needs others to complete the picture. This is why violinists are often accompanied by a pianist, a string quartet, or a full orchestra. The piano itself, while self-sufficient, has a uniform timbre. A symphony, by contrast, is a tapestry of textures, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, each contributing to the emotional depth of the piece.

 The Reality Behind the Scenes

While the public sees the glamour of a concert, the reality behind the scenes is more austere and disciplined. Violinists spend countless solitary hours practicing fingering exercises, mastering scales, and rehearsing difficult passages with rapid semiquavers or shifts in position. These exercises may be physically repetitive, but they are essential to maintaining muscle memory, bow control, and intonation, skills that degrade quickly without constant practice.

It is in this privacy, often away from the public eye, where true mastery is forged. For every moment of applause, there are hundreds of silent hours of dedication, where a violinist struggles with a tricky run or works on the vibrato of a single note.

The Comfort of the Collective

There is an added psychological and musical comfort in playing with others. In an ensemble or an orchestra, if a violinist momentarily falters, the presence of fellow players offers a cushion. Their sound masks slight imperfections, allowing the music to flow uninterrupted. However, this does not mean the conductor is unaware - his trained ear will detect every inconsistency. In a symphony orchestra rehearsal, sometimes the conductor will stop the orchestra to point to a particular player that a certain note he played was too sharp or too flat. The conductor's  ears are so sharp and sensitive that he could detect every note every player plays among so many players playing a mixture of notes that an audience could not tell any difference.   

But for the general audience, the cohesion of the group ensures that the performance remains harmonious.

In contrast, a solo performance, especially an unaccompanied one, places the performer in a vulnerable position. Every note is exposed. Every breath, bow stroke, and dynamic shift must be immaculate. This is why even virtuosos rarely play completely alone unless the piece is specifically written for solo violin, such as Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas.

The Idea of Recording a Solo Violin Video

This brings me back to my friend’s request for a video of me playing the violin. While I am touched by the gesture, I hesitate, not for lack of ability, but for artistic and musical reasons. A violin performance, to me, is meant to be shared with others, musicians, accompanists, and an audience, not delivered in solitude like a message in a bottle.

If I am to play again, I hope to do so with at least a pianist, or better still, a small ensemble. Music, after all, is about communion, not just between artist and audience, but among the performers themselves.

A Journey of Music and Memory

 Those years of disciplined training have become a cherished part of my identity. The violin has taught me patience, emotional expression, humility, and a deep appreciation for the collective human spirit that is music. It is a life companion, demanding, unforgiving, but profoundly rewarding.

In Closing

Violin playing is not simply about producing beautiful sounds. It is about sensitivity, precision, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether in the grandeur of a symphony hall or the quiet of one’s home, the violin continues to sing, sometimes alone, but always longing for others to join in harmony.

So if I do play again, and record it, it will be as part of something larger, with someone by my side to walk the musical journey with me. For just as no violinist is ever truly alone in spirit, no piece of music is ever complete without the tune of shared humanity.

 to oblige.