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Learning Jazz Violin

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3 contributions to Learning Jazz Violin
Ponty - Sunday Walk/How to practice rhythm
I've been transcribing this epic early Ponty solo (if I'm feeling brave later I'll upload a video of my progress). What I find fun about it is all the rhythmic displacement stuff he's doing - there's a lot of harmonically fun stuff and bebop language in there of course but every single chorus he's using (often pretty similar) rhythmic patterns to great effect. I'm trying to follow the process and create some of my own exercises out of this. I wondered how people (/Matt!) approach practicing rhythm generally - would you take a scale and and practice rhythm/bowing patterns over it, or think specifically about incorporating rhythm into other exercises, or do you ever practice rhythmic patterns on their own? It's also an area I think I'm going to have to be braver about recording myself and listening back - coming from a classical background I feel fairly confident that I can hear whether I'm hitting the right notes with sufficient intonation when I'm thinking about practicing harmonic exercises, but with rhythm I don't know if I've developed the same capacity for real time self critique when it comes to rhythm and feel. I guess it's the thing I most cringe at when I do listen back to myself! Interested to hear others thoughts on this! https://youtu.be/hQjLPFCQ33o?si=yLG4mp5oz1fWVtq_
1 like • 12h
This is definitely something I’ve thought of as well, and I totally relate with the classical background. I remember hearing it said once that GROOVE is what separates other styles from classical, and then it clicked why playing other styles felt awkward for a while. There really is no development of rhythmic feel in that sense with classical study (at least in my experience). Of course I’ve done metronome practice to slow down and play quick passages more accurately, but besides that I feel like classical music tends to live in this more fluid state of time. I suppose I can appreciate that now instead of just feeling like I was cheated out of some music fundamentals lol! I do think this is where transcribing (or just learning things by ear rather) solos and tunes has really helped me to lean into the FEEL of things. It’s still something I’m trying to develop when improvising in any style. When playing live, I try to lock in with the rhythm section or at least be aware of what’s happening there. I hope you share your progress! I’m working on a Swing 42 transcription that I hope to post as well in the next week or two. šŸŽ»šŸŽ¶
Cool Jazz Violin Video
Hope you enjoy this jazzified Mendelssohn! If you haven't heard of Nora Germain, she is a fantastic jazz violinist and the very first one I came across many years ago after discovering Stephane Grappelli. I've seen her perform live a few times. https://youtu.be/103yNKHg_Rk?si=fuaXlAoj9hiElzuw Anyway, I'm excited to unlock level 2 and access more of the materials in this community šŸŽ¶
0 likes • 2d
@Kaia K I just came across this video and thought about your comment so sharing here!! Talk about strengthening your 4th finger šŸ˜®ā€šŸ’Ø Nora in the comments too lol https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWq4j82Ea35/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
0 likes • 1d
@Kaia K Wow! Loved this mini lesson. I need to work on my vibrato too. I tend to play more at the tips of my fingers and seeing/hearing the difference in this video was inspiring to try to flatten slightly but have that arch!
READ FIRST: How to use this community
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF Copy this format and comment below: • your name • where you’re from • your musical background • what you’re trying to achieve in your playing 2. MAKE YOUR FIRST POST This could be: • a jazz violin video you like • a question about learning jazz • or something you’ve found helpful to practice 3. BUILD UP YOUR POINTS As you comment and post, you’ll earn points in the community. These points move you up through the levels. Once you reach Level 2, you’ll unlock all of the free courses in the classroom, including: • 5 Simple Licks in G • Jazz Bowing • Honeysuckle Rose • Jazz Listening List •. Harmony Lessons BONUS There’s a poll below this post. Let me know what you’re most interested in improving in your playing, it helps me shape the material in here
Poll
20 members have voted
1 like • 5d
- Hello! My name is Elizabeth or Eli (pronounced like "deli") for short. - I'm from Los Angeles, Ca - I took classical violin lessons for about a decade and in university started to explore other genres and played in a folk rock band. I've dabbled in jazz for years, but it always felt too complicated to understand how to improvise or memorize forms. I'm more comfortable improvising over pop songs and have some experience playing in a Western/country swing band. I've done quite a few Stephane Grappelli transcriptions in the past and had started another one a few months back. At this point in my jazz playing specifically, I'd love to develop my ear. I'm a bit of a theory nerd, but it doesn't really help if I can't hear and identify chords in real time, and to understand the language of jazz better in this way.
1 like • 4d
@Lotte Cutts I feel you! Thanks for the tip. I could stand to do more intentional listening and ear training that way for sure.
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Elizabeth Chavez
2
9points to level up
@elizabeth-chavez-9803
Singer-songwriter and violinist from Los Angeles, CA

Active 2h ago
Joined Mar 31, 2026
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