St Paddy's came up quick this year! How about a virtual jam session and sheet music swap? Feel free to drop your Irish videos or sheet music in the comments of this thread. I know I have several gems I can dig up over the weekend and share with you all.... Irish fiddle style is what first got me into this crazy instrument we all love. Sláinte

This is not my best, but it’s a run through at least!

It’s Spring in Austin Texas which means a little bit of everything. Rain, hot, cool breeze… My friend and bandmate Jay used to say, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, just wait 15 minutes.” Today is rainy with just a peek of sun trying to make its way out from behind the clouds this afternoon. How about where you are? Do we have anyone on the other hemisphere where it’s not even Spring?? I’m wondering who can clock in at the most extreme temps. I’m at 78 degrees F, which I’m guessing is right in the middle. Please drop your temps in the comments and let’s see who it literally THE hottest violinist today. ☺️

Much like the five-note roll in Last of the Mohicans that uses the pinkie, the fourth finger has already been a hot topic here during vibrato season. I mentioned that I didn’t really have a silver-bullet exercise for fourth finger vibrato. I’ve mostly been sharing little tips and ways I think about it. But late last night I sat straight up in bed because actually… I do. If your vibrato works on the other fingers but folds on the pinkie, it’s usually not a relaxation or coordination issue. It’s strength. Not surprising considering how small that finger is and how little we use those muscles in daily life. There’s a surprisingly simple way to build that strength. Here’s an exercise I share inside Jenny’s Daily Lessons during the Yuki’s Song module, one of the early songs adult beginners learn in their first six months. Take a piece of newspaper and crinkle it up into one hand using mostly your pinkie. Then do the other hand. Repeat this every day. That tiny movement challenge builds strength in the exact muscles the fourth finger needs on the violin. Try this daily for a couple weeks and let me know- does the vibrato feel easier? In case you didn’t see the comments I posted yesterday, here’s my running roundup of thoughts on fourth finger vibrato: 1) Fourth finger vibrato has its own personality Let it be more about the bone moving inside the finger pad rather than a full fingertip wobble. The pinkie often approaches the string at a slightly different angle, especially if you have long fingers. It’s just going to feel/sound different, and that’s okay. Sometimes we just need permission to let it be a little different. 2) Thumb support The pinkie isn’t just the weakest finger, it’s also the furthest from the thumb, which is where vibrato stability comes from. Sometimes a tiny bit of forearm rotation helps the pinkie and thumb feel connected so the finger isn’t working alone. Play with that supportive feeling, and check the position of your elbow under your violin, before you start the pitch movement.