5 things you need to get right on your string instrument to prepare for an Audition, Concert or Exam

I have an audition in a week, that's literally perfect

Who else could tell that’s Vengerov’s mouth and nose in the thumbnail 😂

BTW Olaf it was you who got me to realize WHY my violin was so much better after I got it bakc from the luthier! He moved my soundpost so it sounds optimal. It truly made a WORLD of a difference.

Yeah, make sure your fiddle (and bow for that matter) is in good condition well before an important gig. The last thing you want is to have your instrument sitting in clamps waiting for the glue to cure when you want to be cramming in loads of practice. Or you’ve practiced and practiced while adjusting to some minor issue and then you get it sorted and the action or string spacing or something is different and you’ve got to readjust your playing at the last minute. And give yourself time to play in new strings! Even a couple of days will do if you’re putting enough hours in. But don’t get stuck in a situation where you constantly have to retune or where you’re not a hundred percent confident your instrument will stay in tune. It’s just added stress you don’t need.

Who else is a twoseter and watches Olaf !

Every Olaf video gives me therapy

Well, first of all you need to practice

ok, 2 hours left just waiting here in buenos aires with my violin in my hands

„Fortune favours the prepared“ - a quote, I think by Louis Pasteur....... 🙂 thanks Olaf, I just play for my own fun and will never audition anyway, but I always learn so much from you!

I'm a >40yo cello beginner, my first auditon is in one month, I'm terrified but this video of you just gave me the confidence I need, thanks!

Love your channel; you deserve (at least) 1 million subscribers! You've helped me and so many other people so much! Hope you and your family stay healthy and well! :D - Ana

You deserve 1 mill subs Olaf you help many people

G'day Olaf, great video, keep it up we need more, especially from great makers from Ian

the timing of this video couldn't be better - I've got an audition coming up in less than a week!

I’ve just applied to audition for the Queensland Youth Orchestra and I’m not 100% sure when we get the excerpts but this video helped a lot because I have enough time before my audition. Also I was having problems with loosening my bow, it wouldn’t loosen and the end pin would just come out. So I took it to get rehaired and it just got worse. It’s because of the humidity, or more the lack of. So the place I went took my bow is fixing it and they gave me a bow in the meantime (I do have a spare bow but they said “that’s no fun” 😂) so they gave me an $850 bow 😳 to use whilst they’re fixing mine. My bow is ready to be picked up now and I don’t wanna go back to it, this $850 bow felt so good and I could actually play with so much ease and my sound quality was much MUCH better than usual but I must go return their bow and collect mine.

Great topic! Addresses my nightmares! 🙀🙂. I would be interested in a video all about strings. You have one on how to change a string but I want to know how often they need changing and how to choose the type of string as well as any other interesting or important information.

I think I will never have an Audition, but it was interesting to listen to your Tipps :)

Love your shirt!! 😊

Thank you so much Olaf! You are the most awesome luthier I've heard of

Hello mr Olaf ... one suggestion . have you every heard an instrument called Cretan Lyra ? It’s a beautiful instrument but widely unknown , it’s very similar to violin especially the new model of Lyra which was established about 1940 . Anyway my suggestion is to make a series constructing one yourself it would be interesting for us to see and for you as you will expand your knowledge and luthier talent . It would be a big task but I believe will be enjoyable for all of us and you. Also you never know someone might be interested in your work there ... not many people will know how to make this instrument... tell me if you want any guideline to help you start . Whatever you chose your Chanel is rl enjoyable