Balkan Tutorial Blog | Magicviolin

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Oct 11, 2023

Magic Balkan Ornament 2

Another small ornament this time with a groovy effect. It does need coordination and elastic fingers :-) Watch - Learn - Practice - Have...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Oct 9, 2023

Super-bouncy Fingers

This newest Monday Magic Violin video introduces a little exercise to free up your left hand and make your fingers stronger at the same...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Oct 9, 2023

Play with Ridiculously Free Shoulders

Today I'm sharing a bowing exercise, or rather a game with you, that, as the name already expresses, is slightly ridiculous, great fun,...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Oct 5, 2023

Magic Balkan Ornament 1

The basic melodies of Eastern European and Balkan tunes are mostly simple, they come alive, get their charisma and vibrance, and also...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Mar 16, 2023

Tiny Balkan Tutorial: Balkan Hijaz with 'Busy Bees' ornaments

This is probably my all-time-favourite ornament. I only can do it when I'm in a regular practicing mode, and my fingers are 'tuned'. And...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Mar 9, 2023

Djunjuritsa - Part 2

Last time you practiced the 9/8 rhythm, and I hope that by now, your fingers and your head have gotten themselves around the rhythm, the...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Feb 23, 2023

Djunjuritsa - a Bulgarian dance that brings smiles

Today I only share the first part of this piece - there are lots of notes to practice, specially in the 2nd part, so you might need time...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Feb 16, 2023

Lamma Bada - moving East of the Balkans and back in time...

I learned this tune a while ago, it's one of those that you can sing round and round without stopping, and it works like a chant... your...

Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Feb 9, 2023

Ottoman Ornament practice in Balkan Hijaz mode

Do we love technique practice? I actually truly do :-) Especially when using Balkan Hijaz scales, in the triplet patters, which snake so...

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