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In order to do any kind of music or really any learned skill well you must remember to not just do it but feel like you’re doing it and really lose yourself in the rhythm. This gives a raw connection of learning and exercise for the neural network.

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Theory

• Overtone: Higher frequencies resonating alongside a note's fundamental frequency, contributing to an instrument's or voice's unique timbre. These harmonics can be heard with careful listening, especially in sustained notes. Musicians and sound engineers often work with overtones for tuning, vocal technique, and audio mixing.
• Timbre: The unique quality or character of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds, even when they have the same pitch and loudness. It's determined by the harmonic content of a sound and the dynamic characteristics of the sound such as vibrato and the attack-decay envelope of the sound.
• Octaves: The interval between two musical pitches when the frequency of one is double the other. In Western music, an octave spans eight notes of a diatonic scale. For example, the interval from one C to the next C above or below it is an octave. Octaves are crucial in understanding pitch relationships and are used in harmonizing and structuring musical compositions.

Violin

I've just begun my journey with the violin at the time of writing this, and I'm already having so much fun. I can sense that, with practice, this will become one of my favorite activities. Interestingly, I've always been naturally good at whistling—something that's fairly common among people with autism, who often whistle or "flap" (I happen not to flap). Whistling doesn't translate neatly to piano, which probably explains why piano didn't click for me as quickly. However, I'm finding that whistling translates wonderfully to the violin, especially because I can precisely control note duration and apply vibrato just as I do while whistling. This similarity makes me optimistic that my violin skills will progress rapidly.

Here's my current violin—the Fiddlerman Apprentice. I've added this little fingerboard guide, which is somewhat helpful—although it's a bit tricky to see clearly while holding the violin correctly. I'll be sharing my progress through short YouTube videos to stay inspired and accountable in the future but for now I’m just trying to learn the instraument.

Observations I’ve Made

1. Sit or stand with your back fully upright, ensuring your spine is aligned and relaxed.
2. Position your left thumb so it rests perfectly vertical against the neck of the instrument.
3. Use a mirror to check that your bow is traveling straight across the strings, parallel to the bridge.
4. While observing in the mirror, continue playing and consciously guess the note positions to strengthen your muscle memory.
5. The pressure of the bow is most important.

Vocals

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Incorporate vocals into all your music-related skills.

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The resonance should feel like it originates from your diaphragm

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Start with a scale using a tuner, regardless of your instrument.

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Although they’re not really cords you can visualize them as getting higher when they are tightened kinda like a guitar string.