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Musician Andrew Bird Answers Violin Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

Musician and violinist Andrew Bird answers the internet’s burning questions about playing the violin. What is the secret to vibrato? Why are violins so expensive? Is there a trick to properly tuning a violin? Answers to these questions and many more await—it’s Violin Support. Director: Justin Wolfson Director of Photography: AJ Young Editor: Christopher Jones…

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Musician and violinist Andrew Bird answers the internet’s burning questions about playing the violin. What is the secret to vibrato? Why are violins so expensive? Is there a trick to properly tuning a violin? Answers to these questions and many more await—it’s Violin Support.

Director: Justin Wolfson
Director of Photography: AJ Young
Editor: Christopher Jones
Expert: Andrew Bird
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas
Production Manager: Peter Brunette
Camera Operator: Lucas Vilicich
Sound Mixer: Paul Cornett
Production Assistant: Fernando Barajas
Additional Editor: Jason Malizia

00:00 Violin Support
00:12 Vibrato
00:56 Price Point
01:31 Bow Technique
02:13 Fiddle vs Violin
02:51 Baroque vs Modern
03:54 Stradivarius
04:49 Rosin
05:24 Loop Pedal
06:50 Tuning
07:46 Hearing Loss
08:11 Speeding Up

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89 Comments

  1. @jonathanwingmusic

    June 11, 2024 at 4:55 pm

    I’ve been following Andrew Bird’s career since early on (I’m old lol) and while I know he was a classically trained violinist growing up, I always think of him as a songwriter/singer who happens to play violin (rather well too). Interesting to label this video “violinist answers questions,” which implies a professional concert violinist which he is not, plus his approach to violin is slightly more niche as evidenced by his setup. (I sooner think of Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Ray Chen, many others…). Nonetheless he’s talented all around, also loved seeing him acting on Fargo!

    • @chandrawong449

      June 11, 2024 at 7:27 pm

      He also didn’t clearly answer many of the questions.. not a natural teacher.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:08 pm

      jonathan, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

  2. @GenXLostInTx

    June 11, 2024 at 5:04 pm

    I have my grandfathers old fiddle with a coffin case. He was born in 1893, it’s nothing special, just a family treasure of sorts.

  3. @audreyjohnston6879

    June 11, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    I saw him in concert last week!!!! I saw this title and was like OMG ITS ANDREW BIRD

  4. @adamcapoferri6903

    June 11, 2024 at 5:31 pm

    Ummmm, Mozart was Baroque? I hope that was a silly mistake.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:08 pm

      adam

  5. @edsiefker1301

    June 11, 2024 at 5:39 pm

    Don’t be silly, $800 violins sound good. They don’t sound like an $8000 violin, but that’s not the same as “bad”.

    The price ceiling is super high, but the floor for decency is not out of reach.

  6. @capajc565

    June 11, 2024 at 5:40 pm

    What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? About $4,000

  7. @Br1gHtB1AcK

    June 11, 2024 at 5:43 pm

    You can get done for fiddling 🤔

  8. @yaeli_i_guess

    June 11, 2024 at 5:46 pm

    i love andrew bird

  9. @NVaughan81

    June 11, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    I’m sure this guy is an absolutely masterful player but $8,000 for a “decent, playable” instrument is a ridiculous lie.

  10. @MajahetBijtje

    June 11, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    What is this first SACRILIGIOUS instrument?!! LingLing would be dissapointed 😉

  11. @DevinJuularValentine

    June 11, 2024 at 6:33 pm

    Chanot style violin? Nice. The bent back scroll is a bit freaky but i wonder if it makes tuning the pegs more comfortable in the hand, one handed ..

  12. @noellevfx

    June 11, 2024 at 6:34 pm

    it is sacrilegious to let somebody with not even A REAL, TRADITIONAL VIOLIN answer questions about a violin…

  13. @salmongaming6753

    June 11, 2024 at 6:47 pm

    bro hes playing a 5 string violin

  14. @crystalprice1942

    June 11, 2024 at 7:06 pm

    My daughter played first string violin in the symphony up until she was 18. I liked your answer on the difference between a violin and a fiddle. What surprised me was that you didn’t mention the musician must regulate the bow in a violin. ❤

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:08 pm

      Hey, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

  15. @zathrasnotzathras9435

    June 11, 2024 at 7:09 pm

    Dr. Strings I presume.

  16. @OddFoxxeP

    June 11, 2024 at 7:10 pm

    How about you get an actual violinist to answer questions. This guy’s vibrato is just awful and you don’t need to spend 8k to get a playable instrument.

  17. @phillipcasey101

    June 11, 2024 at 7:10 pm

    Imagine titling this video “violinist” when it’s Andrew Bird lol. Show him some respect.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:07 pm

      phillip, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

  18. @starkparker16

    June 11, 2024 at 7:20 pm

    Guy just whipped up a groovy little song super casually like a champ.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:07 pm

      stark

  19. @qwazse4

    June 11, 2024 at 8:22 pm

    I could have used his chill explanations when I was a kid learning trombone. So much crosses over.

  20. @JoshBelville

    June 11, 2024 at 8:34 pm

    I got on a bus in Portland years ago and Andrew Bird was on the bus with his violin heading to a show. It was just cool to see a musician I loved hanging out on the bus.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:07 pm

      josh, I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your post could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

  21. @mxrty78

    June 11, 2024 at 8:49 pm

    I need a TwoSet Violin reacts

  22. @shaalis

    June 11, 2024 at 8:52 pm

    What is the dif between a fiddle and a violin? The number of teeth in the player’s mouth.

  23. @wfefewfwefw6810

    June 11, 2024 at 9:00 pm

    One of his “violin” is not real. Please invite @RayChenViolinist to questions

  24. @austinhan6998

    June 11, 2024 at 9:03 pm

    Huh, not my first choice for violin expert. Thought they would choose somebody more specialized in the instrument. Ehnes, Perlman, Hadelich, Hahn heck might be worth asking Lindsey Sterling or David Garrett if pop culture star power is the goal.

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:06 pm

      austin

  25. @86fifty

    June 11, 2024 at 9:12 pm

    2:30 – Always wondered, now I know! The instruments are literally the same thing?? Well dang!

    • @EvelynLogan-ew9rp

      June 11, 2024 at 9:16 pm

      hello

  26. @johnlopez7921

    June 12, 2024 at 2:39 am

    BRAVO!!!

  27. @storiesnotstuff

    June 12, 2024 at 2:40 am

    Violinist?! Excuse me, that, is Mr Andrew Bird!

  28. @fabriciotorres6634

    June 12, 2024 at 2:52 am

    What a great surprise to see Andrew Bird here! I saw him live on a few occasions in London and loved his music since the Mysterious Production of Eggs 😄

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  33. @owl77

    June 12, 2024 at 3:32 am

    Electrical violin may help with the cost and hearing loss.🤔

  34. @hirohiro758

    June 12, 2024 at 5:40 am

    The man that win whistling competion against bird

  35. @TeeGar

    June 12, 2024 at 7:18 am

    Is this really a burning question people have? Y’all need hobbies.

  36. @cassiesulbaran4504

    June 12, 2024 at 8:59 am

    So many wrong answers by a talented player. Proof that not all great players make great teachers 🤦‍♀️

  37. @MrEnigma1610

    June 12, 2024 at 10:04 am

    I enjoyed this episode very much.

  38. @mrpianoman3835

    June 12, 2024 at 10:38 am

    The difference between a violin and a fiddle is that a violin has four strings and a fiddle has four strangs.

  39. @user-tv1zd1yw4r

    June 12, 2024 at 11:15 am

    make a video about Tobey Maguire answering the most asked questions on the web just like what you just did Garfield🎉😊🙏

  40. @ttambm8639

    June 12, 2024 at 11:45 am

    Andrew Bird is a usical genius.

  41. @DrBonely

    June 12, 2024 at 12:34 pm

    Crazy pegbox on one of those instruments…the scroll curls the opposite way and has 3 pegs on one side. Interesting!

    • @DrBonely

      June 12, 2024 at 12:36 pm

      Ah ha, just realized it is a 5-string violin/viola.

  42. @victoriaeads6126

    June 12, 2024 at 12:53 pm

    Dr Strings? Yup, Dr Strings!!

    That was my favorite Jack’s Big Music Show episode, and the first time I was introduced to Andrew Bird!!

  43. @JavelinHands

    June 12, 2024 at 1:07 pm

    I’m an amateur musician and developing my sense of time has been one of the hardest parts of learning. Working on it every day though – less afraid of the metronome than I used to be!

  44. @BroShredGnar

    June 12, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    Andrew bird is the king

  45. @HisNameIsRobertPaulson01

    June 12, 2024 at 1:30 pm

    I really enjoyed the gentleman’s no bs demeanor on answering the questions. You can tell he takes music very seriously and is well versed in explaining it and I admire that.

  46. @rayvoorhies7180

    June 12, 2024 at 1:33 pm

    The string spacing is different on a Fiddle. It’s because bluegrass often plays 2 notes (double stops) or 3 notes (chords). You “could” play bluegrass on a standard setup violin. It would be more difficult. The bluegrass players I know took their violin and had a new bridge made with wider string spacing. Making it functionally a bluegrass fiddle.

  47. @christinashelby6083

    June 12, 2024 at 2:32 pm

    This fellow may be a fine musician, but goodness, I wish TwoSet had done this instead! I feel l like his expertise lies in other areas of music, even though he might be a good violinist.

  48. @emiliolaravargas3433

    June 12, 2024 at 4:07 pm

    Did he just say Mozart is a baroque composer? Jeez.
    Also, there are so many helpful things to say to a student wanting to improve their vibrato, “you’ll get it eventually” is not one of them

  49. @Michael-Oh

    June 12, 2024 at 7:47 pm

    The early music didnt have vibrato thing is very contentious. Treatus’s do exist that recommend vibrato.

  50. @eckertdm

    June 12, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    For anyone wanting a better answer than “idk it’s hard, just keep trying” for vibrato, look into Simon Fischer’s exercises. They focus on how the finger should move, how the wrist or arm should move, and on gaining control of speed and width of vibrato using a metronome. Many pros use some variation of them as a warmup.

  51. @DC_ABC_123

    June 12, 2024 at 9:31 pm

    We played a show with Bird years ago. I was a huge fan since the pre-Hot SNZ days and I remember thinking when I shook his huge hand (he’s tall) how much more impressive it was that he could play so incredibly with those huge hands. Buckethead had a huge guitar but Bird was playing a standard violin at the time.

  52. @colleenwilliams1689

    June 12, 2024 at 10:01 pm

    At 8:15 – I wear an earplug in my left ear most of the time that I’m practicing, especially for higher-pitched practicing.

  53. @sebastianestrada4690

    June 12, 2024 at 10:13 pm

    I never thought I would see Andrew here

  54. @orionthatman9390

    June 12, 2024 at 10:37 pm

    Doesn’t matter how niche the topic is, if it’s a Wired support video I’m watching 😂

  55. @JustFiddler

    June 12, 2024 at 10:53 pm

    Matur suksma

  56. @nathickman2246

    June 12, 2024 at 11:21 pm

    You need a bassoon player. Please.

  57. @ep8755

    June 13, 2024 at 12:32 am

    Strads are not generally known for being “dark” sounding, so that was an odd way to describe them.

    • @aldencrispin1086

      June 13, 2024 at 8:37 am

      Yes, it think bright, and vibrant would be a much closer description

    • @Joe1729

      June 13, 2024 at 2:53 pm

      yes, he is clueless

  58. @CheesyDuk

    June 13, 2024 at 6:44 am

    why the heck does the violin have 5 strings

  59. @davemclellan4019

    June 13, 2024 at 8:00 am

    Okay, this one was okay. Andrew Bird is an outstanding musician but doesn’t really explain techniques very methodically.

  60. @jamesthiemann9108

    June 13, 2024 at 8:19 am

    What is the difference between a fiddle and the violin?

  61. @EliseVeldt-xc5wl

    June 13, 2024 at 8:58 am

    common please f off. a good violin doesnt start at 8 or 10 grand. you can find very nice violins for half of that. look at what youre playing on. lol

  62. @katherinerichardson2273

    June 13, 2024 at 10:53 am

    wow violin is complex and incredible

  63. @anamealastname607

    June 13, 2024 at 12:21 pm

    waiting for twoset

  64. @DimensionPardo

    June 13, 2024 at 12:37 pm

    Bruh you can easily get a good violin for a grand

  65. @lbanks1164

    June 13, 2024 at 1:00 pm

    I love seeing the videos about music!! We need more! Y’all ever thought about doing Disco Support? Like why was the disco era so short but so powerful? Who started it?? Do you think it will come back around? Who were the Disco greats?? Lol

  66. @davidfranklin5426

    June 13, 2024 at 7:07 pm

    Amanda Shires says it’s a fiddle when you want to buy it and a violin when you want to sell it!

  67. @artichoke1573

    June 13, 2024 at 8:22 pm

    te quiero mucho andrés pájaro

  68. @trekon2023

    June 14, 2024 at 12:59 am

    Vibrato is about learning to shake your fingertips with your hand while pressing down on the string without shaking the entire violin. Hahahahaha! Basically that means you have to hold the violin up mostly with your chin against your shoulder. The pressing on the string should be maintained by the strength of the pressing of the neck against the curve of your thumb and forefinger.

    Proper bowing means you’re using mostly wrist bending and some elbow but no shoulder movement.

    Not sure why they don’t use earplugs to protect their ears. Can still hear the sounds just fine. Amplitude can be memorized.

  69. @geoffroi-le-Hook

    June 14, 2024 at 3:01 pm

    The wood was floated down the river to Stradivari rather than shipped … some microbes grew during the trip

  70. @anna-katehowell9852

    June 14, 2024 at 7:48 pm

    we want olaf

  71. @winklenator

    June 16, 2024 at 12:01 pm

    The tempo question really frustrated me and clearly wasn’t a trained musician. Tempo drift is one of the most difficult problems to correct in music. You can only detect tempo changes over a certain BPM so gradually you can drift pretty far unnoticed. That’s why we use metronomes constantly with practicing. You could be playing for 20+ years and still drift in tempo.

  72. @icalledthevoiditwent2voicemail

    June 16, 2024 at 6:18 pm

    I couldn’t have cared less about violins until I watched this. He has an amazing talent for teaching perceptively.

  73. @kartaiss

    June 18, 2024 at 4:59 am

    Do I play the violin? No. Do I want to play the violin? No. Do I care about the violin at all? Also no. But have I thoroughly enjoyed this video? Very much yes 🙂

  74. @someguycalledCh0wdah

    June 18, 2024 at 9:51 pm

    He needs to replace his instrument cable, one of the ends is about broken, that’s that occasional loud electric buzz is when he moves around

  75. @go-go-genevieve

    June 18, 2024 at 10:22 pm

    Andrew Bird!!! ❤🎉

  76. @Bulldogg6404

    June 19, 2024 at 6:02 am

    Many people don’t question how the symphonic violin came to be, but we in the concert halls like to joke about how someone in history decided to hollow out a stump, rub tree sap on the tail of a horse, and drag it across some pig intestines that had been stretched out across the wooden frame, and came to the conclusion that it sounded pretty. It’s obviously not 100% accurate, but it’s close enough to the truth to get a laugh.

  77. @Crazy_LG

    June 19, 2024 at 4:01 pm

    Pulaski at Night is a wonderful song, this guy knows what he’s doing.

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