Wohlfahrt Op. 45: Video Lessons for Every Etude

All 60 etudes, recorded in order, with slow play-along versions and bowing variations. Find the etude on your music stand, listen, then practice along with me.

FRANZ WOHLFAHRT · 60 STUDIES, OP. 45

60

218K

2

Free

etudes, in order

views on No. 1

on YouTube

books, 1st & 3rd position

Two Books, One Path

Each etude isolates one or two skills and builds them in a musical way, not as dry exercises. Most students start Book 1 after one or two years of lessons, around Suzuki Book 2 or 3.

Nos. 1–30 · First position

Builds a solid intermediate foundation for violin students, while staying in first position. Students develop clean intonation, finger coordination, string crossings, bow control, steady rhythm, note-reading, and fluency in common keys and patterns while preparing for more advanced repertoire.

Book 1

HOW THE BOOK IS ORGANIZED

Book 2

Nos. 31–60 · Third position & shifting

Advances students from first position into third position and shifting. It develops smooth position changes, varied bow strokes, string crossings, patterns, complex rhythms, and introductory double-stop control, building reliable intermediate technique and advanced coordination skills. It prepares violin players for even more difficult material.

How to Practice These Etudes

1

Start slow

Begin at half the target tempo with a metronome. Clean and slow beats fast and messy.

HOW TO PRACTICE

2

3

4

One problem at a time

Try the variations

Short daily sessions

If the bowing is new and tricky, play it on open strings first so your arm learns it alone before adding left hand fingers.

Each alternate bowing is really a new exercise that trains a different skill. I select and demonstrate the most useful ones in the videos.

Fifteen focused minutes a day beats an hour once a week. Disciplined students win this game every time.

The 60 Etudes

What each etude trains, at a glance. Every one has a video lesson in the playlist above.

Book 1

THE ETUDES

Book 2

No. 31 Smooth détaché entirely in third position

No. 32 First shifts to third position, and intonation

No. 33 Mixed bowings in 1st and 3rd positions, with a few triple stops and chords

No. 34 Détaché across positions, with 21 variations

No. 35 Legato mixed with separate bows, and position changes

No. 36 Arpeggios galore: fast fingers and secure shifting

No. 37 Bow control and more position work

No. 38 Smooth shifts and even tone in a tricky bowing

No. 39 Legato shifting and intonation with accidentals

No. 40 Ricochet and springing-bow control

No. 41 Smooth legato, more shifting and seamless bow changes

No. 42 Expressive sustained legato, shifting and first appoggiaturas

No. 43 Fast passagework and shifting between positions

No. 44 Articulated bow strokes and secure positions

No. 45 Bow control in mixed bowings, long staccato runs and shifts

No. 46 Half steps, arpeggios and a smooth bow

No. 47 A balanced left-hand frame and singing phrasing

No. 48 Shifting to second position, with accurate intonation

No. 49 Classic détaché, string crossings, bow distribution and position changes

No. 50 Fast martelé and short legato bows in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions

No. 51 Finger dexterity, rhythm, legato string crossings and position work

No. 52 Trills, introduced in several positions

No. 53 Double stops and finger independence in three positions

No. 54 Rapid chromatic passages across positions

No. 55 String-crossing patterns in three positions, with tricky double stops

No. 56 Double stops, octaves and demanding intonation

No. 57 Rapid shifting, accurate fingers and legato string crossings

No. 58 Smooth shifts between 1st and 3rd positions in legato

No. 59 Combined techniques and fluent double stops

No. 60 The finale: advanced bowing, shifting, double stops and coordination

No. 1 Consistent détaché and steady finger placement

No. 2 A fast, efficient left hand and clean intonation

No. 3 Rapid détaché and clear articulation

No. 4 Détaché, bow distribution and coordinating the hands

No. 5 Clean string crossings, bow control and flat-key finger patterns

No. 6 Mixed bowings and more demanding string-crossing coordination

No. 7 Détaché, with more work on flat-key finger patterns

No. 8 Slurred string crossings, a smooth bow and tone development

No. 9 Steady rhythm, long legato bowings and arpeggios

No. 10 Finger agility, even tempo, mixed bowings and tricky left-hand patterns

No. 11 Clear détaché, fast arpeggios and more flat-key finger patterns

No. 12 A new bowing style, E-flat major and bow distribution

No. 13 Sustained tone and smooth, rhythmic sixteenth notes

No. 14 Alternating bow strokes and bow control

No. 15 Sautillé sixteenths with light, smooth string crossings

No. 16 Legato finger patterns, intonation and full bows

No. 17 Détaché mixed with long notes, arpeggios and quick left-hand coordination

No. 18 Fast finger patterns and legato string crossings

No. 19 Advanced détaché, triplets and string crossings

No. 20 Legato patterns, bow division and intonation

No. 21 Martelé stroke and controlled accents

No. 22 Overlapping slurs with a crisp accent on each last note

No. 23 Détaché mixed with legato, clean articulation and intonation

No. 24 Mixed bowings and up-bow staccato

No. 25 A tricky bowing pattern and coordinating the hands

No. 26 Overlapping legato bowings and active fingers

No. 27 String-skipping bow strokes and rhythmic precision

No. 28 Smooth legato and a first look at double stops

No. 29 Arpeggios that coordinate both hands, with a light, fast bow

No. 30 Advanced legato string changes and intonation

Slow versions & variations

No. 1 Slow version with complete variations
No. 5 Complete variations
No. 6 Spiccato version

Want Feedback on Your Wohlfahrt?

The videos show how each etude should sound. In a lesson, I listen to yours and show you exactly what to fix. Online or in Asheville.

Practicing on your own? Join me on Patreon, where a step-by-step Wohlfahrt course is in the works.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What level are the Wohlfahrt etudes?
Book 1 is late-beginner to early-intermediate. Book 2 is intermediate.

Should I play them in order?
Mostly yes, especially early in Book 1, since the skills build on each other. A teacher may skip some to target a specific weakness.

Wohlfahrt or Kayser: which comes first?
Usually Wohlfahrt. Kayser Op. 20 is a common next step once Wohlfahrt Book 1 feels comfortable.

Can I learn these without a teacher?
Yes, the videos are made for practicing on your own. But a teacher who can see and hear you will catch problems a video can't, like tension in the bow arm or a drifting hand frame. That's what my lessons are for.

FAQ

oleg@violinexplorer.com

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