Violin lessons in Bedburg-Hau (Germany)
Age and level are of secondary importance when it comes to taking violin lessons. What matters most is the desire to learn and the enjoyment of making music. Anima van Malssen strives to open the eyes of every student at his or her own level to the beauty of violin playing – regardless of whether they are absolute beginners who are so enamoured with the enchanting sound of the violin that all technical objections fade into the background, or enthusiastic amateurs who have been playing for years and are still eager to learn. As Anima discovers every day, discovering the different facets of violin playing is a continuous and never-ending process.
Anima van Malssen began playing the violin at the age of eight in her hometown of Munich. A year later, she also began taking piano lessons, and initially both instruments were equally important to her. After a few years, however, the violin took precedence, as this instrument proved to offer Anima the most opportunities for self-expression.
Anima always wanted to become a professional musician. However, she first completed a master’s degree in art history, musicology and German literature at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. During her studies, Anima was mainly involved in chamber music: from the intimate dialogue between violin and viola to the string octet, and from the classical yet always unbalanced combination of violin and piano to the piano quintet – she explored all facets of chamber music. At the same time, Anima played in various chamber and symphony orchestras.
After an interlude as a visiting scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, the road led to the Nijmegen region. Here, Anima finally decided to realise her long-cherished wish: to study at a conservatory. In the autumn of 2015, she began a bachelor’s degree in Classical Music with violin as her main subject, and a year later she started a Master’s degree in Music with Sylvia van der Grinten. Anima successfully completed her studies in June 2018. In the recent past, Anima has performed as a soloist with various regional orchestras. Anima is also active as a chamber musician. Since the spring of 2018, she has been a regular substitute with Het Gelders Orkest and the Orkest van het Oosten.
[X]The lessons are held in D-47551 Bedburg-Hau, just across the border near Nijmegen.
[X]Lesson times are arranged by mutual agreement.
[X]Both beginners and advanced players are welcome. It is difficult to specify a minimum age for starting to play the violin in general terms, and in case of doubt, this should be determined individually during a trial lesson. There is no maximum age.
The lessons can be given in Dutch, German or English.
[X]All lessons are individual. For advanced students, additional ensemble lessons may be scheduled; however, these are supplementary in nature and do not replace individual lessons.
[X]The exact structure and content of the lessons varies greatly depending on the pupil. The following general points form the framework for the lessons:
- Posture: The posture of the right and left hands, as well as the overall body posture, are essential for achieving optimal sound, but also for being able to play the violin in the long term without developing physical complaints.
- Technique: Closely related to correct posture is the question of technique. As a violinist, you actually learn to play two instruments: the violin and the bow. That is why technique is considered separately for the left and right hands.
- Musicality: Ultimately, it is all about the music. That is why, in addition to working on violin technique, special attention is quickly paid to understanding musical structures.
- Theory: A solid foundation in music theory is essential for both the technical execution and understanding of music itself. That is why theoretical topics are discussed regularly during lessons from an early stage. In this way, knowledge of music theory is built up and expanded in a natural and gradual manner.