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William Fitzpatrick's latest violin videos 
In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick explains how practicing "over and over" is not the solution to efficient practice. Released on July 2, 2025 
Why I Teach: Asking Why - A Way of Teaching, Learning, and Being
Very important concepts for learning and teaching the violin In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick gives you a few important concepts for anyone learning and teaching the violin. Released on June 18, 2025 
What I Teach: What's Pizz got to do with it?
An important story about left-hand pizzicato on the violin. In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells a story about Nicolo Paganini and left-hand pizzicato on the violin. Released on June 4, 2025 William Fitzpatrick's latest violin stories videos 
The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick: Star Wars, episode 4
How far can the binding between teacher and student go? In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells a story about his strong binding with his violin teacher after watching the Star Wars movie together. Released on December 21, 2022 
The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick: My High School football stadium
How dreams can tell more than fantasies. In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells a story about his relationship with the violin. The ending may surprise you! Released on December 14, 2022 
The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick: Party in lower Manhattan
Another personal story about Prof. Fitzpatrick's life In this new video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells a story about a party in Manhattan. Released on December 7, 2022 About William Fitzpatrick
 William Fitzpatrick is one of those rare gems who is not only an accomplished violinist himself, but a world-renowned, sought-after teacher as well.Following his studies with Stephen Clapp of the Blair School of Music in Nashville, TN, William graduated from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Dorothy Delay and served as the assistant to Robert Mann and Claus Adam of the Juilliard String Quartet. Prior to his current position as Henri Temianka Professor of Violin at the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University in Orange, CA, as well as serving on the boards of the Renaissance Arts Academy in Los Angeles Ca., and the Parnassus Society in Irvine CA, William served as the assistant conductor with the Nashville Chamber and Symphony Orchestra; was the founder and conductor of the L'Ensemble des Deux Mondes in France; and founded MusiShare Inc. and its Young Artists program, which provides educational and performance opportunities for the world's next generation of talented classical musicians. William has performed as violin soloist with such orchestras as the American Symphony Orchestra, and has performed and recorded alongside such famed artists as Gaby Casadesus, Elliot Fisk, Claude Frank, Itzhak Perlman, Emmanuel Ax, Ron Leonard, Patrice Fontanarosa, Karl Leister, and even the renown French actor, Richard Bohringer, in the stage production "Coetse." For 100 performances, William served as violin soloist in Glinsky's "Rhapsody" for violin and orchestra - part of the Joffrey II ballet's "Flights," choreographed by Leslie-Jane Pessemier. William has published numerous highly-acclaimed books, has created several videos for Virtual Sheet Music since 2013, and teaches master classes all over the world. His students carry on his commitment to excellence, and have been honored with acceptance to some of the world's most prestigious music camps and institutions. Do you have a question for William? DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.
Questions, Comments, Requests: Issam Tewfik on February 15, 2024 @10:53 pm PST
For a 75 year old - I think the Mae bang system seems very logical to me - will this help me ?or you recommend another system.
Thankyou Sidney Patin * VSM MEMBER * on December 6, 2023 @10:28 am PST
Hello Prof. Fitzpatrick. A while back I asked a question about achieving smooth bow changes - like one long bow for a sustained note - especially closer to the frog. I think you mentioned something about doing a video to show how to accomplish that. Is there a video on that now? Thanks, and thank you for your contributions to Virtual Sheet Music. - Sidney Patin Colorado Springs
 William - host, on December 6, 2023 @2:44 pm PST
Hi! You are very patient!!! It should be posted within a few weeks and I hope it will answer your question !!! Thanks !!!
Louise * VSM MEMBER * on November 15, 2023 @11:03 am PST
Where can I find the video on vibrato?
Fabrizio Ferrari - moderator, on November 15, 2023 @5:22 pm PST
Dear Louise, we have several videos about vibrato on the violin:
https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/expertsearch.php?vkey=vibrato+violin Of course, you'll find Prof Fitzpatrick's excellent videos listed there as well  Please, let me know if you have any further questions. All the best, Cyril Nimmon * VSM MEMBER * on January 16, 2023 @4:37 am PST
Dear William
I am a long standing amateur violinist. On retirement, I have renewed my interest and have learned a lot from all of your excellent videos - thank you so much. I have been trying to improve my intonation in the upper half of the string (above the midpoints E6, A5, D5, G4 on the E, A, D, and G strings respectively). I think that it may be helpful to make use of the sets of natural harmonics which divide a string into 5, 4, 3, or 2 equally distanced segments respectively. On a single string each set of harmonics is distributed symmetrically about the midpoint. This has implications for the stopped notes positioned at the site of each harmonic. For example, on the E string the physical distance between (G#)6 and E6 = distance between E6 and(C#)6. Similarly distances B6 - (G#)6 = (C#)6- B5 ; E7 – B6 = B5 – A5; (G#)7 – E7 = A5 - (G#)5 . In summary it appears that the placing of certain intervals in the upper half of a string may be helped by memory of equivalent distances occurring in the more familiar lower half. Do you think this might be a useful tool? Kind Regards Cyril William - host, on January 18, 2023 @6:45 am PST
Hi! I admire your clarity!!! I do use harmonics to help zone in but as well use ... I mean its a huge subject ... bunches of if/thens. I think basically whatever you use will require your ear to determine where your finger will go and then you do whats works best for you to keep finding the spot! Sorry to be so simplistic!!!
Joe Musgrove on November 29, 2022 @4:39 pm PST
Hello William!
At 52, I started a little late in life to learn how to play the violin, but after one year still going strong and having fun! Generally, what is the skill level a student needs to be at before learning vibrato? I have put in 1-2 hours of practice each day and very comfortable playing in the first position. I am also comfortable with “basic” reading and music theory. Cheers! Joe William - host, on November 30, 2022 @3:46 am PST
Hi Joe! I don't know that I would call it a skill level... That said there are certain basic understandings that need to be in place or if you wish certain skills need to have been put in place. Basically its how you put down and release your fingers and where this activity comes from, where it originates. To start have a look at one of these videos ... Just Me and My Vibrato or one of these ... Should fingers bounce when they fall to the string? / Understanding left hand pizzicato
Teun Eijgenrook on July 5, 2022 @4:45 am PST
Dear William,
where can i find a printout version of your "fingerboard" ? Kind Regards, Teun SD * VSM MEMBER * on March 28, 2022 @3:57 am PST
A violinist told me it would take 12 years of learning to understand and play the violin.quite a mirage it seems so starting was suspended
William - host, on March 28, 2022 @8:31 am PST
Hmm??? Perhaps it could be 12, or it could be 20, or it could be 3 ... We all learn differently, at different speeds, I don't think assigning a number like that is particularly useful. I've been playing the violin for over 60 years and I still have quite a bit of work to do ...
SD * VSM MEMBER * on January 12, 2022 @9:37 am PST
The link forwarded to your page shows blank when clicked.The link that states you provide private lessons
JohnMag * VSM MEMBER * on December 15, 2021 @12:51 pm PST
Hello William,
As a late starter and belonging to a Late Starter Orchestra I was wondering if you have any suggestions that would help improve my tone. Happy Christmas John Allen Lu * VSM MEMBER * on October 13, 2021 @3:13 pm PST
Dear William, Can you tell me how to practice Galamian Scales and double stops?
William - host, on December 15, 2021 @2:46 pm PST
Hi! Each scale has 4 pages and I admit that I only worked on the 1st third of the 1st page. I remember telling Ms Delay that I had written my own scale book and she said good for you Billy, this way you can teach them in your way. I wish I could be of more help! Thanks though for the question!
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