Would you like personalized feedback on your violin playing that you can return to whenever you need it? Then Feedback might offer you the opportunity to record a concerto, short piece, or other work and have your playing considered carefully, from another perspective, and at a pace that gives you time for reflection.

After you have submitted a recording, Prof. Fitzpatrick prepares a personalized video response called Feedback, based on what he sees and hears. Using your recording as a starting point, he takes the time to look closely at what you are doing, listen repeatedly when necessary, and explore technical, musical, and practice-related ideas that might help you move toward your goals.

Feedback is not intended to replace your regular teacher or an ongoing course of lessons. It is a one-time opportunity to have Prof. Fitzpatrick study your recorded performance and share his observations.

Why Work from a Recording?

Live teaching has advantages that a recording cannot completely reproduce. Sitting in the same room with a student allows a teacher to move around and observe the playing from almost any angle. Unless several cameras are used, something that may not be practical or affordable for everyone, a submitted video cannot provide that same 360-degree view.

But working from a recording offers other possibilities. During a live lesson, if I stop to write something down or think carefully about what I have just heard, I am no longer giving my full attention to what you are doing at that moment. With your recording, I can listen to a passage again and again before deciding what I think is happening. I can slow it down, stop at a particular moment, or zoom in to look more closely at the bow, the hands, or the relationship between the two. That gives me time to make sure that what I tell you is based on careful observation rather than simply my first impression.

And once your Feedback video is finished, you have the same advantage. You can pause, rewind, take notes, compare my comments with your original performance, and return to an idea days or weeks later.

What Will Your Feedback Contain?

Your Feedback video is built around the recording you submit.

As I work through your performance, you will see:

• Sections of your original video so that you can see exactly what I am referring to.
• The music on screen, with my observations connected to specific passages or measures.
• Close-up, slowed-down, or enlarged sections of your recording when a particular movement or detail deserves a closer look.
• Video demonstrations of me playing when I think showing an idea will be clearer than simply describing it.
• Suggestions for ways you might practice or approach a technical or musical question differently.

The goal is not simply to tell you what I notice, but to make it as clear as possible where I noticed it, why I think it matters, and what you might do with that information.

Why Violinists Like Feedback

• Learn at your own pace.
• Pause, rewind, and review explanations whenever needed.
• Revisit demonstrations and suggestions as often as you like.
• Take notes and reflect without the pressure of a live lesson.
• See comments connected directly to your performance and the music.
• Benefit from a format that supports different learning styles and processing speeds.
• Continue working with the material long after the video has been delivered.

The Process

Step 1: Contact Me

Tell me a little about yourself, your violin background, and the piece or challenge you would like me to look at.

Step 2: Submit Your Video

After reviewing your information, I’ll determine whether Feedback is a good fit for what you would like to accomplish. If so, you’ll receive instructions for submitting your video.

Step 3: Receive Your Feedback

Prof. Fitzpatrick will study your performance and prepare a personalized video combining your recording, the music, his observations, demonstrations, and suggestions for further work.

Your completed Feedback video will normally be available approximately seven days after your video submission.

Video Submission Guidelines

• Maximum length: 11 minutes.
• Both hands, the violin, and the entire bow should remain visible on screen.
• Please provide the best audio quality possible.
• Video resolution should be 1080p when possible, 720p minimum.

A single camera angle is perfectly acceptable. Positioning the camera so that both hands, the violin, and the complete bow stroke are visible gives me the most useful view of your playing.

What Feedback Is, and What It Isn’t

Feedback is based on the one performance that you’ve submitted. It is not intended to replace the ongoing relationship you have with your teacher. Your teacher sees your development from lesson to lesson, understands the larger context of your playing, and can respond to you immediately in ways that a recorded video cannot. Feedback offers something different: the opportunity for Prof. Fitzpatrick to spend time studying a particular performance, look at details repeatedly, and offer another perspective that you can consider alongside your regular work.

What’s Been Said About the Process

“The video was very polished and well edited. I really appreciated how the measures from the piece were shown on screen—it made it much easier to make notes in my music. The comments were practical, clear, and immediately applicable.”

“It was very helpful, and I like that I can download it for future use. I received insights that I hadn’t previously considered, and it helped me become much more efficient in my technique.”

“I think this format is extremely valuable because the student can revisit the lesson as many times as needed. Being able to slow down the video and review specific details is an incredibly useful learning tool.”

“Very well organized and focused on the important points. The feedback was clear, concise, and easy to follow.”

“The moving graphics and visual elements kept the lesson engaging while reinforcing the important concepts being discussed.”

Pay What You Can

Feedback is not meant to be only for those who can afford a particular fee, or for those who happen to live in an area where private violin teaching is readily available.

Prof. Fitzpatrick wants violinists with limited financial resources, as well as those who may not have access to a private teacher where they live, to have the opportunity to take part. For that reason, Feedback is offered on a pay what you can basis.

If you are able to contribute more, your support helps me continue making Feedback available to those who may be able to contribute less. Whatever amount you choose, the time and attention given to your recording will be the same.

Ready to Get Started?

Complete the contact form to begin the process.

Once approved, you’ll receive access to the video upload form. I look forward to learning more about your playing and seeing whether Feedback can offer a useful perspective on what you’re working toward.