TwoSet Violin, an iconic musical comedy duo made up of Australian violinists Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, took the world by storm with their witty, violin-centric content. Known for blending humor with classical music, TwoSet Violin captivated millions on YouTube and social media platforms. However, in a surprising turn of events, the duo announced they would stop creating content under the name TwoSet Violin on October 14, 2024. This decision left fans wondering: What happened to TwoSet Violin? In this article, we’ll explore their rise to fame, their impact on the classical music world, and the reasons behind their decision to cease content production.
The Early Lives and Musical Beginnings of Brett Yang and Eddy Chen
Both Brett Yang and Eddy Chen were born in Taiwan—Yang in 1992 and Chen in 1993—before moving with their families to New Zealand and later settling in Brisbane, Australia. As young teens, they met in an after-school math group and quickly bonded over their shared passion for music. They later became the youngest members of a youth orchestra and studied together at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Brisbane. This musical camaraderie laid the foundation for what would later become TwoSet Violin.
The Duo’s Musical Careers Before TwoSet Violin
Before their fame on YouTube, both Yang and Chen were already making strides in the classical music world. In 2012, Brett Yang made his solo debut at the Queensland Conservatorium with a performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. He later worked with prestigious Australian orchestras and performed at the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit. Eddy Chen was also building an impressive résumé, as a finalist in the 2014 National Young Virtuoso Award and performing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
How TwoSet Violin Began: From Pop Covers to Comedy
TwoSet Violin started in 2013 with a simple premise—posting violin covers of popular songs on YouTube. Initially, the duo did not see much success. However, their content evolved after noticing that comedic videos by fellow Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen were gaining traction. In a pivotal shift, Yang and Chen decided to create comedy sketches about the trials of being classical musicians and conservatory students. Their humorous take on the rigors of classical music quickly resonated with viewers, leading to a dramatic increase in subscribers and a loyal fan base.
TwoSet Violin’s Rise to Fame: YouTube Success and World Tours
TwoSet Violin’s YouTube channel quickly gained popularity, receiving a Silver Play Button in 2018 for surpassing 100,000 subscribers and a Gold Play Button in 2019 for surpassing one million. By 2020, the duo had become a major force in bringing classical music to younger audiences. Their funny yet relatable videos appealed not only to classical musicians but also to casual music lovers who enjoyed their creative content.
In addition to their online success, Yang and Chen took TwoSet Violin on the road. With the help of Kickstarter and street performances in Sydney, they raised enough funds for their first world tour in 2017, visiting cities across Asia and Europe. By 2018, they expanded their tour to the United States, performing in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Major Milestones and Collaborations
Over the years, TwoSet Violin achieved several major milestones. In 2020, they reached two million subscribers on YouTube, which they celebrated with a live-streamed performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. In November 2022, to mark their upcoming four million subscribers, they performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Bach’s Concerto in D minor alongside the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The duo’s influence extended beyond YouTube, as they were invited to serve as roving reporters for the prestigious Menuhin Competition in 2020.
They also collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned violinists, including Hilary Hahn and Ray Chen. Their popular “Ling Ling” challenge, where they play classical pieces with humorous handicaps, attracted professional musicians from around the world, further solidifying their place in the classical music community.
The Ling Ling Phenomenon: Comedy Meets Classical
One of TwoSet Violin’s most beloved creations was the fictional character “Ling Ling,” a violin prodigy who supposedly practices 40 hours a day. The Ling Ling persona became a running joke in the classical music world, with the duo comparing themselves and others to this unattainable standard. The character first appeared in their comedy sketches and later became the centerpiece of their viral “Ling Ling Workout” challenges. In these videos, Yang and Chen performed classical pieces under hilarious conditions—whether it was playing upside down, at double speed, or while dancing.
What Led to the End of TwoSet Violin?
Despite their massive success, in 2020, the duo faced some personal challenges. Brett Yang took a temporary break from YouTube due to health issues, leading the duo to pause content production for a short time. Although they returned in 2021 with new videos and celebrated their three million subscriber milestone by performing Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, it became clear that their content creation journey was becoming more challenging.
On October 14, 2024, TwoSet Violin shocked fans by announcing they would no longer produce content under the name TwoSet Violin. They deleted most of their Instagram posts and removed the majority of their videos from their YouTube channel, leaving only 29. While the specific reasons behind this decision remain private, it is evident that the duo may have been seeking new creative directions or personal balance after years of continuous content creation.
Conclusion: The Legacy of TwoSet Violin
While their journey as TwoSet Violin has come to an end, the impact Brett Yang and Eddy Chen had on the classical music world cannot be overstated. Through their unique blend of humor and musical talent, they brought classical music into the digital age, making it more accessible to a global audience. Their contribution to popularizing violin and classical music, especially among younger generations, will continue to be remembered long after their final video.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is TwoSet Violin? TwoSet Violin was a musical comedy duo consisting of Australian violinists Brett Yang and Eddy Chen. They gained fame on YouTube for their humorous takes on classical music and life as musicians.
2. Why did TwoSet Violin stop producing content? As of October 14, 2024, TwoSet Violin announced they would stop creating content under the name TwoSet Violin. While they haven’t given specific reasons, it appears they may be pursuing new directions in life and creativity.
3. What is the Ling Ling challenge? The Ling Ling challenge is a series of comedic videos where TwoSet Violin performed classical pieces under difficult or funny conditions, like playing upside down or at double speed.
4. How did TwoSet Violin become famous? TwoSet Violin became famous by posting musical comedy videos on YouTube, where they humorously depicted the struggles of being classical musicians. Their content quickly resonated with audiences, and they built a loyal fan base.
5. Will Brett Yang and Eddy Chen continue to make music? While TwoSet Violin has officially ended, it’s possible that Brett Yang and Eddy Chen may continue their musical careers, either individually or in other collaborations. Fans eagerly await news on their future projects.