Tuesday, August 5, 2014

How To Hold A Violin As A Beginner

By Annabelle Holman


A violin, also characterized as a fiddle, is a beautiful instrument that can also be very complex to a beginner. Many beginning students make the simple mistake of holding it incorrectly. The right technique is just as important as knowing the right note to play. There is a right way and a wrong way when it comes to knowing how to hold a violin.

The shoulder rest is actually a very important piece of equipment for the student just learning about the fiddle. It needs to be placed on the back of the instrument for added comfort.

Shoulder rests can vary when it comes to price ranges. However, for the student that needs to save a few dollars, a sponge that's long and made of nylon is a great alternative. It can be applied by using a rubber band to apply it to the violin and left edge corner of its back.

As far as positioning, the instrument is to be held in the left hand and rest on the left shoulder at the top. It should also be sitting on the shoulder rest at the top. Make sure that the chin is placed directly on the chin rest located at the violin's base. The piece is oval in shape and black as far as color. It makes holding the instrument more comfortable. There should be a firm fit between the shoulder and instrument to the point that no hands are needed for added support.

The left hand is one of the most important parts of the body when it comes to playing the violin. It must be placed at the back of the neck of the fiddle, while the left thumb is placed to the left of the fingerboard. There is to be a half inch of space between the fingerboard and thumb which should be an even height with the fingerboard. The height shouldn't be too high or too low.

Perfecting the position of the wrist can be complicated for beginners. Some get into the habit of placing their wrists on the fiddle, which is something that should be discouraged. Wrists should never touch the instrument, but are to remain free and uninhibited from playing the notes that it chooses to play. Notes can then be played along the scale in an up and down position.

The fiddle should always be parallel towards the ground and in front of the person playing the instrument. A person can choose to play sitting down or standing up. Many students get lazy and allow the instrument to point in a downwards direction. This is a bad habit to get into. Feet are to be evenly weighted and placed a shoulder's width apart. It is important to sit in an upright position at the edge of a seat without slouching if sitting down.

Following these helpful guidelines is very important for the individual that is serious about perfecting their craft. The more one plays, the more natural playing it becomes. The beautiful melodies that will follow will be well worth it.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment