Saturday, November 8, 2014

How To Hold A Violin Correctly

By Christa Jarvis


The appearance of violinists on photos or during life performances could be deceiving. They are likely to be captured holding violins from an angle that gives the wrong impression of how to hold it. This makes it necessary for fresh learners to know how to hold a violin correctly from professionals. It will transform your artistry when playing and make you a more successful violinist.

An inch should be left between your thumb and the nut. Ensure that it is bent slightly and touches the neck at the middle joint. Enough space is required between the bottom of your thumb and the index. You may use a pencil to identify this space and make sure that the pencil moves freely. Do not clench the thumb under any circumstance. This will stop free movement between different positions during performance.

The thumb and first finger must be aligned if you wish to play the entire step above the nut. The nails must be cut short and all fingers must play in a curved position. Long nails will prevent the tips from striking the finger board.

To avoid contracting the neck, keep the wrist straight. It is common to find violinists playing with a bent wrist. The left portion of the palm or base of the thumb is the part that causes contraction of the neck. This position is wrong and will hinder professional advancement.

A violinist should keep the left arm behind the bowing bar. It means that the arm will be invisible as you bow. It will be concealed by the bar. While playing, both feet should be a shoulder length apart. Ensure that you are standing straight with the finger board and your neck aligned to the left foot and leg.

A violin that is placed further to the left is difficult to draw a straight bow. You also can not bow to the tip. Learners make this mistake often which obscures the score when reading. The only way to see the entire score at this position is to move further left. This will complicate your ability to play.

When facing the stand, keep the body straight and about eight inches to your left. The upper torso must not be twisted under any circumstances. The position of the scroll should be about the nose level. There are shoulder pads to help you achieve the right position. This will relax the shoulders and take the burden of lifting your instrument from the left hand. It is distasteful when the instrument appears low.

Tone projection and smooth movement during bowing are determined by positioning. Your left hand can easily move as you play. The position prevents obstruction of the music score as you play ensuring that you bow smoothly. The eyes should look the strings at a straight angle.

It is wrong to play with the left face bent or lying on the chin-rest. This does not add to your professional appeal under any circumstance. The above guide should be applied if you play while seated. Ensure that you are relaxed all the time as you practice or play. Use a mirror to practice until you achieve the right position.




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