Monday, 11 August 2014

The Proper Violin Hand Posture

By Tanisha Berg


Playing the violin is something that is often associated with a kind of style and elegance. It is an instrument that can take time to learn and a long time to master. Aside from reading music and learning the correct way to play a big part of playing the instrument is the correct violin hand posture.

One of the reasons this takes time is that it is not always easy to position your hands properly. Sometimes people can try to develop their skills themselves. This results in them practising the wrong position. Over time this becomes a muscle memory and it can be very hard to correct bad habits.

This is why it is best to find the right teacher to guide you through this. The best ones will usually start with posture before playing the instrument itself. They should look at how you play and correct any incorrect hand positions while you are playing. It may seem obvious but over time bad habits get harder and harder to correct.

There are a few basic steps to be aware of when positioning the instrument so that you can play it comfortably but also get the best possible quality of music while you are playing. With the first position your thumb ought to be roughly an inch from the nut and also you should touch the neck around the middle joint of the instrument. There should be enough of a gap around the lower part of your thumb and the base of your index finger to wiggle a pencil upwards and downwards.

Another thing to be aware of is that your thumb and first finger is aligned when playing a step above the nut. It is also important that you curve your fingers as you play the instrument. Remember to keep your fingernails trimmed because you strike the fingerboard with the tips and this is more effective with trimmed nails.

It is best to avoid positioning too low. This does not look very good. Furthermore it reduces smoothness of movement. As well looking less impressive it also makes it harder to project tone. While you are playing you should remember to look straight down. Never play with the left side of your chin on the chinrest.

Once you have got to grips with your posture it is important to practise over and over again. As with an athlete this is like warming up. Getting in the right position will make you physically more comfortable before you play and this often works with performance as well. There is a lot to remember but over time it will become easier and you will be able to relax before you play.

There are various ways you can improve how you play. One of the simplest ways is to find a private tutor or teacher in your local area. The best ones will ensure that you improve your posture and give you exercises to improve it between teaching sessions. With the right approach you will be able to get the most from your instrument.




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