Friday, 12 December 2014

Having The Right Violin Wrist Position Is Vital

By Lucia Weeks


Learning a musical instrument is nice. The elemental basis for adept string musicians begins with learning the model viola or violin wrist position. Severe faults can follow from a failure to master the precise position. A buckling of the wrist pulls a musician's fingers out of the correct alignment, placing extreme tension on the tendons of a violinist and has a propensity to instigate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Curved fingers and a wrist that remains straight are essential.

Mastering this modus operandi is essential for musicians wanting to become accomplished. Many all-time classic musical pieces depend greatly on a gifted string section. Renowned composers including Mozart orchestrated much of their greatest work with violins at the forefront. "A Little Nightmusic" (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) by Mozart is uncomplicated and graceful.

Another timeless classic composed with violins at its heart is Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A Major". Beethoven's grand and fantastic symphonies are considered to be some of the prime examples of the Western world's artistic creations. The pathos and passion of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" is the most moving section of his "String Quartet, Op. 11".

The intricacy and sumptuousness of "Symphony No. 1 in C Major" by Johann Brahms is much in debt to the inimitable sounds produced by the strings. Lots of weddings would not have the same atmosphere without the Baroque-style violins within Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major". The Romantic era's "Serenade for Strings in C Minor" composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky is melodic and soulful, featuring the delightful characteristics of violins and violas.

Nigel Kennedy, the famous modern English musician, first entered a recording studio to play on Edward Elgar's "Violin Concerto" and helped enormously in bringing new audiences to appreciate classical music through his interpretations of Vivaldi's magnum opus "The Four Seasons" (with sales in excess of two million) as well as Elgar's Enigma Variations. Kennedy's talent on the instrument transcends musical fields; his instrumentals have also figured on the outstanding "Baba O'Riley" track from the album "Live at the Royal Albert Hall' by rock legends The Who. He also came together with the talents of Kate Bush for her song "Experiment IV".

Another child virtuoso who has crossed musical boundaries with her unique style of instrument playing is Vanessa Mae. She had recorded both the Tchaikovsky and Beethoven concerto solos by the age of 13. After this, she went on to record her own brand of pop music, often appearing in quite raunchy, skimpy outfits in her videos. Vanessa is famous for using two different kinds of violins; a Zeta Jazz electric model and the Guadagnini acoustic instrument which her parents paid 250,000 sterling, when Vanessa was just ten years old. At the tender age of thirteen, she had already played the solos from concertos by Beethoven as well as Tchaikovsky on best-selling discs.

Every violinist needs thorough technique to play exceptional string music by superb composers including Shostakovich, Dvorak and Bach as it deserves to be heard. It is vital to become adept at correctly locating one's left wrist, hand, fingers and thumb. Intonation, tone and vibrato are all influenced by correct bearing and the manner with which the right hand grips the bow.

Different postures for playing while standing or seated can be as important as wrist position for beginners. Correct hand position can be developed by practising tapping and strumming with the little finger. Instrument sizing is also vital for young violinists.




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