To rest or not to rest

September 11, 2009 at 8:58 PM

I've been having some problems with left hand pain recently. I know it's because I'm gripping with the thumb; I can feel the tension and it occurs when I'm trying to play certain notes -- such as a natural c on the a string -- and inevitably a twinge begins in the muscle between my thumb and forefinger. I don't think the grip itself is the only problem; I grip because I'm having trouble placing my fingers where I know they need to go on the neck. I think I'm not going under the violin enough with my arm -- or in front, it's really not easy to describe. This issue also pops up when I'm playing with the fourth finger --- awkward positioning, leading to heavy grip to "make it work", leading to pain.

For example, I can go through Gavotte in Suzuki Book 1 and by the end my left hand will be pleading for me to stop several measures before the end.

Today instead of just adjusting my arm I tried removing my shoulder rest. I had initially tried to learn to play without using a shoulder rest, but the first thing my teacher insisted that I get was Kun rest to help with positioning.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong again but it feels better without the rest. With the rest at minimum height, I feel like my chin is somewhat propped up on the violin instead of dropped down, and also I have to hold my left arm up in order to make sure that the scroll of the violin is parallel to the ground rather than drooping. Without the rest, my left arm's lower and more against my side. It feels more comfortable but again I wonder if this is the wrong thing to do.

It doesn't feel like the violin is heavier or slipperier (I have a chamois under it because of the weather -- I sweat in the room I practice in) than normal. I have noticed that its weight has shifted from leaning more on my thumb to leaning more on the side of my forefinger, and that it's somewhat easier for me to play those naturals and fourths now. I suspect shifting from first position might be more difficult without the rest, though, and have no idea how this would affect trying to do vibrato.

I don't think my teacher will approve of the rest-less-ness but for now I'll practice without it for the finger relief. I played for about 30 minutes earlier and didn't experience the same finger cramps, which is a frustration when I just want to practice, practice, practice so I can get better.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on September 13, 2009 at 10:16 AM

Greetings,

>and also I have to hold my left arm up in order to make sure that the scroll of the violin is parallel to the ground rather than drooping. Without the rest, my left arm's lower and more against my side. It feels more comfortable but again I wonder if this is the wrong thing to do.

You need to be a little careful with this. I find talking abut the scroll being parallel to the ground somewhat confusing. Basically tou wnat the strings parallel to the ground to prevent the bow slipping , among other things. This requires the violin to be held raised upwards. The advantage of having te violin raised up is thta the weight then drops forwards into the body rather than away from the body. This is the way Auer@s studnets such as Heifetz play. There should be a space between your ribs and upper arm /armpit. Resting the upper arm on te ribs is a major caus eof tension that needs to be watched out for.

There is a way of putting up the violin when not using a shoulder rest described on Raphael KlayMan`s website. It is worth serious though. Another exercise I recommend is begin holding the violin facing forwards down by your left knne. Then lift it up as high as you can , still verticla and facing fowards. From tispositio in te air ring it down into playing position.

Cheers,

Buri

From Michael Felzien
Posted on September 14, 2009 at 3:36 AM

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To rest or not to rest

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