1. learning the violin all over again for the first time

February 2, 2012 at 2:13 PM

I'm 32 years old and I'm learning the violin all over again. Please join me for this fun adventure, initiated at 5am!

1. POSTURE
The first thing you want to do is make sure both feet are solid on the floor. Take a small step with your left foot, and balance equally on both feet. This should feel solid. In play position, your balance should be perfect between both feet so that the instrument feels like it's part of your body.

A. Violin Height
1. Your violin should fit comfortably with a shoulder rest so that you can hold the violin with your neck alone, allowing freedom of the left hand for shifts/etc. The height of the violin should be parallel to the floor.
2. Keep a straight, supportive back while you play at all times, even when seated to play. Practice the feeling of being supported by your feet and back while you hold your violin in the play position.
3. The left hand should be comfortably around the neck of the violin with the pads of the fingers stopping the strings. The angle of the fingers is neither curved completely nor flat completely, but somewhere slightly in-between. Use a mirror extensively to make sure your posture and finger placement is supreme.

2. BOW HOLD
This will be the next entry! Stay tuned. (Crying baby-- needing to comfort).

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