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Heather Broadbent

How to Use the First Finger on the Violin

July 30, 2013 at 10:48 AM

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The First Finger on the violin is a very important finger.  Actually all the fingers are very important but the first finger has the ability to cause a lot of problems if he is not used correctly.  It is very important that you have a good foundation set for the first finger of the left hand.  He needs to be shaped like a table top and on his tippy tip. In this first video, I demonstrate how to draw a line in the middle of your finger to make sure that the groove created from the string is in the correct place.  I also demonstrate exercises on how to practice the first finger. It is very important for the left hand to be relaxed and for the left elbow to hang from the instrument. I briefly discuss the left elbow levels as well and a very small exercise to help loosen up the left arm.

In this video, I discuss the importance of Freeing the one from the knuckle in order to play low one. It is very important not to move the whole hand when you play low one but to actually have the index finger work by himself without influencing everyone else. If you can do this you are GOLDEN!!!

Happy Practicing!
Be TRUE... Be YOU ... Be
Heather Broadbent, Holistic Violinist
Founder of Online Violin
Creator of Violin Fitness and Violin Secrets Academy


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heather@onlineviolin.net


From Sal Peralta
Posted on July 31, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Heather - wonderful videos, thanks for that. I have been grappling with correct position of my left hand. Yours is beautiful and the video is very helpful, having been steered in a few false directions before getting set straight recently by some other violinist.com members. If I may ask a related, but slightly off-topic question, what kind of shoulder rest are you using? I have an Everest, which is an improvement over the kun that I started with, but I would like something with a little more height ff the shoulder, which yours seems to have. Nice to see a fellow CU Buff, btw. Best regards, Sal Peralta.
From Heather Broadbent
Posted on July 31, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Sal
Go BUFFS!!! I am so glad you enjoy the videos. I use Kun Bravo shoulder rest. All my best to you. Stay in touch!!

Heather

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