Congenital Thumb Limitation

July 13, 2025, 3:43 PM · Hello fellow violinists,

I want to share with you a journey that I am on, with the hope that it can be of use to some.

I was born with a congenital thumb limitation. My thumbs do not extend fully - probably about 50% as much compared to others.

Although I have degrees through the doctoral level from some of the finest universities and conservatories, I struggled for years with medial epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow), a vibrato that is not wide enough in first position on the 3rd and 4th fingers (which we know is already hard!), and a more difficult reach up to the nosebleed positions.

G string has also been particularly challenging for vibrato.

Yet, using different fingerings and a more tilted violin that is closer to the center of my body has alleviated many struggles, in addition to longer screws on my Mach 1 shoulder rest.

I also got around a lot of these problems by using a violin that is full size - but on the small end of full (and 7/8 is too short for me).

But..the problems never completely went away...

SO enter ChatGPT...I am really excited about the fact that ChatGPT has given me advice that seems sound, and I am excited to take my violin to a luthier.

The plan, if the luthier agrees, is to reduce the width of the nut in order to reduce the stretch required for the 3rd and 4th fingers in first position (did I mention that my pinkies also curve inward toward the palm?!)...

Then I might also reduce the length of the neck by slightly repositioning the nut closer to the scroll to reduce the total reach of 1st position by 2-3mm.

I'll keep you all posted!

Daniel