First Lesson with my Substitute Teacher

June 21, 2007 at 4:28 AM

I just finished my first lesson with my summertime "substitute" teacher. NO SHAKES! I was not nervous at all, which is a pleasant supprise. He is the typical "giant" of a violist, and has a great sense of humor. He started by having me play a simple scale. Then stop.... we have to fix that bow hold! (sound familiar?) To my horror (after a few un-succesful attempts to fix my hold) he came at me with a roll of painter's tape. You know, that blue stuff used to mask around mouldings and the like, and proceded to wrap my 2nd and 3rd fingers with the tape to put them in a curve. By golly! It worked! After 45 minutes with my fingers in this "spa wrap treatment", they remained nicely curved - for a few minutes at least.

This "unconventional" style was present throughout the lesson. From being poked with the tip of the bow, grabbing the tip of my bow and putting opposite force in the direction I was bowing, etc... But, when I got home to try these newly learned techniques, I noticed a big difference. I am now wondering if my regular teacher set me up with my substitute to fix this bow problem on purpose... Kinda like "bowing boot-camp". :)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on June 21, 2007 at 4:49 AM

Can you describe more fully how your teacher taped your fingers to keep them curved? I'd like to try it with some of my students.

From Mendy Smith
Posted on June 21, 2007 at 5:28 AM

Evil Linda - he had me curve my fingers in the "correct" position, then started the tape at the knuckles and simply started winding his way down leaving the last nuckle exposed. It made a sort of splint for my finger and wouldn't allow me to "flatten" or "lock" my fingers in any way. It reminded me of when I broke a toe and the doctor taped one toe to another, but in this case, each finger was wrapped individually. Hope this helps.

From Paul Grant
Posted on June 21, 2007 at 7:57 AM

i wonder if i do this when i practice viola...maybe i'll try it and see what happens. sounds like it could be useful for my own violin students. glad to hear you had a great lesson. you'll be playing walton in no time!

From Linda Lerskier
Posted on June 22, 2007 at 4:24 PM

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on June 23, 2007 at 3:28 AM

I don't know whether I would dare to try that on any of my students. It might be considered child abuse or inflicting bodily harm.

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