How to play violin in a chair? I can't seem to be able to...
After months and years of playing in an orchestra (and suffering through rehearsals) I've had enough!
I can't seem to find a proper way to play well seated in a chair. I've come to the point where I sit on the very edge of my seat just so my bow on the e string won't catch my seat, and slumping down my back to avoid intense back pain.
I've watched my teacher in his symphony concerts, and he sits (like I find many violinists do) all the way to the back of the chair. (probably immensely more comfortable) How though can his bow not be disrupted by the seat?
After 5 hour rehearsals, and hour or two long concerts, all the muscles in my back hurt. There must be a better way.
Any tips?
Replies (11)
Don't slump in your chair. This is quite likely why you are uncomfortable. Presuming you have no diagnosed back problems.
If you sit in the chair with good posture (chair angled off a bit, and one leg over the side, sitting tall on the edge of the chair) you should be able to be quite comfy for long hours of rehearsal. Slouching will only cause pain and discomfort-like you are experiencing. If you have rehearsed slouching and find it uncomfortable to sit straight and tall it is likely that you've let your back muscles become weak from practicing poor posture.
The only difference in posture between playing violin sitting and playing violin standing, should be that in playing sitting your legs are bent 90 degrees.
The chair is also a factor. Some unions insist on certain chairs (that are flat or tilt down toward the front), but many chairs have this terrible dip in the back that makes playing uncomfortable and make it hard to sit forward if it's necessary (poor cellists)
Most men I've watched sit with their legs spread at 90 degrees and bow between them sitting far enough to the right and forward in the chair to make room. Some women either wear skirts or don't think it lady-like to do so and sit with their legs together and their knees tilted to the left to make room.
Paste a picture of yourseft in a chair and holding the violin.Any insights from any one would be a guess ,or may even do more harm without seeing how you play.
I think you're looking at the wrong thing, thinking it's sitting, or the chair. Other people don't have the problem, so this implies there's something wrong with your position. I'm betting your violin is more tilted than it should be, causing your right arm to be too low, as a first guess. Maybe, for a start, you should try cranking the feet on your shoulder rest (if you use one) so that the violin is more horizontal. You may also be trying too hard to settle your cheek into the chinrest by tilting the violin into your cheek too much. Notice how many players hook their chins over the bar over the tailpiece and don't use the cup at all. If this works, you're going to have a bit of work readjusting to the new position, but it may make some other things better in the long run.
Your little profile photo doesn't look like you're doing the above things, but with that position I can't see how the chair would get in the way, either, so maybe the photo isn't accurate as the way you usually play?
On the slouching issue, I was taught to sit forward on the chair, with good posture. It still bothers me to see orchestra players slouching against backrests as if they're bored waiting for the dentist--it looks very unprofessional, and it's not good for the back, either.
No arm rests helps a lot.
Sit towards the edge of the seat slighly catty-corner (already suggested, back streight. Breath from the diaphram.
Hope this helps.
From your avatar photo (if it is you) it looks to me as though your violin is pointed quite a bit toward the front - which is just fine, if you can play that way (it's a left hand/arm thing), which apparently you can. But this would force your right arm/elbow somewhat behind you, especially when bowing to the tip on the E string.Also, if you are tending to sit on the left side of the chair, this could increase the problem.
If you are an "inside player" this would force you to turn a bit to the right, which will make the problem worse. If this is the case, can you find a way to switch to playing on the outside chair - or follow the pattern of some of Florida's senior-citizen orchestra and have separate stands for each player.
Andy
Poor posture is creating the pain, but if I tell you to sit straight and hold the violin up, will you be able to do this right?” NO”. Chances are you will go to the other extreme and lean to far back or do something else wrong. The best thing for your posture is a MIRROR and a camera. Use a mirror to aid in the correction of your posture and don’t adjust your posture from one extreme to another and/or find some one who is able to correct it properly. If you procrastinate with back pain you could end up regretting this for the rest of your life.
Posture is easy to understand and not that difficult to correct, I find that we just take it for granted.
Google “posture” and a lot of information comes up to help you
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/good-posture-helps-reduce-back-pain
Some pics
http://mfit.ca/sites/mfit2/uploads/good_posture.jpg
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=+posture#focal=0d66bdd1d045a35ddfebdaf4865872dd&f
url=http%3a%2f%2fhealthhabits.files.wordpress.com%2f2008%2f05
Poor posture creeps in over time, always have a full length mirror in your practice area and look into it periodically to keep yourself in good health.
I empathize with your problem...It's very tough to find the right position, particularly when your bow arm runs into your leg! This is what happens to me when I sit "normally". As a result, I have to sit on the front half of the chair. This is the "correct" way anyway.
If this helps, I had a teacher give me a helpful pointer once...Stand as you normally would in proper playing position. Do this in front of a chair. Then sit down without moving anything violin-related. Try this two ways - one on the front half of the chair, and the other on the back half. See which feels better. Make sure to keep your spine straight no matter what (but not stiff).
Good luck!
Daniel
To support Charles C, when I started working on violins, I was having horrible back problems, too many for someone in his late 20s, including ending up flat on my back for three or four days at least twice a year. I decided to learn to sit upright, not stiffly, but just comfortably alert, and haven't had a single backache in the last 25 years. It's not about being a ramrod, but finding balance and getting everything in a line so that your muscles aren't doing more work than they need to. A lot like playing violin, I guess. Like anything new, it's initially a bit strange, but after a while, you won't even think about it.
Dear J-- From reading your member profile I get the subtle hint (it's really faint) that you LOVE to play the violin, so it is distressing to read of your situation. I've learned through personal experience that back pain is often caused by the large muscles of the thigh and vice-versa. Since you seem to have no problems playing while standing, I'll throw in my two cents' worth and suggest that part of the problem might be your chair.
For years violinists have been playing in orchestras on chairs intended for the dining room table. The sharp corners cut off circulation to the legs, forcing the player to twist his/her body sideways to keep their legs on either side while keeping the body oriented toward the front where the music stand and the conductor are (necessary evils for orchestra playing :-)). I have often wished that there was a chair made for musicians that has a well-padded, well-rounded, and circular front not unlike those on a bass player's stool. When a chair no longer has a front, so to speak, you can better keep the body in alignment.
If you are tall/short or have long/short legs, then an adjustable-height chair might be worth looking into. A good chiropractor or kinesiologist should be able to advise you. If there is a clinic in your area that specializes in sports medicine and repetitive-motion injuries, they would also be a good source of information. Deal with this now so that it will not get worse later.
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August 23, 2009 at 02:34 AM ·
This seems like a simple enough answer, so simple that you've probably tried it. Sit on the right side of the chair so your bow doesn't hit the chair when you downbow on the e string and sit upright. I'm six feet tall and I can't sit with my back against the back of the chair. I would slouch, not good for proper violin posture. My back is straight when I play. How about a different chair? What about a short stool? I sometimes practice on a short stool. I' can't recall seeing a violinist sit entirely back against the chair and play with credibility. I'm sure some can do it; I cannot.