Playing on the G-String
Hey all, well I've been messing around with 2octave scales on the G string, though when I go into the higher-positions it is not comfortable ... my left arm feels really tight and squished, at that point it becomes way tooo distracting
What my left-arm is doing, my thumb catchs onto the the 'right-side' of the fingerboard (I don't know better words to explain it!), and is helping support the violin by touching the corner of the back (I suppose corner between the right-side of the fingerboard is better way to explain it), my elbow swings under so its more-so on the right-side of the centre of the violin.
My scroll is facing pretty far left, I don't think I can play any further without it disrupting my playing on the other strings, I have tried pushing the scroll further left but I can't even hold the violin.
Thoough, I can play on the High E position comfortably.
Any advice regarding this is very muchly appreciated :)
Though as I was writing this, I had an idea to try 'warm' myself up to the G string by first playing on the E, A and D strings sequentially.
Thank you very much!
Replies (9)
Setup could play a role - if you currently use a center-mounted chinrest, it's harder to reach higher positions on the G string, and there is a risk of tendonitis if you keep forcing it. Both my teacher and my luthier warned me about it when I switched to a Berber/Ohrenform chinrest.
Also, if you tilt the violin so the G string is higher and closer to you, it would be easier.
You just have to keep at it! pretend you're playing on the E-string. Use the thumb as a pivot point, you will know if you have pivoted enough because the middle finger can almost reach the edge of the top bout. I should get a camera and take pictures.
Vernon, pictures will be good if you can :)
I think it's a matter of 'getting used to it' (once you know the right thing to do like bringing the elbow under violin to the right etc), it is easy to try and avoid the high G string because of how ackward it feels, but one should even more so diligently practice this little and often, with time it will get less difficult.....
try to lift the scroll up rather than moving to the left. That give your hand and elbow some room to play on G on the higher post. Find Youtube of Sarah Chang playing the Cantable in D, you will see how she do it.
Hope it helps..
Are you using a shoulder rest? A shoulder rest will lock the violin into a position that makes it harder to play on the G string. Without a shoulder rest, or with an 'Acoustafoam' rest you would be able to tilt the violin to more easily reach up high on the G string.
Andy
@Megan
Thanks Megan, I'm sure there are some people who have detachable limbs and can play on the G just fine :) Haha. Best wishs to your G-String playing!
@Joyce
I have some arguements, the Luthier I visited stated that a centre-mounted chin rest has better benefits for the violin, something about distribution of weight. I don'tk now, but from personal experience I much prefer a centre-mounted than a left-mounted. Though I already play on an angle, the lower-G I have no problem what-so-ever, just the higher part my left-arm muscle feels very squished
@Vernon & Jo
I suppose thats the only thing I can do! Haha, I have no choice in the matter - maybe with time I will be comfortable and pass the same advice along :) I am just impatient with progress in myself at the worst/best of times.
@Elinor
I can try to lift the scroll up, though its the 'bicep' muscle thats feeling squished. (I think its called the bicep?) I'll give it a shot and see how that goes :)
@Andrew
I have experimented with nothing/sponge/shoulder-rest and if anything, with the SR it is the most comfortable. As to whether I am using an SR or not ... I don't even know the answer to that myself! I find myself constantly swapping around. But I think the matter is relative to the person in question, right?
Thank you all for the responses and encouragement! I have gotten some ideas and I guess I'll see what happens with time
so 'in a way' my feeling was right John, that we 'have to get used to it', at least until those little muscles develop a longer stretch :) it all makes sense now, thank you :)
wow ok! Thanks John I will definatly give that a whirl, I love the violin you end up learning much more than you bargained for!! :)
My favourite subject - the human body!
*eta* I never realised it before, but playing on the G-string is making my right arm tired! I've never stuck long enough on the G string to find this out... I'll explain what I am doing when I am back home, but is this low-G-stamina normal?
Since the way I string-cross, its sorta like doing the chicken dance!
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June 5, 2010 at 07:52 AM ·
I'm not an expert and not a teacher, but the technique you have described to me sounds fine. I'd be very surprised if anyone feels 100% comfortable playing high up on the G string, as it is physicaly awkward - I certainly find it that way myself. But I think you can improve the comfort level and sound quality over time. I know I feel more comfortable there and certainly make a better sound than I used to - although like you I still don't feel comfortable on the high G string.
I hope this makes you feel at least like you're not alone - perhaps others will have more technical comments to make....
Ciao, Megan