Playing Posture

Having the correct posture is of the upmost importance when learning to play the violin. Problems with posture and tension should be dealt with immediately. On this page you will find instructions and exercises for rest position, playing position, left hand pizzicato, right hand pizzicato, and first position hand position.

Rest Position

standing

Hold the violin under the right arm so that the scroll is pointing forward and the bridge is facing out.

seated

Sit up with your back straight on the edge of your chair. Rest the violin on your left thigh while holding the neck of the violin with your left hand.

Playing Position

  • Stand up straight in rest position with your feet shoulder width apart.

  • With your left hand hold the violin around the neck where it meets the body of the violin.

  • Bring the violin up and rest the violin between the collar bone and the jaw.

  • Curve the left hand finders over the high dot but do not touch the strings.

  • The nose should point toward the scroll.

  • Keep your head straight and your neck in alignment with your spine.

  • To practice holding the violin without any help from the left hand.

  • Take the left hand away from the violin and touch your right shoulder.

Pizzicato

Pizzicatto - pizz - plucking the strings.

Left hand pizzicato

  • With you left hand curved over the high dot, reach and pluck each of the strings with your left hand pinky. 

  • Remember that for each string your elbow has a slightly different position. As you pluck each string moving from the G to the E string the left elbow will slightly swing out to the left.

Left hand pinky strum

  • Strum all four sting at once with your left hand pinky starting on the G string.

  • As you strum the sting swing the elbow out keeping the wrist straight.

Right hand Pizzicato

  • Make a fist with your right hand.

  • Make a backwards “C” with your thumb and index finger (the other fingers should remain in a loose fist).

  • Anchor the right hand thumb onto the side of the fingerboard about half an inch down.

  • Pluck on each string.

  • As you move from the E to the G string change the level of the arm by pivoting on the thumb.

  • On the E string the elbow will be pointing down. As you move toward the G string your elbow will move higher and higher.

Proper left hand posture 

  • Lightly place the first three fingers on the first 3 tapes (the 4th finger should stay relaxed next to the 3rd finger.)

  • The Magic X should be in line with the side of the fingerboard keeping the fingers high.

  • Do not grip the neck of the violin tightly. Always strive to keep your hand relaxed.

  • The wrist of the left hand should be straight and neutral. Do not rest the neck of the violin on the wrist or push the wrist bask toward the scroll.

Exercises for keeping the left hand relaxed

  • Slide your magic X (side of the base knuckle of the index finder) up and down the side of the fingerboard. This reminds us to keep the left hand loose and never grip onto the neck of the violin.

  • With the fingers just lightly toughing the A string slide up and down the fingerboard on your magic X. Remember to keep the left hand loose and don't grip on the neck of the violin.