Violin Lesson #6; The Hold & Finger Placement pt. 3

[taadaagottapee]

Ummm i'm 12 and i developed the habit. now i'm relearning the whole thing :(

[MrStrangeSensation]

I'm a 25 year old beginner. Ive played electric bass for almost 15 years so I have some background with strings, including a fretless bass, so I understand intonation problems. But Ive been having a tough time finding the notes on this tiny, unmarked neck. I also have no teacher for violin yet. But once I was told (by you) how to properly hold the violin and position my hand, it became a lot easier to find the notes. I still have to fine-tune my intonation, but this was a big help. Thank you!

[EwanMcGreggor]

Dear Proff V, thanks very much for these tutorials, i just bought my very first violin a few days ago and i'm now able to play Mary had a little lamb, twinkle twinkle and i'm also in the middle of trying to figure out fields of athenry which is great. Ultimately i would love to play that irish jig you did, the 'something' child. My only obstacle is my V grip on the violin, i see my thumb slipping up on occasion, but when i put it down again i find it difficult to keep my hand flat and even...

[OackyStik]

Hi professor V, I have a question: I've been playing guitar for 6 years and just now started learning violin. Do you think my guitar playing will affect my violin playing?

[christiawi9]

hi professorV

your vids are amazing and a big help. the only thing is my pointer finger wont curve fully like how you showed. my hand feels uncomfortable when i try and do this. i'm holding the neck in the correct 'V' hand shape, i simply can't twist my finger that way

am i holding it incorrectly or something? thanks for the vids =)

[ryucorrea]

You are awesome!!! I can't really afford weekly lessons and I just started playing. I am in no rush to play yet. I just want to know that I am holding and positioning everything right. I plan on trying to get get a lesson a month in order to make sure that I am on the right track. I haven't watched passed the 7th video but I was very excited to find such a practical guide to help me get started. Thank you so much for taking to time to do this series.

[adamflight1]

Thank you Todd. I love your videos. Someday I hope to repay your for your efforts.

[13rawk]

How to you adjust your chin rest?

[13rawk]

I have a metal allergy and can't have the chin rest's metal pieces touch my skin. I usually use a cloth in between when I play, but it's a little distracting. Do you know of a different fix i could use?

I was thinking about putting a layer of clear nail polish over it, but I'm afraid I might ruin the sound or something.

[Guri9898]

hi

i used to have like dots on the violin to help me place my fingers correct, but now that i have taken them away, i'm struggling a bit to place them right. can u plz help? :)

[hahawinnie]

hi,

I just started to learn Violin and I found that your videos are very very helpful.

I came across a problem when i started to practice, my left upper arm was very tired after holding the violin for a while. what's the problem of my gesture?

[hahawinnie]

hi,

I just started to learn Violin and I found that your videos are very very helpful.

I came across a problem when i started to practice, my left upper arm was very tired after holding the violin for a while. what's the problem of my gesture?

[shmoofoobean44]

this all seems natural to me...maybe i should learn this. i've always loved the sound, but stringed things freak me out...but this only has 4. it can't be that bad...can it? O.o

[Saphirr24]

I want to play violin =(

[abdekhoda]

Thank you very much!

[tychoclavious]

looks like halloween time on that mantel there...thumbs up! yeah!

[jubilentamalendran]

Hello Professor V,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for these great lessons. They really help me. I have been playing violin for some time now, and I have noticed that you have your chin rest in the centre bottom of the violin. Why is that? Does is make your posture better, or is it 'your' personal preference?

Thank you very much! I'm hoping to see more of your YouTube lessons!

[Edis]

Being a beginner is such a tough one in playing the violin but these videos helped a lot! Haha Mary had a little lamb and twinkle twinkle HAHA bring so much childhood memories. :P

[saesao]

thank you! i'm learning to place my fingers correctly

[Nixlplix]

I'm 40 and just now learning for the first time (viola, actually). Avoiding pain/discomfort is my main concern. Plus not many people want to teach someone my age from scratch, so doubly thanks for these videos. I have been playing guitar for 24 years so my odds of learning are good, I think. Slow and steady :)

[professorV]

Good luck to you, Nixlplix!

[Nixlplix]

@professorV I traded the viola in for a violin after 5 days. I like it a lot better and it seems more comfortable for some reason! Now back to the lessons :)

[RoarBeast]

@Nixlplix  wow... and i thought i'm too old, 29 actually :D

[RoarBeast]

@Nixlplix and i thought i'm too old.. :D 29 actually

[nantamlupam]

Hello Professor V! i'm one of your students on line! I want to thank you for all of your lesson, they really help lots of us! Professor, I have this little problem, I'm quite insecure with my left-hand placement!! I'm not sure if i'm placing my thumb in the rigth position! I almost hide my thumb in the back! However i feel comfortable when practicing! Am I doing it all wrong??? I dont want to develop a bad habit! Thanl Professor :D

[mevmevmev]

Hello, I'm struggling with the violin hold when transitioning from non vibrato to vibrato. After playing non vibrato a while, i find I need to use my first finger to prevent the violin from falling off my shoulder to my right. I've heard some say your first finger should normaly not touch the violin and I feel this would work well for me if I could keep the violin from shifting. I've tried 3 chinrests and use a shoulder rest. Maybe I need a chinrest with a more extreem lip?

[bmagaziner]

hey prof, thank you so much for all your hard work. Im slightly confused on a certain point in my own playing, with respect the contact points my left hand makes with the neck of the violin, i've been told that i should be using the thumb just as you say, and making contact with the kind of skin pad on the side of the first knuckle (closest to my palm). however when i try to play vibrato i find this very constricting, and i end up playing with multiple hand "home base's" so to speak, any ideas?

[mevmevmev]

@bmagaziner Sounds simmilar to the issues I have. I've been trying to transition to no contact of the first finger when switching to vibrato. The trouble with this is that it feels so drastically different, it throws off my intonation a lot. It also takes time to reposition, wich doesn't work so well when you don't have the time in the middle of a song. This topic of transitioning from non-vibrato to vibrato and back would probably make a good video.

[paddlingal]

Thanks for all these great lessons. You are an excellent teacher. Hadn't learned the details for holding the bow and finger placement in my lessons and believe that these lessons you've provided help solve a lot of my current issues.

[BlitzMoonlight09]

thank you professorV your violin lessons really helped me, thanks again

[joaovitorcb]

ProfessorV, I'm a brazilian who really enjoy your violin classes online, because i dont have any other way to have violin lessons, but... As I am starting now, I'm having some pains in the neck, holding the violin as you teach and I don't like and dont need any shoulder rest. I do just like you but when i stop playing something like... 10 minutes i feel like my neck "wants" to turn to the left, what should I do? Thanks!

[professorV]

H joaovitorcb, It sounds like a muscle in your neck is going into spasm. The most important thing is good posture, and you need to fill the gap between your chin and shoulder to get this. Try different combinations of chinrest and shoulder rest to try to get comfortable. Also, make sure your shoulders stay down and your head does not drop forward or turn to the left very far. Feel tall while you play! Good luck with this.

[MasterFoxPT]

@joaovitorcb feeling the same thing

[amyeatsbrownies]

Professor V, I'm an adult teaching myself the violin and viola (no teachers nearby). I've tried to research it the best I can, but everybody says different things. I've been letting the base of the first finger hold most of the weight of the viola--is this wrong? How much of the knuckle should support or touch the neck? When holding the violin/viola, should I aim to hold up the viola using just chin and shoulder or with the left hand or both?

And thank you for such a helpful series!

[loravio]

your straight forward videos are awesome! Thanks!

[jihadacadien]

great it does help!

[Piromanu2009]

Where are you teacher?

[endlosigkeit9]

This is exactly what I was looking for, such straightforward, practical guidance which will go a long way toward helping me avoid subtle problems in the future. Thank you so much.

[amjPeace]

This is an amazing lesson, and I'm going to watch it over and over until I can take it all in!

[vilmoney]

Im having trouble with the finger placements- at least now I feel comfortable ish with holding the bow (thanks to you )- My arm easily got sored after holding the violin for awhile- dont know if that is normal or not

[Crazy4SRV]

Just starting out. You have given me a tremendous jump-start. Thank you so much.

[LilJellyS]

professor V, when I play, I tend to press down very hard with my index finger, so the rest of my fingers are weak and my left arm gets sore easily

[Frozenyak]

Hello professor. I would really like some guidance in how to place second finger a half step away from first (so G on the E string). Playing whole-step, whole-step i can keep 3rd and 4th fingers right above their correct places, but when i try to do half-step with 2nd finger (G), my 3rd and 4th want to bunch up next to it. I have found no relaxed way of playing whole, half, whole whole in block so i wonder: is there a technique to it, or do i have to train the muscles to keep 3rd and 4th put?

[Frozenyak]

i noticed on your "Violin Lesson #32; 4 types of shifts" video at around 3:11 you play the whole, half step that I'm referring to. You also seem to squish the fingers together, not keeping 3rd or 4th over A and B respectively as i simply assumed was the correct practice. Is this okay to do or does it disrupt fast passage work in the future, which is my concern?

[elricvegisakai]

thank you sir, you help me a lot! ^.^

[Microview248]

Professor V,

Do you have a solution for getting a thunk sound when applying the third finger (currently on the D string) and in another exercise holding down 3 fingers on the D string and playing a open A string. Fat fingers are obstructing the A string. Any help appreciated. Thank you for great series.

[professorV]

Try pulling your elbow under the violin a little more. It should move the 3rd finger away from the A string.

[Microview248]

Thank you, Professor V (Todd). I have tryed the elbow and met with my instructor. It is better and so far, I found that pressing a little harder on the A string (open string) and pushing my fingers a little more towards the opposite string helps. I will keep the practicing. I notice when I push my elbow too much, I causes pain and I have to stop for a few minutes. I also observed that the more I relax the muscles, the better. Thank you for your help and this series.

[Microview248]

I recently purchased a shoulder rest. Wow! world of difference, problem solved!

[yeldahsheladonai]

You are a really great teacher. I wish you lived on the East Coast :(

[GRUMANVIOLINISTS]

Thanks Todd, you inspire us to approach our children in a gentle manner.We moved so we have a new teacher. Teacher has my 11 year old son doing something very different with left hand. She has him bend his index finger push it back creating a bulge in palm of hand to then place the tip of finger on board angled more flat on the e string.

Imagine the "bulge" is kind of supporting the violin. Please if you can let us know if this is customary because he is very tense, he prefers boxed fingering.

[giza1964]

Wow, thank you!!!

[chuuurls]

I used to play violin throughout grade school. I am thinking about getting lessons again and these videos are really nice for review.

From this particular video I've discovered that my index and middle finger tend to glue themselves together! Nooo! A relaxed hold is the best thing you can teach a student.

[roullettechick]

God, thank you sir. This is great advise!

[phytomir]

i guess its normal theat my left biceps hurt at first because my violin is kind of heavy

right?

or am i doing something wrong?

[nomarets99]

Uhhmm.. But at least you can learn faster when you got a teacher, am I right?

[DarkMark999]

Wow, im axiously (If thats how it's spelt) waiting for my violin to come. i feel i know so much just from watching these videos. (Up to this one =] )

Thankyou!

[mancha02]

I REALLY hope you're getting a teacher, because it's just impossible to learn Violin on your own or by watching videos, no matter how well-structured they may be.

If you don't have a teacher, either get a refund, or start coughing up the cash to get one.

[Kaaawa2000]

Great!

[potchiloveviolin02]

can i ask a favor??professor can u have a lesson on how to put all chords on the violin bcoz im beginner how you will help us..thanks..send me if you have a new vid im your fan professor!!

[engineercolin]

Thanks for these videoes - although I started taking lessons a while ago I have been frustrated with poor intonation and these vidoes have been really helpful figuring out why.

[escritora84]

I like this guy - he's really thorough and direct. I'm getting ready to purchase my first violin and I'm 24, and this is some really good advice to start learning now.

[WorldOfJane]

This is so useful!

Thankyou!

Not to start any advertising but does anybody know any good privert violin teachers in Sheffield? (England)

Im leaving school soon so I cant use the in school lessons :(

[possiblySammm]

Try Gumtree.

[KA132435]

Thank you so much for the videos. Those videos help me tremendously. I have played the violin for about 20 years now, but I can't effectively teach another person how to play the violin, because I can't remember how I learned the basics.

Keep up the great work!

[tonilodon]

You are a great!! help..i bought my violin yesterday and i already have my grip (almost) down and I'm getting better in scaling because of you..thx my neighbors won't like me much longer tho...hahah oh well

[mancha02]

I'll repeat what I previously said: you can't learn how to play the Violin just by watching these videos. Yes, they are excellent videos, and yes, he's an excellent teacher, but a teacher is a NECESSITY for anyone that wants to be at least decent at it.

The violin is one of the hardest instruments to be self-taught. If you don't have a teacher, don't even try.

[RG007145]

These videos do serve as a decent primer before you get a teacher though. Assuming you are just fiddling around with a new instrument, they'll help you avoid bad habits in those couple weeks before your first real lesson.

[rui783]

oh no!!! is it too late to play violin in 17?huhu... thanks a lot for posting... great job!!!

[pollakmatias]

mm I have a sort of question, I'm 18 and I've been wanting to start playing the violin but I wonder if it's not a bit late to reach high levels. also I'd like to say I really enjoy this lessons even though I don't play yet and I love how much care you put into posture. I play the guitar and piano, maybe that will help with the technique?? I hope so...

[MusicJutsu]

I wouldnt say its too late I find it easier to learn songs on since you don't have the bass like with piano. Once you can mark the invisible frets and find a fingering chart your good to go. googling violin fingering chart will show you.

[larryhoganandthesuga]

This is the best stuff ever on your tube, thankyou for making the music free to everyone.

[remixinglife]

Thank you Todd!

[laurinw]

Hi Prefessor. You are a great teacher and thanks for helping us

[juliaCSL]

thank you for posting all these. Its very detailed yet simple to comprehend. I am learning violin for the 8th month already, suddenly today my teacher said I have a bad angle for thumb the 4th finger. And then when I start watching your videos again (I used to watch it often when I didn't have a teacher yet), I realised that I have bad habits and position problems all these months. I shall have to change all these. Thanks!

[majestia19]

Thank you so much. What a great channel. My daughter got her violin today and wanted to know how to hold everything properly before her lessons started. I decided we should check YouTube and I'm glad we did. I'm sure she'll be back to learn more.

[6Hellbilly6Deluxe6]

I am actually amazed at how well you teach. You manage to teach all ages in one style without being overly complicated for the young and without sounding (even by accident as some may) condisending to those who are not.

Keep up the brilliant work.

[lisaJay20]

Heya, i find your tutorials very helpful. I live in an isolated place, so i can't get lessons and i find your tips very handy. So I Thank you you a lot.

[jccwright]

Hello ProfessorV. Thank you very much for taking the time to post these tutorials online. The question I have for you is something I've always had an issue with in playing stringed instruments and I've never been able to get a very concrete answer. I am double jointed in the base (2nd joint from the top) of my left thumb. The result is that whenever I put pressure against the inside (meaty part) of my thumb the joint at the base overextends inward towards my palm. I have the feeling that (cont)

[jccwright]

this somehow negatively affects my hand posture and the ability for me to hold the neck correctly. Have you ever run in to a problem like this before? Do you have any suggestions that might help resolve this issue or is it something I will just have to take into consideration and work around? Thank you so much for what you do. Best wishes. JC

[professorV]

Hi JC,

You should be able to fix that problem by placing the side of the thumb against the neck, rather than the pad of the thumb. Make sense? If you bring all of your fingers together, keeping them straight, see what part of the thumb is touching the side of the first finger. It probably is not the pad, rather it's the side. This helps protect that joint, which can become sore if it bends like yours. I've seen it many times , don't worry and good luck!

[BuchouKuruta]

thanks a lot master, this is very usefull, I learn so fast, but I can't be patient, and I see five lessons in the same day. I try to practice with calm.

[musical023]

Oh yeah it helps ! Don't stop sharing plz !!

[Xure]

Hello professor V, first of all, thank you for having these helpful videos on youtube. Second, I have a question: In lesson 6 part 2, you mentioned a "bad habit", holding the pinkie up, bent and away from the rest of the hand. Do you have any tips on how to correct it?

[yiu1989]

I love your video very much. Thank you.

[fiddlinmatt]

Hello professorV I have recently started studying the Kreutzer Etudes, and I'm dismayed to find that there are few vids of these Etudes on YouTube, and the ones that are there do not treat them in a thorough manner and certainly not in their totality. If you have the time could you do videos for the Kreutzer Etudes, discussing and/or playing through them. Thanks much!

Matt

[charmister]

It's great that you're taking your time to make these videos, they are helpful and nifty. Another tip you should give to your younger students (such as my age 14) is to breathe while using all the great techniques in unison and perfection. This minor flaw is common amongst most of my beginner friends in the band class and is something that we as novices can be easily reminded of. Thank you again.

[Maticomp]

Hi there! professorV, I've got a question regarding violin holding. In fact, I'm kind of curious, after over a year of playing. Do you keep contact between the side of index finger and fingerboard all the time? (of course in lower positions, where it is possible)? I'm supporting my violin on my thumb and putting my fingers from the top, but as I look at your video you seem to have contact with the neck with both thumb AND the index finger. Thanks!

[PalominoBluegrass]

I'm leranin mandolin and this is a great video for this too , because I think what is said about fingers placement apply in the same way to the mandolin !

[EPsuperFan]

about the finger "typewriter" part, can I understand it as the feeling of fingers playing piano?? (the keyboard touching?)

[lazybumgirl]

err after trying the bow hold with the violin on my neck, its only like an hour while watching.. when my thin left arm gets tired and i have to rest it on a high table while doing the 'bunny' LOL. i guess i need to lift weights or something.. (-_-);

[manliosantini]

Hi teacher! I'm an mid-age italian that at 13 (in the magical seventies) tried to learn the violin. the mission failed. now I'm watching your lessons and I want to thank you for the opportunity to try another time. A question: seeing these lessons about "the hold & finger placement" I can't understand the correct position of the left arm. I tried, but my lefty pinky can't reach the string. Could you post a lesson showing this left arm posture detail? Thanks and sorry for my "spaghetti english".

[professorV]

Hi, Stand with your feet soulder-width, pointing slightly outward - in the shape of a letter V. Set the violin on your shoulder with the violin pointing in the same direction as your left foot, with your left elbow right over the foot. Now, place your pinky on the A string first, then drop the 1,2 & 3. This should allow you the use of all 4 fingers. More below...

[professorV]

When you start playing on the D and G strings, pivot the left arm by pulling the elbow to the right. The thumb will drop under the violin's neck just a little bit. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT BEND FROM THE WRIST - pivot the ENTIRE arm, including the hand. Place your pinky on the D or G string, depending on which string you are working on. You should be able to reach all four fingers now and the relationship of hand-wrist-elbow did not change. Good luck!

[monicayoutubi]

Hello Professor!I find your lessons very interesting and informative. I've just started learning the violin, and I realized that my thumb kind of hurts when I play. Is that normal or is it something in the left hand position that I should correct?

Thanks

[professorV]

Hi, Tendonitis is possible if you squeeze the neck. It usually hurts at the base of the thumb on the palm side, or between the thumb and 1st finger. Another place it can hurt is at the base knuckle (often on top), if the joint is collapsing. If that is the case, roll the thumb so it contacts the side (facing the first finger) instead of the pad of the thumb.

[yerushalmit]

Thanks so much for this video, Its very helping! The Hold & Finger Placement are not easy for me...

[scratchybow]

professorV, Thank You for your most informative series.

I have been taking violin for two years. and, after viewing

your posts just recently, I have started trying to use some

of your basics. A few of them, are different from what I was

taught, but I believe yours is best. Practice will tell. Warmest Regards.

[professorV]

Hi and thanks, Love your user-name!

Good luck to you - TE

[Lamexicana394]

hi yeA i noe this but i have a q. how do you tremmble your hand on the violin because i am in inter. adv. but i wan to learn how to play with a tremmble in my hand because have noticed it makes it sound richer can u plz do aa video of that and i have played hard peices it'z just that none of the one'z dat ma teacher mr. serano hasn't taught me because of the viloinist so he'z keeping me up

[professorV]

Try my video on wrist vibrato, I think it's what you are looking for. Good luck!