Left Hand Squeezing: How to Stop

Another video lesson from http://www.ViolinLab.com. Excessive squeezing with the left hand can certainly curb progress with left hand technique. Beth Blackerby, creator of Violin Lab offers tips and advice on fixing the problem.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• violin left hand
• left hand technique violin
• violin left hand squeezing
• violin vibrato
• left hand gripping

[nile012]

Hey Beth, I'm about to start Violin lessons and I wanted to ask you if you've got any specific guidelines for "what to look for" in a Violin Teacher to comfirm whether they're "good" or not?

[violinlab]

@nile012 You want a teacher who has an agenda for you. A good teacher can anticipate what your needs are and will know how to set you on that path. I would say a bad teacher is one who only reacts to what you've played without giving you specific ideas on how to practice and improve your technique. You don't want someone to just give you pieces to play, but one who thoroughly addresses and explains technique.

[anonymuis]

Well since i got a new antique violin it has a bigger size than the average size of violin. I think bonmusica shoulder rest fits me better and im gonna buy it. I actually didnt know that lots of ppl squeeze their left hand. I dont do it but I'd like to see an example of squeezing left hand bcoz i've never seen someone does it.....

[violinlab]

@anonymuis I have a video: Violin Vibrato: Slow Motion: Dos and Don'ts on my channel. Take a look at that. I show how squeezing the neck prohibits the vibrato motion.

[luboxing]

Hi Beth: could you comment on sweating on the left hand? I found it adding much friction to shifting from time to time. Any advice? BTW what's the brand of your shoulder rest?

Thanks!

[violinlab]

@luboxing My shoulder rest is a Bon Musica, and I love it. It is by far the most adjustable one on the market. As for the sweating, I used to have that issue in college, and I became dependent on talcum powder. I would dust a little on my hand before playing. It took care of the problem, but like all dependencies, I finally forced myself to stop. Fortunately my hands don't sweat too badly, or else I manage it better now.

[MoonBHAA]

how come there aren't any videos teaching how to play the violin without a shoulder rest.

[musikron]

Hi, just wanted to say your videos are great. I am just getting back into bowed instruments after a 20 some odd year affair with guitar, and I am finding them indispensable in knocking the cobwebs off. You are obviously a gifted teacher, thank you!

[VarnasBaltas]

I recently started playing the violin, this is my 4th month and I was trying to avoid any bad habits from the start, somehow the left squeezing crept up on me and I didn't notice. It gave a sense of security since I could easily measure where my fingers should be it became a crutch to find the notes.

Then a callus was forming in the spot where the violin was resting! Its been really difficult to let go of that crutch, I've been playing out of tune a lot. Thank you so much for the tips.

[dekzan]

She is talking an Energy Conservation Technique to mantain adequate tension in the left hand. The concept is applicable in Occupational and Physical Therapy. I will use it with patients I treat.

[MrsLegz84]

ive been playing for 17 years and have stuggled with not being able to progress for years!! I know I am too tense, i am squeezing with my left hand, supporting my violin with my left hand, I can not do proper vibrato, etc, etc, etc, im now having neck problems and back problems. I give violin lessons, and i am seeing that my students are picking up MY BAD HABITS!!!!! this is sooo very discouraging!! i have been doing different exercises for what seems like forever and its like I can not overcome

[PandaManMk2000]

I'm trying to learn how to play with vibrato, but I seem to be struggling. I've been playing for several years and I still can't vibrato. It's starting to frustrate me. I'm not sure what the problem is, I just can't do it.

Your advice is, I'm sure, very useful, but when saying how much force to put on the strings or how loosely to grip the neck, etc, I am not really sure what kind of force is best. I don't think my teacher is that great because I don't feel we've spent enough time on technique

[45Shallon]

dare I say... a "Valkyrie" of fiddlers !

[45Shallon]

Thankyou.  You have shown me the beginings of a science.....

[Danofnj]

Once again, thanks for a very useful instruction.

[elocuazzz]

gracias es usted muy genial papayesca :)

[nile012]

@violinlab Thanks a lot; so pretty much I want a meticulous teacher who'll approach me by slowly observing my weaknesses and strengths and one who will give me in-depth ways to better my strengths and eliminate my weaknesses with a creative and well-informed explanation; overall I want a picky/discernful teacher, very much like yourself!