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Proper Violin Hand Position
Having a hand in a bad place can cause unnecessary tension and create unwanted conditions later on such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel.
To avoid this, here are some simple tips on how to properly place your hand on the violin.
Your left hand position should rest with a straight wrist along the neck of the violin and wrap around the fingerboard so that your fingers align comfortably with the strings.
Do not leave your fingers too tight around each end of the fingerboard or else it will cause unnecessary tension to build up and make your fingerings slower and your wrist and hand sore.
But, don't be too loose either! If your violin hand position is too loose with the left hand, you will not be able to support the instrument well enough.
Try to keep your thumb straight but not tight or locked so that you can adjust the thumb comfortably while shifting.
Now with the right violin hand position, you need to keep your fingers arched casually around the end of the bow so that you can comfortably grip it with strength and flexibility.
Keep the same idea in mind here as with the left hand: too tight and you won't be able to adjust any of your violin hand positions, too loose and you won't be able to support.
Make sure your fingers are arched and resting on the bow without gripping it too tightly.
The entire weight of the bow should be supported primarily by your pinky and thumb, which act as a lever and fulcrum for bow stroke adjustments you will make while bowing.
If you are struggling to master your violin hand position and learn how to play violin, my number one tip is to get a good teacher.
In the very least, you should be getting your hands on a good set of video tutorials that can instruct you.
The problem with learning on your own is getting caught in all the perils of violin playing that you still have no idea that they exist.
So be smart and rather than trying to learn the violin on your own, find a great teacher who has more experience than you, more knowledge of the instrument and can unlock your true potential as a violinist.
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