1. Bows can be very different from each
other, some tend to bounce more than others. Try another bow.
2. Try loosening the hair tension a bit, this usually helps.
3. Change the place on the bow which touches the strings when
you get the bouncing phenomena. (move towards either the frog
or the tip a bit)
4. Practice bowing with your arm more relaxed.
Dear fiddler, I can offer a few suggestions
to try. I use a technique which is controversial and not accepted
by all teachers, that is, putting the thumb of the left hand under
the neck far enough so that no other part of the hand even touches
the neck, including the first finger or the palm. This works very
well for me and many of my students. I have small hands also,
and this makes shifting and reaching the low strings much easier.
My thumb always stays under the neck, and nestles close enough
to the scroll so I can feel where the neck begins to curve.
The point where it begins to curve is my anchor, or point of reference
so that my thumb always know where to be. I keep my wrist absolutely
straight, not twisted or bent, and bring my elbow in toward the
center of my body, which also helps reaching the lower strings.
If you keep your wrist straight, it shouldn't hurt. I wouldn't
do anything with your left hand which causes pinching, constriction
or tightened muscles.
With your bowing hand, I would keep your thumb joint bent at all
times, though, rather than perfectly straight and locked, as some
teachers teach. Again, this a controversial idea but it works
well for me. good luck, Ryan Thomson
December 6, 2001
B. wrote:
Just read your comments about left hand postition....YAY! Finally
an answer that makes sense to me...I'm quite small and have struggled
with my lousy 4th finger (and keeping the other 3 down) forever.
I've asked and asked for advice, but no one EVER suggested moving
my thumb.....WOW what a difference.!
Okay ....now...how do those of us with puny hands and fingers
manage double stops more precisely? (see, now I think you know
everything)
B.
Dear B.,
I'm happy to have helped out. I have a friend with small hands
that plays on a "7/8th" size violin. It sounds the same
as a full size violin with a shorter string length so its easier
to make long stretches for double stopped octaves and other techniques.
Double stops do take a lot of practice though, for anyone. Another
tip: I have the string height above my fingerboard set as absolutely
low as possible at the nut so the strings are easy to press down,
and I can play faster with less energy expended. The fingerboard
itself is scallopped just the right amount. My e string is almost
sitting on the fingerboard. My bridge is standard height however,
since you can't sacrifice at that end. My violin is set up very
precisely by a violin maker that I trust.
Ryan
Dear -
Everyone gets somewhat tired after extensive work on a new piece
or scale. Try playing only 20 minutes, take a 15 minute break,
repeat. Try breaking up your playing to several short periods
a day. Relax your finger/arm/shoulder/back muscles completely
between practice bouts.
I recently suffered a disability that made me have to relearn
how to play violin all over again left handed, after I had been
playing right handed for many years. Like yourself, I had to go
through aches, pains, and numbness all over again. Fortunately,
I had the knowledge of stretching and relaxation techniques to
help me along the second time.
Yehudi Menuhin wrote a great book on yoga, stretching, and relaxation
techniques for violinists, which gave me lots of good ideas which
I used when I entered a very important fiddle contest. Many of
the top contestants took a shot of alcohol before their turn,
in order to be more relaxed. I did 15 minutes of yoga relaxation,
including a "shoulder stand." (I did quite well in the
contest)
Some of my classical music associates use a prescription muscle
relaxant that they take before important performances. I'd prefer
working on muscle relaxation techniques instead. Good luck with
your concerto!
You are in luck, and can choose to play
either left or right handed! I suggest that you read my book:
Playing Violin and Fiddle Left Handed,
which is a compendium of info on left handed playing from the
experiences of over 100 other lefty players. Also, for teaching
yourself fiddle go to this link - Left
Handed Fiddling for Beginners.