5 Common Mistakes in High Positions

[@banjiddle]

It’s all about positioning! Dr Professor, Maestro Joy Lee, you are the only violinist on you tube, and the net, that actually plays the upper positions 13, 14, 15, and demonstrates for us, and not just talk about, or show us a position chart! Thank you so much for sharing, and teaching your outstanding talent, which shows your hours of hard work and practicing! Mucho Kudos to you!!!!👏⭐️❤️

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you as well Terry!

[@abhinavivaturi3387]

Terry Armstrong very true

[@Metalpazallteway]

Yup truly fascinating.❤

[@peizeding2649]

The best video teaching high position I've ever seen

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are very kind Peize. Thank you very much and happy practising!

[@berachtdorian6191]

Your name is Joy and that is what you have brought me through this lesson. It's good to see someone else who truly loves the violin. Thank you!

[@virginiamaes4th]

Wow, YES! This video IS very helpful, THANK YOU!!!!! Too often I become preoccupied with pitch and tone quality that I forget to curve my fingers! Other times I have great posture and physical technique but then the bow pressure and/or speed is incorrect! There are lots of things to work on and remember...and I LOVE it. I’ll continue striving to improve for the rest of my lifetime. Your tips and advice always inspire me to grab my violin and start working on those tips right away!!!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're most welcome Steven and thank you as well! It's so nice to hear such detailed and positive comments :) Happy violin playing!

[@shipsahoy1793]

Wow, I’m speechless! You are a great teacher Joy! Watching your videos gives aspiring violinists much insight. Thanks again & again & again 🙏

[@letrasimperfectas]

I still remember our little class in Skype. Thank You so much for You contribition.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

It's always good to see you here Yohan! You're most welcome:) Thank you as well and happy music making!

[@topnews3306]

Literally the best video for higher positions on youtube. I have searched so many videos for it but didnt find any one with such detailed tips. I just love your videos your my best youtuber mam 😊

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you so much Top News :)

[@JustFiddler]

indeed

[@hokagemaya]

Thank you so much for creating this video! You're my saviour! I have a short pinky, and using it on the violin has always been a challenge for me. When I try to reach out with my pinky, it often flattens out and is only able to bend at the top joint because it has to reach extra far due to its short length. When I was a kid, my former violin teacher even remarked that my pinky was too short and that it might hold me back as a violin player. I used to believe that was my destiny 😂 But after watching your video and implementing your hand positioning techniques and suggestions, I've discovered that my pinky is just fine! It CAN reach and stay curved!! It just needs some help from the hand / palm and thumb! This is such an exciting discovery for me, so thank you again!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Awwww... how wonderful Hoka!! I am so happy to hear that my video was helpful to you. I wish you much more positive discoveries and rewarding moments with violin playing! Happy music making Hoka!

[@juliachapman1053]

That was so incredibly helpful. Didn’t even realise what I’d been doing wrong! Clear instructions and great demonstrations. Thank you so much 😊

[@jalajasankar6369]

Thank you so much Joy. Clearly explained the positioning and movement of palm. Dedicated teacher.

[@archaeologist17]

Im go grateful for this video. I have a weak pinky and can't keep it curved . this will definitely be something I work on

[@jswlo]

Thank you so much for your advice Joy! It is very helpful because it is always difficult to make a good sound in high positions! Thanks again!! :)

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super teaching teacher AUGUSTINE violinist very good explanation

[@danieldeiparine1616]

Thank you so much Joy, now i am very confident to play high notes.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Awesome!!! Yay!

[@playtheviol8441]

Thank you~. Your teaching is very helpful to me~.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're very welcome Play The Viol. I wish you lots of wonderful music making!

[@dianal.1279]

Thank you very much! It was very helpfull to actually see all of your fingers and also the thumb! This was so thorough! Fantastic lesson!🌹🌻☀️

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you Diana!

[@maxlam79]

Thank you for posting such detailed demonstration. It helped a lot. Salute.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Glad it helped! Thank you also Max!

[@binahdelille724]

Thank you Joy.. Definitely, you produce the most useful videos for violinists. Please don't stop

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are very kind Binah. Thank you so much!

[@arash_dsch]

Thanks a lot

[@Sara-wd5lk]

That is so useful, Joy! Thank you so much for this great explanation how to play in high positions! All the best, Joy! 😘🌹🎵🎻

[@yacoubgirgis6400]

Thank you Joy, kind regards as always

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you as well Yacoub! warm regards to you too!

[@MegaToti26]

Hi Prof. Joy! What a wonderful explanation, so well detailed! Thank you so much. Have a GREAT day!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thank you very much Maria. I wish you a wonderful day too!!

[@violavicki]

Thanks Joy Lee. Love your video and your instructions. I play the viola. We really don't have your #5 problem, being a bigger instrument and all. But I think all others apply to the viola as well. Thank you.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thanks for sharing!

[@asiaz.293]

Thank you 🙂🎻

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're welcome 😊

[@mockingbird3099]

This helps immeasurably. Thanks!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're welcome!

[@acaaca9611]

Thank you so much!!! I finally be able to practic intro of caprice no.5 without hurting my hand

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Wonderful! Way to go Meee!!

[@lindareese4579]

Thank you for sharing this with me and good luck to you..

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're most welcome Linda and thank you very much also!

[@brooksley77]

Thank you Joy!!!!!!

[@Yu-cu3bl]

Your videos are very very helpful, Thanks a lot !!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are welcome Yusei!

[@alexkuamoo3874]

Thank you!

[@susanmoyra3021]

Thanks so much for sharing your tips 🙏🌻

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're most welcome Susan :)

[@melvinperez1616]

I love your energy ❤️, thanks for the video.

[@hazelcasey3403]

Thank you, Ms Lee. That was very helpful.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are so welcome :)

[@singtatsucgc3247]

Excellent lesson thank you so much!

[@dwisupriyatno1194]

Thank you Joy 👍

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You are so welcome! Thank you also!

[@helmiviolin5674]

I will share this to my friends who need this 😊 thanks a lot for sharing 🙏

[@MelodiaSpring]

Very nice demo! Thank you for sharing.

[@annewick2558]

Thank you!! This is helpful 👍

[@SofiaViviEnDo]

Thanks Joy for this new video. As always, very clear input, and a great way to start my day.

[@amandac.874]

Thank you these are great tips! Very helpful video.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

You're most welcome Amanda!

[@nickcarroll8565]

This was very helpful. When you are super high position and playing on the tips of your fingers like that, do you ever run into the problem of your nails touching the strings and causing issues?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Nick, I am glad to hear my video was helpful. I personally keep my nails very short, trimming them every 2 days to secure enough flesh on my fingertip. But I can understand that for some, it could be uncomfortable. I hope you find a way to make it work better. Happy trying!

[@sm9846]

thank you so much joy !

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Thanks Augustine!

[@danhu4465]

Very professional and useful tips. Another question that I would like to ask is, from your professional perspection, should we practice high positions (say 8th and above) on the D and G strings as much as A and E?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Dan, high positions above 8th positions should be approached gradually. It is important to master 3rd and 5th, 6th positions, before trying 8th position and higher. Once you are in that level, then yes, one should warm up with scales which include these extreme high positions. Happy practising!

[@wellhelltherefellwhuman4637]

I NEEDED THIS SO MUCH!!! Thank you!👍

[@SteveJDavisRYTLMTNCTMB]

Excellent!

[@dorsavh3470]

thank you so much!

[@lonniepaulson7031]

I went through the book, Introducing The Positions Vol. II by Whistler. The book does a good job showing you fingering up to the seventh position, but anything afterward it does not do a very good job. Is there any books out there that show you fingering positions from the eighth to the higher positions. I believe you said there were fifteen positions. I didn't even know that. Since your fingers are so close together in these higher positions how do you know you are playing in tune? (i.e. flats & sharps)

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Lonnie, Sevcik has shifting books working each positions which you can continue to the highest position. Also Galamian Violin technique book ( scale book) include 4 octave scales which will cover the extreme high positions. Yes, you are right in extreme high positions the fingers are so close that you sometimes need to fold one finger on top of the other. Happy practising!

[@afroblue9427]

Hi Professor Joy, I really like your videos, I have an interesting subject, I hope on playing Paganini caprice number5. The arpeggios! Many of the videos I have seen with the violin greats that use a shoulder rest, or not seem to extend there hand with the thumb below the heel of the neck, they also do not seem to shift using the method you describe of placing your hand on the finger board as you shift up, I am really confused as to how to play the arpeggios without bending my wrist in an awkward position, and achieving a great position to play the scales that follow! Can you please do a tutorial on doing this movement? Many many thanks! You are great!

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Dear Larry, Thanks for the idea. I'll put it in the lsit of the future videos. Happy violin playing!

[@mutantotull]

obrigado.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

de nada e obrigado também

[@sm9846]

very excellent and helpful , thank you so much from Iran

[@robertbrawley5048]

That lip on the violin where the side band of wood is glued into the top interferes with the thumb. I would think violin makers would of figured out how to smooth over that lip . I guess it's up to me to carve it off and apply JB weld to the joint to make a slide from the bottom of the neck to the side off the fingerboard

[@raquelvasquez5152]

So those extremely high notes are played in harmonics right? Also, how would you vibrato on harmonic notes?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi Raquel, not all high notes are harmonics. However one can vibrato harmonic notes just like any other notes. One has to be very careful to keep the fingertip weight unchanged during vibrato. Here is a video you can see how it's vibrated. Happy practising! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4DKd55vl7OsgJo

[@eliasrodriguez6450]

Dear teacher Joy, congratulations for your advice. I do not know if you could tell me what dijitacion you do for the scale that you start on string 0:07 E from 3rd position. I can not distinguish well by speed, but I think you always use 1,2,3-1,2,3. There are methods where you usually end up with 4th finger, or fourth finger extensions at the end of the scale. I would like to know what you think about the remarks and what fingering you recommend as more comfortable to get into high positions. Thank you very much for everything I hope you can answer me.

[@selmatorres2702]

Gostei ❤️❤️

[@laniakeadev.2271]

3:48 Is is suitable for plyers without the shouder rest? I tried, and sliding back is almost impossible...

[@ChrisPlays777]

Is it possible or should I buy a shoulder rest?

[@laniakeadev.2271]

@@ChrisPlays777 Of course possible. You also may use some pad

[@sweetpea7583]

Is this the same for viola?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Yes Sweet. Happy practising!

[@pianodesu]

What about the pressure of fingers? Do we have to press hard so we feel completely the fingerboard with the finger tips? Ive heard that it is heavy for the strings making it more probable for them to break. Or we can press the strings without touching the fingerboard but its kinda hard?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi PianoDesu, you can press the fingertip all the way down on the fingerboard or only with some level of fingertip pressure. For example, for high positions on G string or for very loud, long, fully vibrated notes, the fingertip should sit well on the fingerboard. However for harmonics or notes is very high positions on E string, the fingertip sits with only a certain level of pressure which can be challenging at first, but with a correct practising, you can totally achieve it. I hope this answers your question. Happy practising!

[@pianodesu]

@@JoyLeeViolin Thank you for your time commenting, that answered my question.I find it challenging with the high notes on e string it's harder to 'vibrate' without pressing fully down on the fingerboard.

[@richardsvarghese7157]

Maam would i need shoulder rest for higher position in especially in G string?. Difficult to play without a shoulder rest? Is it mandatory??

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Dear Richards, some violinists play the violin without a shoulder rest ( also on G string in high positions), so it is possible. However I personally find it easier to play with a shoulder rest. Happy practising!

[@richardsvarghese7157]

@@JoyLeeViolin thank you maam😍

[@johnalexander301]

Any advice for playing in high positions w/o shoulder rest. When I bring my thumb off the neck the instrument becomes unstable.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Hi John, in general I am not fond of playing without shoulder rest, as it is very hard to play difficult passages in high positions on G or E strings. Some people with more muscles on the shoulder and neck can work, but I kindly suggest that you give a try with a shoulder rest. Happy violin playing!

[@abhinavivaturi3387]

Hey I have a question. Are you supposed to lodge your thumb at that little lump? If so? What if you can’t reach the high positions because your thumb leaves the lump?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

The left and thumb should be flexible and reposition whenever necessary in order to play difficult positions especially in high positions with small exceptions of upcoming quick descending runs. Happy violin playing Abhinav!

[@abhinavivaturi3387]

@@JoyLeeViolin Lol i just saw this thank you very much!

[@liamderosa2157]

what strings do you currently have on your violin? I noticed that you had Peter Infeld on the E and Vision Solo on the A D and G

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Currently I have Peter Infeld on the E, Vision Solo on the G and Chromcor on the D and A strings

[@liamderosa2157]

@@JoyLeeViolin Interesting. You have steel core strings in the middle, but synthetic core strings on the outside.

[@liamderosa2157]

@@JoyLeeViolin I thought you didn't like the Peter Infeld E String

[@cheewooi]

What if one has a relatively bigger hand? Should your thumb touched on the blackboard?

[@JoyLeeViolin]

For violinists with bigger hand, the stretching part is easier so, sometimes you can even leave the thumb really close to the neck of the violin. But for most violinists keeping the thumb on the side of the finger board is a good idea in extremely high positions. I hope this answers your question Chee-Wooi!

[@cheewooi]

Thank you for your clarification.

[@cheewooi]

Joy Lee I did try four octave G major scale and I did realize thumb and hand have to change in order to have a smooth transition.

[@loaialhajj9129]

How many positions on violin?

[@NeomiNemeth]

I just tested this (I hope it's correct): as many positions as you can substitute your 4th finger with your first, times four (because there are 4 fingers... 3X4=12) ....so let's see....I tried this on the E-string....here are the notes WITHOUT sharps or flats (without key signature indicated) FGAB 1234 - 1st GABC 1234 - 2nd ABCD 1234 - 3rd BCDE 1234 - 4th CDEF 1234 - 5th DEFG 1234 - 6th EFGA 1234 - 7th FGAB 1234 - 8th GABC 1234 - 9th ABCD 1234 - 10th BCDE 1234 - 11th CDEF 1234 -12th In 13th position I could barely add the last 2 fingers on the fingerboard and could no longer distinguish the pitch by ear....but the neighbourhood dogs started howling 😂 ...so I don't think they use the 13th, but I could be wrong.

[@loaialhajj9129]

@@NeomiNemeth That's why I'm asking Because my teacher said there's only 8th positions and it's will be hard to play more positions Anyway thank you so much for helping us

[@nocturnallsnake4228]

@@loaialhajj9129 some teachers like to state that there are only 8 positions, which leads to confusion and much lacks explanation. Nearly everyone can put four fingers up to the eighth position From there on, many tricks can be used, like finger extensions, moving the thumb around the violin rib, along the fingerboard etc. I think their use depends on the passage: arpeggios call for finger extension and fingerings, scales need more thumb work etc. I had a teacher who liked to pratice 4 octaves D scales. Check this out.

[@momoma533]

I really have short nails, but on high positions, i cant press my fingers completely down, if i bring my hand above the body of the violin.

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Dear Momo, in very high positions you don't have to press the fingertips completely down as it will play with less pressed fingertips. And make sure to have left thumb resting on a part of the violin which will give you a better control of the finger. Happy practising!

[@momoma533]

@@JoyLeeViolin thank you

[@travisfimmel6143]

❤❤

[@MrAraimanshion]

Precious(*_*)

[@omarercoli9034]

Ciao grazie

[@JoyLeeViolin]

Non c'è di che e grazie anche a te. Buona creazione musicale, Omar!