Feel your left pinky is too short for violin playing? Here's the solution!

[@violinlounge]

Which tip from this video was most helpful to you?

[@teresakao9532]

I have an even shorter pinky to yours . Mine is not just under the first knuckle, but half between the first and second knuckle (even just a tiny under the half way point closer to second knuckle.) and YET!!! I am somehow completed my Bachelor in piano and now preparing for Masters in Violin. ALSO teaching both too!!!!! I always a encourage my students that it isn’t impossible, we just need to find a way that suits you😊 Plus a lot of my students have longer pinky then me 😂🤣

[@violinlounge]

Wow, that’s great. Thanks for sharing!

[@Violinna]

Yup - your students can't complain!😏

[@Creationhorse]

Thanks for sharing, that give me hope. Mine is extremely short like yours. The only thing that seems like is helping, is to place the pinky slightly to the right on the string and the roll it to the left.

[@yvonnasun]

My pinky is also hella short. It's about halfway between the two knuckles of my ring finger. Im a beginner and having such a hard time reaching pinky on the G string. I can cover the four finger positions on A and E strings ok. But when I try the G string the neck of the violin gets in the way of my index finger so I can't press the index and pinky at the same time. And almost feels like I have to "travel" my left hand between pressing index and pinky :(

[@Emma-dq2gz]

Thanks for sharing! I used to play cello and guitar and have given both up as I was struggling. My pinkies are both just above the first knuckle. Calms me to hear others have succeeded with a similar problem :)

[@mathildemaijer2396]

I play a 7/8 violin, and it helps a lot. What also helps: to think of the 2nd and 3rd finger as the center of the left hand. And not the first finger. In that way, the second and third finger are the center of gravity, as Hilary Hahn calls it, the first finger reaches back and the pinky reaches forward. Different mindset, but it helps a lot. And what also helps: try various thumb positions. Don’t forget to take the thumb with you when shifting. I used to keep the thumb too far away, and then the pinky seemed too short. Then I started to play a 7/8 violin, and it helped, but the posture was still wrong. After that I improved my posture, in fact I think I could play on a 4/4 now, but I don’t want it anymore. A 7/8 is so comfortable.

[@violinlounge]

Great tips!

[@emilyriesland7674]

I have been looking at 7/8 fiddles (I am 4’10” and I also have a pinched nerve and my 4/4 makes my hands fall asleep quickly!). Also that pinky! My teacher discouraged me, but I’m doing it! Thanks!

[@kmarij]

I changed my 4/4 -violin to 7/8 after 2,5 years of playing. It was a huge relief for me. However, playing in upper positions (4th and upwards) is still a struggle.

[@violinlounge]

Yup, even smaller distances!

[@Sara-wd5lk]

Thank you so much for another useful video and your tips! In my case adjusting left hand hold and technique and relaxing the hand helped me a lot! Big hugs!🤗🌷

[@violinlounge]

Perfect!

[@veroniquevanderveken8526]

I just started in September with violin. (I’m 43) and last Monday i used for the 1st time my pinkie on the D string. But i couldn’t get my pinkie there 🤣. I felt suddenly old and stiff 🤣. I tried to pull my elbow in.. but still no good result. But my teacher tomd me to not force my pinkie. It takes time and its the hardest finger. Needs lots of practice. So i hope that i will get my pinkie there someday

[@Helz777]

I got a 7/8 violin instead. It works for me. This will help me too. Thanks.

[@violinlounge]

Great that you found a solution that works for you!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Thanks Zlata. My pinkies are even shorter than yours, in relation to my other fingers. I never considered a 7/8 size violin. It might just be my saving grace!

[@marcosfuzaro5228]

Muito bem explicado...Parabéns Professora..Deus Abençõe.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

Most helpfull tip was to go in the middle with your handposture and to go in the direction of your pinky when you put your fingers on the strings. Also I didn't know that you have to look at your nails. Actually, I don't look so much at my left hand at all. And maybe I again will try to find a 7/8 violin. The one I tried didn't have the sound I want for my violin but it felt a lot better than my own violin. Then again, I wouldn't know how playing in higher positions would turn out with my short fat fingers on a 7/8 violin. Wouldn't the notes be too close together?

[@violinlounge]

Yes, the notes are closer together, but maybe the difference vs a 4/4 isn't very big. It's a matter of trying I think and there are also 7/8 violins with different proportions, certainly the old ones.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

@@violinlounge where is the best place to look for them?

[@violinlounge]

@@ankavoskuilen1725 Het beste is denk ik om verschillende vioolbouwers af te gaan en proef te spelen.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

@@violinlounge Dat lijkt me een super project voor na corona! Iets om naar uit te kijken!

[@stephanieingham8451]

Thankyou, a great practical explanation for me 😊

[@violinlounge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SophieCViolin]

super insightful video! finger independence is so important :)

[@violinlounge]

Absolutely!

[@teresakao9532]

What would your suggestions be. I play on a 7/8 violin and is studying violin at a Conservatorium. I am still struggling with double stops because my pinky is only HALF way through my second joint of my ring finger. (no where close to the first knuckles)……

[@violinlounge]

What I would recommend is to do the stretching exercises by Ricci in the book Left hand violin technique. This widens the knuckles, so your pinky doesn't have to reach so far.

[@mrs.b.taylor2856]

Would your suggestions also apply to Viola players with a short pinky (brachydactyly type a3)?

[@tanavgowda9512]

I’m playing viola and struggling with thirds on the C string

[@toumajpazoki2848]

I'm an adult beginner. I've thought my pinky is short. But currently I realized the problem is my second finger is much longer in proportion to the fourth. So that causes problem while playing parts that needs to play 2nd before pinky. That pulls my 4th finger back. And I don't know what to do about it. I wish someone could give any advice. My teacher didn't give me much information. Of course he has long fingers. Therefore, obviously he can't realize what I'm talking about.

[@violinlounge]

It sounds like you should try to have your knuckles more aligned with the fingerboard, so that the pinky doesn't have to cross such a distance. Or lift the second finger when you play the fourth making a rolling motion with the hand/wrist. Usually teachers have helped lots of students with very different hands, so can offer guidance even with problems they don't have themselves. Maybe book a lesson with a different teacher for this specific issue?

[@toumajpazoki2848]

@@violinlounge Thanks a lot for your help Zleta 🙏 I'm writings some consecutive notes which has lots of repeating 2nd and 4th so that I could figure it out by practicing them in slow.

[@Creationhorse]

My pinky is much shorter than yours. It's WAY below the knuckle of the ring finger.. The only thing that seems like is helping, is to place the pinky slightly to the right on the string and then roll it to the left.

[@violinlounge]

If that works for you, go for it. We all must find our own way.

[@Geofinator]

Hallo Violine Lounge I don‘t have problems with using my pinky finger but I feel that all my fingers are a litte shorter then nesseesary to play the Vibraro. May be because I can’t lift the violin with my left arm and in the same time pres with the fingers on the playing board. This means also that Í´ ll be lifting the whole violin by the chin alone and pressing. Please help me. I love to play the vibrato. I enjoy learning from all you videos. MSF

[@violinlounge]

I think you'll benefit from my extensive lesson on violin hold and posture: violinlounge.com/how-to-hold-the-violin-from-all-sides-violin-lounge-tv-368/

[@alanknights2779]

As I have got older my fingers have swollen and got stubby , my pinkie is strong but has a job working independently of the third finger. I think the third finger is my issue it feels numb , especially when playing fast passages. Please watch my video see what you think . Adam Beanstock, Alan knights.

[@violinlounge]

Already tried stuff like Schradieck, Sitt or things like Dounis daily douzen?

[@notRODALI]

Soo good

[@violinlounge]

You're welcome!

[@DivaDeb1234]

My hand ✋ is like yours. My pinky is under first knuckle of 3rd finger

[@spockb1186]

My pinky sometimes does not reach right, whichever key im playing, especially on the G String. Overall, i do well. Hugs from America!

[@violinlounge]

Wonderful :)

[@GameOnWithFamilyJam]

I might checkout a 7/8 violin

[@violinlounge]

That can be a great solution!

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

My pinky is more bigger than paganini but it is not strong

[@violinlounge]

Practice 😜

[@HoustonViolin]

Yes. Good usage is the key to success.

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

Also ishtak Perlman

[@violinlounge]

Exactly!

[@Violinna]

Great video! :)

[@violinlounge]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@sisfantasto7004]

My pinky is too weak

[@violinlounge]

Almost all violin players need extra pinky training 💪🏻

[@sarahst.lawrencemusic3918]

My pinky is 2 inches. My middle finger looks about the size of your pinky! Argh.

[@violinlounge]

How about trying a 7/8 violin?

[@xhotdog100]

But your pinky is not short at all😅

[@juliejules7780]

Get a pinkie implant