HOW TO: Use the 4th Finger on the Violin

[@Rouphis]

I am struggling with the third & fourth finger lesson of your 1-10 series and this video really helped. Thank you for all of the knowledge you are putting out and making available.

[@lucyb9515]

Hi Alison, this is a woman starting to learn violin in her thirties. your videos helped me so much. it's like changing life! :)

[@zactogan8903]

I am a beginner of 3 months and I made it a point to start using the 4 finger from the start. It has been very hard, but I'm alot better on 4th finger accuracy. Getting there. These are fantastic videos which keeps motivated for us adult beginners. You are da best.Thanks for sharing and encouraging passion in others.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

you shouldnt feel pain. Without seeing you in person this is difficult for me to give you an answer. I suggest you just fond a hand position that is comfortable for you that works. You can always send me a little video or photo?

[@homfes]

I think the my problem with using my 4th finger isn't so much the stretch but it's just that i think it's just too thin and light so i don't get a full sound whenever I use it.

[@Sungha-im5df]

MI Wright me too! But we need it for vibrato :(

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Everything needs to change slightly or else it would be impossible to move. Practise im afraid. No tip really, just practise. Sorry.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

difficult question to answer, but if you are a beginner, then prob 30 mins per day should be fine - or until you feel you have gotten better and progressed. It may not seem like much, but at that stage, there isnt much you can do and practicing for 2hrs would be too much and one needs time to digest the information learnt. Hope that helps?

[@banjiddle]

Very good instruction on pinky 4 th finger stretch to A. I am using the dot, and don’t care what anybody else thinks! It does help. I am getting the bar tape for frets too! Thank you Alison. I’m sure you already have played this, so I’ll look for it, “Raise you up” ?

[@lindaoster8865]

My 4th finger is so short compared to my others, but your instructions using the thumb placement and allowing the movement helps! The thumb becomes like a pivot point...

[@paneerselvam4646]

Thank you so much for your teaching 👏🙏

[@sabri3214]

Yes, i am struggling with the 4th finger. Thank you for this video Alison :)

[@MossMan888]

I used to play and stopped for about 3 years. My pinkie hates me now 😅 I remembered your channel from years ago when I was trying to get better in school (and would be practicing almost 3-4 hours a day 😭)

[@mariolastepaniuk4957]

Super helpful as always! Thank you Alison X

[@robertthompson8742]

great news, im getting my violin in just over a week, and will soon(hopefully) start lessons. i'll definately reccomend you to other students at the school i'll attend for your tutoring videos :) :) :)

[@strotasourceofknowledge2414]

Thanks teacher!

[@GeminiDolly52951]

Thanks Allison for another good video. One thing I think maybe would be a help is if you actually played on each of the strings the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers, then played the 4th finger on each of the strings so we could hear the correct sound of what each would sound like. I know basically that the 4th finger sounds like the open string on the next higher string, but maybe some folks don't know for sure. But overall, I liked this one. Thank you.

[@ericdugas7332]

Once again, you helped me a lot! THANK YOU !

[@Judexy22]

Very helpful indeed ! You always explain technically so well ! Thank you.

[@anugrahaschoolofarts8074]

Thank you medam

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

no need to keep all the fingers down as you wont hear them as its only the latest finger (the finger closest to you in other words) that makes a sound

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

after you have and are comfortable with fingers 1,2 and 3.

[@TheChickwithguns]

That was really helpful. I have small hands, and this little tip helps a lot...gotta survive Reiding op 35 mvmt 3 somehow...pinkie is a bad finger....

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

This is a little difficult for me to remedy without see you, but i will try.... I wonder if you need to make sure your left hand thumb is 'under' the neck of your violin therefore enabling you to lift your hand up and over the strings? Can you send me a picture of whats happening as without really knowing the full story, I may not ever be able to help you? You can post it on my Facebook page for theonlinepianotutor (link on right side of my channel page) and I can comment under to help you?

[@setareblackcat3632]

My 4 th finger is 3 cm it's so hard using it

[@ajr0ck5tar]

Thank you so much! This helped so much!

[@wattpad6047]

You've done this in perfect instructions, but the reason I can't really play the fourth finger well is that the third finger keeps getting in the way of my pinkie.

[@113faridanur6]

Rip my little pinky finger 😭

[@juleseagan7812]

I was wondering... I am going into book 3 of the Suzuki Violin School and I have used my fourth finger a lot. My teacher moves me on, but I just feel like the higher I go the more unsatisfied I am because I still cannot get a good sound out of my fourth. I feel it disrupts my playing. I have these nice sounding notes and then I have to fourth one and it ruins it. :( My teacher has no pointers for me. Is it the lack of strength? And, if so, how do I get that? I feel like it should have come by now, but no matter how hard I press it is a muddy sounding note that comes back. Do you have any advice? Thank you!!

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Yes - you need to look at and start playing Kreutzer No.9. Also, you need to look at how your had is positioned - I cant help you with that as I cant see you in person, but your position of the hand and the thumb on the neck is about 80% of the problem. I totally understand your problem as not only is that part of your hand weak right now, but also you are not going to get a nice string tone if you are having to reach awkwardly everytime you play a 4th, rather than having the had already positioned and ready to go. You need to play with the full pad if the finger - which is what you are not currently doing. Really and honestly, if your teacher cant help you with something this basic, simple and rudimental such as this, then perhaps you should be looking for a new teacher...

[@rtclark222]

Nice explanation

[@benny25410]

Should there be a curve on the 4 th finger?

[@eightofnine9]

I use that don't fret and think it's a wonderful tool for beginners. I've been learning my fourth finger for the past couple of weeks and my reach is poor. For my pinky to reach the right spot I have to lift my other fingers and give my wrist and slight tilt. I'm not sure, if I'll be able to reach it easily. I was wondering, how much practicing you recommend. My time is limited and I have to plan my practicing.

[@matfish2]

Thank you Allison for your clear and helpful instruction. The problem I am struggling with is less the stretch for right intonation and more the quality of the sound. I am able to stretch my hand and get a pretty good intonation, but the sound is awfully scratchy and muffled. Using the other fingers I am able to produce a clear sound, and the difference is staggering. I realise that as one moves up the fingerboard and the string gets shorter one has to work harder to produce a good sound, but the difference between my third and fourth finger seems immense. To rule out weakness of the pinky as a reason I tried to play first finger at the same spot as the fourth finger on first position but the sound wasn't much better . I wonder if it is a common problem. Would love to hear input from other beginners as well

[@Killytilly]

I have the same problem. Did you find an answer?

[@noshititskrae]

I also experience this. Not really sure what to do. Thought it was my pinky not bending at the 3rd knuckle, but you've eliminated that hypothesis

[@Goochie2]

you might not be pressing hard enough since its harder to press withcthe 4th finger

[@ja34]

thanks. just gotta keep at it

[@mr.coconut7020]

thanks!

[@damasque6678]

Ha! My wrist was wrong. Thank you! Just did the 4th finger A's perfectly on Ode To Joy without having to think about it. Thank you.

[@axk3l]

Why u saying "Ha!" then

[@pinkNawesomeness]

hi .. i have a question .. every time i play the violin and when I put pressure on my ring finger my pinky finger always curl .. this is so frustrating do you have any idea how to get rid of this?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Is it touching the violin and physically getting in the way to the point where you can’t play? If not then, carry on.

[@joshcorcoran5655]

Any tips for someone with a dropped (boxer's) knuckle in their 4th finger? I can hit the right notes with it, but the tension distribution is completely different, as I can't curve it at the angles required for playing the violin.

[@musamalik8164]

My bow touches both the E and A string when I reach to the 4th finger on the A string. Could you please help me with that

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Youll need to work on isolating the strings.

[@musamalik8164]

@@TheOnlineViolinTutor no like it gets isolated when I’m near the bridge....but when I’m near the fingerboard the bow hits both strings no matter what angle I play from

[@polferx]

Unfortunately it hurts a lot cause I have little hand I am 1.56 m so I really have a tiny hand but I know people even smaller then me can play a full Violin without problem, I would like to know how can I put my 4th finger tht it doesn't hurt....

[@plket]

so nice

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

whats the problem?

[@qltygrl3187]

Any exercises to help the left hand turn more?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

I have some in my Learn To Play The Violin Book 3 lessons 21-30.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

erm...stretch with your hand until you can reach? Sorry not much help, but its the only thing i can suggest. :)

[@CherishedPlaytime]

What part of your fingers are supposed to hit the strings. I see some photos and have read in some places that the left side of each finger should hit the strings (and where each finger seems to be pointed toward you when playing) but I have a hard time with that and my fingers tend to point more toward my thumb/the G side. I think the middle hits the strings more).

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

The very pad of your finger, not the sides, or you won’t get a good full tone.

[@violetabighiu223]

I am trying with the 4th Finger on GString , it sounds weak i have the feel as if it would not be enough esecialy when i play e After c# in G String

[@kaku_zato]

If you grab any sheet music that you play (if not especially made for violin) how do you make a decision between open string and 4th finger position, if the sound in the end is same?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

It will depend on what the next note is and what string its on - you dont want to be crossing strings unnecessarily. Also, depends on what tone you want to create - open strings ring out and often, that is not desired. You cant vibrato on an open string either.

[@haypockets]

Went from not being able to use my 4th finger to doing it with ease. Thank you!!!!

[@cat269erine]

whoohoo I can do it! thank you :-) just need to practise now!

[@MegaPaulsz]

What level do you start to use the fourth finger?

[@bontje51]

the problem is that the forth fingertip keeps touching the third fingertip (the rest of the fingers are in the right place) this makes the note i have to play sound to low . what ever i do i cant seem to seperate my forth finger normally from my third . this alwais ocures when the forth finger is slightly bend or more . i hope you can help , (my tutor has run out of ideas)

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Sure. Can you video yourself playing something particular, or whatever you want me to look at and I will edit and make it into a proper tutorial video for you and others here on KZbin? Its very very hard and almost impossible to critique something i hav not hears or seen otherwise.

[@anjalichoudhary2244]

What are octaves and scales

[@AnjaWhateley]

Can anyone help me? I have the following problem: My pinkies are naturally turned to the inside a little, so even when I stretch my fingers, the knuckles separate but the tip of my pinky still points in the direction of my other fingers..this is why I am always half a note off, I can only reach e flat but never e sharp..will I ever be able to learn to reach e sharp?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Without seeing you in person, I’m not really sure I can help much here. I would suggest you just find a suitable hand position where you can reach - but as I can’t see, I can’t properly advise.

[@ImNewbeh]

4th finger on the gstring is very hard for me , kinda hurts my wrist and everything in between ; /

[@sburps]

Hi, when you play a scale what's moving when you cross the strings ? Is it only the fingers, the elbow, the shoulder or all of them (talking about the left arm) ? Does the angle of the hand change when you play from E to G string ? Also I have some problem to play for example on the A string : 1st finger on B, 2nd finger on C, 3rd finger on D or D# (harder) and then 4th finger on E all the fingers down. Do you have a tip for that ? Thank you

[@edwardarruda7215]

I have trouble with my shoulder when I move my elbow out to get to the G string. Im 65 and i guess my tendons need stretched.

[@OurLandish]

You're the best

[@ehsanshoja6083]

I have a problem with 4th finger trill and specifically the speed is very low how i could solve it?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

You wouldnt really trill with the 4th finger, you are better to move into another position and use a better fingering.

[@julieviolon320]

thanks for your advice , I will try tomorrow. my fourth finger is "small" so it is hard to use it. ( I'm learning to play violin since 5 months) I know I need more time but my teacher gives me a lot of exercices and I can't properly do it because of this...

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

+Julie Violon You need to reach over - lift your hand up and round. If you have the tip/pad of the thumb on the neck of the violin, you ill then be able to reach almost as far as the bridge - your teacher should be telling you how to do this. :)

[@julieviolon320]

+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor thank you, it's hard to do , my teacher never teached me that , she said I need time and I don't need to move hand and arm but I'm sure I need to ( like you do in this tutorial) . so thank you for this video , I see clearer "the right move "to do I have to practice it.

[@MK-cz2rt]

I find it really hard to shift from a note on one string to the other. Is there any tip for that? for example I do an F on E and then have to immediately move onto D C B on A string, but I find it hard to prepare my fingers in advance before the first beat finishes.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Its difficult, but shouldnt be a problem. Try going slower. It seems you dont realise whats coming next before you have to play it which is whats causing the issue. Slow and careful practise and knowing whats coming up in advance.

[@MK-cz2rt]

The Online Piano and Violin Tutor oh okay, I shall try. thankyou sensei!

[@hembrel]

I think the reason I it's hard for me to stretch the fourth finger is because my Viola is to big for me. I didn't know anything about what size I should of had when I was renting it, but I liked the 15 inch, so I got it

[@colinhesketh4710]

My problem with my left pinky is it always points to the ceiling. I have been playing for 3 years now so I have a lot of bad habits. Are their tricks to help keep it down. Love Your Vids.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

I dont know of any trick to keep it down except consciously work on keeping it down. In fact you should keep all the fingers down and close to the fingerboard as a genera rule as this helps greatly.

[@ranran4842]

do you have tips for those with small hands? and small fingers? yep... I'm that unlucky... :(

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Small hands are actually good for the violin!

[@ranran4842]

Will practice more.. hopefully my pinkie will be able to reach it.. thank you.. :) your videos are inspiring and very informative..

[@kevinwilson124]

So do I have to use the fourth finger when going down a scale or is it ok to use the open string when going down the scale? Thanks for your help!

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

+Kevin Wilson As a beginner, i would stick to opens, unless you want to use your 4th.

[@kevinwilson124]

+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Great! Thanks a lot!

[@kamikan22]

is way better to just use the open because you can compare what you just played to a note that cant be out of tune but when you realize you are doomed to be out of tune each time you change from a string to another, and then magically see the true and stop trying to reach that parallel note with your fingers and move your elbow.. feel free to use the 4th(compared with double stop first) and feel that sweet sweet scale lol

[@kevinwilson124]

+Kamikan 22 thanks kamikan!

[@contaaposentada1867]

What to do when the pinky keeps locking up?

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

+Blue Butterfly You could try tilting more towards the index finger so the pinky balances more on the bow?

[@contaaposentada1867]

Thanks for answering me :) . I tried this but It doesn't work :/

[@bontje51]

dear allison. i have a huge 4th finger problem that i struggle with for a month .

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

I didnt receive a message from you. I respond to ALL my messages and comments! Please send again.

[@StompersGLA]

If the piece isn't going too fast I just use my 3rd finger in 2nd position instead of using the 4th finger. It's easier.

[@TheOnlineViolinTutor]

Hi, sorry, was that a question - im confused now lol :))

[@abiradas1992]

Wow. You really have a long pinky finger.

[@bontje51]

hmmm weared i send a full explenation after i send this incompleat one

[@mcyetkaserian1]

l dont want to talk with you because l sent you a message but you didn"t turn me back l am sad because of that best wishes from TURKEY KAYSERI CITY MURAT YETIM

[@mzaragoza03]

Darn.. You're all over the place with your explanation of the 4th position.. Very confusing...