Left hand 4th finger techniques (including tips for smaller hands)

This video is for those violinists who wish their left hand 4th finger felt strong and flexible instead of perhaps feeling weak or rigid and uncomfortable, which unfortunately is quite common, including for those with smaller hands. So let me show you detailed, helpful techniques about how to reposition your left hand fingers to allow the 4th finger to start working well...Mary V.

[@kyproset]

So very helpful, thank you.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you very much! Mary V

[@martatessi]

oops! I just tried bringing the wrist closer to the violin and it works!!!! Great advice!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Marta! Wonderful, well done! I'm sure you will benefit from this as you have small hands. (Does this help the issue in your previous comment about the fourth finger playing E on the A string?) Thank you, Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Yes! Thank you so much!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Wonderful - well done! Mary V

[@ivrz]

Excellent lesson thank you

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello - thank you very much! Mary

[@bordercollietv880]

Your tips for size challenged violinists are really helpful. I really struggle with reaching high positions (6th and above) with my tiny pinky. A video on this subject would be very helpful.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thank you for saying my videos have been helpful, I'm very grateful. Yes, playing the violin while accommodating a tiny pinkie is so different and challenging, isn't it? We have to find alternative techniques that work properly for ourselves and constantly work to keep our left hands conditioned. What a great idea for a video, thank you very much - you've got me thinking about it...Mary❤

[@deltafour1212]

This is Gold! How did I not know this channel existed!? Like/Subscribe/Bell

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Wow! I love your enthusiasm! Thank you so much. Mary V

[@katiemartin2428]

Hi Mary V, thanks for the great videos. I’m finding that my fourth finger start off straight and then when I push down on the string it becomes curved. Do you have any tips please ?

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Katie! It would really be better to curve the finger all the time if you can. Having had another look at your wonderful videos I notice again that you have nice long fingers, so there's no issue with reach. At the moment your finger action looks weak. Over time the fingers strengthen, so don't worry, that's pretty normal and it's all looking great, but you have to be very gentle with your fourth finger in particular at this stage. So repeatedly put the fourth finger up and down right next to third finger, keeping it curved and alternating between pressing the string and just touching the string. Don't even bother about tuning with this. It's all about the fourth finger learning the right shape and action. Go very slowly and rest often. Try the action away from the violin on your right hand so you can observe what's happening from another angle. Put your bow down and use your right hand to help your fourth finger to place itself, just like a teacher might. You will get a very good left hand if you are patient at this stage... Please contact me with anything at all, Katie. Mary V

[@katiemartin2428]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thanks so much Mary V , really appreciate your advice. I can definitely get it curved if I go slowly so I’ll keep going with it. Thanks again, Katie 😁

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

It's brilliant that you can curve the finger! It's just a question of patiently creating a habit now...Mary V

[@katiemartin2428]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv thanks Mary v I’m feeling motivated now . 😁

[@martatessi]

Hello Mary. I have seen some people use self-adhesive tape to mark the position of the fingers on the violin. I don't use them because it bothers me to see them on the fingerboard. I prefer not to look and maybe I'm wrong but I try again until I get the distances. It's right? Personally, I'm having trouble tuning with the fourth finger on E in first position on the A string and I think it's because I can't locate a double contact. Will the third finger on D sharp help me? Thank You!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Marta! I must admit that I don't like tape on the fingerboard. It's horrible and so unhelpful. It's far better for violinists to learn accurate tunings using fingers and hearing which benefit from being trained right from the start. Sorry Marta, I'm having trouble understanding 'I can't locate a double contact.' Would you mind repeating in Spanish and I'll translate with Google translate? Thank you, Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Gracias Mary. Galamian recomienda el doble contacto del pulgar y el dedo indice para ubicarse en las primeras posiciones

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you Marta! (It's a bit difficult to work out what is really happening in your hand and fingers without seeing them, so I'm guessing that the thumb and the inside of the index finger are holding the neck too tightly? That would make it very difficult for a small hand to stretch out and the fourth finger becomes rigid. Remember, Galamian said that points of contact are 'soft'. Is your hand tilted back enough for your small hand to play more comfortably? The fourth finger is the most important to accommodate and all the other fingers adjust to the fourth. Your determination is inspiring! If my guess is wrong, please keep asking until we can get to the bottom of this issue, ok? Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv I will be attentive to the relaxation of the hand. Thank you!

[@JitendraThakur-tp6ym]

Hello.... Thankyou....

[@johnsamir7005]

❤️❤️

[@Klet-p4d]

Hi. Are you using 7/8 violin?

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello, it's a full size violin. Mary❤️

[@Klet-p4d]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv my hands is a little small. Would 7/8 be okay?

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

@@Klet-p4d It's very important to consider what is right for you! A 7/8 violin would certainly be a good idea for your small hands and there are gorgeous 7/8 violins out there. So if you try violins, just ask yourself, does this violin make a lovely sound and is it easy to play? Every violinist is helped enormously by having a nice instrument to play comfortably and I hope you find yourself a nice violin - soon! Good luck! Mary❤

[@Klet-p4d]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv thank you very much:) subscribed.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

@@Klet-p4d very kind of you, thank you and good luck! Mary❤