Playing The Violin With Small Hands

[@lesleychamberlain4162]

thank you

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you Lesley! Mary❤

[@ivrz]

Fantastic advice thank you. I have large hands and long fingers but these tips have improved my pinky intonation already and made playing easier

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you very much, I'm so delighted that you found the video helpful! Mary V

[@panthersherry1157]

Thanks a lot!!!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you! Mary V

[@kirsitahtinen9968]

I started with 4/4 size and change my violin to 7/8. I courage to try them. There are some that sounds very nice.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Yes, there are some really nice 7/8 violins to try. And the techniques shown here benefit all violinists to make their hands really comfortable and successful on any size of violin. Mary V

[@mistyabels8192]

I built a 7/8 violin for a friend. That means that the violin is 13 mm shorter and that is mostly enough to have an easier reach for the fourth finger. The body of the violin gives by the way a great sound. So buy a 7/8 violin!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thanks for this - wonderful to hear you made a violin! Yes, a 7/8 violin is a great option and there are just as many that have a beautiful sound. Just choose as you would any violin; mainly for a sound you love and know that the neck can be made narrower which makes a huge difference to the fourth finger. Never stop looking for what's right for you and you'll find it. Mary💗

[@lindashapanka6229]

They’re referred to as a “Lady’s Violin” 😬

[@reddragonartwork]

If I knew about the 7/8 violin before getting a 4/4 I would I’ve gone for it (maybe in the future I’ll get one tho) as some stretches actually hurt on my small hand 🥲

[@vokatalin]

Hi Mary V! Thank you for your video. A year ago at an advanced age I started to play the violin. It gives me much delight. I have small hands, too and your video helped me a lot as how to practice without pain in the left hand. 🙏Katalin

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Wonderful - congratulations for taking up the violin! I'm delighted that you feel your small hands are not holding you back. As you know, there's plenty we can learn on the subject.. If there's anything at all I can help you with, please contact me; I'd be delighted and honoured to help if I am able. I hope you continue to derive delight from your playing and learning. Mary V

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

For some reason your comment about getting a clean sound with your fourth finger has disappeared, but I read it and I hope you will get this! The position of the third and fourth fingers close together should make exercising the fourth finger much easier. It's strange that you are finding difficulty . I'm guessing that the problem may be that your fourth finger is going down straight? If that's the case try setting your hand up starting with the fourth finger, making it the finger that everything else revolves around. Everything else has a much greater capacity to adjust, so the fourth finger demands are paramount. This of course can take a bit of time and experimentation... If you think it's a different problem, try describing what you think is happening with more detail - I'd love to help you sort this out so you can make progress. I very much look forward to hearing from you! MaryV

[@vokatalin]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv I was the one who cancelled the comment because I thought it was not proper to ask a question that I must find answer for. Thank you for your quickness and help. I tried your advice to position the fourth finger first, well it will take time to keep the fourth and third close enough without effort to achieve a clear half tone. I do not know why, maybe my fingertips are a bit wider but never mind I only started to play the violin in September last year ... I took a small video of how it goes with me. How can I send it to you? I love your videos, thank you so much! Katalin from Hungary

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Katalin! Thank you so much for contacting me again - I couldn't understand why your comment had disappeared! I'd love to see your video- please send it to [e-mail] (Just in case KZbin blocks the email address for some reason, you can find the same email address in the 'ABOUT' section of my channel.) I'm so delighted if I can help a violinist, so please don't be backwards about contacting me any time, ok? Mary V

[@Alexandra_Stone]

This is good advice. I’ve been trying to get round this problem for years, and seem to have found the same solutions. I practise these stretches every day and over time I am making very slow progress. I find it very difficult to go from close second to fourth and back again and stay consistent with both notes. I have found that keeping a really good posture also helps, and to breathe when you need to reach the fourth. I think I have an even smaller pinkie than yours!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Alexandra! Thank you, I love your advice about posture and breathing; I too find that it helps a lot to keep that awareness up because stretching with small hands can so easily lead to rigidity. Alternative fingerings are also extremely helpful for people with small hands, as I'm sure you have found; in fact, there's a whole art in 'small hand fingering' that those with large hands know nothing about! I find it unhelpful to think about my short pinky like a big problem because it magnifies the issue for me. It's more useful to relax a bit and practice my pinky close to the 3rd finger until everything feels stronger and easier. But there's no getting away from it; there are extra challenges with small hands and a short pinky and I really admire your attitude and hard work to overcome it. I'm sure like me, some days it seems a bit easier; I love those days!🙂 Thank you and take care. Mary

[@audreysawyer5355]

Thank you so much for this - I have been struggling with my hand frame because my hands look very much like yours - this will help me a lot, and maybe cure the aching wrist as well.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Audrey! I'm delighted if my video has helped you. Sorry to hear you've been struggling. It can take a while to 'undo' the strains and tensions that have built up, so patience is needed. Plenty of rests in between concentrated observation is best. Your aching wrist is intriguing and concerning. Have you been able to pinpoint the cause at all? I find it strange because a small hand stretching usually causes aches to the hand, not the wrist. I'd love to help if I can. Mary V

[@audreysawyer5355]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thank you for replying, Mary - I think I have been twisting it too far to try to reach the fourth finger notes - also when doing vibrato sliding practice it seems to set it off. Perhaps I am not moving my arm far enough - I had a bad rotator cuff injury (left shoulder) two years ago, and maybe I have become a bit reluctant to move it too far, although I do have full range of movemnet in it again. I'll be working on your small hand exercises stday and see how I get on.

[@lolamas3042]

Hola Mary! Muy buenos consejos para todas las manos, pequeñas y grandes! 👏👏👏👏👏👏 También a mí me gustaría tener un dedo meñique más largo...pero no es un problema...seguir practicando y los dedos son más flexibles y pueden llegar más lejos! Mil gracias, Mary 💜🎶💜🎻

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Lola! I just adore your faith in progress.There's no better way to approach the violin journey. Thank you for your inspirational words, I'm most grateful. I think the music you make must be very joyful. Mary V💜

[@katiemartin2428]

Thanks Mary V a great video. I will definitely start experimenting as I have small hands. I think I need to use my elbow more to help my fourth finger. I also feel like when I watch my playing back it’s as if my fingers are glued together !

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Katie! Yes, using the elbow will really help all hands, large and small. Actually, your fingers are nice and long, especially the pinky, lucky thing! Your left hand in 'winter' is beginning to firm up; well done, I enjoyed it! You'll have to put up with the 'glue' for a little bit longer, as the finger take their own time to familiarise and strengthen. I hope you don't mind me saying that If I was your teacher I wouldn't let you continue at this stage without sorting out the tunings of your 2nd finger which is indistinct and will spoil your intonation if you allow yourself to get used to it. You've got to get used to being very strict with yourself on intonation and thinking about it all the time by slowing down and listening very intently to your tuning... So I would advise you to play loads of 2 octave g major scales to teach your fingers the difference in the second finger when it's next to the first finger then the third finger. Love your progress and you’re making a lovely sound! Mary V

[@katiemartin2428]

That is brilliant Mary V thanks so much for the advice! I will make myself do it !! Thanks for watching my videos as well.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

That's the ticket Katie! A slow and careful 2 octave g major scale to start every violin session will quickly do an incredible amount for your left hand and your intonation, so enjoy it and savour it...thank you for letting me in on your violin journey! Mary V

[@katiemartin2428]

Brilliant I’m on it! Thanks Mary V. 🎉

[@conniechan3280]

Thanls ❤

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you! Mary💗

[@martatessi]

Hello Mary. First of all, thank you very much for your advice. I wonder, in what cases do you have to place the first and fourth fingers at the same time? I have a small hand and a 4/4 violin (the 3/4 violin was a bit uncomfortable for me) I have decided to play the violin. I have noticed that, unless I had to place both fingers at the same time (I succeed but with effort) the rest of the study is not complicated for me. (I've played saxophone and transverse flute for many years) However, I really like violin practice and I wouldn't want to give it up just because I can't play those fingers well at the same time. (sorry for my english ) And thank you very much for your attention.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Marta! It's so interesting that you've played wind instruments for many years, so you have great experience with posture, musicality and breathing already. We would use the first and fourth fingers together when playing octaves, where you play both notes at once. But this is much more advanced and can be attempted only when the left hand has been set up properly. If you look at my latest video, 'Playing the Violin With Small Hands' you will see how small fingers are set back to enable stretching and playing comfortably. This technique enables violinists to tackle very large intervals like tenths, but for us violinists with small hands, it is applied to all playing. Marta, the crucial thing is to spend time concentrating on setting up your left hand slowly and carefully, taking care to loosen any tensions that spring up as you progress. Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thank you very much Mary. For now I'm going to go ahead and, I suppose that with time, I'll adapt the repertoire to what allows me to express myself and enjoy. It doesn't seem to me that every person who plays the violin has to play Monti's Czardas or Paganini's Caprice No 24. There is a lot of music in the world for all of us to play the same thing on the violin. Your words encourage me to continue and I will look for those works in which I can express myself without stress. Thank you very much for your words. A very affectionate greeting.

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

What could be better than playing pieces you love and enjoy! Take care, Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv Thanks Mary

[@sm9846]

👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thank you! Take care, Mary V

[@martatessi]

He tratado de enviarte mail para ver si podríamos hacer, cada tanto, una clase de chequeo de dudas y control de mi avance pero no pude acceder a tu dirección. Yo figuro en Facebook con mi nombre por si quieres enviar la dirección de mail por messenger.Gracias !

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Marta! I'm very sorry - for some unknown reason I didn't see this message, which is a bit strange...but never mind. Thank you very much, I'd be delighted and honoured to arrange a session or two with you over Zoom, if that's possible for you. I've tested my email address and it's fine, so that's a bit strange too! Would you mind trying again? Here's my email; [e-mail] Looking forward to it! Mary V

[@martatessi]

@@violinstudiowithmaryv perfecto. Voy a intentar. Se agregaba la palabra youtube. Creo que era es el problema. Gracias!