Speed, Dexterity, and Left Right Hand Coordination on Violin

[@aliceposey424]

Thank you so much for your great teaching!! My daughter gave me her son's 3/4 violin and I have been learning and practicing almost every day...I am 78 years old and learning so many things and love your videos!!!

[@RedDesertFiddle]

That's great Alice...I'm glad these video's are helping you out. Keep up the good work and above all: HAVE FUN. Good luck and keep watching for new materials. Thanks!!!

[@ctsfiddler]

just reporting back after a month of doing these exercises. I set the metronome for 60bpm in the beginning and now i set it at 80. Last month i had a hard time at 60. these exercises have helped me and i will use them daily with practice. thanks again. I have the Sevcik book, but so many exercises, it semed overwhelming. you really simplified it.

[@raymonddavid4061]

Am not among the fastest violinist...But this video plus the exercises you have given has brought alot of changes in me. My fingers drop very well on the finger board. My coordination has improved, i can feel it. Thanks a million. keep on uploading this helpful videos. Be blessed

[@RedDesertViolin]

SO GLAD to hear this! It sounds like you really did the exercises right! Keep it up!

[@ctsfiddler]

just wanted to let you know, another month has gone by and i am now setting the metronome at 100bpm. I can't believe my own progress. Not only in speed, but in coordinating with the bow and learning to relax my hand.. At 100bpm i am sloppy but i'm getting there. can't wait to see where i'll be in a few months. thanks again for the lesson. You put so much into your lessons, you are amazing.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Oh yes, for the Bach Double Concerto 3rd Movement....you need all the speed and dexterity you can get! Good luck with it! That piece can absolutely ROCK. I find it hard to believe it was written SO long ago!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Great! You will be amazed at how quickly you see results from these exercises!

[@PamelaThorsonNikodem]

I am in the process of rehabilitating my right hand after sustaining a long-standing elbow and wrist injury. I recently began teaching violin again, since I missed it over the past ten years. The most recent surgery gives me hope I will be returning to playing. I am not released to play much with my bow, however, I am going to finger the notes and pizzicato the music until my bow hand is ready. (I tore a ligament in my wrist, and in 2014 broke my elbow with four surgeries to repair). Thank you for the awesome ideas here.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Slowly and surely, Pamela. Always be conservative and less is more at first. Wishing you a full recovery! (see you in a couple months)

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Louis-- Your English is fine! That is correct: most people teach the fingers to STAY on the fingerboard until you MUST move them, and also to "keep the shape" of the left hand, that is also correct. I do not always do these things, because there are often "exceptions" to the rules, (there are times when it is better to lift fingers from the fingerboard) but also, maybe I have developed some bad habits! But yes, those are good general guidelines!

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

I was giddy with excitement when I saw this excellent instruction. Thank you. Speed, dexterity and left right hand coordination is exactly what I need as a beginner.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Glad to hear, Stephanie! If you focus on those things as a beginner, you won't be a beginner for long!

[@Loua440]

THANK YOU Lora! Each of your videos, pdf. and advice brings exactly the result which you announce! I find finally clear explanation which allow me to understand and to correct my errors. My hours in the violin become more and more productive. My game improves distinctly and this agrees! I advance finally. And all this, in two months barely! THANK YOU for everything!!! Your help is very precious to me... P.s. Excuse my English...

[@RedDesertViolin]

Most beginners tend to bend their wrist OUT too much, on fear of punishment from a teacher. You can bring your wrist IN slightly, just dont' rest the violin on it. I think if you combine those 2 ideas, you'll adapt well. I have a friend whose pinkies reach the second bend on her RING finger!!! (and she plays professionally....so there's hope for you!) good luck! Lora

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm extremely thrilled with your update! It seems like magic, doesn't it?! I remember when I realized how my hand had changed after doing Sevcik for a month. Keep it up!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Jimmy You teacher is right! You must train yourself to KEEP GOING! You will rarely have a perfect performance....we all miss a note here and there....so you must practice "letting it go", and keep your focus. This is common: Lesson Anxiety. I suffered it too. Well, this is a great opportunity to learn to deal with stage fright. Talk to your teacher, and use this as an opportunity to practice focus, concentration, and maintaining composure! --L

[@maryam0psy]

Thanks hon. very generous to share this for free

[@Andysumm555]

Wow thank you Lora, these exercises are a real leveller. You make it look so easy but i have learned now just how weak my LH 3rd and 4th finger muscles are. The slurring is also a challenge but i can tell the end result will be worth it. Thank you.

[@RedDesertViolin]

If you can find and define your weaknesses, then you can work them out until they are no longer weaknesses.....so you have already taken the first step! Keep it up! The next step is to do lots of exercises like my speed and dexterity. (I have a video on slurring.....if you search my channel you'll find it)

[@artzy_daydreamer2786]

This so helpful! Thank you! Got a Grade4 exam on Thursday and this is already helping me a lot!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yikes! I hope your exam went well! So now you will prepare for Grade 5? Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RedDesertViolin]

!!! That is AWESOME! It is so exciting and encouraging to see your own progress and be able to watch yourself grow. Thank you so much for sharing and KEEP IT UP!!

[@ctsfiddler]

this is my major problem. slow left hand. As usual, your lessons are fantastic.

[@augusttingjiaoli8440]

I find all your videos extremely helpful! Thanks so much!

[@RedDesertViolin]

I appreciate that comment, and I'm glad they help!

[@RedDesertViolin]

That is a REALLY tough question to answer. As I was in high school and also college, I thought MORE IS BETTER....and I tried to log AS MANY hours as possible. I think this is dangerous thinking. My answer: practice smarter and focused, and LIMIT your practice time. Set challenging goals to light a fire under your butt, and then FOCUS your limited time on achieving those goals. Beginners: min 30/day. Intermediate: min 60/day. Advanced: min 60-90/day. Music Majors: min 2-3 hours/day. Pro: varies

[@chesleygirlviolinmusic5629]

I am a seven year old violin learner.. I will do this exercise tomorrow.. I like it..

[@rosaleebaumgarten9398]

I have the Coda GX bow and find it is not grabbing the strings, especially the E on high notes despite being well rosined. I bought an expensive gold E string instead of the Dominant. Could it be the string, or???

[@Confluencesiva]

#sivakumarviolin# I am a South Indian music teacher your video so useful and wonderful I should follow this instruction to give my students thank you very much

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Sivakumar, WOW, that would be awesome for you to create videos based on South Indian classical music. Let me know when you do.....I would love to see them!

[@Confluencesiva]

@@RedDesertViolin thank you very much teacher

[@oadamo]

i like the way you teach its easy to follow :).

[@RedDesertFiddle]

Thank you Oadamo....I hope my video's help. Thanks for watching!

[@pujiharyanto9996]

Very good lesson and clear explanation good job..

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you! 😃

[@dorgana68]

Think you for being so awesome to each of your videos!! 🙏🏻👑❤️

[@RedDesertFiddle]

LOL, thank you for that nice comment!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, yes, and yes! Your pinky can learn to adapt, no matter how short it is! And yes, people tend to "lurch" their hand to activate pinky, esp. when pinky is short....but instead of lurching the hand and bending the wrist OUT, it is better to bend the wrist IN slightly, which brings pinky CLOSER to his target, and also gives him a MUCH stronger arch (helps us to not get a locked pinky) Dexterity and speed comes with time, but also with correct, relaxed technique. The key to everything: relax!

[@gnstallientood5007]

cool wall paint

[@MagicalMusic34]

Thankyou, I'm gonna need it! Think I should do some weights for the muscles in my arm too, as they are extremely weak which could be contributing to it. :)

[@SzklaneSkrzydla]

Hi! Thank you for posting such an amount of very useful videos! I have few years break with playing violin (only some "jamming" at parties) and now I want to get back to it... But the hardest for me is now vibration and of course hands coordination. Maybe you have some tips for left hand vibration, because I always had some problems with it, when I had lessons with a teacher, and now I think it's even worse. I think my hand goes too rigid, and I have no idea how to relax it and vibrate in pulse

[@EJsacasa]

But the thing is, since as far back as I can remember, I've had a problem where my pinky kinda locks up. When I use the pinky in the way you say, it sort of snaps out, and many times lands before the 3rd finger when I'm playing a scale. I feel like I can't play a scale with all four fingers with good rhythm because my pinky sort of lashes out before it's supposed to. This is a bit hard to explain, but it sort of snaps out suddenly. I also feel a bit of a popping feeling. could i send you a vid?

[@sahelikoley]

can you please make a video on how to improve flexibility of bow hand wrist..your tips and techniques work really great..i practiced as the way you advised here in this video and my left and right hand coordination has improved a lot ..but i feel i am not able to go beyond a certain speed because my bow hand wrist is stiff...so it will be really helpful if you make a video on how to make right hand wrist flexible so that we can bow faster..

[@RedDesertViolin]

Saheli, I want you to search on my channel for the video "Extreme Frog Exercises". If you don't find it, LET ME KNOW. (I am 99% sure I put it on this channel). This exercise FORCES you to learn to use flexible wrist, and more importantly, flexible fingers.....it builds the so-called "colle" finger motion. By practicing bow changes at the FROG, you eliminate the main problem of flexibility in the bow hand.....so I think this is the KEY that you are missing. Please let me know how you like it, and the results you get. (My playing was revolutionized by that exercise)

[@sahelikoley]

Found it.. thank you so much..I will practice that exercise and let you know the results..

[@Sherlockhamster]

Where do you put the tapes on the violin. I have tried before and used a tuner to get the right spot but when i play it always seems the wrong note. Any ideas how to correct?

[@MusicalMarzy]

Awesome,thank you so much!

[@knight10666]

i play horn (French horn) and trumpet (i dont play trumpet in school any more because i switched to horn) and was thinking of picking up violin as a third instrument where should i start?

[@claudio8313]

Very interesting video. Would it be better to apply the exercise also in the highest positions? Or is it enough to do these exercises in the first position?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Great question, Claudio. I think doing it in first position "establishes" the skill for beginners or for those just acquiring the skill. After that, hopefully a person can tackle Schradieck or Sevcik for higher positions. HOWEVER, YES YES YES these same exercises would also build the skill and form specific to high positions. (and they are based on Sevcik anyway...)

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi MagicalMusic34, The only idea I can think of is to have your teacher or a friend MANUALLY move your bow arm while you operate your left hand. Do it on simple passages, and try to move your muscles to "help" your teacher or friend. Have them help less and less.....and HOPEFULLY, it will awaken your muscles, or the part of your brain that operates the 2 sides simultaneously. I think that will help. Good luck!

[@carriekopczinski]

You are amazing!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for watching, Carrie!

[@raymonddavid4061]

helo, I find your videos very helpful...my biggest problem is co-ordination...i can't get to a high speed it messes with my intonation...keep on posting this kind of videos am heading there. thanks

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hey Raymond My advice to you is to back up to something easier. Like, get your metronome, and work on playing the SAME two notes, back and forth, really fast.....like, say 1st finger B on your A string, and 2nd finger C# on the A string. Start by doing quarter notes ,(B, C#, B, C#, etc.) then double the speed, doing 8th notes, then do 16th notes. WHen you get good at doing that with the metronome on 60, the move the metronome to 72, and do it again. Then move it to 92 and do it again, etc. THEN, when you get good at that, work on doing 3 notes. You might think, "How will playing 3 fast notes at a time help me to play Moto Perpetuo???" But see, you are making connections between the brain, the fingers, and the ear......and those connections are doing more than just allowing you to play 3 notes fast....they are preparing you to be able to play Moto Perpetuo fast. Good luck!

[@izzypeng]

Very useful session, I have already downloaded the sheet and will practice it soon. BTW, I love your RedDesertViolin T-shirt, how can I purchase one in Taiwan? ^^

[@louiswong962]

Thank you very much for this video.I'm learning the violin by myself.I have two problems.One is that many people said we should keep the former finger on the string when press the next finger.The other one is that we should keep the shape of left hand,in other words,after you lift your finger,you should keep your finger over the original place.But in this video,I didn't see that.So could you tell me if they are wrong?My Enlish is poor and I hope I have made it clear. Thanks for your reply!

[@CR07MtdUtd]

How much do you think that a violonist should practice /day. And how much do you think o soloist violonist should practice?

[@Confluencesiva]

I may need your help mam

[@1cleandude]

Great lesson will begin today!!! Thanks Laurie where do I get the T-shirt?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks! Glad you like the lesson and the shirt! My current supplier is "Totally Awesome Printing". totallyawesomeprinting.com/ They have my logo on file. Just tell them if you want FIDDLE or VIOLIN logo. Unfortunately, their shipping is expensive....I"m trying to find a more internet friendly supplier.

[@aorarts5567]

I love the video thanks for teaching

[@RedDesertViolin]

alexis roa Thanks for watching! :-)

[@linasoares8516]

To me as Ana matured and a senior I am so pleased with the way you teach I would love to get lessons to try at home but am not able to join. Can you please let me know how can I buy your exercise lessons. Thank you very much . I love the way you teach. God bless you.

[@linasoares8516]

Red Desert Violin I am not able to download violin exerciser you have so kindly given thank you

[@knight10666]

what are your thoughts on "A Treatise on the Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing" by Leopold Mozart?

[@RedDesertViolin]

I have to be honest.....it was on my reading list for years, but I never did read it. So, my UNIFORMED opinion is....historically, it is an important book (which is why I wanted to read it), but PRACTICALLY, it is outdated and you would be better off reading Gingold or Flesch's treatises, and my new favorite is Simon Fischer's books. HOLY COW, that is good stuff! Now, if you are SPECIALIZING in period music, then you would benefit greatly from reading the Mozart. --L

[@TheGospelDefense]

It would be awesome if you could do some video lessons on Sevcik op 1. Is there any chance? Oh by the way, this video lesson of yours made a huge impact on my right and left hand coordination...it seems so simple and yet incredibly amazing. It actually speed up my learning progress. Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

I LOVE that idea. I will put it on my list of great video ideas! I have a special way of practicing Sevcik that I think other people would benefit from. (I respond well to nagging....so don't be afraid to remind me...) Oh, and FANTASTIC that you are experiencing results from these coordination exercises....they are like magic, aren't they?!

[@TheGospelDefense]

Oh wow, thank you for considering my idea... I really appreciate it. And yes! They are incredible..it helped me a lot. Sure, I will remind you in a month if you have not recorded it :) Thx very much for your attention. God Bless you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi.....I filmed the Sevcik #1 lesson last week...now I just have to edit it. I think it's an excellent idea to do a video on EVERY SEvcik exercise....every single exercise is life-changing! I'll have it up soon.....

[@TheGospelDefense]

Ohhhh thank youuuu...I really appreciate it. I'm gonna follow up with all the exercises that you put up because I believe I'm not progressing on my own. Thank you very much.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I will be uploading Sevcik #1 today.....

[@Martha0217]

I remember in school my orchestra teacher would warm our class up by playing on each string different patterns like pepperoni pizza and blueberry popsicle and Mississippi is a river it was very effective this almost reminds of that lol

[@RedDesertViolin]

Ahh, joyful memories of school orchestra! I cringe to think that school orchestra is being eliminated in public schools everywhere in the USA.....music is JUST as important as math and science!

[@RedDesertViolin]

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@omidfarhadi5541]

You are great 👍 thanks ⚘ 🎻

[@RedDesertViolin]

You are too kind. Thank you!

[@celinasonntag4466]

Heyyy first I wanted to thank you a lot!! I'm gonna try these exercises out. I'm not sure if it's just me but I have problems in opening the websites for the exercises :((

[@RedDesertViolin]

Celina, did you click or "copy/paste" the links in the video description box? They work for me....they are a free download through Amazon AWS.

[@EJsacasa]

The thing you mentioned about people moving their entire hand to get their pinky down; isn't this due to a short pinky? I have a relatively short pinky, and I if I don't move my hand, I really have to strain my pinky to get it to fall in the right place. i've only been playing for 2 months, so could pinky dexterity be something acquired through time? Does one's pinky gradually become more nimble usually?

[@nicolasdiaz2416]

Thanks Lora..this video was very helpful..i have a question..after mastering all the exercises, should i speed up higher than 60 beats? Regards from Argentina..

[@RedDesertViolin]

You can definitely speed it up to make it more challenging.....just make sure you stay relaxed. Good work! Keep it up!

[@mickscrafts]

can you help me with the fast parts of Czardas. I can't get my bow to follow my fingers. It's like I have two brains and they don't know what each other is doing. Love you lessons.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I have a video on the Czardas at www.VirtualSheetMusic.com. It goes through each section. Look for "Loralyn Staples" under "experts".

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Lori, when reading the music and playing the E or A notes that appear do you use open strings or 4th fingers for these notes? I presume to use the 4th finger instead of using open strings? As this is is a speed and dexterity and finger strengthening exercise?

[@loralynstaples5483]

Yes, Stephanie, use 4th finger. Well, let me rephrase that: you want to avoid string crossings for this exercise. So if the pattern STARTS with an open string, that's fine. But if the top note is an A or E, then use 4th finger. (string crossings can be incorporated into this exercise later, as a more advanced challenge.)

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

@@loralynstaples5483 Understood. Excellent advice. Thanks.

[@a95180]

This clip was published some time ago indeed but still, I’d like to ask, is the printout still available. It does not appear when searched for on the homepage anyway. Thanks in advance

[@RedDesertViolin]

Jonas, it's very important to me that my links work, so I checked, and it is working. So, go below the video, to the video description box. There will be download links in that box. Let me know if you have trouble. Thanks for commenting.

[@TSPiruz]

Hello dear.Thanks for ur nice lesson but I need something in a more higher level.For example would u give some guidelines that in fast pieces like Vivaldi's thunder parts of Spring or Summer ,how should I bow and coordinate also my bowing with left hand fingers which sounds pretty hard to do in high speeds!I am an almost good player but this technique is what I need to learn to develop my playing to a higher level.Pro players absolutely understand what I mean! Cheers dear

[@MagicalMusic34]

Hey Lora, Um....I have a problem and it's preventing me from playing well. Whenever I put my left hand down, my bow stops, have tried to do left hand a right hand separately to see if that helps, but it just keeps happening. I have cerebral palsy, and I think one of the side effects from it is it's hard for me to separate my muscle groups on either side. Is there anyway I could get around this or am I stuck in a rut? Can't bow conventional either cause my right side is stiff. Have a teacher :)

[@RedDesertViolin]

How exciting! I have several suggestions for the beginning of your journey. FIRST, I HIGHLY encourage you to sign up for my beginners lessons. You will find answers to all your fundamental questions, but you will never run out of material. I plan to add classes that will take you all the way through Suzuki Book 4. There is no online material that even compares. Go to Red Desert Violin dot com and click the link near the upper right corner for more information.

[@Lumirepo]

Hi Lora, I just downloaded the sheet music and started playing it and found that some of the hand patterns are very easy for me to play at 60, but others are really difficult. Whenever I try to play a whole step between 2nd, 3rd and pinky, I get an awful lot of tension in my hand and my intonation is off. This is not a problem if I have a half step between 2nd and 3rd fingers. My 2nd finger wants to move forward and my 3rd finger is weak and collapses. Any advice on how to fix this?

[@lizardinarabia]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

[@SzklaneSkrzydla]

Hm...One nightmare of my childhood was TV programme where I'd seen one old violinist, who said that if you're learning you should practice 6 hours if you're not "gifted", and min. 8 hours if you're "gifted"... and I think after that my parents came to conclusion that I'm too lazy to be student in music school... But I think overworking yourself in any activity is not very good.

[@ciaraperformingandteaching1830]

Hi there, I'm a violin teacher myself and I'm trying to find this downloadable sheet music on your site to help with my student, but am having trouble finding it, even in the search bar! It would really help to have the free resources you're offering more easily available!! Maybe you could have a direct link to the sheet music in the comments instead of just to the main site!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Done! Great idea. I did this a long time ago....and didn't realize how inconvenient it was to get the sheet music. Hope it helps your students!

[@silvereyed6241]

I've been playing the violin for almost three years and recently I encountered a fast pace piece it involves a lot of pinkies and up and down notes.I noticed that I lack coordination wih my bow and finger movements, I'll try doing this, Wish me luck!

[@RedDesertViolin]

You found the PERFECT exercises to address that issue, Silver Eyed. Good luck!

[@vinniepaah5264]

It looks like all 5 basic tetrachords are taken care of: Aeolian - Ionian - Lydian - Phrygian - Locrian. Right? The only thing left for fingerings is chromatic scale but that must be secondary.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hmmmm.....I don't think of the tetrachords as modes, because each tetrachord is only 4 notes, so it can't really define the mode with only 4 notes. But you might be onto something....

[@vinniepaah5264]

I mean that in combination they define all possible diatonic fingerings (except alterations) which is a solid foundation to build upon. There are of course other needs like arpeggio fingerings and chromatic passages but the basic framework is established with these "models" - right?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, you are absolutely right!

[@vinniepaah5264]

Laura, can you please comment on the following: in going through all 5 finger combinations I find the most difficult is the Aeolian one. When playing for instance on the A-string: A-B-C-D-E the short distance between 1st finger playing B and second finger playing C feels very unnatural. 2nd finger has to be sort of forced towards the 1st finger, it doesn't fall naturally on the C position, while it naturally falls onto C# and the short spacing between 2nd finger playing C# and 3rd finger playing D does feel natural in Ionian combination. Is there anything to do about that?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Vibrato is very very hard to learn without the help and guidance of a teacher! I have a series of videos teaching vibrato, but it is a special "graduation gift" to my Suzuki Book 1 students. If you want to purchase it, you could send me a personal message. Learning vibrato the right way can also help you to learn to loosen up your hands in general......and that is not easy, but it is so important! Good luck, and contact me if you want to discuss the vibrato videos. --L

[@vanezcha]

I have to play bruch double concerto and the 3rd movement of it goes very very quick ahhhhh :(

[@RedDesertViolin]

If you have the means and if one is available to you, I also highly recommend that you seek out a great private instructor. If online instruction still suits your fancy, check our the KZbin account of my good friend and colleague, Professor V. His videos are excellent! Red Desert Violin also offers plenty of free instriction videos on KZbin. The full attention and instruction you will need will come from the beginners' lessons online, but the free KZbin vids are AWESOME supplements.

[@rainier_graeme_nii]

I have a question. Pleassssse tell me I have hope for success. I'm a violinist who's learning online and no contact lesson. Will I be a pro???

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Rainier, I believe that anything is possible with a little luck, alot of work, and unending commitment. I would not tell another person what is or is not possible. Your chances of becoming a pro are seriously reduced by not having private lessons. Also, I do not know your age, and I don't know your aptitude for music. My advice: work hard, and learn violin because it feeds your heart and soul. Try to get even just an OCCASIONAL private lesson, and if possible, sign up for some good online lessons (they are cheaper, and you can study even in remote areas) Check out my online violin lessons for beginners at www.RedDesertViolin.com Good luck!

[@rainier_graeme_nii]

@@RedDesertViolin thank you!!! :-)))

[@lucius79blues]

thank you Lora ¡

[@RedDesertViolin]

You're most welcome!

[@waazaaawoop997]

Are these good exercises for beginners? im just playing for 2 days and I can play twinkle twinkle little star flawless and I can almost play The hanging Tree on the violin :D

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hey, ignore the bully who commented. Are you still playing? It's been 2 months. Maybe by now you can play 4-5 songs? I don't know the song "the hanging tree", but I will look it up. It sounds morbid. My exercises are ALL good for beginners. And if beginners to my exercises, they do not remain beginners for long!

[@lolstrass]

Am i obligate to learn solfege for playing violin?

[@RedDesertViolin]

+lolstrass No! Of course, the WHOLE WORLD uses solfege except the USA.....LOL....I am weak in solfege....I have done okay. But no, you are not required to learn solfege to be a good violinist.

[@lolstrass]

Red Desert Violin Thank you :)

[@Confluencesiva]

I am also planning to share violin classes based on South Indian classical music

[@xhotdog100]

if i just drop my pinky, it is about half an inch short from the note. I am 5 feet tall

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Lora, I am 5'2". You can do LOTS of things to help extend your pinky, and to also "get by" if your pinky is extra short. And, worst case scenario, you could get a smaller violin. You can be SO SUCCESSFUL playing on a 7/8 or 3/4, if they are the right size for you, so stay open to that option. But yes, for short pinky, you can rotate your elbow to the right more, you can tilt your violin G string higher, E string lower, you can move your scroll to the right, just to name a few simple things you can do. (I have lessons at RedDesertViolin.com) BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

[@xhotdog100]

Thanks so much, I didn't expect you to reply since the video was made 11 years ago! I'm already on a 3/4 violin, I also have an abnormally short pinky, 1 7/8 inch - I measured generously LOL. I'll definitely check out your suggestions, immensely grateful for all your videos, they are top notch@@RedDesertViolin

[@RedDesertViolin]

Trenton- Yikes. It scares me to give you advice without seeing your pinky up close and personal...so take it with a grain of salt. You are talking about your LEFT hand, right? Here's a couple SIMPLE ideas: Get a shoulder rest that allows your violin to TILT ALOT, so the E string is way lower and G string is way higher. This brings the strings more toward your pinky. Also, make sure your wrist is bent inwards. Try bending your wrist out, and see how it shortens the pinky. Most people

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi izzypeng. You can get a fabulous Red Desert Violin t-shirt by contacting T-Shirtisms Plus: rowyourboat65[at]yahoo[dot]com. :)

[@Unidentifying]

improvisation

[@luciofernandes366]

No love for the viola