Violin Basics - SETTING UP THE LEFT HAND

[@craigridley9618]

As an absolute beginner with violin in the middle of a lockdown like this, your videos have been an indispensable resource! I have 20+ years experience with classical guitar, but it has been alarming just how little that experience has informed me with this instrument. Thank you so much for your knowledge, insight and experience, it’s very appreciated!

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Great to hear this!

[@NIM_Engr]

Thank you professor, for clarifying the posture and the movement of left hand fingers. I realize that being a efficient part of the instrument’s mechanism, technique-wise, is one of the keys to play well. Play beautiful is another story.

[@sararodriguez5515]

This video has so much information that I needed to know! Thank you Professor Bushkova for sharing your knowledge! I enjoy watching your videos.

[@ViolinClassUSA]

You are very welcome, Sara!

[@MishaSkripach]

Вы замечательная! Спасибо! Концерт Шпора уже стал пением сначала разбирать, не со скрипкой. С большой радостью!

[@andyquinn1125]

Thank you Ms. Julia. My hand position was very relaxed, though much different than this (I'm an older beginner). I've just done about 30 minutes using this hand position. It was a little tough and my hand wants to wander back to its old ways, but I can already note that my intonation is better and movement is better and that it will be much easier to begin vibrato work when the time comes. I found that A and D major arpeggios are a good exercise to check my pitch and remind me where my fingers should be in this regard.

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Excellent. Thank you for your feedback

[@gregsanford3848]

Julia i enjoy so much thank you

[@violondesocrate]

This is great, because it balances the hand towards the 4th finger right away. If I recall correctly, Egon Saßmannshaus's violin method also starts with the 2nd finger, taking advantage of the natural "cuckoo" call of open E to C#, and then proceeds to the 4th finger to match the open E. It's not exactly the same, but it is a similar approach.

[@cmmp5510]

So complet. I believed that I was doing it well. Thank you

[@michaelfossumorchestra8459]

Thank you Ms. B! I have ordered the book. Guillermo

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Wonderful!

[@fallofmanbrand]

Loved It!

[@chriss6356]

I think doing the 2-3-4 fingers first is a great idea. Just me personally, I've been playing for about 5 years now and the 4th finger gives me so many problems. Particularly vibrato in high positions. Having the hand frame biased toward the 4th finger to being with seems like a very smart idea.

[@solid_amouri307]

Great lesson

[@FB__]

Bravissima da un violinista della Scala di Milano

[@michaeltaylor7407]

Thanks!! Very interesting!

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Glad you liked it!

[@michaelreaper666]

Great Video ..Thanks .. :) :)

[@fjolle.8186]

Hello , I was wondering if you could do a video on how to play fast chords up ajd down bow? Thank you in advance

[@ViolinClassUSA]

The video is coming up - thanks for being a subscriber!

[@HuyHoang-bw8lz]

Thank you for this helpful and very timely lesson. I have a question and I hope you see this. I am a beginner and I learn to play without the shoulder rest. I'm struggling with the first and second finger on the A string when playing the G major scale. It's easy to play the scale "upward": G, open A, B and C natural. But I find it so akward to play the C natural and then the B. The same goes with the notes on the E string: I can play F# and then G, but it's so hard playing G and then try to place the first finger in the F#. Can you explain what is causing this difficulty? Thank you so much!

[@ViolinClassUSA]

It is hard to tell without seeing what you are doing. Most likely, it is because when you are playing your low 2nd (C or G), your first finger is jammed to the side - watch my latest video on Left Hand (finger placements and mechanics). Then, when the time comes to place the first, there is no space for it to appear.

[@XOXOCat08]

Hi Julia, could you please post the book title? I could not find it. Thank you!

[@ViolinClassUSA]

The one I used in the video was "Primer for little violinist" - Yordanova

[@RobertPadgett]

What is your opinion of fingerboard tapes and decals like "Fret Not"?

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Hi Robert, I am not in favor of the fb tapes as they are in the way of developing the true hearing necessary for the violin, IMO. I think that they are a "fast-forwarding crutch": they do facilitate the first steps of a beginner (fast forward), thus saving some nerve cells of the teacher :) but, in the long run, I think them to be a crutch.

[@MelisKirmizi]

Hi, I am an adult beginner and have problems with my left hand position. Whenever I want to press to string, I squeeze the violin's neck. How much pressure needed for a clear sound? How can I press without squeezing the neck :( Can you talk about it in one of your great videos please 🙏🏻

[@ViolinClassUSA]

I will answer here for now:) Most beginners press more than necessary; I believe it is natural, too. After all, it is a very new and very hard task to endeavour upon. Some counter-pressure of the thumb is perfectly natural, too. It just should not be excessive and unrelenting. Yes, I will try to make some videos on LH relaxation when I get the time :)

[@markkliesen8138]

Do you think the acousta-grip kills the resonance?

[@ViolinClassUSA]

I do not. I had a student who played in the Paganini competition using the Acousta-grip.

[@abdulrahmanaljaafari8318]

Hi mrs. Do you give a private violin lesson?

[@ViolinClassUSA]

I give occasional lesson-consultations. I have several fantastic teachers who I recommend students for online lessons. For such inquiries, please write via my website (go to Contact page there)

[@abbashashmi3962]

Helo professor im beginner in voilion ... Kindly guidevme what should i do? If u do session of online classes plz let me inform...

[@DivaDeb1234]

What was name of shoulder rest??

[@ViolinClassUSA]

Please watch my previous video on the left hand - I give all names there.

[@mohitkamboj7326]

Merci beau coup Madame

[@rezwanhossain7295]

Maam ! is the book in russian?

[@ViolinClassUSA]

No, the book is in English