12/14/2014

Every Beginner Must Learn The Proper Violin Wrist Position

By Lucia Weeks


The fundamental basis for skillful string music is a necessity. This begins with having the ideal viola or violin wrist position. Failure to find the right position can instigate severe faults. A buckled wrist pulls the musician's fingers into an incorrect alignment and places extreme strain on the violinist's tendons, potentially initiating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is best for the wrist to remain straight and for the fingers to be curved.

Mastering this technique is a must for musicians who want to become maestros. Some of the all-time classical music pieces rely heavily on a talented string section. Famous composers such as Mozart orchestrated some of their finest works with the violins to the fore. Mozzart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (A Little Nightmusic) is simple and elegant.

Another timeless classic composed with violins at its heart is Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A Major". Beethoven's grand and fantastic symphonies are considered to be some of the prime examples of the Western world's artistic creations. The pathos and passion of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" is the most moving section of his "String Quartet, Op. 11".

The complexity and richness of Johannes Brahms' "Symphony No. 1 in C Major" owe much to the unique sound of the string section. Many a wedding would not be the same without the atmospheric Baroque violins within "Canon in D Major" by Johann Pachelbel. "Serenade for Strings in C Minor" by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky is a soulful, melodic Romantic era composition which features the beautiful qualities of violas and violins.

The English instrument player Nigel Kennedy made his recording studio debut to perform the "Violin Concerto" by Elgar and greatly helped to introduce a new audience to classical music with his interpretation of the Vivaldi magnum opus "The Four Seasons" which sold more than two million copies. Kennedy's talent transcends musical genres; he has also featured on the "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" album by The Who, performing the phenomenal track "Baba O'Riley". He also combined his skills with Kate Bush's on her "Experiment IV".

One more example of a wonder-child whose music broke traditional moulds thanks to her idiosyncratic approach to using this instrument is Britain's Vanessa Mae. Not long afterwards, she chose to record her own unique fusion of musical styles, regularly being seen in rather scanty, raunchy attire in her promotional videos. Vanessa surprisingly uses two extremely disparate manners of instruments; an antique, acoustic Guadagini (reportedly costing her parents 250,000 pounds for their ten year old daughter) and the modern, rocky Zeta Jazz electric variety.

All violinists need sound technique to properly play the brilliant music for strings by composers such as Dvorak, Shostakovich and Bach. It is crucial to become skilled at correctly positioning one's left hand, thumb, wrist and fingers. Tone, vibrato and intonation are all affected by correct posture and the way that the right hand holds the bow.

Different postures for playing while standing or seated can be as important as wrist position for beginners. Correct hand position can be developed by practising tapping and strumming with the little finger. Instrument sizing is also vital for young violinists.




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