How to not hit other strings on violin

Practical tips to avoid hitting extra strings during your violin playing.

In this video, Lora shows you an easy way to avoid hitting other strings when you play your violin. A simple adjustment of the bow location between the bridge and the fingerboard may be the answer!

Released on January 1, 2014

DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Thank you for your comment, question or request!

Comment/Question deleted successfully.

Post a comment, question or special request:

Comments or questions must be between 3 and 10,000 characters long.

You may: Login  or  

Otherwise, fill out the form below to post your comment:

Add your name below:


Add your email below: (to receive replies, will not be displayed or shared)


For verification purposes, please enter the word MUSIC in the field below

---

---

Comments, Questions, Requests:

Sandra Wyman on May 4, 2020 @2:49 pm PST

Aha! This might solve my issue with Minuet 2 in Suzuki Book 1!

Reply

Loralyn Staples - host, on May 5, 2020 @12:28 pm PST

Sandra,
This will DEFINITELY help with Minuet 2!
But clean string crossings are a challenge just for coordinating our bow arm. So in addition to the tips given in this video, focus on using your ELBOW (not your shoulder) to bow. Also be EXTRA aware when you are crossing to a new string on an UP BOW. (THAT is where the real accidents happen because it's harder)
Good luck!

Reply

Lukas Miller on January 17, 2020 @8:11 am PST

I have been playing violin for fifteen years and even though I love it, it is so frustrating because there is virtually no way to hide behind it as in any solo instrument. I appreciate your video about playing in the third and fourth lanes to prevent hitting other strings. Could you also you do a video on how to prevent the bow from getting stuck in the strings and ripping off hairs?

Reply

Fabrizio Ferrari - moderator, on January 17, 2020 @8:42 am PST

Dear Lukas, thank you for your posted comment. I am sure Lora will answer you soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to let you know that Lora is no longer making videos for us (at the moment), so, if she agrees, I'd pass your video request to our current violin expert Prof. Fitzpatrick:

https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/experts/william/

I am sure he'll be more than happy to consider to make a video on what you just suggested.

Thanks again for your provided feedback.

All the best,

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on January 17, 2020 @1:13 pm PST

Fabrizio, I agree. Professor Fitzpatrick is fantastic, and he will have a good answer, I'm sure.

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on January 17, 2020 @1:15 pm PST

Hi Lukas, Professor Fitzpatrick will hopefully give you a video answer to your questions about breaking hairs. But let me just give you this hint: If you are breaking hairs about 8 inches from the frog, that is because you are "pinching" the hair between the bow and the string...so it cuts the hairs. This is caused by pressing to hard or violently on your down bow strokes. OR, it could mean you need to tighten your bow.

Reply

Fabrizio Ferrari - moderator, on January 17, 2020 @1:28 pm PST

Thank you Lora! Glad to know that and thank you for participating in the discussion

Reply

Kati on March 25, 2015 @3:17 pm PST

This video is awesome you do such a good job at giving tips

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on March 25, 2015 @7:28 pm PST

Thanks, Katie!
I appreciate your taking the time to say that! More good stuff to come!

Reply

Display more comments... (10 more)