The Best, Basic Violin Posture

How to move from a rest position into a comfortable and correct playing position

In this video, violin teacher Lora Staples, teaches you how to move from a rest position into a comfortable and correct playing position. Her helpful tips show you the perfect posture for playing the violin.

Released on April 30, 2013

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:

ktc on January 11, 2014 @12:03 pm PST

I really like your understandable manner of teaching. I, too, am one of those 'retired adult learners" and have a question concerning rosin. Some say use almost none and then others believe in working up a white dust. What is one to do? Also,
could you please address the types of rosin and what to use in different climatic conditions? (humid vs dry) Thank you.

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on January 12, 2014 @9:41 am PST

Hi KTC
You summed it up: some people are minimalists when it comes to rosin, others think the more white dust you have on your instrument, the better! Fiddlers seem to collect more dust on their instruments than classical players....just as a difference in the culture and psyche of the two hemispheres of violin playing.

I mean....white dust on the instrument shows that you have been sawin' on the strings, and it looks cool, right?

But the fact is that rosin dust damages the varnish of a violin, and if allowed to sit on the violin for multiple days, it will adhere chemically to the varnish, to the point where it is impossible to remove without removing some of the original varnish.

My recommendation is to get a soft cloth and religiously wipe off your violin after every practice session....even under the fingerboard, but especially where the rosin dust tends to collect, between the f-holes. It only takes 10 seconds once you get it in your routine....I NEVER put my violin away without a quick wipe.

Regarding rosins, the very general rule of thumb:
Dark rosin = less dust, and is favorable in dry climates. Dark rosin is softer and I imagine that it is like soft sap on a tree, gummy and sticky.

Light rosin = more dust, and is favorable in humid climates, and I imagine it to be less gummy and less sticky, which is why it works well for humidity.
Amber rosins are a happy medium. I LOVE LOVE LOVE William Salchow rosin for that reason...it's top notch, and a nice medium.

Where I live in Arizona, however, I have switched to Pirastro Oliv rosin, which is dark green, almost black, and I love it for this climate.

I do not have much experience playing in humidity, so if you have insight into that, I'd love to hear your input.

Thanks for your question. SEe you around!

Reply

Wally oucharek on August 10, 2013 @9:43 pm PST

I just had an opportunity to view a few of your teaching videos and really enjoyed them. I started to learn to play the violin when I retired, have not touched it for some time now. After seeing this I think I will give it a go once again. thanks for your encouragement.
w ouch

Reply

Lora - host, on August 12, 2013 @1:42 pm PST

Hi Wally! You are one of THOUSANDS of adults who has decided to pick up this beautiful instrument in your adult years! Some are starting from scratch, and some are coming back to it after many many years! Either way, I salute you! It is the BEST investment of your time that you could make!
Good luck!

Reply

Fadjar Bastaman * VSM MEMBER * on June 17, 2013 @12:10 am PST

Hello Lora. Your explanation is very clear and interesting and of course important. But, how do we treat the bow ? Thank you.

Reply

Lora - host, on June 17, 2013 @6:08 pm PST

Fadjar, do you mean how do we hold the bow? I can do a video for you about how to hold the bow. I will put that on my list of videos to make!

Reply

Fadjar * VSM MEMBER * on June 19, 2013 @2:52 am PST

Lora, I mean while we bow down to audience holding the violin at the right waist where is the position of the bow ? In the video you do not show us the bow. By the way, good if you are going to make video on how to hold the bow perfectly. Thank you.

Reply

Lora - host, on June 19, 2013 @5:28 pm PST

Aha. Yes, there is a simple way. I will do a video to explain, but basically, you hook your bow on your right middle finger, so that the horse hair is facing the audience. As you take a bow to your audience, make sure your bow points BEHIND you, so that you don't slam it into the ground! That is a gREAT question, and I will do a video for you!

Reply

Fadjar * VSM MEMBER * on June 19, 2013 @7:37 pm PST

Thanks for your immediate answer, Lora. It is clear now, anyhow, I am eager to see the video. It looks like a small thing that can make a big difference.

Reply

Display more comments... (5 more)