18.12.14

Having The Correct Violin Wrist Position Is A Must

By Lucia Weeks


Learning a musical instrument is nice. The elemental basis for adept string musicians begins with learning the model viola or violin wrist position. Severe faults can follow from a failure to master the precise position. A buckling of the wrist pulls a musician's fingers out of the correct alignment, placing extreme tension on the tendons of a violinist and has a propensity to instigate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Curved fingers and a wrist that remains straight are essential.

Mastering this modus operandi is essential for musicians wanting to become accomplished. Many all-time classic musical pieces depend greatly on a gifted string section. Renowned composers including Mozart orchestrated much of their greatest work with violins at the forefront. "A Little Nightmusic" (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) by Mozart is uncomplicated and graceful.

Symphony No. 7 in A Major is another eternal classic which has violins at the heart of Ludwig van Beethoven's characteristic composition. The magnificent and amazing Beethoven symphonies deserve their reputation as being illustrative of the utmost artistic creativeness the West has ever witnessed. Samuel Barber instils ardour and tragedy into his poignant "Adagio for Strings"; regarded as the most emotional section of his "String Quartet, Op. 11".

The intricacy and sumptuousness of "Symphony No. 1 in C Major" by Johann Brahms is much in debt to the inimitable sounds produced by the strings. Lots of weddings would not have the same atmosphere without the Baroque-style violins within Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major". The Romantic era's "Serenade for Strings in C Minor" composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky is melodic and soulful, featuring the delightful characteristics of violins and violas.

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".

Another child prodigy who has traversed musical restrictions with her distinctive approach to playing the instrument is Vanessa Mae. By the time she was thirteen, she had cut discs playing the solos on both Tchaikovsky's and Beethoven's concertos. Soon afterwards, she decided to release her own trademarked-style pop music, frequently appearing in rather raunchy, scanty outfits in her promos. Vanessa famously uses two very different forms of instrument; the Zeta Jazz electric version and the acoustic Guadagnini instrument which cost her parents 250,000 pounds to buy for the 10 year old Vanessa.

Every violinist needs thorough technique to play exceptional string music by superb composers including Shostakovich, Dvorak and Bach as it deserves to be heard. It is vital to become adept at correctly locating one's left wrist, hand, fingers and thumb. Intonation, tone and vibrato are all influenced by correct bearing and the manner with which the right hand grips the bow.

Different stances for playing when seated or standing may be just as significant for beginners as wrist position. Accurate hand position should be built up by the practise of using the pinkie finger to tap and strum. Correct instrument size is also crucial for youthful violinists.




About the Author: