Handbook Of Violin Playing - Online tutorial

A Tutorial For Classical Style Violin, full online instruction.

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	THE TECHNIQUE OF VIOLIN PLAYING.                       23 To prove that the violin is held securely and well, the left hand may be removed.
	Position of the left hand and the left arm.
	The left hand is placed so that the neck of the violin is held between the lower joint of the thumb and the third of the index finger. The neck must not be gripped, but lightly held*, and care taken that between the neck and that part of the hand which connects the thumb and first finger, there is an open space. The inner part of the hand is kept away from the finger­board, so that the fingers may fall upon the strings from above. The position of the left arm must be such as to
	* The real "holding" — as regards the weight of the instnt-ment — is done at the other end by the chin pressing the violin against the collar bone. What further steadying power is necess­ary, the lower joint of the thumb must supply, rather than the first finger. Players who have attained considerable freedom are able to play certain passages without any "portion of the side of the index finger coming into contact with the neck. Chin-rests of various patterns should be tried, and that which best suits the particular player selected, as bodily proportions differ. Tr.