How to Play the Violin
The basic position
How to hold the instrument
The instrument is trapped between the chin and the shoulder to stabilize it. The chinrest was developed in the nineteenth century to support the instrument, and this played a major role in improving playing techniques. Initially, the violin appears to have been held against the chest or the shoulder.
How to hold the bow
The bow is normally held in the right hand. It is pinched between the fingers and should not be squeezed too tightly. The way the bow is moved, calling "bowing," determines the length, volume, tone, and other characteristics of the note.
The left hand
The neck is held lightly around the thick of the thumb and the base of the index finger. The strings are pressed down by the other four fingers. Unlike the guitar, the violin does not have any frets, so if the angle at which the finger meets the string is even slightly off, the finger will slip.
Musical Instrument Guide : Violin Contents
Origins
Structure
How to Play
How the Instrument is Made
Choosing an Instrument
Care and Maintenance
Trivia
- The f-hole used to be a C-hole or S-hole
- Why the f-hole?
- Violinists must bow to the horse
- Steel strings or gut strings? That is the question
- Is the chinrest the unsung hero of the violin?
- Most violin varnishes are also medicines
- Violin masterpieces: Solos I
- Violin masterpieces: Solos II
- Violin masterpieces: Solos III
- Violin masterpieces: Concertos I
- Violin masterpieces: Concertos II
- Viola masterpieces: Chamber music
- Viola masterpieces: Concertos
- Cello masterpieces: Concertos I
- Cello masterpieces: Concertos II
- Cello masterpieces: Solos
- Contrabass masterpieces: Concertos
- Contrabass masterpieces: Chamber music
- Orchestral masterpieces featuring the contrabass
- What do you call the part on the bow that you hold?