Scan 11
21882.a.10 – How to hold a violin and bow / C. H. Mitchell., 1882
15 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1are generally enforced by reasons. The advantages of such a plan are obvious. On certain points there are variances amongst good violinists, and if, in each case, the learner is to take a particular course and adhere to it without liability to persuasion towards another, he must know the reasons why the methods adopted by him are to be preferred. In order that the student may have, so to speak, a reason for the faith that is in him, he is urged to test, by actual experiment, all statements with which he may meet, here or elsewhere, and whether approbative or condemnatory, relating to matters of a practical nature: to study, in short, intelligently.
3Some of the faults of violinists are due to erroneous teaching, others are the result of carelessness. Fortunately all questions respecting the holding of the violin and bow can be reduced to the domain of common sense. The present work is an attempt in that direction. Its characteristic may be taken to be an endeavour to decide, yet not finally nor dogmatically, between different systems by considering the objects to be attained, namely:—
51. Maximum endurance.
62. Minimum fatigue.
73. Due expression of the composer's ideas.
84. Maximum grace, compatible with the nature of the work.
10THE BODY GENERALLY.
12To proceed in natural order, our first attention must be directed to the body. Many players never for one moment think of this factor in violin-playing: yet, if we are to play during the longest time with the minimum sensation of inconvenience, the position of the body must not be neglected. Now, as a moment's reflection will show, in violin-playing the right side of the body is the more active, whilst the left is comparatively passive. Consequently the right side must be as free as possible. To ensure the required freedom, the weight must be thrown on the left foot.
14Again, it is a well-known truth in the science of mechanics that the greater the base the greater the stability of the equilibrium. In the matter of violin-playing due regard is paid to this principle, if the right leg be separated just a little
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