Scan 22
21882.a.10 – How to hold a violin and bow / C. H. Mitchell., 1882
6 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Before leaving the left hand, the hand tremolo may be considered. This consists in a motion, more or less rapid, of the stopping finger, the tip of which, however, must not move out of its place, further than to rock from side to side as nearly as possible in the direction of the finger-board. The result is that the note sounds alternately sharp and flat in a very slight degree. This tremolo is in imitation of an emotional effect produced by the human voice, but the imitation is not close, inasmuch as with the voice the pitch does not alter. Strictly speaking, this tremolo on the violin is false, and, if it is to be permitted at all, the permission ought to be granted only on the condition that it be not introduced too frequently, and that the deviation be very slight. Unfortunately, beginners are so fascinated with this embellishment (?) that they introduce it usque ad nauseam.
3HOW TO HOLD THE BOW.
5Nothing connected with violin-playing is of more importance than the manner of holding the bow. The most ridiculous and clumsy methods are sometimes met with. The rule generally inculcated by books on the subject is that the thumb should be close to the nut, but the best rule is to hold the bow in such a way that the left side of the thumb-nail shall find a support against the metal encircling the hair at the nut. By taking advantage of this back support an additionally secure hold is obtained. To neglect it is to abandon a source of increased power. Even when the vicinity of the point of the bow is on the strings this back support ought not to be relinquished. This relinquishment could not indeed be effected without altering the bend of the thumb, and the resumption of the original position might lead to irregularity. As to the position of the thumb, the conflicting rules seem to be to place that member (1) between the middle and ring fingers, and (2) opposite the middle finger. The former position gives great power at times, and particularly when any part of the lower half of the bow is on the strings; but when the point of the bow is used, inconvenience, if not indeed pain, may be felt, particularly if the back support is to be maintained, and, as we have already seen, it cannot be abandoned without detriment. Spohr, and Rode
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