Scan 29
The American history and encyclopedia of music, 1910
10 lines. Read by computer on 9 September 2026. Printed page 5. See the scan on archive.org.
1A STUDY ON VIOLIN PLAYING
3The violin must be held straight ahead, almost parallel with the floor, with right side inclining downwards a trifle. The left hand, while playing, ought to be turned out a little to the right, and the palm must not touch neck or side of the violin in the two lowest positions. Only from the third position upwards has it to rest on the violin. The eyes ought to be trained to look as much as possible only at the notes to be played, and as little as possible at the fingers. The more independent of the eyes the fingers are the easier will come the reading-at-sight. The fingers of the right hand must be curled over the nut of the bow and not held too close to each other, and the thumb must be slightly bent. The fingers of the left hand must rest on the strings in such a way that the knuckles nearest the fingertips are not straight but curved. Each finger must work by itself independently of the other, and the little finger must be kept directly over the strings throughout. The fingers ought to be trained to come down on the strings with considerable force, almost like miniature hammers.
5These points, which touch only theoretical matters, are nevertheless of greatest importance, as they form fundamental laws, which, when followed out, will materially strengthen the structure of attainment.
7FIRST GRADE.
9Let us now observe the elements of violin-playing proper. The pupil will quickly enough understand the motion of the right arm in up bow and down bow, and it will be a great satisfaction to him to use gradually all his fingers and finally play a two-octave scale. Here now, in a certain sense, the study begins to take on more and more of the musical element, particularly if the teacher understands how to make the exercises more interesting through a variety of bowings and by persistently insisting at all times on a pure intonation.
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