Books › The Violin: How to Master It, 1880 › scan 41
Scan 41
The Violin: How to Master It, 1880
10 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1can before the student, and would merely say in conclusion that to acquire freedom and ease—complete mastery, in fact, of the instrument—he must (1) keep the socket or fork of the thumb well sunk from the neck, (2) the weight of the violin resting chiefly on the thumb, (3) the hand well over the finger-board, (4) the knuckles of the fingers turned out squarely, that the points of the fingers may fall perpendicularly on the strings, and (5) the wrist from touching the ribs or neck of the violin.
3Setting the Hand to the Position.
5To set the hand to this position, nothing is better than practising a great deal upon the Fourth string—first with all four fingers on the first position, and then as the student advances to the shifts, as far up the string as he can reach. That is the only, and, I may add, an infallible method of setting the hand and gaining great power and freedom. In the second part of Henning's "First Book for the Violin" there are several excellent exercises suitable for this purpose, which every advanced student ought to have beside him, and practise occasionally till his left hand feels ready to drop in pieces. The second and fifth variations in "De Beriot's Second Air Varied" may be used for the same purpose.
7The Attitude of the Player.
9There is rather more freedom in playing standing than sitting, but both ought always to be diligently practised. Sitting or standing, the head must be kept erect, and the chest well expanded. When standing, it is best to rest the weight of the body chiefly on the left foot. Avoid swaying the body or moving uneasily from one foot to the other—a fidgety habit only too easily contracted. The music stand ought to be opposite the right breast, and the violin and left hand consequently pointing over its left side; but in solo playing the performer if he must use a music stand, ought to place it sufficiently to the left side to allow an uninterrupted view of himself by every one in the room. When sitting, the player must not cross his legs or lean forward, but place both feet on the floor, pressing the chair back with his shoulder blades only.
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