Violin Forum/Message Board

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

I am finding it challenging to slur from say B on the A string to G on the D string since my finger will hit the A and cause the note to go bad.

What is the remedy? It seems to be a matter of having good timing cos my finger seems too wide to put it down before the bow hits the next string.

Do I have to land it just at the same time the bow is coming from the other on to the next string?

If not what else to help me with my slurring woes?

AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:52 pm Post subject:

You have 2 options, and you can use one or the other depending on the situation:

1- If you will place your 3rd finger in such a way that it hits the A string as you described then you'd HAVE TO place it together with your bow change, and not a moment earlier.

or

2- keep your fingers/hand more upright, as in playing double stop 3rds, where your 3rd finger on the D string would not hit the A-string at all.
This can be accomplished by moving your left elbow more in front of you (moving your left elbow counterclockwise from 6 o'clock position to 5 o'clock)

Practice your double stops, print Pavel Bytovetski's Double Stops from google, it's free, and get going, it starts very very easy, it's the best double stop book hands down.

Another possible issue is that you're holding violin in your hand too shallow. It's perfectly ok to allow your violin to sit deeper in your hand (which would thus raise your fingers more over the fingerboard and allow you to direct them more upright/vertically and not too flat so that they hit upper strings like you described.
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLDeYZXUDDQ

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

thanks I'll have a play around,

I tried making the finger in question more upright which helps a bit but still not consistent.

I'll figure it out sooner or later.

Lemuel · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject:

Ode,

Those photos that I had posted on violin left hand position where the left palm is more facing the fingerboard, and the simple exercise on how to get there was most helpful to the students I taught. Have you tried it?

Lemuel · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject:

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

Lemuel, I think what we need is the see and hear Ode play in order to diagnose the problems.

Sound quality is not important, but it would allow us to see what is going on.

I simply do not accept that his fingers are too fat, though he may be placing them wrong or be using a 7/8 violin.

Lemuel · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

Yes Benedict, I agree with you. It's much more difficult to teach without visual contact.

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

Lets hope the OP does Wink

AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:05 pm Post subject:

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

My teacher says my elbow should move (slightly) with the string being played.

AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:13 pm Post subject:

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

I appreciate input but I find I should probably not bother writing these queries since 1stly it is hard for you guys to see (I don't have a video recorder) and secondly I usually start to figure these things out by just practicing more.

Sure it would help more to have someone teach me specifically but I don't have a vid and trying to explain by words is one of the worst ways I think.

As I said I usually start to figure them out after a few rounds anyway I just post them initially when I may be frustrated in that moment.

Lemuel · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:21 am Post subject:

Ode,

Don't let us discourage you from posting. Every bit helps. Although I was not in front of Anton (a professional violinist in New York), he has posted information that has helped me quite a bit also. Smile