} Violin Left Hand

One-String Sequence Based on Do

We should always hear a note in our heads before we play…

This game is fun to play and really improves intonation. It can…

In this close up view we can see: 1. The hand position…

“If the thumb is pressing release the tension and place it underneath…

“Make sure you release the pressure of the finger before shifting and…

The finger releases to the top of the string, as if playing…

This is the same exercise, seen from the other side of the…

A basic principle of shifting is that we need to hear the…

“If we only played the broomstick, we would only need to use…

Shifting could have been called ‘sliding’ as there is usually a guide…

This is a wide view of matching harmonics. Whenever possible leave your…

“Match the bottom harmonic with the top harmonic. Try with the 3rd…

Slide a finger along a string with a light touch, like playing…

An efficient shifting technique is vital for a fluid playing style and…

When playing slurred passages, (especially descending as in the opening of Beethoven’s…

String crossing in descending slurred passages is vulnerable to unevenness. There are…

Lifting fingers instead of holding them down can give very clear articulation…

Holding fingers down is good for developing an understanding of finger patterns…

Justine plays an excerpt from this study by Hans Sitt using a…

Practise with fast détaché or sautillé to help develop a clean left-hand…

Playing the same finger pattern in different combinations is a good warm-up…

“Practise your mixed bowings. Try two notes slurred then two notes separate.…

“Before practising your mixed rhythms, make sure your left hand is comfortable.…

Regular practice of finger patterns in quarter tempo, half tempo and tempo…