} Violin Left Hand

Finger Patterns

Play all 4 finger patterns in a row so that you have…

Fast passagework, such as we find in the Rigaudon of Kreisler’s Sicilienne…

Finger independence exercises help us develop an efficient hand frame with springy…

This exercise develops the independence of 3rd and 4th fingers, especially lifting…

Coordinating the lift and drop of fingers is an important issue in…

A common problem is to press too tightly with the 1st and…

The first exercise here develops the independence of the 2nd and 4th…

Set up the hand frame from the 3rd finger and then practise…

“Practise your finger taps. Notice how the 3rd finger is more difficult…

The anatomy of the hand, in particular the cross tendon between the…

The movement of the finger while playing left hand pizzicato is different…

Develop the trill action by concentrating on the lift and drop of…

For most trills the ear needs to be able to distinguish the…

“Practise a passage without the turn and without the trill. Then add…

Practice breaks or pauses give us thinking and planning time in the…

Regardless of whether you start on the lower or upper note of…

When playing trills make sure that the lower finger contacts the string…

A common problem is that we can grip the violin neck too…

Find a note which works as a harmonic. Play it firstly as…

Artificial harmonics are created with a 1st finger stopped note and a…

Touching the string lightly at a harmonic node creates a higher-pitched note.…

“Maintain your hand position while sliding your fingers. Check the different degree…

“Balance the hand to suit the task. This hand position suits the…

Pretend the fingerboard is hot and spring off with energy. This high…