Sam Cooperman

Everything goes back to the basics

Practice Environment
Posture/Stance
1.

2.

Practice environment
o

Quiet

Well lit

Not to dry or wet

Comfortable temperature

Appropriate item

Water

Snack

Tuner/metronome

Find center of gravity (NOT FIG 1A)

Feet should be shoulders with apart well balanced on both feet (FIG 1B)

You can center your weight equally on both feet (FIG 1B)

Your spine should be straight, whether you sit or stand. When you sit, use only the

Stance

edge of the chair. Keep both shoulders relaxed and level (FIG 1C)
Before picking up the instrument

Left arm loose down to side

Right arm loose down to side

Without moving shoulder, or back, or neck begin to bring arms up without instrument to playing position

While keeping left arm static, give a long fluid motion of movement in the bow arm.

Have long bow strokes moving up and down bow (still without holding anything)

When it is felt to be comfortable, bring arms back down to a comfortable position.

3.

Almost like stretching before a sport, a full range of motion is needed to play the violin

With arms down to side and fingers relaxed

Begin to pick up instrument

o

With just the violin, place the violin in a position where the strings are 90 degrees or greater to the ground with elbow in left arm heading
towards belly button (FIG 2A, 2B, 3B)(NOT FIG 3B)

Make sure wrist is straight in the left hand and that the thumb does not come over the neck of the violin.(FIG 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D)

Fingers should be placed on the fingerboard using the pads of the finger for prime sounds quality and form. (4D)

Basic Violin Posture (No Bow) By Sam Cooperman

Disclaimer:

These steps are to be followed only when with

guidance by a trained music professional. If any
pain arises when performing these tasks/steps,
stop immediately. All steps/task are suggestions
and reminders to players that if pain problems
occur when playing, everything goes back to the
basics.

Intro
The violin is regarded as one of the most
important musical instruments in history, because
of its fundamental role in an orchestra and the
emotional and romantic sound that has been
inspiring musicians and listeners for hundreds of
years.

Fig 1A.

Fig1B.

Fig 1C.

1. Before playing the violin, always

create a practice environment.

Fig 2A

2. Have a good stance (center of

gravity)
Fig 1A. Fig 1B. Fig 1C
3. With only the violin, pick up the
instrument
Fig2A
a. Violin strings parallel to
ground (90 to body) Fig2B
(Black Line)
b. Notice how strings are
parallel but instrument is
not. This is because of the
bridge on violin. (Red Line)

Fig 2B

Fig 3A

Fig 3B

4. Make sure body is relaxed,

especially shoulder, and neck.
5. Have left elbow head towards
belly button as opposed to
outwards
Fig 3A Fig 3B
6. A proper hand position starts by
lining up the violin neck with your
palm line, which is the fourth
section of the fingers from the
top.
Fig 4A reverse view 4B
7. When placing the fingers down,
do not collapse and support violin
by wrist. A straight wrist will help
with intonation later on. Fig 4C
reverse view 4D

1
2
3

Fig 4A

Fig4C

Fig 4B

Fig 4D