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Plucking sounds
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shinpi

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February 4, 2017 - 2:00 am
Member Since: November 11, 2016
Forum Posts: 9
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Hello. I just started playing violin weeks ago and it's really fun. Now I have a problem, every time I lift my finger to switch strings/notes it creates a plucking sound. Like for example, I'm playing on the D string 2nd finger and when I lift it up it causes a plucking sound. Even if I put my violin down and pressed all the notes on the strings it's still the same.

Already tried googling for the answer but it doesn't come out. Maybe the terms I used was wrong.

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Fran
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February 4, 2017 - 11:33 am
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Could you be inadvertently pulling on the string a little when lifting a finger?

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Charles
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February 4, 2017 - 6:47 pm
Member Since: June 7, 2016
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Or (less likely than Fran's suggestion), pushing it. It pretty much has to be some kind of lateral motion, as nothing else will pluck the string.

Try lifting the finger away from the fingerboard at slightly different angles (from the E side to the G side) and see if there's a spot where it goes away. If so, that's when you're lifting the finger straight up, even if it doesn't feel like it.

Also, the fingers should be curved. If you're having trouble with getting them that way, bring your left elbow further in (more in front of your body).  If any of that hurts, ease off, and work into it slowly. The "normal" position for holding the violin is definitely odd from your body's point of view.

If all else fails, shoot a video. Try and get closeups of your left hand from something halfway similar to how you see it. (Unless you can take your head off, getting a perfect shot probably won't happen. :) ) If whatever you shoot it with has a slo-mo feature (most phones do), shoot a version with that, too.

 

Another possibility just occurred to me. If you're getting your hand/fingers WAY over, you might actually be coming at the string from the other side, and when you lift your fingers (even straight up), you're plucking the string with the tip of your finger.  That would be a happy problem, because while it would mean you'd need to change how you're doing things, it would also mean that you're more limber than rubber tubing, and should be able to get your hand into any position needed.

Hope this helps

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shinpi

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February 6, 2017 - 4:19 am
Member Since: November 11, 2016
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Fran said
Could you be inadvertently pulling on the string a little when lifting a finger?  

I took a video as what TPAM had suggested. It seems like it's not the problem though. Thank you for the reply.

@charles

Thanks for your help. I kinda understand what seems to be the problem now. I just have to avoid lifting my fingers too high when changing notes and I also have to curve my left hand slightly upward especially when hitting notes in the G and D string. It's kinda painful though. I hope I get used to it soon. Thanks again :)

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Fiddlerman
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February 9, 2017 - 3:02 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I'll be happy to look at it if you record something for us.
Welcome to the forum by the way. :)

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