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The Trick with an Elastic
Using an elastic to help keep down the ring finger on the bowing hand. WORKED GREAT!
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (3 votes) 
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JimandThomas
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November 18, 2022 - 7:43 am
Member Since: November 9, 2021
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Thanks @ELCBK . Here is the short video I told you about with regards to the elastic trick to help train your ring finger from lifting...which Thomas is constantly doing. 

 

Jim(Thomases Dad)

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ELCBK
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November 18, 2022 - 8:45 am
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https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VTQblKQQKhI/VGy9M_EHqzI/AAAAAAABGk8/-T5QkjOuSkM/s1600/Vintage%2BThanksgiving%2BPostcards%2B(14).jpg@JimandThomas -

WOW! 

That's FANTASTIC! 🤗 

A week of that & hopefully you'll be all set! 

I know there are people who play with only a couple fingers, but I think having all of our fingers touch the frog allows for more refined control - ultimately what most of us want! 

I wish I would've known about this earlier.  I'm still thinking of throwing the rubber band on for a little bit, just to feel it, because it is hard to remain conscious of the bowing fingers while playing. 

Thomas, you are playing SO WELL!!!  I really appreciate you took the time to show me this! 

THANK YOU! 

- Emily 

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SharonC
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November 20, 2022 - 9:17 pm
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ELCBK said
. . .

I wish I would've known about this earlier.  I'm still thinking of throwing the rubber band on for a little bit, just to feel it, because it is hard to remain conscious of the bowing fingers while playing. . .

 

@ELCBK  Heck, I'm using it--I'm intrigued by how it is increasing my awareness of all my fingers on the bow while I'm playing.  Showed it to my teacher and another one of her students.  I plan on keeping it on for a while.  Great tip!

Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.

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Strabo
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November 26, 2022 - 11:50 am
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Very good, I like it. 

I have a somewhat similar problem, but with my left hand. I often find my pinky extended almost straight out while the other fingers are curved over the strings, just as they should be.

I somehow developed this bad habit playing mandolin and it has carried over to fiddle. The left hand unfortunately does not have a convenient place to attach a rubber band. I did try to place a rubber band over the knuckles of the pinky in a closed position, but that made it nearly impossible to use the finger.

So I’m still waiting to find somebody who had a similar problem and figured out a way to fix it. Gosh, I can’t be the only person on the planet with this issue!

Strabo

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ELCBK
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November 26, 2022 - 4:18 pm
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@Strabo -

Don't think your left hand issue is uncommon. 

I had similar issues with my pinky.  I wanted it hovering close over the strings, but it got in the way or stuck out, so I ended up curling it up to prevent having any stiffness.

Like anything else you want to change: 

  1. you become aware of the problem 
  2. you notice it while you're doing it & correct it 
  3. you catch yourself before you do it wrong 
  4. after you think it's fixed, check back periodically to make sure

It usually takes me at least a week of pretty intense focusing to change a habit, some are stubborn and take MUCH longer.   

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/44/4c/70444c1bd079ef90c107b9509cfbeba9.jpg

 

You can do it! 

- Emily

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