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I am a beginner learning from a beginner's book which was working pretty well until I got to learning the low second finger- on the E string. I find it very difficult to play with my second finger so close to my first finger. Additionally- it doesn't sound like I'm playing the right note, but all the other notes are that string are in tune. 🙁
Do any of you know any tips to play the low second finger?
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I had the exact same issue as you. It felt awkward and I thought I would never get used to it. What helped me was to have my second finger touching my first finger for low 2. Watch this video starting at the 1:40 mark.
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Thank you, ryonass, for that video! It definitely made it easier and I'm going to take that advice when I go practice.
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My first low 2nd was on the A string. I to found this to be extremely awkard. I have long fingers and it felt physically impossible to cram my 1st and 2nd finger together. Playing just the low 2nd was ok but if the next note was 1st finger right behind it, I had big problems getting it down. This was really frustrating and felt like it'll never work. But now I don't think about it at all, my fingers sorted themselves out over time. So I'm positive it'll get easier for you in a few weeks if you just keep playing those low 2's.
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Sometimes it's easier to bring your arm outwards a bit when playing on the E string. Also, experiment with the angle of your fingertips. Is it easier to play on the tip when using your second finger on the E or the flat?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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It is definitely more comfortable not playing with the tip of my finger, but when I do, it sounds clearer.
I've been practicing with the lower second finger on the E string and it isn't usually so terrible except for when there is an F# before or after it since that requires those two fingers to be near each other.
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the tips of your fingers. 🙂
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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You should start learning Eleanor Rigby 🙂
The first line is literally what you described above.. (0:30 in the video) you can start with a long open E.. then F# G A then back down G F# E (then first finger A string and 3rd on D string to finish off the first line...) and you will have a melody to remember it by so you can tell when you're in tune.
Afterwards it will have another nice exercise for it on the A string 🙂 (0:52 in the video) Since you will be required to play the line with the C#, but the line right after that (0:59 in the video) will have C natural instead.. and it will give you a really nice mental image of how far apart those should be, especially if you know the song or listen to it a couple of times first.
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Thank you for that video, Ferenc Simon. Just looking at it, it seems a bit above my level since I don't know how to do double stops and what to do about grace notes. But when/ if I reach that level I will definitely try it out! 🙂
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What do you mean? there are no double-stops or grace-notes in that.
It's just a simple tune.. granted it can be a bit 'fast' when playing it at the normal speed.. but you don't have to do it that fast 🙂 This was one of the first songs I learnt not even a month after I started playing violin, so you should definitely be able to handle it 🙂
Here's the corresponding sheet: https://fiddlerman.com/wp-cont.....ersion.pdf
Obviously it was just a suggestion, in case you actually want to learn it.. plus it fits nicely with Toni's Beatles party challenge, in case you want to enter that as well
Cheers
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@Ferenc Simon - I love that video.
@Rose good luck with that low 2nd finger. I know it is just a matter of time. I agree that putting that elbow out there is a great tip for finger positioning on the e string.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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