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Do you sit or stand?
When playing the violin ?
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (1 votes) 
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Katie L
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December 12, 2021 - 12:43 pm
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I always stand but I’ve always thought it would be nice to sit.

I’ve been on the look out for a stool and found and old french bar stool in a junk shop today ! Been trying it out and I think I like it.

What does anyone else do? 

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stringy
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December 12, 2021 - 1:21 pm
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I do both, I also play in the hallway, kitchen and bedroom, but very shortly I am having N extension built which I am also going to use as a sitting room and a recording studio, and may also start giving guitar lessons again, once I have the silence and space to do so.

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RDP
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December 12, 2021 - 1:36 pm
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Mostly I sit for practice.  However, I noticed that my playing falls to pieces when I stand so now I'm standing on some days while practicing.  With new stuff I still sit during the first one or two days.

 

@stringy  I play in my office, my bedroom, and in the living room.  I'll skip the bathroom even if the acoustics are good.  laugh

 

I think in another month or so I'm going to start playing outside at local parks and places like that on occasion.  (So Cal weather in Jan/Feb is usually warm.)  It'll be a change of pace and place.  Maybe even an adventure because one of the places I'm thinking on going has tons of mtn lion sightings every week.  Might turn out to be a fun video to put on my youtube channel if I were to get lucky.

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wtw
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December 12, 2021 - 4:41 pm
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I always stand, unless I'm tired. Mostly I play in my bedroom (with the door closed 😉 ).

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stringy
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December 12, 2021 - 4:59 pm
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@RDP, I know a girl who sings in a band in Frisco, Janie and the reformed they are called, very wise not going near a bathroom, fatal for fiddles.

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AndrewH
Sacramento, California
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December 12, 2021 - 5:53 pm
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I mostly stand when I practice, but sometimes sit if I'm practicing orchestra music because it will be performed seated. I find it easier to stand because it allows more freedom of movement.

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SharonC
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December 12, 2021 - 6:48 pm
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I stand.  After back injury/surgeries, sitting for any length of time is uncomfortable for me.  Besides being uncomfortable, I find sitting while playing restricting—probably because I play while standing most of the time, & so I am much more used to it.

When I was in an amateur ensemble, we sat for group practice & performance, which was fine.  I would sometimes practice this music while seated (so that I was used to it), but otherwise I do all my practice while standing. 

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

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Mark
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December 12, 2021 - 10:01 pm
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Stand, my first teacher was amazed that I wanted to stand while taking lessons, he kept trying to get me to sit never did.

Mostly in the computer room is where I do most of my playing, that said I wander all over the house and on the front and back porches and playing at times.

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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Jim Dunleavy
United Kingdom
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December 13, 2021 - 6:28 am
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I always used to stand to practice - the first time I played in a group I had loads of problems with the bow hitting my knee when playing on the E string though! I eventually got used to it.

Since I've had back problems I've found by experimenting that the best thing for me is to sit on a high stool - a sort of semi-standing, semi-sitting position.

If you ever think you might play in an orchestra or quartet, definitely practice sitting for some of the time, so you get used to keeping your legs out of the way.

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Katie L
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December 14, 2021 - 2:25 pm
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Thanks for the posts it’s interesting to see what you all do when you play. I’m doing a bit of both. Stringy that’s amazing get that extension done so you can post more videos! So exciting ! We are getting new double glazing in the new year our house has old windows it’s absolutely freezing ! Nothing to do with violin playing but pretty excited about that! 

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Gordon Shumway
London, England
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December 14, 2021 - 4:33 pm
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I practise standing, but I play in the orchestra sitting, of course. I never know whether to bow between my legs or outside my right knee. Holding the violin and bow more horizontally feels very awkward.

James Galway says you should practise standing if you play standing and practise sitting if you play sitting. Sounds sensible to me, but my teacher thinks that's a stupid idea!

Andrew

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JohnG
Greater Chicagoland
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December 15, 2021 - 12:43 am
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I sit, as I have peripheral neuropathy which is nerve condition that prevents me from feeling many things in my feet and lower legs, which, in turn, makes me a bit unsteady when standing still. I will sometimes stand when I pick up my viola for a few short tunes when I "FEEL THE NEED"!

The old curmudgeon!

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Mouse
December 15, 2021 - 8:19 am
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I sit. I seem to have a lot of issues playing while standing, mostly, I fell like I have no control over the instrument. I just can't get the violin or viola to feel stable. When I am sitting, the issue is the C or G string, depending on which instrument I am playing. The blowing of the G or C string is difficult when sitting. I have to figure out how to sit so my right leg or knee is not in the way. This is not due to the surgery, it is just the way it is.

Presently, I really can't sit for long if I try to straighten the right leg out a little to lower the right knee. That would just give me about 5 minutes of playing time. I need to figure something out. I like the chair I purchased. It is comfortable and has a cushioned rounded edge, so it does not cut into the underside of my leg. I have it so the back is a little higher than the front; the front and back are adjustable. 

I can't use a stool because it does not allow me to have enough stability. Most, also, have an edge that will cut i to the underside of the leg as it goes over the edge of the stool. I would be able to lower the right leg, but everything else would be a mess. 

I always sit with my cello 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣. Although, I remember seeing someone with the endpin extended, maybe a longer than a normal one(?), and he was playing while standing. This was a looong time ago. If I recall, he had issues sitting, but I am not positive. Maybe, it was for show. Whatever, it looked interesting. He spun it once in a while. It was a cello, not a bass. When I have time, I will have to search for it. This was way before I even figured I could attempt to play the cello. 

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Mouse
December 15, 2021 - 8:24 am
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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I actually just tried to find it. Apparently, it is not so unique. If you Google playing cello while standing, it is done by some. Some use a strap, others don't.

Ok, Katie, back to your topic. Hopefully, my comment won't detract from it. 

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Fashionandfiddle
UK
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December 15, 2021 - 1:11 pm
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I stand, but I do have a stool I very occasionally use.  It's an office/lab stool with a foot rest that can be raised or lowered.

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Mouse
December 15, 2021 - 1:30 pm
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Fashionandfiddle, when I was doing my reply, I was thinking an adjustable footrest might help. I almost think that a tall comfortable stool with a footrest might be better than my chair for viola and violin. The chair is great for my cello.

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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