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Edit-Whoops I apologize for putting this in the correct section!
I have noticed over the last month or so that big problem I have with playing with any Efficiency is the fact that my left forearm will not rotate Clockwise enough to get my hand properly on the fingerboard. My forearm Even shoulder will Ache after a few moments of exertion.
I asked my instructor today to rotate his hand in a fashion as if he was holding an imaginary violin... I noticed right away that was able to rotate his hand at least 10° father than me. Almost to the point where his thumb was facing directly away from him.. I'm not even close to that.
I was told my positioning is proper so I think it's just lack of flexibility and with that the only thing I know to do is to keep doing it LOL. I look like a crazy person While driving I'm sure but I will sit and crank my left arm clockwise while I'm driving just to try to stretch it out. 
Anyone have any experience or advice with this?
Thank you!
Walter
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I don't know if you can stretch it that way but it sounds like a good plan to me. Good luck!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Fiddlerman said
I don't know if you can stretch it that way but it sounds like a good plan to me. Good luck!
Thank you I certainly hope that helps!
Looking forward to the new violin by the way hopefully will see it next week sometime 
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this came up recently, maybe you posted a similar theme elsewhere, dunno? Without seeing what you are doing its impossible to really offer anything constructive, lol.
Shot in the dark advice- have you tried putting your elbow further under the instrument? easier to reach the G string side that way
Is your wrist collapsed? Playing that way now puts tension in my left shoulder, elbow and forearm
Consider mandolin? held like a guitar, fingered like a violin much easier on the body.
Consider seeing a physical therapist that has included musicians in their practice, this is becoming more common. They can look at your body mechanics.
Good luck.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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flaWalt said
.........Looking forward to the new violin by the way hopefully will see it next week sometime
Which violin did you order?
What happens if you rest your left hand on your right shoulder? Is that comfortable or does that feel a little over stressed? The left elbow doesn't need to rotate more than that. Maybe you can just do that for longer periods when watching tv or some kind of activity in which you do not need to use that arm.
You can deal with twisting your left hand (forearm) separately. Make sure that if it hurts you back off and hold the position just before it hurts. Stretch slowly for longer periods rather than intensely for shorter periods.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
I ordered your Cremona Kreisler yesterday.. Very much looking forward to it hopefully I can do it justice soon enough.
By the way does it by any chance come with your fiddlerman bow?
With regard to the left hand on the shoulder, I Assume you mean with the palm facing the sky? In that case it is a little bit tight. I am pretty determined to get this figured out I've come too far to let the little lack of flexibility stop me.
pfish- According to my instructor my positioning is proper with regard to wrist elbows and the like.. So that being the case I assume I just have limited flexibility. I guess it's all the years of gym work building muscle not really being concerned about flexibility.
Unless the mandolin can be made to sound exactly like Paganini I really have no desire..lol
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Congratulations on the Kreisler. My favorite instrument in our shop. It doesn't come with anything else but we'll through that in for you since you asked. 
We just started fitting them with high quality boxwood and the look is fantastic. Unfortunately we missed the deadline to get it out on Friday so it will ship on Monday.
I meant to rest your hand on your right shoulder with the palm down, fingers curved to hold nice and relaxed. That will give you about the right angle for your upper arm. Palm up is tight for me too.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Very cool on the violin I can't wait to see it when it arrives! Much thanks for the bow, I would like to see how it compares to the Coda I purchased a few months back.( Not that I should have an opinion but I may give both to my instructor As a blind test.)
Left hand on right shoulder is a piece of cake!
If I were to hold my imaginary violin In position and rotate my left wrist clockwise, I barely see the top of my left hand.. Mostly just the palm Facing me.(Elbow down or even a little bit pointed towards my belly button.)
When I implement this with the actual Violin in hand it is especially tight on the G String. In second or third position it Aches so that I can only maintain that for a few moments at a time.
I appreciate the help hopefully I can figure something out!
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Do me a favor and have someone take a picture of you holding the violin the way you normally do. Also with your fingers down on the G string. We'll see what we can do for you.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
That would be awesome! You rock! I will get to work on that pic soon. Heck I could do a video and post it here if that might be more efficient I have no modesty LOL.
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I feel for you walt, Ive had great flexibility and health all my life and now at 42 I seem to be falling apart! I stll dont have a bald spot and can pluck the grey hairs from my moustache as they slowly appear. Life comes at you fast man, I wish you great success in overcoming the limiting effects you are experiencing! Play on!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
Lol pfish I hear ya..I just rolled 43 a few weeks ago. Actually I'm in pretty good shape for the most part. Got a cancer thing going on now but this time last year did a 100 mile road bike Ride for diabetes and finished my first Duathlon A few weeks later.
this arm thing I believe is due to years worth of strength training w no concern for flexibility ...especially arms and shoulders. Nvr even considered it really!
heck who knows..I'll get my girlfriend to video me shortly, maybe it's totally a technique thing!? I'll post it as soon as I can get something recorded.
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Talking about stretching reminds me of when I rented my first violin last year and when I would play I would experience discomfort in my left elbow, no pain, just discomfort. Well, since I play banjo & dobro, I thought I don't have to stretch for them so I must have a physical ailment thats going to prevent me from playing fiddle. But another fiddle player told me that my body is not use to playing the fiddle & I need to stretch first. Well, I went to my local violin shop where the mgr/instructor told me before playing to straighten my left arm out & twist it clockwise so that the back of my hand faces right...darn if that hasn't worked so far. I rented another violin & so far so good.
Sometimes its not what you know but who you know.
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Doesn't look bad at all. That is about the most you'll ever have to stretch but it's not bad. I think you should just ease into it. The main problem will be as you said, playing on the G string.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Much thanks for the help! At least I know I'm in the ballpark.
Looking forward to The new violin arriving this week hopefully!
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You are in Florida so it should arrive today or tomorrow.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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BobH said
Talking about stretching reminds me of when I rented my first violin last year and when I would play I would experience discomfort in my left elbow, no pain, just discomfort. Well, since I play banjo & dobro, I thought I don't have to stretch for them so I must have a physical ailment thats going to prevent me from playing fiddle. But another fiddle player told me that my body is not use to playing the fiddle & I need to stretch first. Well, I went to my local violin shop where the mgr/instructor told me before playing to straighten my left arm out & twist it clockwise so that the back of my hand faces right...darn if that hasn't worked so far. I rented another violin & so far so good.
Sometimes its not what you know but who you know.
BobH Thanks!! Holding both arms straight out to each side (or to the front) and parallel to the floor reveals a lot! I can see that if I rotate my hands so that the palms are facing up - one hand (my right) can be positioned perfectly flat, but the other, left hand doesn't quite make it. Did the instructor you talked with suggest that you 'twist and hold' this position for any particular time? Or repeat any number of times? I would imagine this would be important so you don't damage something. One way or the other, it seems like a great idea! gary
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