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I just noticed Keith's (HC, HeadCheese) new chat profile pic; it's of his finger tip and it has three string creases on it. After I get done playing or during play, I notice that I consistently have two distinct creases, always in the exact same location.
My teacher keeps mentioning that I should have only one crease on my fingertips and only one. Is he just being fanatical or should we always have the strings fall on the same spot of our fingers all the time???
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ftufc said
I just noticed Keith's (HC, HeadCheese) new chat profile pic; it's of his finger tip and it has three string creases on it. After I get done playing or during play, I notice that I consistently have two distinct creases, always in the exact same location.My teacher keeps mentioning that I should have only one crease on my fingertips and only one. Is he just being fanatical or should we always have the strings fall on the same spot of our fingers all the time???
Like a barred chord on a guitar, I was holding down multiple strings at once to cut down on my finger-movement between strings.
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ahhhh, didn't think of that..... so what are your thoughts on my question Keith?
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I try to always use the same point on my fingers for the strings, ergo - one track.
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I don't know what the right answer is but, for what it's worth, I have one very distinct crease on my index finger (which is usually black right after playing) and slight dents on my second and third fingers.
I would be surprised if I'm really that consistent, but I suppose, like ruts in a road, once there's a track, the string will naturally settle into it and that will make the track deeper.
That's my theory, anyway, and I'm sticking to it.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
I don't get grooves.
For the academics, you might be interested in a landmark book called BASICS by Simon Fischer. Really astounding at times about violin playing but the book is pricey.
Good section on strings, fingers, etc. Probably a lot different than the common practices. Big impact on my technique. (or lack thereof !)
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My husband just ordered that book and the DVD. The book is very detailed. I've only leafed through it so far but appears to be lots of good info there.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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Thanks Oliver & Diane; I read several reviews of the book & it looks like an incredible resource & learning companion; just ordered it from Amazon!
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I get string tracks on all 3 fingers, (my little finger is just along for the ride.) after only a few minutes of use. Only one track per finger though. They go away in about an hour after I stop.
and they seem to get blacker when playing the steel strings vs the Zyex synthetic strings. Of course I clean them every week with 170proof alcohol so I hardly think it's dirt...
you never know.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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Thanks Denny; yeah, I have no idea why I'm getting 2 lines on each finger, obviously I'm not playing in the same spot each time, but I have decent intonation and the location of the lines is very consistent, it's not like I'm playing in a different spot each time.
I'm wondering if I play each string differently; using a different finger position on each string, which isn't good either, I should be using my fingertips like little piano hammers regardless of the string... again
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I'm sure that my fingers land differently from time to time but I don't get lines either. Lot's of violinists I know have them but not me. I wouldn't worry about that Fred.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I dont have any callouses or tracks on my fingers either. But I dont do alot of sliding around either. I also play a steel string accoustic and havent had an issue either. I guess I need to ramp up the intensity of my jammin! 
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Thanks FM, glad to hear it's not a serious issue. I don't understand why no tracks though,,,, maybe you should drink more water (beer,,,, shhhhhh), lmao!
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We'll do that in January. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
I have calluses on all four of my left hand fingers, I get string tracks which turn black if I don't clean the strings two or three times a week with alcohol and I have the Zyex strings on mine. Hmmmmm... reminds me, I need a new set again, I just put them on about 3 months ago. All the life is out of them, I only have to tune it about once every 10 days or so.
Get ready FM, you'll be gettin my order very soon, again.
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See FM, Ken just confirmed, if you don't use alcohol every few weeks, you won't have tracks..... I did read that right didn't I 
There's a jagerbomb here with your name on it Pierre!!!
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I don't get string tracks from the violin or the guitar. And i agree, don't worry about it.
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Look forward to the jagerbomb Fred.
Where will this be?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I practice... and it shows...
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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