Fiddle talk - VIOLIN DISCUSSION FORUM - Playing the violin

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Finger clusters

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Worldfiddler

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May 22, 2012 - 3:41 pm

Member Since: April 22, 2012

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No, it's not what happens when you're trying to look posh when holding a glass of expensive wine

It's all about economy of movement of the left hand in fiddling (and violining too). To many, it would be stating the obvious, but surprisingly, many simply bypass this important and very basic fingering technique.

The video explains it all :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....ature=plcp

Mr Jim dancing

http://youtube.com/jimviolin

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May 22, 2012 - 4:32 pm

Very helpful, Jim. I'm going to try to keep my fingers down, as I often catch them hovering way too high. Bad habit!

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May 22, 2012 - 4:42 pm

Just passing thru here but if you want a study in finger clusters it's as close as FM instruction videos ..... most any video. However, the videos reinforce my notion that my large hands and fingers are not ideal for a violin. FM has "perfect" fit.

coffee2

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May 22, 2012 - 5:12 pm

I always wonder, how people can hold the fingers close to the strings. I fight with my flying fingers a whole year - no results. My brain refuses to give a command for the next note until fingers are "high enough"...

Thank You,for the video, Mr.Jim! birthday_balloon

Worldfiddler

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May 22, 2012 - 5:41 pm

Member Since: April 22, 2012

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Oliver said
Just passing thru here but if you want a study in finger clusters it's as close as FM instruction videos ..... most any video. However, the videos reinforce my notion that my large hands and fingers are not ideal for a violin. FM has "perfect" fit.

As a last resort, you could have the string, nut and bridge spacing increased slightly, assuming the neck is wide enough. But - often there is a "critical dimension" of the fingertips of even large fingers of large hands (think about Itzak Perlman) which makes quite a difference to the playing, all else being equal. This "dimension" is the thickness of the finger from nail to pad. Some people have quite a slim measurement there, even thought the fingers are "fat", looking from left to right. It's significant. It matters.

Mr Jim exactly