Coniston Public School

Telephone02 4229 1117

Emailconiston-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Holding the violin

The violin is held horizontally (parallel with the floor) and is angled to the left of a straight forward position.  Place the violin on your left collar bone and rest the left side of your jaw on the chin rest.

a woman holding a violin
a woman holding a violin

Left Hand Position

The elbow should be under the centre of the violin.  Keep the wrist gently rounded.  Avoid resting the wrist against the violin neck.

The thumb should be opposite the first or second finger.  Maintain a curved, open space between the thumb and index finger (a backwards "C").

a hand holding a violin
A boy holding in the left hand position

Beginning bow hold
Image: Beginning Bow Hold
advanced bow hold
Image: Advanced Bow Hold

Violin Bow Hold

Relax hand, slightly turn wrist to the left, and let the fingers drop into place.  The tip of the bent thumb touches the frog contact point.  Fingers gently curve over the top of the violin bow stick.  The middle finger is opposite from the thumb.

Bow Posture for Each String Level

Changing strings with the bow arm is controlled mainly by the position of the elbow. 

Here are a few pictures to illustrate the position of the elbow for each string.

Violinist doing the E String stance
Image: E String
D String
Image: D String
A Posture
Image: A String
G string posture
Image: G String

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We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past and present.

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