As a beginner, I'm having trouble reaching the G string with more than three fingers comfortably. Any suggestions? Thanks.

vc

i just had my first violin lesson... and i had this problem to.
my teacher told me to put where my first finger meets my hand at the top of the finger board.
this made it easier for my finger to reach the g string.
(sorry this dosn't make very much sence, i really don't know how else to describe it)

i just had my first violin lesson... and i had this problem to.
my teacher told me to put where my first finger meets my hand at the top of the finger board.
this made it easier for my finger to reach the g string.
(sorry this dosn't make very much sence, i really don't know how else to describe it)

Bring your entire arm around the neck of the violin more. Its hard to explain in words..

http://www.violinonline.com/vlnonlineholdfront.jpg

This persons arm is an ok picture for trying to explain it.. She would bring her elbow towards the camera even more and it your hand should stay very round like hers is. Its kind of awkward to place like this at first.. I'm still getting used to it.

My teacher is always telling me to do this (in the piece I'm preparing for contest in the Spring in this part that has some hardish double stops in particular.. i find it harder as my fingers don't play very well on 2 strings at the same time.. my finger is close to just going right in the middle of the strings lol) and since I have pretty small hands, its really important and it does help you reach everything.

Also place your left thumb correctly. Like this is pretty good:
http://www.whitingviolin.com/lefthand.JPG

Although I put my thumb kind of bend and flat on the back of the neck instead of almost touching the black top of the fingerboard.

If its up to far, (like your knuckle touching the fingerboard..) I would imagine that would make things much harder. If you want better pictures I can do that tomorrow

Hope that helped a little

I think I understand you, thanks for your reply.

vc

Any more pictures would be great, thanks.

vc

Keep your bow level to the ground when on d. you will have to bring your elbow forward more (if you stand in front of a mirror, towards the mirror.) your thumb must be straight and it will probably move under the neck a little more then what it usually would. it should also be in position where your first finger should be. if you draw a line across the first finger position to the side of the neck this is where your thumb should be. as long as your thumb and wrist are straight then you will get there. it is a stretch at first, particularly getting your elbow to move when it should. the position of your elbow will ultimately tell the position of your fingers.