The Nigerian Mvies

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Thursday 11 December 2014

Having The Correct Violin Wrist Position Is A Must

By Lucia Weeks


Learning anything starts with some key steps. The key to great string music is having the perfect viola or violin wrist position. Failing to get the correct position can cause severe problems. A collapsed wrist will pull the violinist's fingers into the wrong arrangement and place extreme stress on the player's tendons, potentially leading to carpal tunnel syndrome. Ideally, the wrist remains straight and the fingers are curved.

Mastery of this formula is indispensable for any musician wishing to become proficient. Many unparalleled pieces of classical music hinge on the talents of the string section. Celebrated composers of the stature of Mozart orchestrated some of their ultimate masterpieces with prominent violins. Mozart's "A Little Nightmusic" ("Eine Kleine Nachtmusik") is understated and poised.

Another enduring classic arranged with violins to the fore is "Symphony No. 7 in A Major" by Ludwig van Beethoven. The grand and extraordinary Beethoven symphonies are regarded as being amongst the most important ever illustrations of the artistic creativity of the Western world. Samuel Barber imbues passion and pathos into his "Adagio for Strings"; the most poignant segment of his "String Quartet, Op. 11".

The complexity and richness of Johannes Brahms' "Symphony No. 1 in C Major" owe much to the unique sound of the string section. Many a wedding would not be the same without the atmospheric Baroque violins within "Canon in D Major" by Johann Pachelbel. "Serenade for Strings in C Minor" by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky is a soulful, melodic Romantic era composition which features the beautiful qualities of violas and violins.

The English instrument player Nigel Kennedy made his recording studio debut to perform the "Violin Concerto" by Elgar and greatly helped to introduce a new audience to classical music with his interpretation of the Vivaldi magnum opus "The Four Seasons" which sold more than two million copies. Kennedy's talent transcends musical genres; he has also featured on the "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" album by The Who, performing the phenomenal track "Baba O'Riley". He also combined his skills with Kate Bush's on her "Experiment IV".

One more example of a wonder-child whose music broke traditional moulds thanks to her idiosyncratic approach to using this instrument is Britain's Vanessa Mae. Not long afterwards, she chose to record her own unique fusion of musical styles, regularly being seen in rather scanty, raunchy attire in her promotional videos. Vanessa surprisingly uses two extremely disparate manners of instruments; an antique, acoustic Guadagini (reportedly costing her parents 250,000 pounds for their ten year old daughter) and the modern, rocky Zeta Jazz electric variety.

All violinists need sound technique to properly play the brilliant music for strings by composers such as Dvorak, Shostakovich and Bach. It is crucial to become skilled at correctly positioning one's left hand, thumb, wrist and fingers. Tone, vibrato and intonation are all affected by correct posture and the way that the right hand holds the bow.

Different postures for playing while standing or seated can be as important as wrist position for beginners. Correct hand position can be developed by practising tapping and strumming with the little finger. Instrument sizing is also vital for young violinists.




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