Posture and Playing Tips

Violin / Viola

• Feet flat on floor

• Instrument is horizontal and at a 45 degree angle from body

• Left wrist is straight and relaxed (thumb points to the sky)

• Left elbow tucked under the instrument

• Fingers are curved –play on fingertips

• Thumb is relaxed, not squeezing and on side of opposite 1st finger

Cello

• • Feet flat on floor, cello sitting between knees

  • Thumb behind 2nd finger on back of instrument neck

  • Wrist is flat, elbow = not on instrument

  • Fingers are curved –play on fingertips

  • Fingers are perpendicular to the string

  • C peg is by left ear and center of cello is resting near students’ heart

Bass

• • Weight slightly on right foot

  • Is the bass leaning slightly toward the player?

  • Flat wrist

  • Wrist is flat, elbow = not on instrument

  • Thumb on back of the neck

  • 1-234 hand position (extra space between index and middle fingers)

  • 4th finger (pinky) is perpendicular to the string and first finger at an angle.