Practice Tips

• Check your posture!
• Check your bow hold!
• Left Hand Position
  • Violin/Viola:
    • Left thumb on the side of the neck.
    • Base of the first finger on the neck.
    • Use the tips of your fingers.
    • Fingers rounded and curved, standing tall on the strings.
    • Wrist down (palm never touching the neck).
    • Hand relaxed.
    • Fingers hovering the strings when not being used.
  • Cello:
    • Left thumb centered on the cello neck.
    • Left thumb between the red and white finger tapes.
    • Use the tips of your fingers ("water bottle position").
    • Fingers rounded and curved, standing tall on the strings.
    • Elbow out (not against the body).
    • Hand relaxed.
    • Fingers hovering the strings when ont being used.