Fingerboard o Strings o : J © F hole Bridge o fb © Sound post Fine tuners o . End button PARTS OF THE BOW " point Adjusting screw; Bow gripHOW TO ATTACH STRINGS CORRECTLY Correct Incorrect The above illustrations show clearly how the strings should be attached and wound around the pegs The pegs should always be in good condition, should fit exactly and should respond to the slightest touch of the player. If the pegs begin to stick and do not work easily, they should be taken out one at a time and be rubbed with a little soap if too tight, or with a chalk if too loose. HOW TO TUNE YOUR VIOLIN TUNING OF THE FOUR STRINGS The Four Strings are tuned in so-called. Perfect Fifths. A perfect Fifth is an interval of five (5) diatonic degrees, counted from the first note (prime) in a ‘Scale. (See next page) It is of the utmost importance that the Violin is properly tuned. As correct tuning of the Violin by ear is difficult for a beginner, the Violin may at first be tuned with the aid of a piano or a tuning pipe. As soon as possible, the pupils should be taught to tune their own Violins by ear. This is one of the reasons why Ear training should begin early.THE FOUR STRINGS OF THE VIOLIN (SOL) (RE) (LA) (MI) DA GS m > smeeeee}------| o i pero =y------ C Means corda: Strings. FI Indicates Down-Bow. V Indicates Up-Bow. O Indicates Open String.TETRACHORD POSITION CHART @ Major Tetrachord Position OPEN STRINGS Tetrachord : First four notes or last four notes ofa scale Major Tetrachord : First four notes of a Major scale. GS D A E Minor Tetrachord : First four notes of a minor scale. } mote srer 1@ 6G } wots sreP i> Gg & } nse 9 © & @ Minor Tetrachord Position OPEN STRINGS TUNING OPEN STRINGS gan i vote steP = see WHOLE STEPHOW TO HOLD THE BOW CORRECTLY Make a circle with the tip of your thumb on the first joint or crease of your middle finger. Keep your thumb bent. (fig. 1) i Place the thumb of the right hand, slighly curved, beneath the pencil and opposite to the middle finger, with the other fingers placed side by side on the bow touching each other. (fig. 2) The thumb must be placed simultaneously against the nut and the stick. (fig. 3 & 4)The bow must lie in a slanting position between the first and the second Joints of the first finger and and the tip of the little finger. (fig. 5 & 6) . Hold the bow firmly but in doing so, the thumb and fingers must never be strained, and should not touch the hair of the bow. (fig. 7 & 8) Never forget that next to the fingers and the arm itself, the wrist is the most important factor for the ultimate mastery of bowing. To play with a cramped wrist will not bring satisfactory results in violin playing as a loose and flexible wrist is important in correct and artistic bowing.HOW TO DRAW THE BOW CORRECTLY The bow should never be drawn in a direction too far forward (fig.9) or too far backward (fig. 10) but always in a straight line, parallel to the bridge. (fig.11) 9. Incorrect 40. (Incorrect) The bow should be drawn straight across the strings, parallel to the bridge and midway between the bridge and the fingerboard. It should be drawn evenly, touching only one string at a time. 11. (Correct)The wrist should be entirely loose and flexible, capable of moving with ease. In fact, the bow cannot be drawn straight across the strings without raising the wrist at the frog and lowering the wrist at the tip. (fig. 12 & 13) 12. The change of the bow should not be noticed but be done as quietly as possible, and here again a loose wrist is required. In fact, mastery of this most important requirement would be impossible without a flexible and pliant wrist. 15The lower arm and wrist should always be moved to and fro with natural freedom and simultaneous action. Do not hold the elbow too near the body and also beware of holding it too high. When playing upon the G string, the elbow must always, and quite naturally, be held considerably higher than when playing upon the E string.Important Principles Concerning EINGER AND BOW PRESSURE 1. The left hand fingers should stop the strings with exceedingly strong pressure, but without stiffening or cramping the hand or fingers. 2. The pupil should gradually strengthen and develop the fingers, so that they will fall upon the strings like individual little hammers. 3. The right hand fingers should draw the bow lightly and smoothly over the strings without any rough or heavy pressure. To be able to do this, you need to use different dynamic pressure from the two hands: a. Strong finger pressure for the left hand; Light bow pressure for the right hand b.The wrist should be free and flexible to insure free movements of the arm. POSITION AND ACTION of the fingers of the left hand The fingers of the left hand should be held above the finger board in a natural and curved position. The actual stopping of the notes shall only be done by the tips of the fingers where the sensory nerves are located. Always enable the fingers to be kept above the finger board, ready to fall into place with the necessary strength and precision. SUMMARY 1. Always stand erect, with shoulders well straight back and chest forward; the weight of your body resting on the left foot. 2. Do not let your Violin sag but keep it in a straight, horizontal position. 3. Draw your bow mid-way between the bridge and the fingerboard, straight across the strings; the sounding point must never vary and the direction in which it is drawn must always be in right angle to the strings. 4, In changing from down-bow to up-bow, or from up-bow to down-bow, move your wrist.5. Play in exact time giving the precise value to each note. Train your sense of rhythm incessantly through correct and proper counting. 6. Be sure that your Violin is perfectly tuned. € music must be placed exactly in line with your eyes, the height to be Tegulated by the necessary raising or lowering of the music stand. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INSTRUMENT VIOLIN Handle your violin, bow and case with care. Instruments and bows are made of thin wood, and can break easily. Bumping your instrument, either in or out of the case, may cause it to go out of adjustment. Keep your violin clean. Each time you finish playing, use a soft clean cloth to wipe the rosin dust from your instrument, bow stick and strings. When you are not using your violin, always store it in its case. Before placing your instrument inside, remove first the shoulder rest. Secure the latch properly. Never put this book inside your case. Placing it inside may cause your violin to break or go out of adjustment. Do not expose your instrument to excessive heat or cold. Extreme temperatures may cause your violin to crack. Check your bridge often. If it is not standing straight, ask your teacher to adjust it yourself. Do not attempt your own repairs. Only an expert musical repairman has the skill and experience to repair your instrument. Do not let others play your violin. BOW Bows break easily. Do not drop your bow or hit it on anything that will cause it to break. Do not touch the hair of your bow. Moisture, perspiration, oil or dirt from your hands, face, or hair will spoil the bow hair. Before you begin to play, tighten your bow with the adjusting screw. Your teacher will show you the correct tension to use. Each time you finish playing, loosen the tension of your bow. 7EXERCISES ON OPEN STRINGS 4. A StringD StringExercises for combinations of all the four strings 41. Marching to School Exercises for gaining firmer control of the bow 5Exercises for gaining firmer control of the bowA string Ist finger E string Ist fingerD string 1st finger G string Ist finger cs A 6 A 6fal fal 2ol! eal es 5 8 FT BSE . ° A string 3rd fingerE string 3rd finger 104. 5 5106. os eo 7Se5su ce Fe oO fF oO BG ogi o 0 4 ° z z A string 4th finger 4 E string 4th fingerD string 4th finger G string 4th fingerE STRING 3rd finger F NATURAL on the D string183. The Babbling BrookETUDE 2 ; 3/4 time 158, The Ring