Strategies And Techniques For PlayingThe Violin With A Short 4th Finger

Playing the violin with a short 4th finger isn't easy if you are struggling to play without strain or pain. Unfortunately many teachers (especially those who don't have a short pinky themselves) simply don't know about the special techniques needed.
There are actually many strategies you can employ to enable your short fourth finger to be part of a healthy left hand. There's no 'one way fits all' in violin playing; all violin technique needs to be specially tailored to our individual physiques. Let's explore it together. Mary

[@sm9846]

Hello ! You mentioned important things about the fourth finger, and the most important thing you mentioned at the end of the video was the support of the fourth finger by the third finger ! Thank you very much !
From Iran 🌹

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thank you very much, I'm really glad that you like this idea - I've found it really helpful to be very gentle with my 4th finger and yet give it a good work out with the help of the 3rd finger; I hope you will find the same. Take care! Mary❤

[@martatessi]

Thank you Mary!!!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Thanks Marta! ( Luckily your 4th finger is a good length and doesn't cause you too much trouble and your musician hands have much flexibility and strength!) Mary❤

[@letitiavaughan947]

Oh, thank you! I have small hands, too. I must admit that I have found myself lifting the first finger when I was reaching with the fourth finger. When I noticed, I would guiltily put it back down because I thought I was doing something wrong even though I have seen Itzhak do that on occasion. I thought, well, Letitia, he's Itzhak Perlman; He can do whatever he wants! So, it makes me glad to know I am actually doing something that is quite natural and helpful. Thanks for this affirming tutorial!

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Letitia! It's delightful to think that your hands had such wisdom! Isn't it great when we can be natural on the violin and help ourselves so much in simple ways? Very well done! Mary❤

[@lolamas3042]

Hola Mary! Este vídeo es maravilloso para mí👏👏👏👏👏 Necesito practicar mucho con el cuarto dedo... Es genial ver tu mano tan cerca! Voy a experimentar ahora mismo! Mil gracias querida Mary y un abrazo!🤗💚🎶💚🎻

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Lola! I'm delighted you like the close ups! It's strange how many violinists disapprove of lifting the fingers to free the hand and yet all the great soloists like Heifitz, Kogan and Haendel did it all the time and their hands were not particularly small!
It's great looking at different violinists, isn't it?
Chloe Chua is a fantastic and talented violinist with an almost perfect technique. She makes me feel like a clumsy elephant when I watch her in admiration.
By contrast, James Ehnes has the strangest and unusual hands on the violin and yet is one of the most wonderful players in the world.
So really, because we're all so different, I firmly believe that we need to customise and tailor all violin technique to make it work for us, although we've got to have some knowledge of technique first, of course!😊
I hope you're having a lovely summer in Madrid Lola, full of music and joy! Mary❤

[@lolamas3042]

​@@violinstudiowithmaryv Tienes mucha razón Mary! Cada violinista adapta la técnica a sus características y todos los que has nombrado son magníficos!👏👏👏👏 En Madrid hoy lluvia maravillosa! Espero que también tú estés disfrutando de estos días previos al verano en Escocia! 💚🎶🧡🎻💛🌧

[@guobettyful]

During my lesson, my teacher often like me to practice putting all finger down ( with out lifting ) However if my 1,2,3 finger stay in place, it's almost impossible for my 4th to reach it's position, if I force it, the sound usually weak, often out of tune. When I follow your advice, it really gets easier for me. Thank you Mary for letting me know that it's okay to do things differently than others by understanding my unique challenge. 🧡

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello! Thank you very much for your insights. I know it feels very 'naughty' to lift the fingers to help a short 4th finger, but it's really necessary for us to do what's right for the size of our hands and fingers by using these special techniques. Every violinist must find a comfortable way to play.
Taking some modern violinists, look at the incredibly long 4th fingers of Hilary Hahn and James Ehnes which gives them enormous advantages in their hand frame. People with short pinkies must find a different route to comfort and ease of playing.
One of the major reasons our teachers tell us to leave our fingers down on the strings is to help us create a good hand frame and to play fast. Well, if we keep our fingers as close to the strings as possible that's a good substitute.
I wish you very well and I hope your violin playing goes from strength to strength! Mary❤

[@aliceackerman7451]

Thank you so much, I always lose the intonation once my first finger off the string, my teacher keep asking put down the first finger on the string if I dont play the open string , I dont understand how to free the hand if my hand & finger lock into first position all the time, especially practicing scales, I am practicing B major scale, there is big strench from D# go across to D string to E note and then 4 whole tones, Mary could you teach us how to walk the fingers from one string across to the next, how to do it properly I know some notes are paralle from one to the next, I still dont know accurate walk 😢 Thank you for your expertise & time ❤

[@violinstudiowithmaryv]

Hello Alice, I know exactly what you mean about these large intervals that are straining your hand. Your teacher is trying to create an ideal hand frame for you, but your hand gets locked and is unable to be flexible.
Why not have a chat with your teacher about your first finger and how locked and rigid your hand feels when playing larger intervals? For example, you should be doing plenty of exercises to increase flexibility and relaxation as well as examining with your teacher the basic mechanics of your left hand.
Anyway, I will try to make a video soon about fingers crossing crossing back and forth across the strings.
Meantime, try your best to have an open discussion with your teacher about what you need and want. Please let me know how you get on.
Take care Alice! Mary❤