The Nuts and Bolts for Beginning Strings

Posture: Mrs. Uffelmanns favorite word!!

Violins/Violas:
1. Students should be able to hold the instrument with their chin and shoulder.
2. Students should maintain a balanced position while standing.
3. Students should be sitting at the edge of their chair, feet flat on the floor and
their backs straight.
4. Students should make sure the instrument is parallel to the floor; not in front
of them.
5. Students should make sure there is a space between the left arm and the side of the
body. They should not have their left arm against the side of their body.
6. Students should have BOXY fingers! They should be curved on the strings.
7. Students should not do PANCAKE hands! Their wrists should be straight and the
thumb should be on the other side of the first finger tape for violins/violas.
Celli: (Celli is an Italian word which is plural for Cello)
1. Students should sit at the edge of their chair, feet flat on the floor and their
backs straight.
2. There should be space between the students shoulder and the neck of the cello.
3. The lower right peg should be behind their left ear and their knees should be
just below the C bouts.
4. They should also make sure the cello is straight and not tilted.
5. The left hand should make the shape of a soda can while putting their fingers on
the tapes. Their thumb should be placed on the neck across from their middle
finger.
6. Students should form airplane wings with their left arms.
Bass:
1. Students should stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet in a V shape.
2. The left leg should be behind the bass and they should be able to hug the bass.
3. The nut of the bass should be near the top of the forehead.
4. Basses can either sit or stand while playing and a stool is recommended for those
that prefer to sit.

Bow Holds:
Violins/Violas

1. Students should maintain a bent thumb- No banana thumbs!

2. Pinkie finger is on top of the bow for violins/violas.
3. Students should pivot or press their first finger into stick of the bow. The students
should pretend that they have a watch on their right arm and that they are trying to
look at their watch and check the time.
4. The middle finger should be across from the thumb.
5. The bow hold should be like the bunny rabbit!
6. Students should bow between the railroad tracks, which is between the bridge
and the fingerboard.
7. When bowing with the right arm, the arm should open and close from the elbow and
they should not use their whole arm to bow.
8. Create 90 degree angle with bow on string and parallel to bridge.
Celli/Bass:
CELLO:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

BASS:

The right arm and hand should be relaxed.

When holding the bow, the students should drop their wrist and have it be flat.
Pinkie finger goes over the stick of the bow in the middle of the frog for cello/bass.
The thumb should be bent- No banana thumbs!
Students should pivot or press their first finger into the stick of the bow. They
should pretend that they have a watch on their right arm and that they are trying to
look at their watch and check the time.
6. When bowing with the right arm, the arm should open and close from the elbow and
the bow should be perpendicular to the strings.
7 . Create 90 degree angle with bow on string and parallel to bridge.