Common problems with violin and viola hand position

The Collapsed Wrist - Backview

From this angle you can see how the fingers are pulled out of position. Often the collapsed wrist is caused by a lack of proper shoulder support. If the left hand becomes responsible for supporting the weight of the instrument, the student may collapse their wrist.

POSTURE • INSTRUMENT SIZING • INSTRUMENT POSITION

BOW HOLD • BOW STROKE • INTERMEDIATE RIGHT HAND SKILLS • ADVANCED RIGHT HAND SKILLS

LEFT HAND POSITION • SHIFTING • VIBRATO • ADVANCED LEFT HAND SKILLS

• Introduction to Left Hand Position
• Preliminary Exercises for Violin and Viola
• Developing the Shape of the Left Hand
• Developing Hand Shape Exercise No. 2
• Preliminary Finger Exercises Cello and Bass
• Placement of Fingers Violin and Viola
• Thumb Placement for Violin and Viola
• Common problems Violin and Viola
• Common problems - Collapsed wrist
• Common problems - Hyperextended Wrist
• Common problems - Poor Thumb Placement
• Worm Hole
• Three Points of Contact
• Cello Left Hand Position
• Bass Left Hand Position
• Elbow and Shoulder Cello and Bass
• Common LH Problems Cello and Bass
• Cello/Bass Problems -- The Sagging Elbow
• Cello/Bass Problems --Thumb hugging the neck of the instrument
• Cello/Bass Problems -- Collapsed Wrist
• Cello/Bass Problems --Sloped Fingers
• Hand Frame
• Finger Shape
• Finger Placement Markers
• General Left Hand Position Principles for All the Strings