My ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Violin Technique, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is very detailed and practical, and it will give you the physical tools you need to take the limits off of your ability to create the accurate violin technique you want without sacrificing your body.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
Mary:
I’m really enjoying your books. I play violin and piano and they are helping me on a technical and spiritual level.
One main issue with my playing still persists and is not addressed in your books. I would love to have your advice, but understand you are busy and that perhaps this is outside the scope of AT.
I have been playing violin for 20 years, play 4 hrs/day and teach it the rest of the day. It is my life. A hearing test a month ago though shows that it has severely damaged my left ear hearing and moderately damaged my right despite my religious use of ear plugs and frequent use of light mute. The fear of the violin making me lose my hearing, which because music is so important to me is the worst thing that could ever happen, has led me to play more timidly and with some anxiety. I want to improve my playing and play with freedom, but I’m scared of further hearing loss.
My ideas are:
1.Switching partly or completely to cello, which is easier on the ears and hope that it is as satisfying to me as violin.
2.Playing violin with heavier mute and additional ear muffs (which takes a lot of the fun out of playing, but I suppose is better than not playing)
3.Keep playing as is and hope technology can fix my ears before I go deaf.
What is your advice? I love the violin (or do I love music in general?) but my anxiety about my ears is stealing that from me.
Thank you so much, I really look forward to hearing from you if you have time.
Ethan:
What do you think of this idea?
There is a viol that is about the same size as the violin that is played between the knees. What if you did this? What if you went further and had a long endpin made for your violin, then you could play it between your legs like a cello and wouldn’t have to squeeze your legs together to hold it.
I’ve suggested to viol da gamba players to have an endpin made, but they resist it, because the viol da gamba didn’t have an endpin.
There is another possibility, but it is way out there. I’ve seen these electric violins without a body, plugged into an amplifier. That would certainly get the violin away from your ears, but how much you could make it sound like a real violin, I don’t know.
Classical guitarists are playing more and more with amplifiers, because they’re sounding better and better and guitarists have the opposite problem of violinists – too soft.
There is a classical guitarist named John Galbraith who plays the guitar in the cello position with an endpin. Google him on Youtube.
Mary:
Wow, thanks for the great ideas.
The classical guitarist playing on an endpin is inspiring – shows you can go against the norm and not only be successful but better than before. I’m not sure practically how to get my violin on an endpin but I’d love to try. Will give it some thought.
As for the treble viol – another good idea. Though I’m not sure what it would mean for my career – doubt I could find enough students, so I’d have to still teach traditional violin. The calm peaceful music I hear on Youtube from treble viol is not what sparks love in my playing (I love the romantic violin concertos with all their passion and contrast). But perhaps I could be the first to play treble violin such a way!
I’ve made plans to try out some electric violins this weekend – though I do have my doubts about being satisfying with the sound, and the general modern “electric-ness”.
Thanks again for the time and thought! Lots to ponder and try now…
Ethan:
You’re welcome. I don’t see a problem playing the violin in the viol position, if that were the only change you wanted to make.
Let me know what you end up doing. Some pictures wouldn’t hurt.
TO BE CONTINUED
