When I was four years old and first started playing violin at the Vancouver Academy of Music, I was handed an oatmeal box with a wooden ruler glued to it and was taught how to hold a violin. They gave me a wooden dowel as a bow and taught me everything about how to hold the bow, the oatmeal box violin, how to position my feet, posture my stomach, and my neck and shoulders. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those were formative years. As my playing progressed, I was fortunate enough to have teachers that took the time to break down my technique so that I wouldn’t run into violin injuries in the intense times of practice leading up to auditions, exams and performances.
Playing violin is technically very challenging and also very asymmetrical. Here in this video, we learn the basics of how to stand and sit to avoid asymmetry in the spine, sway back, locked knees, forward head posture and consequent pain in the neck, back, and TMJ (tempormandibular joint). In essence, we are looking for a neutral spine when playing violin in order to prevent musculoskeletal strain and injuries, as well as to enhance performance.
For violinists early on their path of learning who are experiencing muscle pain, tension, and stiffness, I would recommend you watch this video. For expert violinists, please have a look and tell me what you think. There may be a tip you might find useful. However, each violinist and their injuries are unique to them because of posture, life habits affecting muscle development, and physical demands that may vary depending on practice space and instrument make. You may want to consult with your teacher and health care professional.
Musician injuries physiotherapist, Grace Cheung, walks us through a few common postural errors amongst violinists in this video segment, a first of a series of videos related to violin injuries and general injury prevention amongst musicians.
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