How you stand

Everything the violin asks of your arms gets harder if the rest of you is braced. So the first real technique is just standing well — balanced, tall, and unlocked.

Standing

• Feet about shoulder-width apart, weight even between them — or a touch more on the left, since the violin sits out to your left. Turn slightly so the left foot is a little forward.
• Knees soft. Never locked.
• Spine tall — imagine the top of your head floating up — but shoulders down and level, not hunched and not hiked toward your ears.
• Head balanced over your spine, not craned forward toward the chin rest.
• Breathing easy and continuous. Holding your breath is the first sign you've tensed up.

Sitting

Sit toward the front of the chair, both feet flat, back not touching the chair. You want exactly the same tall, loose posture as standing — a chair is a place to rest your legs, not your spine.

Rest position

Between attempts, bring the violin down to your side. Don't hold it up under your chin for a whole session — that's how the neck and shoulder learn to clamp.

The usual mistake

Tension, and it always shows in the same places. Check them often:

• knees — locked straight? Soften them.
• left shoulder — crept up to meet the violin? Drop it, and let the setup (next lessons) bring the violin to you instead.
• jaw — clamping the chin rest? Let it just rest.
• breath — held? Let it go.

A hunched, braced player has a pinched, effortful sound. An easy body is the pre-condition for an easy sound.