Hi
Wondering please if any violin players can give me some advice? I'm currently learning a Grade 4 Trinity piece and trying to develop the weight in my bowing arm to get a better sound. Since I've been doing this, I've noticed that I'm finding it very painful to play after 10 minutes in both left and right hands. I've been told that this could mean the weight is starting to develop and its been checked to make sure it's not me being stupid. Previously, the weight had been going into my little finger on my bowing hand and now trying to redistribute it so the weight goes into my first finger but I can only play for 5-10 minutes before my arms get so tired and so painful that I have to stop. Is this normal?

Any advice much appreciated as this is really getting me down. Many thanks.

Pain = not good! Nor is it necessary if you're applying the right techniques. This could be a bowhold matter - the 'Russian' bow hold is more pronated, with the arm turned to the left and a straight little finger, the Franco-Belgian bowhold has the curved little finger and the arm more level. I believe the Russian bow hold is better for tone production as the weight is there by default, ie you don't have to try.

Have a look at this page:

http://sarah.macmanx.com/blog/2005/03/30/t...old-comparison/

But whatever you do, sort it out and don't carry on with whatever you're doing if there's pain - it means there's too much tension and you don't want a new habit that causes tension to set in.

I think it might be tension, since it has developed in both of his hands instread of the one that is bowing.

I'm no string player, but I do have an interest in ergonomics and the use of complimentary therapies to prevent pain in musicians.

If you are having this sort of problem, as well as getting advice off your teacher, I would advise you see an Osteopath or Chiropractor to check there are no problems with the alighment of your spine especially your neck.

Then either take a course in Pilates or Alexander Technique to get used to proper alignment of your body. The Performance health people advocate Alexander technique, but as a singer, I have had greater success with pilates. It has taught me how to maintain the natural curves in my back and keep my shoulders down. The exercises are also very relaxing.

as Violnia said Pain=bad. In my experience conventional medicine doesn't offer many solutions andy you are lucky to find a doctor or physio that understands the needs of a musician. So get your back and neck checked out. Mention this pain to your teacher so he or she can work specifcally on your bowing, then work on a posture based exercise system to help you strengthen the deep stabiltiy meucles to prevent further injury.

As I understand it, the arm should be completely relaxed from the shoulder and the bow weight is controlled by the index finger.

With your left hand, it could well be that while trying to get the weight with the bow, you are also pressing harder with your left hand and generally tightening up, shen in fact you don't need that much pressure with the left hand. I know I was having that problem and getting bad cramp in my hand after playing for a relatively short time.

Thank you so much to everyone for their really helpful advice. I think from your replies, that it is tension causing my problems. I think I'm trying to put so much weight into my index finger then tension is building up in my right arm and my left arm as suggested.

I'm going to try to relax my right arm as much as possible, thanks again for your help - I really appreciate it.

Also, my wife is a violin specialist who swears by the Alexander Technique; for example, she reckons that a lot of tension can be avoided by keeping the knees loose and by not 'locking' them.
Good luck!