#anima-perdita

[gottabeastringplayer]

I just want to say thank you to those that added on to my question! :D

Hope you all see this!

And I hope this was helpful. :)

[gottabeastringplayer]

Another add-on to anima-perdita's question: Once you get the hang of 2nd position, it's one of the best things ever! 2nd and 4th position have gotten me out of a tight spot fingering-wise more than a few times. They're really handy skills to have in your arsenal >:) So it'd be a great idea to be really comfortable in these weird positions. My teacher once had me do an etude that was entirely in 2nd position, and it helped so much that the position is really easy for me now...

And more!

Wow, you guys, this is awesome. String support comm right here. HEARTS FOR ALL OF YOU.

[gottabeastringplayer]

Hey! :) Just wanted to add on to your response to anima-perdita's question, since I play the violin and 2nd position was and still is a pain. xD Scales really help and you could also try starting in first position and then shifting to second, and vice versa to get the hang of shifting.

Well, here you are!

Really, I have to commend those people for whom 2nd position is easy. It's a really awkward place to be, like I said. But once you get the hang of it, it'll make some places exceedingly easy to play. Hope this helps you, and good luck!

[gottabeastringplayer]

Hello there. I really love this blog! I'm a newbie violinist and would like some advice. In my next lesson I will be learning 2nd position on the violin. I was wondering if there is a way to make it easier on me. I have a really bad habit of misplacing my 2nd and 3rd fingers when I take my eyes off the neck. (I'll be working specifically on that all this week). So is there anything I should know ahead of time?

Hmm... I don't think you're alone in thinking that 2nd position is a bit tricky. Most people tend to shy away from 2nd position as an alternative thing because it's one of the more awkward places for a violinist to be (other than on a viola... Any takers? No? I'M KIDDING! I LOVE PLAYING VIOLA TOO). As for things to know ahead of time... I'm not really sure that there are too many things. I think that as long as you let your violin teacher know that you're having a really hard time getting the hang of 2nd position, s/he will be able to either spend extra time with you perfecting that or prescribe some exercises to help you.

One thing that you could maybe try to do is work on some one octave scales while staying in second position so that your fingers get used to exactly where they should go and do. Hopefully this helps!