On Relaxing That Left Shoulder
Last week I wrote a newsletter on playing in tough conditions, such as heat, cold and high humidity. I received quite a few responses to it, so I guess it struck a nerve with a lot of players.
Now, one of the folks that wrote in has a very simple and effective way of dealing with high humidity, apart from my comments. He suggests using a little talc – baby powder – where the left hand contacts the neck of the instrument.
Yet remember, if you forget the baby powder at home you’d better have a fallback plan. And that’s where what I had to say comes into play.
Ok, so let’s talk shoulder relaxation.
As you know I’m a great believer in the power of diaphragm breathing to relax the upper body.
Yet it might still surprise you to know that I still have to remind myself, on occasion, to relax my LEFT shoulder. It’s an old habit formed when I was young and under the impression the chin and shoulder held up the violin.
Now I merely rest the violin body on my collarbone, and support the neck in my left hand as I play. Virtually all my movements around the violin rely on balance, timing and clear mental pictures.
It’s not muscle, it’s about finesse and efficiency.
Matter of fact, I like trying to be so loose with the instrument that shifts are almost drop-and-catches done with lightness and precision.
These days I also am more aware than ever of the role my upper arm can play in shifting, especially large shifts. Those in my ‘Allegro Players’ find just how active a role the upper arm can play when they begin playing scales and arpeggios on one string, with one finger.
These are a wonderful way to learn what I call ‘position playing’; as important in violin playing as it is in chess.
Yet the key to success remains with maintaining a relaxed left shoulder, and holding good form – something I illustrate quite explicitly in the later months of the Allegro Players Course.
All the Best, Clayton Haslop
P.S. The Allegro Players course is remarkable for the amount information and demonstration packed into it; truly a must-have for any aspiring intermediate level violinist who really aspires to mastery of the instrument.
