Violin, Come to Me

I’ve been having a bit of an ongoing dialogue of late with a subscriber by the name of Theresa. She’s something of a skeptic, it seems, and she wonders whether ‘Kreutzer for Violin Mastery’ can help her.

She believes her main challenge to be tension in her left hand.

Well, there is much said in all my courses about the left hand, both directly and indirectly. After all, it’s pretty important that it does its job with the absolute minimum of effort and the maximum of effect.

But today, let me say this. When I take up the violin, my left hand extends a welcome to it in the same way I might take another person’s hand into mine when offering comfort.

There is strength, but there is also pliancy and sensitivity.

When the violin arrives under my chin my fingers and hand envelop it with interest and curiosity. I want to understand it, not to dominate it.

When I say, ‘violin, come to me’ it is with respect, and a desire to become one with IT. No expectations, no conditions.

You see, Theresa, once I have the right posture in relation to the violin, I can then investigate gradually, yet purposefully, how to play the most passionate and technical of passages while leaving that posture fundamentally undisturbed.

So, once you are paying Attention you may begin supplying Intention.

Both. It would appear, require heart, mind, and spirit.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. As I have said many times, the secret to empowering mind, heart, and spirit begins with proper breathing. It’s why the Kreutzer series begins with a breathing exercise. What a joy it is to breath freely and fully.