Do you ever watch a violinist play and wonder how exactly they are sitting? Seating is one of the most important things to know when learning how to play the violin. How are violinists seated? A poorly seated violinist can result in discomfort, fatigue, or even injury. Luckily for you, this article will break down everything you need to know. If you’re just starting out on your musical journey, or if you’ve been playing for years but want to learn more about violin seating, keep reading.
You may also look at our other article on Can You Play the Violin with Gloves
The Basics of Violin Seating
There are two types of seating positions when it comes to playing the violin. The first one is sitting on the floor, which allows for more freedom of movement. This position works best for beginners or when performing in a cozy setting.
The second type is standing up while playing, which allows you to see your music better and changes the sound of your instrument. This position is most often used for performances or in an orchestra setting.
For either position, it’s important that your chin is positioned at the level of the violin’s neck in order to maintain the right posture. Additionally, positioning your body perpendicular to the floor will allow you to have good posture without slouching over.
The next steps are slightly different depending on which position you are in. For sitting on the floor, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and extend them straight back from the edge of your seat so they are touching behind you. From there, keep your back straight and bend forward just enough so that your chest is parallel with the ground. For standing up while playing, place both feet flat on the ground with heels close together and toes pointed outward at about 45 degrees, then extend both arms over your head until they are almost touching each other.
How Do I Sit Myself?
Your seat should be comfortable enough for long practice sessions. With your left leg, prop the violin against your left thigh. Your right leg should be positioned to create a firm foundation. Rest your right hand on the bow and your left hand on the violin. If you need more support, place a pillow between your back and the chair. Remember to keep both feet flat on the ground for stability.
If you’re having trouble with balance or creating a stable foundation, try sitting with one foot on the floor and one foot propped up against your other knee. You can also try using a stool or bench as another form of support.
What Should My Legs Be Doing?
The main thing to remember about the legs is that they should be tucked underneath the instrument. If your knees are sticking out, you’re not in a good position. This can lead to pain and injury because you’ll be putting more weight on the knees than necessary.
It’s also important to keep your feet flat on the floor so that your leg muscles don’t get too tired. You can do this by propping up one foot at a time and resting it on the top of the other leg.
Keep in mind that there is no one perfect position for violin seating, but we always recommend beginners use a steep angle with their feet propped up on a chair or stool. This will allow them to relax and keep their back straight while they learn how to play.
What Should My Feet Be Doing?
The first major detail you should be aware of when it comes to violin seating is how your feet should be positioned. When you are seated, your feet should be flat on the ground with your heel and toes touching the ground. Your heels should be lower than your toes. If you find that your body weight is resting on the balls of your toes or if your feet fall asleep easily, then try placing a small pillow at the bottom of each foot for support.
How Tall Should I Be?
There are three major things to consider when deciding the height of your viola. The first is how high you want the violin to be. Your chin should rest just below where the strings attach to the violin, so that you have an even distance between your chin and the scroll of the violin.
The second consideration is how far away from your body you want the violin to be. This one will vary based on personal preference; some people like their viola closer, while others like it further away.
Lastly, there’s how much space you want between your left arm and your body (or as we musicians like to say, “the shoulder contact point”). This distance allows for a little more comfort and movement during playing. It might be a good idea for beginners or those with smaller frames to keep this closer to their body due to their limited ability in terms of reaching and speed in pivoting their arms.
For most people, all three considerations can vary depending on what feels best for them as they learn more about playing the violin and find what works best for them. Regardless, it’s important that these factors remain constant throughout their playing life so that they can always feel comfortable with their positioning.
The height of the seat correlates to the size of the violinist
Most violinists have a seat height that is even with the player’s shoulder. The seat should not be any higher or lower than the shoulder, and a violinist will adjust a seat, if it is too high or too low. It’s important for a violinist to be able to see their instrument since they play from in front of it. If the seat is too high, then the violinst would need to lean forward for this to happen, which could cause back issues. A seat that is too low means that it would be difficult for the violinist to get their bow arm up high enough
The sitting posture gives access to different parts of the instrument
The height of the seat corresponds to the size of the performer. For example, a small person would sit with their seat quite high. A taller person would have their seat at a lower level. Taller people need to tilt their body in order to reach certain strings on the violinist.
By sitting with the correct posture, it is easier for a violinist to play and reach different strings on the instrument. The most popular seating position is with one leg over the other, and one arm placed on either side of the instrument. This position gives them access to all four strings (two on each side). That’s also why this position is called “cross-string” seating.
The “side-string” position is when a violinist sits with one leg tucked under them on one side of the instrument and they hold onto that same side as they play on that string. The “side-string” position gives access to one string on either side of the instrument only–not both sides as in cross-string seating.
Violinists go through years of training before they can have full control over which strings they are playing from any position, so whether they are seated cross or side string is less important than having mastered their technique by practicing it frequently enough so that it becomes second nature during performance!
How are violinists seated FAQS
No, violinists are not always seated in the same way. Violinists can be seated with both feet on the floor, or they can be seated with one leg under the other. It’s important to find a seating position that is comfortable to you and that will allow you to play for long periods of time without experiencing fatigue.
If you want to put your foot up on something like a chair or stool while playing, make sure it’s stable enough so it doesn’t fall over when you lean on it. Violinists typically don’t use foot stools because they often fall over when leaning on them. If you do decide to use a stool, make sure it has a back so it provides some support when leaning against it.
It’s important that your chair is the correct height for the distance between your shoulder blades and the floor. Try to sit with your bottom touching the front edge of your chair seat and your back elongated without any tension in between for best comfort. To find out what the right height is for you, take an A4-sized piece of paper (about 6×8 inches) and place it at arm level next to where you are sitting with your bottom touching the front edge of your chair seat. The paper should be about 2 inches from hitting the ground.
Conclusion
Violinists are seated the same way as pianists: facing the audience.
The pianist’s left hand sits on the keys and their right hand sits midway along the piano midway along the strings, so it is between the bass and alto sections. The violinist’s left hand is the bow and their right hand should be between the first and second violins, or close to the first violinist’s left shoulder.
Violinists face the audience and sit on a chair, and their legs and feet should be at a right angle to the floor. It is important to be seated at a height that will make you comfortable and enable you to reach all of the violin strings without stretching or bending your arm.
The next step is figuring out what kind of violin you want to buy. This might seem like a tall order, but it doesn’t have to be! There are many different brands and styles of violins out there, which is why it’s important to do your research before purchasing. Talk to your teacher, ask your friends who play the violin, or read reviews online. When you find the violin you want, make sure to take your measurements with you when you go to try it out!
