11 TIPS FOR A MORE RELIABLE FOURTH FINGER

The 11 tips for the fourth finger are divided into three categories.
1. Posture
2. Intonation
3. Strength

Proper Posture is the fundamental technique for all of violin playing. Never underestimate the importance of posture.
A discerning ear is imperative for intonation practice and if your fourth finger is not guided by a discerning ear than no amount
of practice will help it to be reliable. How to develop a discerning ear? Read “Every Pitch a Pearl” blog post here.

Strength is key for a fourth finger to be reliable. Think about it, when did you learn to use your fourth finger? It was most likely
the last finger you learned to use and it was neglected…not used very much right? Perhaps you even avoid it. No longer. You
will find fourth finger strengthening exercises in the tips below.

PROPER POSTURE
LEFT HAND FACES FINGERBOARD

FOURTH FINGER SHOULD ALWAYS BE CURVED AND ON ITS TIP (UNLESS PLAYING EXTENSIONS OR HARMONICS)

USE YOUR LEFT ELBOW AS SUPPORT FOR THE FOURTH FINGER AND BRING UNDER THE VIOLIN IF NECESSARY TO HELP
OUT EXTENDED FOURS

HAMMER TIME - SET THE FOURTH FINGER DOWN STRONG LIKE A HAMMER BUT RELAXED WITHOUT TENSION

INTONATION PRACTICE
ALWAYS KNOW DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR FOURTH FINGER AND YOUR FIRST FINGER IN EVERY POSITION

ALWAYS KNOW RELATIONSHIP TO ALL OTHER FINGERS

PRACTICE FOURTH FINGER EXTENSIONS

STRENGTHENING PRACTICE
USE THE FOURTH FINGER, DON’T AVOID IT

DEDICATE 3 MINUTES A DAY TO FOURTH FINGER VIBRATO

FOR 3 MINUTES A DAY PRACTICE ACCURATE FOURTH FINGER SHIFTS ON ALL STRINGS IN ALL POSITIONS

PRACTICE FOURTH FINGER LEFT HAND PIZZICATO WITH OPEN STRINGS AND WITH OTHER FINGERS

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