How To Hold The Violin

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Discovering the Right Way to Hold a Violin

If you learn the correct way to hold the violin, then you’ll sound better. And a good sound means you’ll enjoy the process and be more motivated to continue.

Plus, with a solid hold, you’ll be less likely to injure yourself. Don’t forget to be kind to your body!
I’ll show you four useful ways to hold the violin:

  • Guitar Hold
  • Beginner Hold
  • Classical Hold
  • Old-time Fiddle Hold

Though the Classical hold is the most common (and the most versatile) the other holds have their uses.

Hold The Violin In Guitar Position

Hold the violin like a guitar and experiment with plucking the strings using your right thumb.

This position, though primarily used for learning and practice, can be a great tool to decode tricky rhythms, fingerings, and melodies. Once you’ve mastered a melody in guitar position, you can transition to the more challenging classical hold.

Another advantage of Guitar Position is that it’s a great way to practice violin chords. I’ll talk about playing chord back-up later in the guide.

Embracing the Beginner’s Violin Hold

Now let’s learn the beginner hold.

Position your violin between your chin and left shoulder, resting your left hand on the body instead of the fingerboard. Place your chin on the chin rest and use it to clamp down on the violin. You may need to experiment with different chin rests. For example, you can get a center mount chin rest:

It’s important for the body to be comfortable. Playing violin is not about suffering through physical pain!

This simplified hold allows you to focus on the right-hand movements of plucking and bowing. Even as an advanced player, the beginner’s hold can be a useful tool to refine your bowing and rhythm skills.

Mastering the Classical Violin Hold

For a more versatile violin playing experience covering all genres, from classical to jazz, the classical hold is your go-to posture. Much like the beginner’s hold, you hold the violin by clamping your chin down on the chin rest.

The difference lies in the left-hand placement, which is at the neck’s end, just below the scroll. Spend time just getting comfortable with this posture before attempting to play notes. Regularly practicing this hold even after you’ve started playing songs will significantly improve your skills.

Remember that a shoulder rest makes it easier to hold the violin without relying on the left hand to hold it.

Experimenting with the Old-Time Fiddle Hold

For this hold, simply let the violin rest against your shoulder.

This method offers more comfort and ease while singing and playing simultaneously. However, it limits you to playing in the first position. It makes it harder to shift your left-hand up the neck to play notes and higher positions.

If you see yourself playing a variety of music styles, the classical hold is recommended. It offers more versatility, allowing you to play old-time and other fiddle music effortlessly. But if you know you just want to play Old-time and Appalachian music, then the Old-Time Hold may be right for you.

How To Put On A Shoulder Rest

Holding the violin can strain the neck and back. For that reason, a lot of fiddlers use a shoulder rest. This fits on the back of the violin near the bottom. Most people place it close the bottom. I like to place it closer to the middle.

Not only does it feel more relaxed, but the violin makes contact with my collar bone. Because of that, I can actually feel the vibration of the instrument directly in my body.

If you have a secure hold, see if you can hold the violin without using your right hand. Eventually, you can learn to make a sandwich while holding the fiddle:

Now that you know how to hold the violin, you’re finally ready to make some sounds!

Another video on holding the violin…

Continue on to Plucked Up >>

Return to top of Module 1.1 >>

Leave a Reply

43 responses to “How To Hold The Violin”

  1. I like the videos and lessons.
    only thing. navigation and progress aren’t totally intuitive.
    Example. On the “how-to-hold-the-violin/” page, the last video (with the title above it. “Another Video Holding the Violin”
    does nothing to describe the plucking (1000x) and the patterns that are being learned.
    Also.. at the end of a page.. it would be nice to have a “completed” but at the bottom, for that page/lesson.
    Not sure how you’d remind the student to continue practicing 1000x unless there”s reminders.. on following pages.

    Thanks. Pat

    1. Patrick, really great feedback and examples where improvement can be made. I’ll pass this along to Jason for consideration. When we share how it’s going for us and what we notice, it gives new opportunity to grow and enhance the current situation, so thanks again for taking the time to do this.
      The ‘completed’ lesson button is at the top, which is the same button one clicks to ‘start’ the lesson. It’s a good idea to separate these buttons and add the ‘completed’ one at the bottom of the page, if possible.
      Happy fiddling to you 🙂, please reach out anytime through comments and/or [email protected].

  6. I can’t believe I’m doing my first lesson after waiting to start for soooooo long. A-mazing. Really appreciate how slow and deliberate your lessons are. After plucking and trying different holds, I am not terrified of holding the violin. Less afraid is good! The sandwhich was a hoot. Thanks for your encouragement and clear explanations. Excited to be making nice sounds!

    1. Hi Jo, Thanks for mentioning this and inquiring. It can help greatly to have a professional violinist/luthier/teacher help, in person, fit your instrument to your natural posture. They can see from a different angle what kind of shoulder rest is needed and how to position it.
      I use a shoulder rest that is recommended on the Fiddle gear page, called Bon Musica. I’ve found it to be very versatile in fitting the violin to my posture/body and helping secure the violin while playing. https://fiddlehed.com/contact-help-new/recommended-gear-books-and-music/
      Be interesting to hear how that journey evolves for you. Pain and uncomfortability doesn’t need to be a regular part of playing fiddle. Reach out anytime 🙂

  16. I am intimidated when I need to turn the pegs. My fine tuners were getting too low. After watching your video, I dove in, with you kind of “by my side”. I’m enjoying your instruction very much. Thank you.

  20. Started playing about 4 months ago, but just joined FiddleHed and figured I should start at Mod 1.1. I’m sure glad I did: besides putting me in a mellow frame of mind, I learned that I’ve been placing my shoulder rest on backwards! Lol My fiddle now feels much more comfortable! 🙂