A Breakthrough

Now here's a burning question: Is it actually possible to play the violin without a shoulderpad? A lot of the famous pros do. But, then, a lot of the famous pros are big, hulking men built nothing like me. Is it actually possible for someone built like me to play the violin without a shoulderpad? Until recently, I would have said no. People who play without shoulderpads are an interesting species. Usually, they're very, very convinced (to not use the word "rabid") about their non-shoulderpadness. I heard once about a university professor who invited all his naive freshmen to a barbecue at his house at the beginning of each year, and told them to bring their violins. Little did they know they were to be attending a shoulderpad-burning party.

The director of the music school where I work plays without a shoulderpad. Now, this didn't need to affect me at all, since she told me up front that it didn't bother her that I did, nor did it bother her if I taught my students to do the same. The sticky issue was that I was taking over several of HER students who all, of course, play without.

My experimentation started out altruistically. "If I'm going to teach these students who play without shoulderpads, I need to experience what they're feeling." That's how it began. I found myself awkwardly trying to get around my instrument without my usual crutch. Then something clicked. It actually started WORKING. I mentioned something to the director about this discovery, and she gave me the key to make it work even better.

Play laying down.

It sounds dumb, but it works. When you're laying down, gravity holds the violin against your neck, so you don't have to "hold" it at all. All the shifts become vertical movements. Shifting "up" is moving with gravity. Shifting "down" is moving against gravity, but feeling gravity still holding the instrument in place. The thumb and hand guide the instrument, but don't actually need to "hold," either.

If you get a good feel for that, then it still works standing up.

I'm not ready to take the plunge and become one of THEM. At least, not yet. I have reverted to using something much less cumbersome than before, however. It feels good.

And for any non-violinists who think "breakthrough" is a bit melodramatic to refer to what I've just described...well...let me assure you it is an entirely appropriate word.