Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.bowed-strings Subject: Re: Left Hand Technique Date: 12 Apr 1996 11:55:54 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA On Apr 12, 1996 00:30:58 in article , Jet >>...My problem is this: Are there any sure fire >>methods of relieving tension in the left hand? Sometimes I strangle my >>violin neck so hard it's a wonder I don't leave fingerprint >>indentations. I don't seem to have this much trouble on the viola... >>[there is tension] in my cello left hand as well, but I chalk it up >>to the amount needed to press down the strings. Since you have this problem with violin and cello, but not viola, I wonder about the setup of your instruments. Could it be that your violin and cello have exceptionally high action? This is what happened to me. I brought the cello in for repair on a crack and the person fixing it said, "How can you play this!!!" He reshaped my bridge and that was the end of my pain. :-) -- Jamie W. Grossman