The University Of Texas String Project Promotional Guideline Position Checklist For Bass (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

The University Of Texas String Project Promotional Guideline Position Checklist For Bass Page 3

The University of Texas String Project

Promotional Guideline Position Checklist for Violin/Viola:

Please Note: In order to promote to the next ensemble or orchestra, the student must

check-off each requirement for his/her instrument and turn in with the appropriate

“Guidelines for Promotion” checklist WITH his/her private teacher’s signature.

GENERAL POSTURE

 Is the instrument supported by the shoulder in such a manner that left hand fingering

can occur without tension?

 Is the left hand free to slide up and down the fingerboard?

 Is the body positioned with nose-bridge-elbow-knee-toe in approximate alignment?

 Is instrument positioned parallel to the floor?

 Does the elbow hang under the instrument and hang freely to allow proper finger

alignment on all strings?

 Is the left arm and hand forming a straight line from the elbow to the base of the

fingers?

 Is the right arm elbow opening and closing to allow for straight bowing?

LEFT HAND POSITION

 Are the fingers all curved with only the tips of the fingers hitting the strings?

 Are the fingers consistently in a functional position over the fingerboard, i.e., is the

hand placed in such a fashion that the little finger could always pluck the strings?

 Is the hand free from clutching?

 Does the wrist keep a straight line with the rest of the arm?

RIGHT HAND POSITION

 Are all joints curved?

 Are the fingers flexible at all times?

 Is the thumb bent and not protruding through the frog?

 Does the index finger touch the stick near the first knuckle joint?

 Are the second and third finger pads touching the frog?

 Is the back of hand in the same plane with the forearm?

 Is the bow moving on the string parallel to the bridge?

 Is the contact point consistently about halfway between the fingerboard and bridge?

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Teacher Signature

Revised Fall 2004

The University Of Texas String Project Promotional Guideline Position Checklist For Bass Page 3