Specialist Help for Violinists and Violists Experiencing Tension, Pain, Discomfort and Physical Problems
Private, One-to-One Specialist Consultations for Violinists and Violists of All Levels
Playing the violin or viola can involve highly precise and repetitive movements, sustained muscular activity, and continuous physical interaction with the instrument. For some musicians, this can be accompanied by tension, pain, discomfort, stiffness, fatigue, restricted movement, altered sensation, or difficulties maintaining physical freedom while playing.
These problems can occur at any level of playing — from beginners and amateur players to advanced players, professionals and soloists.
Sometimes the problem is obvious. At other times, it may simply feel as though something is not right when you play, without it being clear exactly what is causing it.
The specialist consultation is focused specifically on physical problems that affect your playing.
Could This Be Relevant to You?
You may be experiencing tension, pain or discomfort, stiffness, fatigue, restricted movement, numbness or altered sensation. You may have difficulties with the neck, shoulders, back, arms, wrists or hands, or with the way the instrument is held and supported.
The problem may occur only during particular movements, positions or passages, or may become more noticeable after extended playing. You may also simply feel that something is not right when you play without knowing exactly what the problem is or what is causing it.
You do not need to know exactly what is causing your physical problem before making an enquiry.
You can explore the Physical Problems page if you would like to look more closely at the different physical problems that can occur when playing the violin or viola.
Specialist Help — Not Conventional Violin Lessons
A regular violin lesson is primarily concerned with developing your playing. A specialist consultation is different: it is dedicated specifically to understanding a physical problem that is affecting you as a violinist or violist.
During the consultation, we work directly with your individual physical problem and examine what is happening when you play. We can try relevant changes or different possibilities and consider how the problem responds.
I do not impose a particular technique or assume that there is one correct way for every player to hold or play the violin or viola.
What is relevant to consider depends on the particular problem and what happens when you play.
The focus is on your individual situation and on understanding what is relevant to the particular difficulty you are experiencing.
If you are experiencing a physical problem when playing and would like to discuss your situation, you can arrange a private consultation.
45 Years of Experience
I have 45 years of experience playing and teaching the violin. My background includes study at the Conservatory of Utrecht, Netherlands, with Pavel Šorm, Concertmaster of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, giving me a strong connection with the Russian School of violin playing.
I also studied viola with Prunella Pacey, Soloist and Principal Viola of the Royal Northern Sinfonia Orchestra, giving me experience of the Belgian-French tradition of viola playing.
My experience includes playing and teaching both with and without a shoulder rest. This has given me first-hand experience of different ways of supporting and playing the instrument.
My work draws on practical experience of violin and viola playing as well as research into physical problems associated with playing.
Private and Confidential
Every enquiry and consultation is private and confidential.
The service is available to violinists and violists of all levels, from beginners and amateur players to advanced players, professionals and soloists. Privacy is important regardless of your level of playing.
For professional violinists and soloists, this privacy can be particularly important because they prefer not to have physical difficulties discussed with colleagues, conductors, orchestral management, artistic directors, agents, or other people within their professional environment.
In Person or Online Internationally
Consultations are available in person, or online for clients internationally.
The online consultation is a full specialist consultation and is not a reduced version of the service.
Private. Individual. Confidential.