For Violin - Viola - Cello - Double bAss
Resounding Fingerboard
Always one step ahead
The fingerboard attachment for violin, viola, cello and double bass was developed by us personally. It is the only one of its kind and opens up completely new ways for you and your students to develop the playing technique. It was originally developed for the vibrato. Only a few years later, however, it is clear that it can support us so much more! It supports us in the most important areas of playing technique and offers the opportunity to relax selectively while practising. This is probably the biggest advantage. The accompanying video shows impressions with the fingerboard attachment on the violin and viola. More videos can be found in the showcase on Vimeo and at the bottom of this page.
Advantages of the attachment
- more pronounced and relaxed VIBRATO
- faster and more even TRILLS
- a more precise and accurate DOUBLE GRIP TECHNIQUE
- a more refined and precise FINGER DROP
- faster FINGER SPEED
- clearer INTONATION
- a more sonorous LEFT HAND PIZZICATO technique
- a new SOUND SPECTRUM
- the perfect BALANCE between STABILITY and FLEXIBILITY
- carry out POSITION CHANGES in a more targeted manner
- selectively RELAXATION while practicing
Get started right away
It is very easy to use the attachment in general. Once you have got the knack, it takes just a few seconds to attach the attachment and get started. What you do next depends on what exactly you want to achieve with it. From simply ‘grasping’ the fingers or performing vibrato movements to specially developed exercises on specific topics such as rhythm, coordination, trills, vibrato, fluency, position changes, etc.: the spectrum is wide and the results are manifold. To get started right away, you need a fingerboard attachment, and if you like, you can also book best practice exercises, either as a print Best Practice or as a digital mini subscription. The 9 free exercises, which are available for download as a PDF, are also a good way to get acquainted. The fingerboard attachment is also a regular topic at our events, including free workshops to learn the basics.
Exercises and practicing with the attachment
The practice resources for the fingerboard attachment is continuously being developed. It is structured in such a way that, in addition to detailed descriptions and sketches, videos demonstrate how the basic exercise is intended to be performed. This allows everyone to practise at home at their own pace and with their own focus and goals, and to start experimenting for themselves. For those who would like some guidance, there are regular workshops specifically on the resounding fingerboard. The current schedule can be found in the Dates section. The fingerboard attachment is currently being featured in the following media (print and digital):
Best Practice
Online Course
Best Practice violin and viola
33 exclusive exercises with the attachment (35 Video demonstrations).
Arm vibrato
Online COURSE
Arm vibrato
The fingerboard attachment for arm vibrato. 24 of the 39 exercises are also shown with the fingerboard attachment (53 Video demonstrations).
LHP practice technique
Online Course
LHP practice technique
The fingerboard attachment and LHP. Four of the 40 exercises are also shown with the fingerboard attachment. (74 Video demonstrations).
Warm Up
Online COURSE
Warm up
The warm-up can be performed using the fingerboard attachment (16 Video demonstrations).
Best Practice Resounding Fingerboard Violin and viola
Best Practice violin and viola
33 basic exercises for a variety of playing techniques
Best Practice violin and viola
9 original exercises
Free download. To get acquainted and get started right away.
Everything about the fingerboard attachment
Each attachment is cast by hand in a complex process. There are two versions with different sizes, one for high strings and one for low strings. Violin | Viola: length approx. 14 cm, 12 studs, Cello | Double bass: length approx. 17 cm, 14 studs. Before using the attachment for the first time, it is important to read the user instructions and information on how to attach it correctly, as well as the information on so-called ‘bad fingerboard days’, i.e. situations where the fingerboard attachment does not adhere satisfactorily to the fingerboard.
Dear customer,
Today you are holding your hand-produced Resounding Fingerboard in your hands, the world first attachment for a free and relaxed vibrato, for fast and easy trills, for faster and more even fluency, precision playing and other advantages for string players. To give you the best possible start, please read the following instructions first. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions.
Fitting the fingerboard attachment
Once you have got the knack, attaching it takes less than 30 seconds on average, if you do it regularly, then about 10 seconds. The fingerboard attachment is attached to the fingerboard between the two centre strings as standard. 1)insert one of the long sides, 2) insert the other long side and position the fingerboard attachment, 3) Push down one of the suction cups. 4) Gently straighten the fingerboard attachment and push down the second suction cup.
Storing the fingerboard attachment
Protect your fingerboard attachment: keep it dust-free and protect it from direct sunlight or UV radiation; the darker the better! Why dust-free? The smoother the bottom side, the better it adheres to the fingerboard.
Using the attachment
The ResoundingFingerboard is designed to develop the optimum and best possible balance between stability and flexibility of the fingers. It is designed so that previously ingrained movement patterns can be "unlearnt" quickly and new movements can be trained at the same time, as relaxation is possible at the same time. Be sure to start with "exaggerated" slow movements. If you have the feeling that the pimples are not doing you any good, try to consciously release the finger pressure for a short time while you perform the desired movements.
Cleaning
Due to the close proximity to the rosin dust and use with our hands (hand perspiration), the surface of the attachment becomes dirty. You will notice this at the latest when your fingerboard attachment feels greasy and adheres less well. It is usually sufficient to wash the resoundingfingerboard regularly with clear water and then dry it carefully with a lint-free cloth (e.g. dabbing). Do not use aggressive detergents or cleaning agents and avoid contact with solvents and similar substances. You can always use a mild hand soap. The two suction cups adhere by simply pressing them down, depending on the degree of soiling and cleanliness of the fingerboard board. You can moisten the suction cups slightly from below before pressing them down. This will make them stick better to the fingerboard.
The "bad fingerboard day" happens from time to time: On these days, the attachment simply doesn't stick enough, even though you do everything "right". This is very often due to humidity reasons.
Important notes
Only use the item for its intended purpose and keep it away from small children. Avoid placing too much pressure on the material by bending, stretching or using not acceptable cleaning agents (only mild hand soap is recommended). Avoid to store it in direct sun or UV radiation. This can damage your fingerboard attachment.
Your inventors
Erdmute Maria Hohage and Angelika S. Schepke
Whenever the attachment doesn't stay on the fingerboard even though you're doing everything right, we talk about bad fingerboard day. It is both a curse and a blessing: a curse because you have the feeling that you can no longer influence anything. Blessing, because we can count ourselves lucky that the materials, both the instrument (wood) and the attachment, react to the environment. We will show you what you can do:
- Either check the humidity (the ideal humidity for the instruments is also very good for the fingerboard attachment. If it is too low, this is often a reason why the suction cups do not adhere so well. You can moisten the suction cups a little from below, this often helps!
- use the supplied solution at short notice.
The solution
The solution is to additionally stabilise the attachment with one or two Velcro strips, which are threaded through between the string and the fingerboard section. The videos below show how easy it is to thread them through. There are basically three tried and tested ways of attaching them. It's worth trying out all of them so that you can choose the right one if necessary. The Velcro strips supplied are always slightly longer and can then be shortened with scissors. Depending on the instrument, the pre-punched holes are also slotted holes so that you have a little room to move the strip back and forth.
- With 1 strip at the top/bottom end: This solution is suitable if only 1 suction cup does not adhere and if the attachment is placed between strings other than the two centre strings.
- With 1 strip each at the upper and lower end: This solution is ideal if neither of the two suction cups sticks or if you want to practise in particularly (rosin) dirty areas of the fingerboard - for example at the very upper end near the bridge.
- With 1 strip in the centre: This option is often used when a good balance between stability and flexibility has already been achieved (many high string players then dispense with the suction cup function altogether because the attachment still remains stable). It is also helpful if the ends of the suction cups are not in a good position for fastening.
Violinists and violists use the same fingerboard attachment. Depending on the size of the instrument, however, it can be attached in different places. It is also possible to attach the attachment to children's instruments.
Attach on children's instruments
The attachments can be fitted to many children's instruments (3/4 and 1/2 size). In most cases, a free-swinging open string can also be produced.
No free-swinging string possible?
If a free-swinging string is not possible, you can try to attach the fingerboard attachment between the two outer strings. With small instruments, it is often the case that the suction cups no longer have enough contact surface, but the attachment usually still holds sufficiently. And if you are careful, the strings will hold the fingerboard attachment.
The cello and double bass use the same fingerboard attachment. The only difference is that they utilise a different bad fingerboard day solution. Basically, the attachment fits on whole instruments as well as on children's instruments.
Attach on children's instruments
Basically, it is good if at least one open string can swing freely, because then you can play with the bow at the same time and train topics such as the independence of right and left hand etc. very well. Our experience is that up to a 1/2 cello, a free-swinging string is possible without any problems. The smaller the instrument, the less distance there is between the string and the fingerboard. Depending on the size of the instrument and its structural requirements, you can now choose between the following options if you want to allow an open string to swing freely:
- The attachment is placed between the two centre strings and pushed as far as possible towards the scroll. Either press the small suction cup down or clamp it carefully under the two neighbouring strings. Now the outermost strings should swing freely. If neither of them swing freely, you can try moving the attachment a little closer to one of the strings to gain a little more space for the other string. Even if that doesn't help:
- You attach it between other strings (e.g. on the cello between the A/D or C/G string). Depending on the structural conditions, you will then have just enough space to be able to press down the large suction cup. If this is not the case, try the following: 1) is the large suction cup necessary at all (many simply play completely without suction cups!)? 2) If necessary: Can it be replaced with the Velcro strip supplied? Another alternative:
- Push the attachment only so far towards the scroll that one string can still swing freely. This is often at about the height of the 3rd or 4th position.
Fitting and BFD solution
The accompanying video uses the viola as an example to show how the attachment is attached and fitted. The principle applies to all instruments and can be easily transferred. Once you have got the knack, it only takes a few seconds to fit the attachment. Below are videos showing how the BFD solution is fitted to the instruments.
What is special about the Resounding Fingerboard
Gripping aids normally restrict something: these are extending!
A special feature of the fingerboard attachment is that - unlike other grip aids - it does not restrict or limit the movements of the player. On the opposite: the fingerboard attachment allows movements to flow more freely. This is not only due to the shape, but also to the material itself. The latter makes mass production and therefore cheaper production impossible at present: each fingerboard attachment is moulded, applied and finished by hand. Other special features: The Resounding Fingerboard not only supports one thing, but also has effects on many aspects of practising. This is particularly due to the fact that the kind of finger contact and finger drop change and everything feels much easier after a few minutes of use.
User also describe that using the fingerboard attachment relaxes their arms. Some of them notice this because they feel that their shoulders are no longer pulled up to high. Another advantage of the fingerboard attachment is that it can be used across different teaching methods and allows you to experiment with it yourself at any time. You are not dependend on predetermined exercises. However, they are helpful in making it easier to get started with the attachment by quickly achieving visible and audible success.
Purchase Attachment
Available worldwide
The attachment is available directly from the ema Music Shop and from our partners, e.g. Paganino. It can also be ordered abroad from wholesalers supplying violin makers and music shops, or directly from online shops such as violin-shop.ch.
Music schools, ensembles and teachers can have ‘class sets’ put together specifically for their needs in terms of quantity, type and colour. We accept enquiries by email and will send you a separate quote.