For violin and viola
Left-hand pizzicato as a practicing technique (LHP)
For violin and viola
The LHP is based on a gentle and precise plucking with the fingers of the left hand. It can be meaningful supplemented with the bow and the use of the feet in order to learn and then further develop the basic coordination for the playing technique while playing the violin and viola. It is a practice technique that can be learnt both from the very first lesson and at any later stage and is suitable for all playing levels. It was developed and systematically described in "Pizzicato World violin and viola" by Erdmute Maria Hohage. Have a look at the video to get a first impression.
The practice technique supports and promotes, among other things:
- coordination of the most important aspects for playing the violin/viola
- independence between left and right
- integration of the whole body through foot work for more and greater precision
- playing in different positions, double grips, finger pressure, intervall technique, finger fall, changing strings and
- the ability lo "let it go".
The basics and underlying principles are easy to learn. Depending on your goals, preferences and age, there are currently various learning resources available. Advanced players and professionals ideally start directly with systematic development which will be the basic for transferring the practice technique to individual passages of pieces and different playing techniques in a next step, as required. Teachers do this as well, but have additional independent resources to support teaching young children, which combines playing technique with songs, short pieces and the development of playing technique right from the start.
Learning and using LHP
Both the basics and specific applications, e.g. for various playing techniques, can be learned through self-study. The resources listed below are available for this purpose. In addition, the LHP practice technique is regularly featured in workshops and events, which are advertised in the dates section and can be attended as a supplement.
LHP practice technique
Online Course
LHP practice technique
Complete system covering all the basics of LHP exercise technique in 40 exercises (74 video demonstrations).
Improve with the left
Online Course
Improve with the left
Top exercises based on LHP for 6 specific areas of playing technique (53 video demonstrations).
Warm-Up
Online Course
Warm up
If you want to get an impression quickly and not systematically (16 video demonstrations).
Pizzicato-World violin and viola
Pizzicato-Welt Violine und Viola
Complete system with all fundamentals as a printout for the music stand.
Pizzicato World violin and viola
Pizzicato World violin and viola
eBook PDF for Laptop, Tablet & Co.
Pizzicato World violin and viola
Pizzicato World 5 original exercises
Free download. To familiarise yourself with the system. Including the first steps.
Coordination and Rhythm
Coordination and Rhythm
A highly effective warm-up based on the LHP practicing technique.
More details
This technique is based on a quiet, delicate and precise plucking of the strings with the fingers of the left hand. It is performed at different points on the fingerboard, depending on the practice goal. It can be used to practise the coordination of the four fingers in different ways, at all levels of playing. The basis for this are rhythms or passages from a piece of music. Different combinations are possible, e.g:
- the fingers pluck one string
- the fingers pluck several strings
- one string is plucked with only one finger
- one string is plucked with several fingers
- Plucking can be performed with/without changing positions
Next, the bow is added: Coordination is therefore extended to the right and left. Here, too, there are many ways to train the principle at different ability levels. There is no such thing as too easy! You can also add the feet and give them their own rhythm. This improves rhythm stability because it increasingly comes from the body itself.
New is that the playing technique is now also available as a practicing technique. It is the ideal preparation for the playing technique, which requires a very high level of coordination. However, it can do much more if you use it sensibly. The technique is systematically introduced and systematically built up on the basis of the exercises offered. It is suitable for all playing levels from the first exercise on. New is that plucking with the fingers of the left hand can be understood as a practicing technique aswell. There are differences to the playing technique: e.g. the playing technique already assumes that you have very good coordination. The fingers pluck the strings with great effort/pressure, which means that you can only practise the playing technique for a limited time each day. The practicing technique, on the other hand, involves gentle, calm and precise plucking. Too much pressure would be harmful here. How to easily transition from practice technique to playing technique is part of the online course. ."Improve with the left".
In addition to the technical aspects of playing described above, which can be developed in a fantastic way with the LHP practicing technique, perhaps one of the greatest achievements of this practising technique is the sense of rhythm that can be achieved. The sense of rhythm is developed from the player and can increasingly be internalised. With this sense of rhythm, spontaneous musically induced tempo fluctuations become authentic, rhythmically stable and also easier to understand when playing together with others. More general information on rhythm stability can also be found on our topic page.
In addition to standard plucking with the fingers of the left hand, there are other ways to use your fingers: tapping and flicking away. The videos below show the differences. For practical application, it is recommended to first practise standard plucking, as demonstrated in the video demonstrations. Once you feel more confident with the coordination, you can add the other techniques.
LHP and the Resounding Fingerboard
Optionally, the LHP practicing technique can also be performed with the Resounding Fingerboard attachment. This has the advantage that the development of finger pressure and arm flexibility in particular receive additional special support. All basic publications also show the use of the fingerboard attachment at appropriate points.