Left hand pizzicato

It is impossible to imagine literature without left hand pizzicato (LHP), not because it is used so often, but rather on the contrary: because it is used comparatively seldom, mainly in romantic or contemporary literature. However, one important aspect is neglected: the consideration of what can be meaningfully connected to the LHP.

One important aspect is the development of important basics for instrumental technique. These include, for example:

coordination,
rhythms and
rhythm stability on several levels,
finger pressure,
vibrato,
fluency,
changing hand positions.

Pizzicato left hand — Watch video on Vimeo

LHP as a practising technique is basically characterised by gentle, precise plucking with the fingers of the left hand. The basis for this are rhythms (1-, 2-, 3- or 4-part) and/or passages from the literature to be practised, with which a basic coordination between the fingers is built up and developed. The following can be directly incorporated into the coordinating practice:

the use of the bow
the involvement of the whole body.

Using the fingerboard attachment

Performing with the ResoundingFingerboard

Workbook: systematised

To practically link the left-hand pizzicato as a practice technique with the instrumental technique of the high strings is a project that will be completed in February 2022: A book with 40 exercises for violin and viola. The booklet is for teachers and practitioners of all playing levels and is designed to be multimedia-based and systematically structured. It also includes links to other playing techniques such as changing strings, scales, increasing fluency, intervals as double stops, chord technique and the left-hand pizzicato as a playing technique, just published as an online mini-subscription on studioTSNH.

Warm-up: to get to know

If you just want to get a taste of the subject, you can do so with the four-step warm-up. At the same time, it shows how you can put together your own short and effective warm-up exercises for any occasion from the extensive exercise booklet. This warm-up is also suitable for almost all levels: Hints on how to adapt it for beginning lessons are linked, so-called simplification options.

Different ways of ‘plucking’ with the left hand

Plucking

Plucking with the fingers of the left hand on the violin and viola. Different ways that are suitable to use as a practising technique for the LHP.

Tapping

Instead of plucking, you can also tap with the fingers of your left hand. Plucking is often perceived as more difficult than tapping.

Flicking away

Depending on how it is performed, flicking away is similar to plucking. It just happens in the opposite direction.