Our first sounds on the instrument will be made by plucking the strings. This is called “pizzicato”.
There are many ways to execute this technique, but we’ll start with the easiest one!
You can put your bow back in your case for this one.
Trim your nails!
In general, short fingernails are best for most things on the violin but for pizzicato in particular, long nails get in the way.
We want to pluck with the fleshy part of the finger tip.
Long talons are better for catching rabbits than playing an instrument!
Start by putting your instrument up on your shoulder as we’ve practiced.
With your right hand (the hand that isn’t currently holding the violin), place your thumb on the side of the fingerboard a little way from the end.
Wiggle your pointer finger in the air!
Keep your thumb in place and use the very tip of your pointer finger to lightly pluck the string.
Try not to use your fingernail. We want the tip of the finger to do the work.
You don’t need to use a lot of pressure.
As with everything we learn here, the key is control while we are learning fine muscle movements. Wild Hendrix-style thrashing can come later but for now let’s try for a steady beat.
Pluck four times on every string, then try it backwards!