Challenges and Solutions in Developing Right Hand Techniques in Amateur Violin Education

Abstract

Amateur music education, which individuals pursue with a hobbyist spirit based on their own desires and interests, can be defined as music education received for personal enjoyment. In Turkey, it is observed that individuals engaged in amateur music education mostly focus on instrumental training, with the violin being one of the most preferred instruments. In the process of violin education, which holds significant importance in both professional and amateur instrumental training, the identification and resolution of issues related to the right hand is crucial for a healthy progression of the education process. This study, which aims to examine various right-hand problems encountered by amateur violin students and to offer solutions, uses a mixed-methods approach that collects and analyzes data from both qualitative and quantitative sources. The related literature was examined in the qualitative portion of the research to identify the right hand-based challenges faced in amateur violin education and to expose the current state of the problem. The quantitative data utilized in the study were gathered by the researcher’s examination of the participants’ video recordings (n=10)in which they perform assigned musical exercises that require different bowing techniques. The six relevant items of the “String Performance Rating Scale” developed by Zdzinski and Barnes (2002) were used in the evaluation of the participants’ video recordings. Based on the obtained data, solution proposals were developed for resolving the issues related to the right-hand technique.