Hi I just started learning how to play the violin a month ago. I'm already practicing to play notes using my 4th finger (little finger) and i cant seem to reach the correct position to play the right tune becuase my hands are small. Can anyone give me tips on how i can have stronger little finger or is there any exercise that i can do to expand my hands. Im already old, well 23 that is, its hard to move my fingers in the right way. Thanks very much

Hello! I'm not sure about any excercises, other than just practicing! However, some tips to help you reach better to get in tune I do have. When you go to the fourth finger, try to shift your arm around so your elbow is shifting towards your right. Or, bend your wrist forward a bit to get a bit further up the fingerboard. Good luck!

Thanks guys.. Geez, I need a lot of practice..good luck to me!

In guitar we practice pressing our thumb nail against our pinky to gain strength.

Im 26 and a beginner! i was recently told that it is easier to play 4th finger if your thumb is a bit further away from the neck of the violin. (i was placing it just by the neck) This frees up your fingers a lot and now i have no problems with 4th finger!

to strengthen your 4th finger, you can do specific pinky excercises. you can either find music for some, or just invent your own. repeating a 16th note pattern alternating beteen 4th and other fingers while shifting helps.

in addition, you can practice left-hand pizzicato with your 4th finger while keeping various other finger down. one exercise i play is: B E B E B F# B F# B G B G B A B A. With all the B's bowed and all the other notes done with a 4th finger left hand pizz. it is played on th E string. you can also vary this excercise with other strings and notes.

however, when using 4th finger excercises, be careful not to practice them for too long. start with no more than 2 minutes a day or you may get tendonitis.