Part 2a Posture & Positions:  Posture
Standing
Sitting in Chair
Sitting on Stool (for some Basses)
• Violin, violas and basses should stand during lessons
• Stand with feet shoulders width apart
• Head should be upright and shoulders back like a soldier at attention

• Cellos should always sit 
• If a bassist has difficulty balancing the instruments,then they should sit on a stool
• Sit on the front edge of the chair or stool
• If sitting in chair or low stool (best for bass), place both feet flat on the ground
• If sitting on high stool (more typical), place right foot flat on ground and left foot on rung of stool
• Head should be upright and shoulders back like a soldier at attention

• If a bassist has difficulty balancing the instruments,then they should sit on a stool
• Sit on the front edge of the stool
• If sitting on a low stool (best for bass), place both feet flat on the ground
• If sitting on high stool (more typical), place right foot flat on ground and left foot on rung of stool or on a small foot stool (better for the leg muscles)
• Head should be upright and shoulders back like a soldier at attention

String Pedagogy for High School Mentors
©2002 - Michael C. Watson