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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000069.txt from 2003/06

From: Rhondda May <rmay@-----.com>
Subj: [DR-L] slightly off-topic
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 08:02:29 -0400

Hi All,

This is slightly off-topic, but I'm hoping someone on this list might be
able to forward this to a string discussion list, or could help me with
this question.

I am curious as to why the division of labor on string instruments is
the way it is. That is, it seems to me a bit reversed that so much
skill is required of the left hand, given that the majority of people
are right-handed, and presumably have been over the last few thousand
years.

Now, I know that traditional fiddlers shift less (thus requiring less
skill), and that vibrato is relatively new in classical playing
(ditto). I'm wondering if at the dawn of viol playing more skill was
required of the right hand than is now, and that has anything to do with
why string instruments are played the way they are today.

If any geniuses out there have any answers, interesting information, or
can zap this question to a string-player or string discussion group, I'd
be most grateful.

Many thanks,
Rhondda May
Hong Kong