A New or Improved Adjustable Support for the Left Hand on the- Necks of Violins.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1893-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Adjustable Support for the Left Hand on the-
Necks of Violins.
I, JOSEF PLETZER, Music Teacher, of 34, Thunringer Strasse, Loerrach, in the
Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as.
follows:-
The proper position of the left hand upon the neck of a violin is very difficult
for beginners to attain, as the tendency is so great to hold the inner side of the
hand in a wrong position close against the lower side of the neck, causing the fingers
to take a position which renders a proper grip extremely difficult, and makes a
firm pressure of the finger tips upon the strings impossible.
My present invention has for its object to ensure such a position of the thumb and
the ball of the thumb, that such a wrong position is impossible, and the fingers and.
hand must always remain properly placed.
The apparatus consists of two light rods or wires, as shewn at a and b in the-
accompanying drawing (which is in illustration of my invention) which are adjusted
and fixed in the holder c, which is held in position by the opposite plate d and.
screws e, so that the wires are always parallel with the neck of the violin.
The rod or wire a is bent at right angles at its front end so as to form a stop.
which prevents the thumb from pressing against the nut of the instrument.
The second rod or wire b is made spoon shaped at its front end, which is bent
down so as to fit against the inner curve of the ball of the thumb as shewn. Both.
rods or wires are adjustable in the holder c by means of set screws f so that they
can be fixed in a position suitable to the size of the player's hand.
The rod or wire b is bent down sufficiently, so as to prevent in all circumstances,.
the direct grip of the neck by the thumb and the inside of the hand, whilst the
rod or wire a serves as an effective stop to ensure the most suitable position for the
thumb.
The two rods or wires combined, give to the hand, without any inconvenience,.
the proper position required for the fingers in correct playing of the violin.
The apparatus not only saves the teacher the otherwise continually necessary
reminders of the proper position of the hand and fingers but it also gives to the
learner a very great advantage as by the prevention of the great difficulty referred
to successful progress is ensured.
The use of the apparatus is obviously confined to beginners, who are practising-
in one position only.
It can however be adjusted for either the first or the second position, and once.
fixed for either position, no alteration is afterwards required, as it can remain upon.
the violin without having to be taken off when the latter is put away in its case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
An adjustable support for the hand in learning the violin, consisting of the two.
rods or wires a and b adjustable in the holder c, the one a being turned down at
being-
right angles to serve as a support or stop for the thumb, and the other
spoon-shaped at its end and curved down to fit the ball of the thumb, and so prevent.

page_text: the neck of the instrument from being touched by the inner side of the hand,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of November 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.