ABSTRACT
The Old German violin school, which emerged during the first half of the nineteenth century, was stylistically similar to the French school as both shared the same Italian roots. Despite studying with Franz Elk of the Mannheim school, Spohr considered himself the most faithful follower of the French school, particularly of Rode and Viotti. His Violinschule (School of Violin) consists of three parts and was meant to guide teachers and parents rather than be used for self-instruction. Spohr was adamant in suggesting that the part of the hand near the little finger be brought as close as possible to the fingerboard “so that this shorter finger may descend on the string with the joints bent.” David acknowledged that his Violin School is primarily designed to build technical aspects of violin playing, and it will be left to the intelligent teacher to fill up in a judicious manner the unavoidable gaps in the method.
