ABSTRACT
In the studio setting the teacher has the vital responsibility of selection, correct sizing, and fitting of the instrument. An improperly sized and fitted violin and viola can cause permanent injury. When the violin is in the proper playing position on the collarbone and the student can reach around the scroll with the left hand comfortably with a relaxed elbow, the instrument size is proper as far as the arm is concerned. The explanation of first position on the violin is the ability to play all available consecutive notes of a tetrachord in a diatonic scale an open string without having to shift: B-natural, C-sharp, D-natural and E-natural on the A string. The explanation of first position on the cello is the ability to play all available consecutive notes of a tetrachord in a diatonic scale, including an open string without having to shift: open A string, B-natural, C-sharp, and D-natural.
