String Levels
String Levels are just a matter of raising and lowering the whole arm. The first photo is "E" Level. The second photo is "G" Level.
Notice that the hand and wrist haven't changed at all. ALL you do is raise or lower your arm. Notice too that Alicia is not looking at the strings. If you look at the strings to see where you are going you will
inevitably make the adjustment with your hand. That is what the eyes see so that is what makes the adjustment. You are always going to be working from your center. Any motion you make will be made from as close to your center as possible.
In the case of bow strokes that means your shoulder. There is a sense of power and control when bow strokes are made with the impetus for the stroke coming from the shoulder. Relying on your hand at all will weaken the
actual power of the stroke as well as the sense of well being that you get from working from your center.
Practice with string levels by raising or lowering your arm THEN looking at the strings to see where you are. Soon you will have a very good sense of what level to go to for each string. Do not let your hand do anything. It's just along for the ride.
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