khandu...with a name like that I don't think you'll have any problems!*bg*

I use a shoulder rest and a chin rest. In classical training, we had to be able to hold the violin without using our left hand, i.e. by our chin and neck muscles only. That way, we had total access to all positions on the neck for our left hand.

Nicole, not quite sure what you mean about the "ball" of your finger, but in old time fiddling a lot of people think nothing of resting the neck on their upturned wrist. If that is a habit you don't want, the solution my orchestra teacher used on some kids was to use a tiny piece of scotch tape, with a tack pointing through the non-sticky side. Said tape went on the underside of the neck, about where the wrist would hit. Said tack would poke the wrist and remind the little buggers to drop their wrist and keep their left elbow tucked in and under for greater dexterity!

Don't worry about the vibrato...just wait until you're up there playing for an audience the first time...you'll have plenty of vibrato, but ya might want something soft on the insides of yer knees so the knockin' doesn't get too loud!**VERYBG!!**

kat