Much like the five-note roll in Last of the Mohicans that uses the pinkie, the fourth finger has already been a hot topic here during vibrato season. I mentioned that I didn’t really have a silver-bullet exercise for fourth finger vibrato. I’ve mostly been sharing little tips and ways I think about it. But late last night I sat straight up in bed because actually… I do. If your vibrato works on the other fingers but folds on the pinkie, it’s usually not a relaxation or coordination issue. It’s strength. Not surprising considering how small that finger is and how little we use those muscles in daily life. There’s a surprisingly simple way to build that strength. Here’s an exercise I share inside Jenny’s Daily Lessons during the Yuki’s Song module, one of the early songs adult beginners learn in their first six months. Take a piece of newspaper and crinkle it up into one hand using mostly your pinkie. Then do the other hand. Repeat this every day. That tiny movement challenge builds strength in the exact muscles the fourth finger needs on the violin. Try this daily for a couple weeks and let me know- does the vibrato feel easier? In case you didn’t see the comments I posted yesterday, here’s my running roundup of thoughts on fourth finger vibrato: 1) Fourth finger vibrato has its own personality Let it be more about the bone moving inside the finger pad rather than a full fingertip wobble. The pinkie often approaches the string at a slightly different angle, especially if you have long fingers. It’s just going to feel/sound different, and that’s okay. Sometimes we just need permission to let it be a little different. 2) Thumb support The pinkie isn’t just the weakest finger, it’s also the furthest from the thumb, which is where vibrato stability comes from. Sometimes a tiny bit of forearm rotation helps the pinkie and thumb feel connected so the finger isn’t working alone. Play with that supportive feeling, and check the position of your elbow under your violin, before you start the pitch movement.

If you’d like to set a baseline, post a short video in the 🥋 Dojo: Vibrato 2026 thread. You could include: • A small vibrato attempt • A bar or two of an easy piece • A bar or two of a stretch piece where you’d like to add or refine vibrato Everything is optional. You can skip the video entirely - or film one just for yourself. Remember: the Dojo goal is always progress, not perfection. This season might be your vibrato breakthrough. Or it might simply be the moment you gain clarity, relaxation, and better left-hand awareness that sets up your future vibrato. Both are wins. 🎻💪 Jenny

We have some new faces here - and a few familiar ones too - so let’s make this our official intro spot. If you haven’t introduced yourself yet (or if it’s been a while), please jump in and share: ~Where you’re playing from ~One piece that made you wanna learn violin ~One thing you’re into besides violin Brand new? Returning after years away? Grinding nonstop? Either way, pull up a chair. (Photos welcome but no pressure!)

Okay, we started out calibrating things by seeing how far you’ve already come. Then put some visions and plans out there about where you’re headed. (I love how everyone’s answers are different, with some subtle overlap here and there. You are a one of a kind player!) One last question: What challenges (if any) are you experiencing now or could see coming up this year?

Okay… I’ve been quietly building something. First, thank you for all the honest posts lately about what you’re working on and where you feel stuck. The path from intermediate to advanced has some very real challenges, and I’m super into taking that on with you. So this spring, we’re trying something new. It’s called Violin Dojo. Instead of everyone floating in different directions - and instead of you having to constantly decide how to fit everything into your practice - we’ll move through a shared seasonal focus together. Not to compete. Not to be intense. Just to have our heads in the same game, while leaving space for whatever songs and things are most calling to you on your individual hot violinist journey at the same time. Spoiler alert - our first focus will be Vibrato. The real goal? To feel less alone in your practice. To build some friendships here. And yes… to gain some serious skill along the way. More next week. 🎻 Meanwhile tell me in the comments. What fun projects or things are calling your name this spring? Violin or otherwise. For me: Violin: New Dojo videos and visual guides for advancing students Not violin: Repotting my poor neglected plants that I may have saved from the freeze, but definitely cut it a little too close. 😬