Cairo Suzuki Music Center

Cairo Suzuki Music Center (CSMC), founded in 1997 by Dr. Mona Fekry as Egypt’s first independent Suzuki music school outside the Cairo Opera House. Since the establishment of the violin program in 2007 by violinists and teachers Georges & Samuel Mohsen, the Center has continued to foster an approach to music education rooted in the principles of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki: encouragement, careful guidance, repetition, and the belief that every child can develop musical ability within a nurturing environment.

Position and posture form the foundation of violin playing. They are essential not only for producing a beautiful, resonant tone but also for developing a healthy and sustainable technique.

Whether you are a student, a parent supporting a young violinist, or an advanced player refining your skills, it is important to begin every practice session with a moment of awareness. Observe your entire body: how you stand, how you support the violin, how your left hand shapes the notes, how your bow hand rests on the stick, and how your arms, fingers, and body move together in harmony.

Beautiful violin playing should never feel forced. The search is always for a posture that is balanced, natural, and relaxed, allowing freedom of movement, ease of expression, and a singing, vibrant tone. By cultivating healthy habits from the very beginning, we give the violin the freedom to resonate fully and truly let it sing.

General Posture Checklist:

Is the violin comfortably supported between the shoulder and jaw, allowing the left hand to remain free from tension?
● Can the left hand slide smoothly up and down the fingerboard without gripping?
● Is the body aligned in a balanced manner, with the nose, sternum, elbow, knee, and foot approximately in line?
● Is the instrument positioned parallel to the floor?
● Does the left elbow hang naturally beneath the instrument, allowing the fingers to reach all strings with ease?
● Do the left arm and hand form a continuous and relaxed line from the elbow to the base of the fingers?
● Does the right arm open and close freely from the elbow, enabling a straight and natural bow stroke?

Left Hand Checklist

Are the fingers curved and springy, contacting the strings with their fingertips like small high arches?
● Does the hand remain framed over the fingerboard, with the fourth finger hovering naturally and ready to play?
● Is the thumb relaxed, light, and mobile, avoiding unnecessary pressure on the neck of the violin?
● Does the wrist maintain a comfortable, straight line with the forearm, avoiding collapse or excessive bending?
● Can the thumb move or gently tap while playing, indicating the absence of hidden tension?
Practice Tip: Try a shadow tap: lightly tap or wiggle the thumb against the neck while playing to release unnoticed tension and encourage greater freedom in the hand.

LEFT: hand position from the instrument side, showing fingers on the string, neck of the instrument, and thumb.
RIGHT: Proper violin / viola hand position from the hand side, showing back of the hand with fingers placed properly on the string.

Bow Hand Checklist

Does the hand feel natural and relaxed, similar to its shape when hanging freely by your side?


● Are all finger joints curved and supple, as if holding a delicate bubble?
● Do the fingers remain soft, flexible, and responsive rather than rigid?
● Is the thumb gently bent and resting inside the frog without becoming locked?
● Does the index finger rest on the stick with a gentle, supportive contact?
● Are the middle fingers comfortably touching the frog, helping to balance the bow?
● Is the little finger rounded, active, and never stiff or flattened?
● Does the bow travel parallel to the bridge, like a train moving steadily along its tracks?
● Is the bow placed in the ideal sounding point, approximately midway between the bridge and the fingerboard, to produce a clear and resonant tone?

Proper violin / viola bow hand position, showing the fingers curved over the bow and the thumb positioned on the frog of the bow.
bow hand position, showing contact points of the fingers.

Beautiful posture is not an end in itself. It is the means through which we gain freedom, prevent unnecessary tension, and develop a rich, expressive sound. A well-balanced posture allows both the player and the instrument to breathe, making music-making a joyful and natural experience.

About This Article

This article and the accompanying checklists are extracted from The Practice Journal, designed by Egyptian violinists and Suzuki Violin teachers Georges & Samuel Mohsen for their students. The journal was created to encourage young musicians to develop mindful practice habits, track their daily work, monitor their progress, and cultivate greater awareness of healthy and beautiful violin playing. By documenting their journey, students learn not only to practice more consistently but also to reflect on their growth and celebrate each step of their musical development.

About Cairo Suzuki Music Center

About the Cairo Suzuki Music Center

The Cairo Suzuki Music Center (CSMC) is one of Egypt’s leading institutions for piano lessons, violin lessons, and early childhood music education. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Mona Fekry, it is Egypt’s first independent institution to adopt the Suzuki Method outside the governmental programs of the Cairo Opera House and Alexandria Opera House. Since the establishment of its violin department in 2007 by violinists and Suzuki teachers Georges & Samuel Mohsen, the Center has continued to contribute to the development of music education in Egypt through teaching, educational resources, research, concerts, and community engagement.

Inspired by the educational philosophy of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the Center believes that every child can develop musical ability within a nurturing environment built on encouragement, careful guidance, consistent practice, and the active partnership between teachers and parents.

Offering piano and violin lessons in Cairo for children from the age of three, the Cairo Suzuki Music Center combines individual lessons, group classes, performances, workshops, and a carefully developed curriculum that blends the Suzuki repertoire with music theory, technical studies, chamber music, and a diverse range of classical and contemporary works. This balanced approach helps students build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love of music.

Beyond the classroom, Georges & Samuel Mohsen have developed original educational resources—including the Violin Practice Journal and My Violin Journey (MVJ)—to encourage thoughtful practice, musical growth, and joyful learning for young violinists.

For nearly three decades, the Cairo Suzuki Music Center has welcomed families seeking piano lessons in Cairo, violin lessons in Cairo, and music education in Egypt, creating a supportive community where children learn, collaborate, overcome challenges, and discover the joy of making music together. Today, the Center continues to inspire new generations of young musicians through the enduring belief at the heart of the Suzuki Method: Every Child Can.