Piano Guidance
Piano Guidance
Photo: SHVETS production
One of the best ways to practice shifting is to start from the first position and move to the third using your first finger. Remember, when you shift to third position, your thumb will move where the third finger was located in first position.
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Read More »When you’re learning to play the violin, or any string instrument, shifting is an important concept to master. While many beginner students work on first position placement, moving on in your training means developing shifting skills that allow you to extend your performance abilities. For string musicians, mastering shifts is essential for gaining a higher level of proficiency. Knowing exactly what shifting is and how to master it without a huge amount of strain can help you meet your progress goals faster.
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Learn More »—Look at the way your hand is shaped when in first position. Notice the upright position of your thumb. Now without worrying too much about accuracy, move your hand to the third position. Did your thumb turn horizontally? That’s not right and you’ll need to do some exercises to correct it. Work From Your Elbow —Shifting should be done from the elbow, not the forearm or hand. Your elbow should initiate the move so that your hand follows. If you try to originate the shift using your wrist, you’ll never achieve mastery. —Shifting should be done from the elbow, not the forearm or hand. Your elbow should initiate the move so that your hand follows. If you try to originate the shift using your wrist, you’ll never achieve mastery. Trust Your Senses —Your brain is a marvel of intelligence. It automatically makes thousands of calculations when running or reaching for a door knob. You instinctively understand spatial concepts, which is basically being able to comprehend where an object is in relation to another object. It’s called proprioception. Use it to measure the distance between two notes; it will help you recognize placement position easier for better accuracy. —Your brain is a marvel of intelligence. It automatically makes thousands of calculations when running or reaching for a door knob. You instinctively understand spatial concepts, which is basically being able to comprehend where an object is in relation to another object. It’s called proprioception. Use it to measure the distance between two notes; it will help you recognize placement position easier for better accuracy. Keep your Knuckles Up—Don’t let your left hand fingers curl over the fingerboard when shifting, but ensure that the finger playing the note keeps contact with the string (not the fingerboard).
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Read More »One of the best ways to practice shifting is to start from the first position and move to the third using your first finger. Remember, when you shift to third position, your thumb will move where the third finger was located in first position. Try this: Play any half or whole note with your first finger in first position, then make your shift. Stop and look at your thumb and whether you’ve moved to the right position and if your thumb is straight. Do this five times with each finger, shifting back and forth. Also, consider how you bow during shifts. If you hit bumps (the bow jumps exactly when you shift), you can apply a little more speed and pressure to compensate. One of the best ways to master shifting is to use visualization. Remember the elevator analogy and your innate ability to recognize spatial relations? Those skills can be enhanced through deliberate visualization techniques. Look closely at your instrument’s fingerboard while playing scales. Make mental connections with your finger placement and the distance between steps and half steps. Also memorize where your third finger is located. That’s where your thumb will move to when shifting to third position. Shifting abilities, like all aspects of learning to play a string instrument, take time to develop. However, you can ensure that you don’t cultivate bad habits that make the process more difficult by focusing on your form, finger placement and elbow movements.
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