TMEA VIOLA 25-26
Technical Basics and Scales

Technique: On Shifting (Copy)

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IN THIS LESSON

TO SHIFT IN TUNE, YOU NEED TO MOVE FROM ONE HAND FRAME TO ANOTHER USING A GUIDE FINGER.

Sounds simple, right?

In this chapter, we have two exercises to help improve our shifting technique: One-Note (Finger Replacement) Shiftingand One-Finger Shifting.

Key Point to Remember: Shifting always involves moving your arm at the elbow. This ensures your entire hand frame travels smoothly from one position to another without losing proper posture.

One-Note / Finger-Replacement Shifting (Measures 1-7):

  • Description: This exercise involves playing only one note, while shifting between positions to play the note with different fingers.

  • Objective: Ensure you arrive in tune at each position—the note should be a perfect match regardless of the fingering. Maintain an open and ready hand frame.

  • Steps:

    1. Choose a note to play.

    2. Shift between positions to play the same note with different fingers.

    3. Listen carefully to ensure the note is in tune each time you shift and change fingers.

By focusing on a single note and shifting positions to play it with various fingers, you can easily hear if you arrived in tune. The goal is to make the note sound identical with each fingering. This exercise helps develop your intonation and smooth shifting technique.

Practice Tips:

  • Always know your target position before shifting.

  • Keep your hand open, ready to place other fingers in a hand frame.

  • Shift slowly and listen carefully to the finger you are shifting on.

  • Use your elbow and forearm to move your hand, avoiding any finger or wrist tension.

One-Finger Shifting & Placing the Next Finger (Measures 8-12, 13-17, 18-22)

This 2 step process happens in measure 8-9 + 10-12, measure 13-14 + 15-17, and measure 18-19 + 20-22.

Example Exercise:

  1. Shifting on First Finger (Measures 8-9):

    • Positions: 1st-2nd-1st-3rd-1st-4th-1st.

    • Tips: Shift slowly using the arm and listen to the sliding sound to arrive in tune without needing to adjust

  2. Placing the Next Finger (Measures 10-12):

    • Steps:

      • Shift from 1st to 2nd position using the first finger.

      • Place the second finger in the new position.

      • Lift the second finger and shift back to 1st position.

      • Repeat for shifting to 3rd and 4th positions.

  3. Variations!

    • practice shifting then placing a different finger - such as shifting on 1 then placing 3

    • Practice both with and without vibrato - practicing without vibrato helps us focus on intonation and accuracy, and practicing with vibrato helps us work on the beauty of sound and connection we will want in a piece of music

  • Helen Callus’ technique book The One Step Scale System is a very thorough resource, full of wonderful shifting exercises.