Shifting&Intonation Exercise by Josef Gingold

One of the most common problems when we shift is tension. It can arise from the shoulders, finger pressure, and thumb placement. It's crucial to change across the fingerboard without experiencing pain, move smoothly without injuring ourselves, and maintain the quality of our playing.

Firstly, let's explore an exercise adapted from Don't étude No. 2, tailored for practicing shifting and intonation. The premise of the exercise is to play every segment using fingers 1 through 4 on a single string. Select the lowest string that accommodates all the notes. Occasionally, the first note may be an open string, but you can opt to play a string lower to utilize all fingers effectively.

Here's a breakdown of the exercise:

Begin by breaking it down step by step. Practice one or two notes per bow stroke, ensuring each shift is deliberate.
Once you're comfortable at a slow tempo, gradually increase the speed. This exercise is challenging because you're shifting with every note, which will help:
Remove tension
Train your ear
Familiarize you with the geography of the fingerboard
Remember, the primary movement during shifts should originate from the forearm and arm, with the hand and fingers following suit. If you reverse this process, you'll likely experience tension as you're adding unnecessary strain to the hand.

Here are some key checkpoints to bear in mind:

Thumb: Ensure it's relaxed to prevent unnecessary tension.
Fingers: Avoid excessive pressure; let them rest lightly on the strings.
Shoulder: Keep it relaxed and lowered throughout your practice session.

Link to the PDF:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_MJk...