Posted on June 24, 2008 by sharon robinson in Shifts - Left Hand/Arm
I begin each of my own practice sessions w/ a brief shifting exercise in the key of the piece I am working on ....or perhaps the key of the scale I might be playing to warm up. I experiment with both large & small shifts, on all four strings, usually utilizing the arpeggio. For instance, in the key of C Major, I might start w/ 1st finger on E on the C string, then do an OVER shift to 3rd finger G a third above. I return to the original E on 1, then (OVER) shift to the C octave, and back; then the E above and back and so on.
I will try this using different finger combinations on each of the four strings, sometimes starting in a very high position and coming down the arpeggio. I utilize both over & under shifts. My students at IU become very comfortable w/ shifting & feel at home in any place on the fingerboard.