Shifting Study # 5 — Expressive Shifts
Goal: Shift on the finger required to perform each pitch in the new position.
At first, practice the shifting study with separate bows. This helps you to find pitch string locations more easily. Then, repeat and include the slurs.
While performing Expressive Shifts, you create vocal-styled audible tones by leaning the bow into the string during the shift motion. Feel as if you are propelling the shift with the bow, by pulling or pushing the motion of the new finger.
Sounding out notes within slurs, increase pitch accuracy and brings about tonal clarity. When shifting during slurs, it is beneficial to perform with Portato/Tenuto Bow Strokes. The amount of audible shifting tones produced, is controlled by bow contact.
Great Work! At this stage, everyone has gained a great deal of musical experience.
You are now ready to learn how to carefully and patiently, tune your own string instrument.
Two of our faculty are tuning experts. Can you guess who?
