Harry Wimmer Top 10 Cello Q & A #8: Shifting

Ask Harry WimmerQ & A #8

How can I get my shifts to be"clean"?

Q. With the great distances we often have to contend with on the cello fingerboard,
how can I get my shifts to be "clean"?

A.l. S o m eS h i f t i n gP r i n c i p l e s:
(a.) Release finger "pressure" (contact) as much as possible
prior to and during shifting.
(b.) MOST SHIFTS ARE SLOWER THAN YOU THINK!
By proper release you can avoid quick, jerky left hand movements.
(c.) Develop tactile memory for accuracy of arrival
(get to know your left hand environment!).

2. AH e l p f u l I m a g e:
You are (your hand is} like a train traveling from Point A to Point B.
Your finger glides lightly along the track. At the arrival point the train
stops (finger has reached proper pitch).

Along the trip you look out of the window and take in familiar sights,
landmarks, street numbers etc. (the shifting finger feels the territory -
cello contours, string thickness etc.).

Try

Excerpt from Tarantella by Popper

Step1OUTLINING THE SHIFT

Outlining the shift

*Departure note should be pronounced clearly and then released quickly
(as though playing a harmonic).
*Shifting finger then glides slowly and lightly on string to new location.
*Arrival note is pronounced clearly and released quickly to prepare for next shift.
*Bow does not stop between notes. Right hand Index Finger "scoop"
adds a little extra weight to each shift arrival.

(For a fuller treatment of the important right hand Index Finger contact techniques,
see The Joy of Cello Playing
Master Lesson 4: "The Index Finger as Butter Knife"
Master Lesson 5: "Remote Control Nuance "Wows")
How to Order Master Lessons 4 & 5

Step 2OVERLAPPING SLUR SHIFTS
Overlapping slur shifts (a)

*Keep releasing before each shift.
*Keep reinforcing arrival notes with right hand Index Finger 'scoop".

Overlapping slur shifts (b)

Step 3QUICK AND LIGHT SHIFTS

NOW return to the original excerpt, working up to a lively tempo
(suggest ). Light bow accents on each group of 3 notes. Popper excerpt accented

____________________

If you found this Q & A helpful, or for further questions and comments. e-mail Harry Wimmer.
<hwimmer@wimmercello.com>

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	Ask Harry WimmerQ & A #8
		How can I get my *shifts* to be"clean"?
	Q. With the great distances we often have to contend with on the cello fingerboard, how can I get my *shifts* to be "clean"? A.l. S o m eS h i f t i n gP r i n c i p l e s: (a.) Release finger "pressure" (contact) as much as possible prior to and during shifting. (b.) MOST SHIFTS ARE SLOWER THAN YOU THINK! By proper release you can avoid quick, jerky left hand movements. (c.) Develop tactile memory for accuracy of arrival (get to know your left hand environment!). 2. AH e l p f u l I m a g e: You are (your hand is} like a train traveling from Point A to Point B. Your finger glides lightly along the track. At the arrival point the train stops (finger has reached proper pitch). Along the trip you look out of the window and take in familiar sights, landmarks, street numbers etc. (the shifting finger feels the territory - cello contours, string thickness etc.).
	Try Step1OUTLINING THE SHIFT Departure note should be pronounced clearly and then released quickly (as though playing a harmonic). Shifting finger then glides slowly and lightly on string to new location. Arrival note is pronounced clearly and released quickly to prepare for next shift. Bow does not stop between notes. Right hand Index Finger "scoop" adds a little extra weight to each shift arrival. (For a fuller treatment of the important right hand Index Finger contact techniques, see The Joy of Cello Playing Master Lesson 4: "The Index Finger as Butter Knife" Master Lesson 5: "Remote Control Nuance "Wows") How to Order Master Lessons 4 & 5 Step 2OVERLAPPING SLUR SHIFTS Keep releasing before each shift. Keep reinforcing arrival notes with right hand Index Finger 'scoop". Step 3QUICK AND LIGHT SHIFTS NOW return to the original excerpt, working up to a lively tempo (suggest ). Light bow accents on each group of 3 notes. ____________________ If you found this Q & A helpful, or for further questions and comments. e-mail Harry Wimmer. <hwimmer@wimmercello.com> On toQ & A #9?Home For still more topics, return to Top 10 Q & A's or to Ask Harry Wimmer.