Books › Modern violin-playing, 1920 › scan 134
Scan 134
Modern violin-playing, 1920
20 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 66. See the scan on archive.org.
1practised with frequent interruptions for the purpose of trying the vibrato.
3In shifting between the third and higher positions, there are some differences of the thumb-technique to be added. Let us therefore describe the process of shifting between the third and sixth positions, as this shift is representative of all the longer shifts.
5In shifting upwards, the thumb is first moved backwards, so that it is brought underneath the neck, which is then supported by the third phalange, instead of the padded second phalange. The wrist is thereby moved outwards and away from the violin, and then moves forward together with the arm and hand.
7The extent to which the thumb must be moved backwards depends upon two factors: first, upon the structure of the individual hand; and second, upon what part of the thumb is found necessary for the support of the violin.
9The further the thumb is carried backwards, the nearer to the tip will be its point of contact with the neck. It is here that the value of the preliminary work becomes evident. For it is precisely by this glissando- and position-study that the student gets an idea of the extent to which the thumb must be drawn round the neck.
11In shifting downwards from the sixth to the third position, the movement of the arm and hand is begun before any change of thumb-position is made. But as the hand passes through the fifth position, the thumb allows the neck to slide downwards along it, until it once more rests on the fleshy pad of the second phalange.
13There is a short shift between the third and fourth positions made for temporary occupation. Before this shift is begun, the thumb is moved, not backwards but forwards as far as is convenient and possible.
15It remains now to explain how to shift from one of the first two to any one of the higher positions. The process is really very simple. As the arm and hand move forwards through the first three positions, the thumb is moved backwards, until that part of it which is correct for the ultimate position is in contact with the neck.
17Shifting downwards from the very high positions to the first or second positions is a combination of the downward shifts to and from the third position. This is the most difficult shift of all. It involves two distinct thumb-actions, and has to be practised slowly until it is perfectly smooth.
19Let us take as an example the shift from B with the fourth finger
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