| Author |
Subject |
nellie
Registered User
(4/2/01 10:50:24 am)
Reply |
Just
right shifting studies
Has anyone found shifting studies
that are reasonably fun and well presented, beyond beginner level.
Thanks, any input would be appreciated
|
Ellen
G 
Registered User
(4/3/01 11:53:17 am)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
It's hard to answer questions like
this because it's hard to define "above beginner." You know
precisely where you are, but nobody else does!
To further
complicate things, to my mind shifting has physical and mental
components. There's the physical movement, shifting in tune, and
also the reason for the movement, keeping it minimal, logical and
musical. It's really easy sometimes to shift by following the little
numbers on top of the notes rather than paying attention to what's
happening when you shift and being aware of all the other notes
available to you.
I am fond of Rick Mooney's "Position
Pieces for Cello" because it doesn't let you lose sight of the
fingerboard geography while you are learning when to sensibly shift.
The notes and bowing are not so complicated that you are trying to
focus on too many things at one time.
In retrospect, I like
some of the Charles Krane studies. Initially Book II got me into
some trouble because it required too much bow control and technique,
and shifting in the same exercise. Everything suffers when this
happens. Because I was incapable of slurring X number of notes on a
bow while shifting all over the place, it always sounded horrible.
Even if the shift was right, the bowing wasn't controlled enough to
make it sound good. Revisiting it at a more appropriate time, you
can get a lot more out of it.
Alwin Schroeder 170 Foundation
Studies has some good exercises in it, and will carry you a good
long way. My usual caveat: Get the darn thing spiral
bound!
If I missed the target completely on this, I'm sorry.
I hope you have a teacher because there is a lot more involved in
successful shifting that you should learn from someone who can
explain it well. Timing, anticipation, finger release, movement --
you don't realize all the elements until you have a problem that
doesn't seem to be resolved with practice the way you've been doing
it. Then someone comes along and says, "You just need to ....." But
if you don't have the benefit of a good diagnostician, you can waste
a lot of time developing poor habits.
|
nellie
Registered User
(4/3/01 5:19:26 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
Thanks for your reply Ellen G..
You're right about the ambiguity of the "beyond beginner". When I
started shifting I didn't have a specific book though I do have a
teacher. When I did get a book (Grant's Beginner's Guide to the
Cello book 3) my teacher felt it was the best, but even that wasn't
as well presented as she liked. I have used the Schroeder's
Foundation Book #1 and finished it, liked it, it does need to be
spiral bound( I've lost the cover). I'll look at Rick Mooney's book.
My problem is a confidence problem which will be improved with more
familiarity to the fingerboard.
|
SGraceB
Registered User
(4/3/01 7:14:41 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
I used a book of exercises by Sevcik
for many years and found it really helpful. It has small etudes
(half a page) that focus on one kind of shift. I still like warming
up with them. I'm not sure if you'd consider it "fun" but I think
that it's a solid exercise book. Good luck!
|
Zaraak
Registered User
(4/3/01 9:52:40 pm)
Reply
 |
Sevcik
books
I would also recommend the Sevcik,
they have helped me immensely. The series of six books (I think)
called Op. 2 are bowing exercises and Op. 8 is the book for
shifting.
Greg
|
Ryan
Selberg 
Registered User
(4/4/01 12:50:24 am)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
One of the most obvious books is a
good methodical scale book, which incorporates scales, triads
(arpeggios) and broken thirds in both major and minor keys. Each
scale can be done with the above related variations, with shifting
between notes done in regular and predictable ways, and at various
speeds, which allow the student to solve the physical shifting
problems, and work toward the more musical and mental aspects of
shifting. One can treat scales as musical style exercises by playing
them in the style of various periods of music or in the style of
various composers. How one shifts (as well as vibrato, tone, etc.)
can be analyzed and drilled, with the benefit of very predictable
direction and rhythm of the notes. By the way, you also learn scales
at the same time!
Ryan
|
Ce9476
Registered User
(4/5/01 1:06:13 am)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
There have already been lots of
replies but I might add my two cents anyway.
While they aren't
terribly exciting I have found the Feuillard shifting exercises to
be really excellent. Ex 2-7 deal with shifting positions 1-6,
shifting from every position to every other postition (very
comprehensive) and Ex 16 deals with longer shifts. There is also a
Starker exercise that is fantastic for smooth shifting, I can't
remember the book, but I could email if you are interested
|
nellie
Registered User
(4/5/01 9:23:29 am)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
Hi all, I just wanted to thank
everyone for their replies, I appreciate it immensely! I'll print
out the responses and take it to our library that has a very
extensive music section. Happy shifting! Of course other replies are
always welcome,I like the library.
|
Andy
Hamric
Registered
User
(4/5/01 11:44:10 am)
Reply |
I think
the Starker book is..
An Organized Method of String
Playing. Are you referring to the Mi fa sol mi re do, mi fa sol ti
la sol exersize? That's the one I'm thinking of (movable - do
syllables above)
|
sarah
schenkman
Registered User
(4/5/01 11:47:29 am)
Reply |
Re:
Just right shifting studies
The Feuilliard shifting studies are
my favorites also. My copy is almost worn out I've used it so
much.
|
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