These exercises can be practiced in other keys and on different strings. They can be played with varied bowings and rhythms. Light fingers and a flexible, sensitive, loose thumb are essential. Maintain a free left shoulder to allow easy mobility of the left elbow. Be certain to internally “hear” the target pitch before the shift.

Some Thoughts About Shifting

Secure shifting is essential. Ultimately, the hope is that moving around the fingerboard will become nearly second nature, with our technique allowing us to find the locations and pitches we seek with apparent effortlessness. But shifting can be more than just transportation around the fingerboard. Shifts of varied types can become tools of expressive playing, as we aspire to imitate the natural human voice.

It is easy to lose awareness of sound quality when focused on complex left hand technique. But good tone production should always remain part of the goal when practicing these shifting exercises. In larger shifts, the bow’s contact point will need to be controlled, nearer to the bridge when playing higher on strings and further from the bridge in low registers. My general advice - always be aware of the bow.

There are many common shifting situations to consider. In scale passages, the finger being used before the shift gives way as the next finger sweeps by (for example, a shift from 2nd finger to 1st, or 3rd to 1st). For many shifts, I advise using a guide finger and “capping” the shift with the new finger. The guide finger is generally the last finger used before the shift (although in my own playing, I sometimes find myself using the first finger as guide, regardless of which one was the last finger.) These “capped” shifts are usually the most reliable. On the other hand, it can be expressive, occasionally, to shift by leading with the "new” finger (the finger being shifted to) or starting with the last finger played, and switching to the “new.” (Don’t do this too often. It can easily move from emotional over to just bad taste.)

To repeat what was said above, shifts should be facilitated by the left arm - the elbow moving to the right when going higher on strings, and to the left when going lower. Shoulders need to be free and loose to achieve that. Shifts must be done with light fingers, loose thumb, and smooth, unhurried motions. It is usually best to shift the entire hand frame or shape, rather than trying to shift a single finger