To Shift or NOT to Shift: How to know when to change positions on the violin?

By Zlata|September 16, 2020|Technique

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Here's how to choose the best fingering for the music you play and choose exactly when to shift positions on the violin:

Here's why and when you have to shift positions as a violinist:

#1 When you HAVE to

#2 When it sounds better

#3 When it's handier or easier to use a certain fingering

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Get my violin fingering chart with the exact spots of ALL notes for FREE!

All music examples in this video are from the Meditation from Thaïs by Massenet.

Choosing your fingering as a violinist is very personal and part of interpretation

You'll become better at it with more experience. The experience with solo pieces is different from the experience in an orchestra. Usually in an orchestra you'll go for what's handy. In a solo piece, you'll choose based on expression.

Let me know your biggest insight from this video in the comments below!

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Here's how to choose the best fingering for the music you play and choose exactly when to shift positions on the violin:

Here's why and when you have to shift positions as a violinist:

#1 When you HAVE to

#2 When it sounds better

#3 When it's handier or easier to use a certain fingering

Support my work by sharing this post on Twitter:

All music examples in this video are from the Meditation from Thaïs by Massenet.

Choosing your fingering as a violinist is very personal and part of interpretation

Let me know your biggest insight from this video in the comments below!

Join the Violin Lounge Academy

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Here's how to choose the best fingering for the music you play and choose exactly when to shift positions on the violin:

Here's why and when you have to shift positions as a violinist:

#1 When you HAVE to

#2 When it sounds better

#3 When it's handier or easier to use a certain fingering

Support my work by sharing this post on Twitter:

All music examples in this video are from the Meditation from Thaïs by Massenet.

Choosing your fingering as a violinist is very personal and part of interpretation

Let me know your biggest insight from this video in the comments below!