Beginner’s guide to violin SHIFTING (3 essential exercises)

How to SHIFT on the violin. Beginner tips, Shifting fundamentals, and 3 exercises to get you shifting IN TUNE. Violin shifting unlocks a new realm of possibilities for you and when done with correct technique, it can be easy. I'm a professional violinist and teacher with a master's degree in violin performance and I'm eager to share how I teach the basics of violin shifting to my students. Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 of this shifting series.

[@kateroyall1911]

This is super helpful for teaching how to shift!

[@priceviolinacademy]

Thanks Kate!

[@katefarley-price1508]

Shifting is so hard! Thanks for the tips!

[@priceviolinacademy]

You’re welcome!

[@siriusblack9017]

I recently started Suzuki Book 3 and it would be helpful to practice your tips along with what my teacher is telling me. Sometimes I forget to bring my thumb adequately to the third position with my finger. Also moving the first finger between strings on the third position often fails and is not in tune, because I don't know why I move it a little back and my teacher could not fix it yet (e.g after playing G on the "D string" with my first finger, I play C# on the "A string" incorrectly)

[@priceviolinacademy]

Thanks for the comment! I hope the exercises help supplement your teachers ideas. When hopping the 1st finger from string to string, just isolate that one transition and practice it in a methodical way. Make sure your hand is relaxed and not squeezing the neck. Pretty sure it won’t take long to get it in tune. 👍

[@ElsweyrDiego]

when going back to 1st position we don't need to use the ghost notes too? just lift the finger and shift back? or just not in this early stage of practising?

[@priceviolinacademy]

Good question. In this stage of practicing, I don’t ghost on the way down. You should have a sure feeling of where 1st position when starting this exercise so I feel that it adds unnecessary complication. Typically, however, we will want a ghost note on the way down. Also, if ghosting helps you here, it definitely won’t hurt. 👍

[@doggoei984]

​@@priceviolinacademywhat is a ghost note?