Is there anyone out there who might offer suggestions of ways to reach the high c on the e string of a fiddle. Brian Conway plays a great tune called Kity's Wedding (aka Ships are Sailing) in A. I'm just practicing by stretching slowly. I wonder if it would be better to shift?
If you keep it in A, you should shift. Shifting to third position isn't too tough. If you're not used to it, try this for practice. Play E, F#, G#, A, B, C, with the fingering of: 0 - 1 - 2 - (shift) - 1 - 2 - 3. Do that a bunch, and you should be good to go.
It helps to position the lefthand thumb slightly further up the neck (towards the bridge) so that it is more nearly opposite the 2nd finger rather than the 1st (a trick cellists use - and they need it!). The hand is then more balanced for reaching that high c on the E string, and it is no more trouble to shift the 1st finger back if you need to play the f-nat on the E string.
I'd feel inclined to practice the stretch (using that slightly relocated left thumb), for when you've mastered it you'll find it's more convenient and quicker than a shift if that high c is the only note you want.
When you're more advanced and feel ready for it you might try practicing shifting, because there is a handful of tunes that go higher than that c. A lesson or two from a private teacher may help.
It's worth noting that it's part of standard classical violin training to develop that stretch to the c - and, apart from people with exceptionally small hands, it's not really a hand/finger size issue.
Make sure your hands are warmed up and relaxed before you try finger stretching exercises. Actually, I prefer to think of it as "reaching" rather than "stretching" - a more relaxing concept.
Nice advise Lazy hound, its sounds that you know what your talking about . . I play mandolin and I've got small hands, and this "reaching "for a note concept a little way up really makes a lot of sence.
I have a tendency to stretch and shift, its better to have a firm note than a weak wobbly one, that high c is too unforgiving, munster cloak makes good exercise for this btw. Do some scales, get confident on the fingering and the notes will come. I agree on the warming up, you can create some really bad habits by not stretching and warming up your hand.
And yes at first it feels a bit alien.
Fourth finger blues
Fourth finger blues
Is there anyone out there who might offer suggestions of ways to reach the high c on the e string of a fiddle. Brian Conway plays a great tune called Kity's Wedding (aka Ships are Sailing) in A. I'm just practicing by stretching slowly. I wonder if it would be better to shift?
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by Acacia
Re: Fourth finger blues
Play it in G, you won't have to stretch as much, and you will make your flute player friends happy!
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Fourth finger blues
I shift up when I play it. I posted the notes on my site with the fngering that I use. Don't know if this link will work or if it will help, but here you go; http://anastasiadesroches.com/Ships%20are%20Sailing.pdf
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Fourth finger blues
If you keep it in A, you should shift. Shifting to third position isn't too tough. If you're not used to it, try this for practice. Play E, F#, G#, A, B, C, with the fingering of: 0 - 1 - 2 - (shift) - 1 - 2 - 3. Do that a bunch, and you should be good to go.
Best regards!
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by nofrets
Re: Fourth finger blues
It helps to position the lefthand thumb slightly further up the neck (towards the bridge) so that it is more nearly opposite the 2nd finger rather than the 1st (a trick cellists use - and they need it!). The hand is then more balanced for reaching that high c on the E string, and it is no more trouble to shift the 1st finger back if you need to play the f-nat on the E string.
I'd feel inclined to practice the stretch (using that slightly relocated left thumb), for when you've mastered it you'll find it's more convenient and quicker than a shift if that high c is the only note you want.
When you're more advanced and feel ready for it you might try practicing shifting, because there is a handful of tunes that go higher than that c. A lesson or two from a private teacher may help.
It's worth noting that it's part of standard classical violin training to develop that stretch to the c - and, apart from people with exceptionally small hands, it's not really a hand/finger size issue.
Make sure your hands are warmed up and relaxed before you try finger stretching exercises. Actually, I prefer to think of it as "reaching" rather than "stretching" - a more relaxing concept.
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Fourth finger blues
I'd agree with what's been said already - stretch if the high C is a one-off, but shift to 2nd pos if you need to play eg B-C-B.
Jim
# Posted on June 22nd 2006 by Worldfiddler
Re: Fourth finger blues
Nice advise Lazy hound, its sounds that you know what your talking about . . I play mandolin and I've got small hands, and this "reaching "for a note concept a little way up really makes a lot of sence.
# Posted on June 23rd 2006 by Justintime
Re: Fourth finger blues
I have a tendency to stretch and shift, its better to have a firm note than a weak wobbly one, that high c is too unforgiving, munster cloak makes good exercise for this btw. Do some scales, get confident on the fingering and the notes will come. I agree on the warming up, you can create some really bad habits by not stretching and warming up your hand.
And yes at first it feels a bit alien.
# Posted on June 24th 2006 by Joze