Hi, I'm Ailbhe McDonagh. In this video, we are looking at shifting, particularly link note shifting. This is the third of four shifting videos.
In this lesson, we compare two different ways to shift from a lower finger to a higher finger (e.g., 1st finger to 4th finger). We look at when to use a "cleaner" classical shift versus a "romantic" sliding shift.
Option 1: the "romantic" slide (new finger)
This method creates a luscious, audible slide, perfect for pieces like Saint-Saëns' The Swan.
- The technique: immediately transfer your weight to the new finger (the one you are going to land on).
- Giant sausage finger: squash your fingers together so they act as one unit.
- The slide: because you are sliding on the landing finger, you hear the glissando all the way up.
Option 2: the link note shift (old finger)
This method creates a cleaner sound, which is often better suited for classical repertoire like Haydn concertos or Bach suites.
- The technique: slide on the old finger (the one you started on).
- The arrival: only transfer the weight to the new finger at the very last moment.
- The result: this hides the slide more effectively, creating a "clean" arrival without a heavy glissando.
Making the choice
You are always choosing your shift based on the taste and style of the music, not the difficulty. Ask yourself: do I want a clean, articulate sound (slide on old finger)? Or do I want a romantic, expressive slide (slide on new finger)?