Hi, I'm Ailbhe McDonagh. In this video, we will be discussing a specific type of shift called a pin prick shift. This is the fourth of four shifting videos I have made, so please do go back and watch the first three to understand the basic motion of shifting.
Before we get to the pin prick shift, we need to talk about the movement that happens just before and during a shift.
Shifting circles: moving up and down
I love circles of every kind on the cello, particularly shifting circles.
- Shifting up: for a big shift (like an octave), your elbow should go back, up, and over. This half-circle motion helps you move faster with less effort and helps you get up out of the string to travel easily.
- Shifting down: on the way back down in pitch, the wrist goes up and back. It helps you travel and glide on top of the string, sort of like a ballerina on points.
- Smaller shifts: if you are just moving a short distance, you don't need a full elbow circle. The movement gets smaller, relying more on a small wrist circle.
Skating on the string
A common area where people struggle is not knowing how to get out of the string. As you shift, you should never press down. You are always skating on top of the string (or on the inside of the string) as you move.
The pin prick shift
The pin prick shift is a very interesting technique used for very fast playing, such as rapid spiccato passages where your hand has to jump and you don't have time for a big shifting circle. You will use this in pieces like the Elgar cello concerto (second movement) or the Van Goens' Scherzo.
- How it works: put your finger over the note you are leaving. As you get to it, give it a little downwards "pin prick."
- The motion: it literally goes down and up. It is like you squeeze the fingerboard from the top.
- The result: as you press down, it immediately jumps your hand back out of the string in a very fast movement, allowing you to land cleanly in the new position.
While we don't use this shift very often, it is perfect for fast left-hand or bow playing to keep your shifts clean and clear.