Changing the position.
Sliding from one position to another must be executed with ease and certainty, and it is especially necessary to grip the violin between the chin and the collar bone, in order to give the hand free play. Particular care must be bestowed upon
Sliding the fingers whilst
changing positions.
If in passing to a higher or lower position, the last note of the position just left, and the first of the position aimed at, have to be played by the same finger, it must slide over the string firmly, and without leaving it, whether the notes in question are legato or not.
If the first note, when ascending to a position, is to be played by a finger following that used in the lower position, the first must slide with it, remaining until the position of the hand is again changed, or until released by an advancing finger. The first note must be played firmly by the finger assigned to it, without causing the slide to be heard.
In the following examples, the accompanying fingers are indicated by small notes.
If the notes of the different positions are to be taken upon two strings, the finger goes with it to the higher position, but without necessarily remaining on the string.
In proceeding downward to another position, the finger on the last note slides with that which is proceeding in advance so far as to find its place in the lower position, but with the understanding that in case the note that follows is not to be played with the same finger, it must not remain down.
If the first note of higher position is to be played by a finger which is not the last used in the lower position, it must slide with it until the proper place in the higher position is reached, but must be lifted as soon as the finger which has to play the first note is put on the string.
If the first note in a lower position is to be played with a finger that in the upper position is ultimately replaced by the finger following, the finger in question must slide from the upper position to its place in the lower. But ere it has reached it, the first note in this position must be gripped.
If the notes of the different positions are not bound together by means of legato signs, this sliding of the finger must take place so quickly that no notes are heard between. If the notes are bound together to be played in one bow, then the portamento or slide will be audible. The player must beware lest the portamento from one tone to another becomes exaggerated, or perhaps the entire enharmonic scale lying between the notes will be produced. All “whining” must be avoided, and the note next that to which the finger is sliding should not be heard.
The violinist must know the major and minor scales in all the positions, above all acquiring certainty in the various positions. On this account stress must be laid on the study of the same with the greatest possible diligence.