The first exercise consists in setting the first finger on all the strings in succession, then the second in conjunction with the first, the third in conjunction with the other two, and finally the fourth is added.
In the same manner on the other strings. If one desires to remain in the key of C[13], the first finger when on the E string must be drawn back a semitone to stop F, and on the G string, the 2ⁿᵈ finger must be put forward a semitone to play the note B. The remaining notes are stopped alike on all the strings. It is better at first not to adhere to the scale, but to stop the notes of the other strings as shown above on the D string; thus producing the following tones:—
Next must be practised the putting back of the first, and the advancing of the second fingers on all the strings, then the advancing and withdrawal of all the fingers. Example:—
The fingers must so descend upon the strings that the first joint stands perpendicularly upon them. The pressure of the fingers upon the strings must always be in excess of the pressure of the bow. According to one’s playing, whether forcible or light, so the pressure of the finger is increased or decreased. In slow movements and long notes only that finger is pressed down which has to play the note. The others are lifted, yet so that each one is suspended exactly over its proper place. In ascending scale passages in quick time, the fingers are allowed to remain; in descending passages, one finger is lifted at a time. The observance of this rule greatly facilitates true intonation in descending scale passages, as, each finger being already in its place upon the note to be played, these places have not again to be separately found. There are, however, exceptions which will come under notice later. After the setting back of the first finger and the putting forward of the second finger have been successfully practised, the “free”[14] setting of the 2ⁿᵈ, 3ʳᵈ, and 4ᵗʰ fingers follows.
All the notes in regular order from the open G on the G string to B on the E string must now be played.