ABSTRACT
In the beginning stages establishing finger patterns for the upper strings, C-shape and forward and backward extensions for the cello, and K-shape and half and first positions on the bass are among the first goals for a string teacher. Once the initial left-hand facility within the diatonic scale framework is established, improving upon existing techniques and adding new ones at a manageable pace is a sound pedagogical approach. The overall goal of string instruction in the beginning stages is to cover as much musical material without overwhelming students in the pursuit of establishing a solid instrument setup, and foundational left-hand and bow-arm techniques. From a technical point of view, a shift can occur between adjacent or distant positions on the same string or on different strings. In string pedagogy the student’s earliest introduction to double stops occurs with tuning by way of adjacent strings.
