POSITIOI{ CHANGING FOR THE VIOLIN

NEIL MACKAY

Beforebeginningtheseexercisesit is advisableto clean the neck of the violin with a

damp cloth so that the surfaceof the wood is free from any dirt or perspirationwhich could
preventthe hand from sliding smoorhlyup and down the insrrument.
As the hand movesto 3rd Position,be carefulto shift the thumb ar rhe sametime so that
it occupiesa similar positionin relationto the fingers,as it did in rst Position.
The changeof positionwillproduceaglissando at first as thefingerslidesover the string.
This canbe overcomeby releasingthe fingerpressureslightlyduring the changeof position,
when, as the speedof the hand movementis increased,the glissandoeffectwill gradually
diminish.

lst FINGER MOVEMENT

A and D strings
I

I - 1 meanskeep the finger on the string.

1. HEBRIDEAN LULLABY

[1 bar introduction]
Largo
consordini

l....-1 --:-----------
t---l
pp

tv- .'->/
-
rir \:l
p -
poco rall.

@Oxfora UniversityPress1963 Printed in Great Britain

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS,MUSIC DEPARTMENT, WALTON STREET, OXFORD OX2 6DP
Photocopyingthis copyright materialis ILLEGAL
 E a n d A strings
"l
i=) l^f r=t ts'

2. THE FAIR ISLE

[4 bars introduction]
Allegretto
í;-..---.- ta*1
^ \ --'---^

mf
L . \ l

D and G strings

{ *
J

3. DEESIDE
[4 baríintroduction]
Andantino

Position Changing for the Violin

 Znd FINGER MOVEMENT
A and D strings

4. MINUET
[4 bars introduction]
Grazioso

trw

> mf

2 _ 2

4
> z=-2

E and A strings
'n- 2-\z
- \

Position Changing for the Violin

 5. THE CLOWN'S DANCE
[2 bars introduction]
Alle$ro moderato 2-2
; L.\"-i
-

--2 ?----........-z
?

==.--

2-? ?.......--..-z

2\ 2
z. - ? -

:=-

D and G strings

\ z t
2\<2

6. IN OLD MADRID
[2 bars inhoduction]

) n

z -l-rt--- /=-z
*fi /2 - b
)

2 -------!-2 'z'/2 :---

nw

Position Changing for the Violin

 3rd FINGER MOVEMENT
A string

7. A SPRING MORNING
[2 bars inhoduction]
Allegretto n - - - 2 -ra
? ?-l ?->

-
nw<

z ?---s z l..--a t-? >.

>mp

G string

[4 bars introduction]
8. EVENSONG
Lento
consordini
-

> , /
-, ._2 3-"

\ !
\ t
3 3 4-2
3*13
rïw

7 /
\_-'
s-J 4\r-/'
2-.
pocorall.
Position Changing for the Violin
 E and D strings
3- 2 svj 3,,\-3

9. SNAKE ON A LADDER
[2 bars introduction]
Andantino 3-ir 3=s
f \ - \

-
?7W -==-:-
t=s
- \ V
+ 7 n

..-3
mf \\--
{:---
.
p==-

4th FINGER MOVEMENT

E and A strings
4.-.-.-.--,
f;--=c 4-, t-4
/ a - \

[4 bars introduction]
10. SPANISH SERENADE
Espressivo
1y3-----3 4-,
,V',,--4
Y / -

mf
t 4
\-'

=]=-

Position Changing for the Violin

 D and G strings

11.IRISH LULLABY
[2 bars introduction]
SoothinglY

7r'o zY2
-
p (repeatpp)

(,\-r
\4
4-1
-

4-4
4--4
w

CHANGING POSITION
From lst Finger
to
Znd, 3rd, and 4th
The finger effecting the change of position should arrive at a guide note (i) before the
next note is played. With practice the glissandoand guide note can be omitted.
Guide notes are not marked throughout the melodies, but should be used during each
changeof position.

D and G strings

+ (J) )
:{id j
r-2
,,__-?t
1---..-l

Position Changing for the Violin

 12.VALSE TRISTE
[{ barsinhoduction]
Moderato

rnf
cresc.poco a poco

A and E strings

13.THE DANCING CLASS

[2 bars inhoduction]

, Poco a.ccel.-

moho accel.

Position Changing for the Violin

l0

15. DANSE MACABRE

I bar introduction]

The last note of DanseMacabreis an Artificial Harmonic.

Stop E normally with the rst finger, at the sametime play A lightly with the pad of the 4th. This should produce
a sound 2 octavesabove the stoppednote E.

á HARMONICS á
There are two typesof harmonicsplayableon the violin. One is a NATURAL harmonic
and the otherARTIFICIAL.
The following harmonicsare natural,and are playedhalf way up the string with the pad
of the little finger.
I(eep the left hand in 3rd Positionand extendthe fourth finger so that it restslightly on
the string. The violin will producea flute-like note which is ratherplaintivein sound.

Position Changing for the Violin

 ll

1ó. REVEILLE
Play STACCATOnotesOFF THE STRING in L.H. bow.
[4 bars introduction]
Vivo
-
4
o
>

mf

17. ON PARADE
Play STACCATO in U.H. bow.
[1 bar introduction]

mpóJt
4
v,__.2

18. TYROLEAN AIR

l3/2 barsintroductionl
Allegretto grazioso

f
-

nw - pocorall.

Position Changing for the Violin

T2

19.REVERIE
[1 bar introduction]
Teneramente V

t_.

poco accel. pocorall. m/p a tempo

4

4
q--. o 4
4
o o

-
mf rall.

MORE GUIDE NOTES

The following changesof positionare frequentlyused by violinists.A goodplayer never
allows the left hand to leap from one positionto another,unlessit entailsa move from an
open string to a note in a higher position,or vice versa.
Rememberalwaysto use a GUIDE NOTE when effectinga positionchange,and avoid
any intermediatesoundbetweenchangesof position.

A and E strings

Practisealsousing a bow to eachbar.

20. BUTTERFLIES
[2 bars introduction]
Allegro ritmico

Position Changing for the Violin

 l3

D and G strings

''r; l{Í' à)'1 3'/3

(
3....--3

Practisealsousinga bow to eachbar.

21. THE TENOR AND THE BASS

[2 bars introduction]
Allegro giocoso

r
/o
;
mp mf IJ

; ; = l>
l>

The followingmelodyintroduceschangesof positionacrossthe strings.I(eep the fingers

do"vnwhereindicatedand this wiil preventany tendencyto leapfrom one string to another.

22. WALTZING
[4 bars introduction]
Moderato
-/----\-

p"
í--.-\ o_-_----\

/------\

3_

l -

PositionChanginglor the Violin Processed and printed by

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