Hello, I’m Joel Kennedy from Kennedy Violins. Today, I’m sharing advice on playing comfortably in fourth and fifth position—and higher—on the violin. I recently covered this topic in a video on our YouTube channel, and I wanted to bring it to the blog as well. Whether you’re new to shifting or refining your skills, I’ll outline two simple exercises you can add to your warm-up routine, along with key rules to maintain proper technique and sound. Let’s begin.

Key Rules for Shifting Past Third Position

Before we get to the exercises, there are three important rules to understand when shifting into higher positions. These become critical beyond third position, as your hand’s interaction with the violin changes and requires adjustment.

1. Move Your Thumb with Your Hand

Your hand functions as a single unit, or frame, when you shift. Ensure your thumb moves along with your fingers, rather than staying behind or moving ahead. This keeps your hand stable and relaxed across the fingerboard.

2. Keep Your Palm Down and Wrist Straight

When you relax your arm and let it hang naturally, then raise it to the violin, your wrist should remain straight. Avoid bending it or letting it trail behind during a shift. A straight wrist and relaxed palm maintain a consistent frame without strain.

3. Drop Your Thumb and Adjust Your Elbow

In higher positions, your thumb can’t stay aligned with your first finger—it will hit the violin’s top bout. To avoid this, lower your thumb and shift your elbow to the right. The degree of elbow movement varies by string: more on the G string, less on the E. This adjustment prevents tension and preserves your hand’s shape, ensuring smooth access to upper positions.

Exercise #1: One-to-One Shifting

The first exercise focuses on shifting between positions with your first finger. It’s straightforward and builds control in fourth position—or beyond, if you choose.

Here’s how to do it:

- Place your first finger in first position on a string, such as the A string, playing a B.

- Shift your first finger to fourth position (F# on the A string).

- Confirm your pitch by playing the open E string, which matches the note. (Your fourth finger in first position also works, but the open string is simpler.)

- Return to first position and repeat the shift: one to one.

Ensure your thumb moves with your hand, your wrist stays straight, and your thumb drops while your elbow adjusts in fourth position. Practice this on all strings—G, D, A, and E—noting that the G requires more elbow movement than the E.

Aim for smooth, accurate shifts at least four times per string. If your pitch or motion isn’t consistent, restart. Reduce finger pressure slightly during the shift, then reapply it in position for a seamless transition.

Exercise #2: Strengthening Fingers in Higher Positions

The second exercise extends the first by involving all fingers and checking your hand’s alignment in higher positions. It also improves finger strength.

Here’s the method:

- Shift to fourth position (or fifth) using the one-to-one shift from Exercise #1.

- Play a four-note scale: first, second, third, fourth fingers. The pattern is whole step, whole step, half step. On the A string in fourth position, this is F#, G#, A, B (half step to the fourth finger).

- Repeat the scale up and down four times.

If your fourth finger feels difficult to reach or your hand tenses, your thumb likely isn’t low enough, or your elbow needs more adjustment. When done correctly, your hand remains relaxed and all notes are accessible.

For fifth position, check your pitch with the first finger on the next string up (e.g., E string for an A string shift). In higher positions—fifth, seventh, or beyond—lower your thumb further and adjust your elbow more to maintain hand shape and accuracy.

Consistent Practice

These exercises are easy to incorporate into your warm-up after scales. They’re simple but effective when practiced deliberately. Focus on pitch, hand position, and smooth shifting. Improvement comes gradually with regular attention to these details.

Conclusion

I hope these exercises and tips assist you in navigating higher positions effectively. If you have questions or suggestions for future topics, leave them in the comments—I read and respond to most. This post was inspired by one of your requests, so thank you for the input. If you’d like, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe for more content.

Keep practicing, and I’ll see you next time.