TN Musician Vol. 71 No. 2

F. PLAY TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR in each key going up the
fingerboard chromatically or in the key of the literature
placed in front of the students. It is a pattern, so have
them figure out the fingering starting on an open string,
and then starting on first finger. The basses may need
some assistance with fingering – see below.
Overall, the most important factor in students learning
to shift is the persistence of the teacher in working on this
technique and finding ways to keep it fresh and fun. More
expressive shifting possibilities will be presented in a later
article including portamento, shifting with the finger
on the string or shifting with the finger in the new position
for dif- ferent affects. Perhaps with some suggested
shifting practice techniques included as well.
1. Basic Principles of Violin Playing, Paul Rolland. Music
Educators National Conference, 1959. P. 23.
2. Setting the Stage for Shifting, Loretta JW McNulty.
Lecture given at the California All-State Music Education
Conference, 23 February 2013. Loretta teaches in
the Lafayette and Mt. Diablo school districts. Bay Section
CMEA Outstanding Orchestra Director for 2013,
she earned her Bachelor of Music Education and Master
of Music from Indiana University.
36 | TENNESSEE MUSICIAN | 2019 | Volume 71, No. 2