Snakes Tongue

This is a game Prof. Robert Culver teaches in his pedagogy classes. While playing a note with 1st or second finger, the fourth finger bounces off fingerboard in a ballistic, relaxed and effortless manner (like a snake's tongue).

Play with 2nd finger-add snake's tongue. Slide up fingerboard and back down with 2nd finger and snake's tongue. Try going up to harmonic and back down with 2nd finger and snake's tongue.

Some students become tense when they shift. To make sure student's are relaxed have them make a stream of air (hiss) while playing (sound of the snake). Also have them rock from left to right foot. Yet another strategy is to have them stick their tongues out while they play.