Polishing the String

This exercise helps to develop arm vibrato. Easiest on 2nd or 3rd finger, start by polishing a large area - moving the hand up and down the neck in a shifting type of motion. Gradually make the area being polished smaller and smaller until the finger focuses in on a spot, plant the thumb, and press the finger to the fingerboard while keeping the polishing motion. All joints in the hand must be flexible and loose for vibrato to occur.

Practice this exercise in all 4 holding positions: rest position, shoulder left side, shoulder right side, and playing position. In the beginning, practice with left hand alone. Student should not try to bow and polish! When the student polishes in the playing position, the teacher can operate the bow so the student can hear the result of their vibrato.

 

POSTURE • INSTRUMENT SIZING • INSTRUMENT POSITION

BOW HOLD • BOW STROKE • INTERMEDIATE RIGHT HAND SKILLS • ADVANCED RIGHT HAND SKILLS

LEFT HAND POSITION • SHIFTING • VIBRATO • ADVANCED LEFT HAND SKILLS