Fingered Octaves / Ear Training

Learning Concepts Increases your familiarity and comfort in all positions. Develops confidence and accuracy in all positions. Develops understanding of what to listen for while shifting Improves your ear trainings and overall intonation.

(based on the Yost System)

You could also use Paganini Caprice #17, Wieniawski Concerto #2 or Sibelius Concerto.
*Intonation Training CD-Track 8 G Major
*Practice in all keys with the appropriate track on the "Intonation Training CD".

Fingered Octaves Exercise

= very, very slow! #1. Broken Fingered Octaves (with both fingering possibilities 1/3, 2/4) #2. Fingered Octaves (1/3 all the way up and down and 2/4 up and down) #3. Fingered Octaves in Broken Thirds (1/3 up and down and 2/4 up and down)

Instructions
1. Relax fingers, hand and wrist.
2. When shifting move arm first from the biceps to the new position dragging the hand and the finger, gliding on top of the string, never pushing forward with the fingers.
3. Tune with the biceps before putting fingers down.
4. Get the 1^st finger in tune and the 3^rd finger will tune itself.
5. Always lift and drop 1^st and 3^rd fingers at the same time.
6. Know what position you're in at all times...say it out loud before you go. (14 positions total)
7. Press on lower string more with the bow and keep bow close to the bridge.

Advanced Version
Try playing the fingered octaves broken in thirds exercise alternating between 1 and 3, and 2 and 4.

 

Watch Videos of Fingered Octaves Broken Octaves (1st and 3rd) Broken Octaves (2nd and 4th) Octaves (1st and 3rd) Octaves (2nd and 4th) Octaves in Broken 3rds (1st and 3rd) Octaves in Broken 3rds (2nd and 4th) Fingered Octaves Advanced To view videos, you must have QuickTime installed on your computer