I’ve been putting off writing these notes (and last week’s are ‘way overdue), but I really don’t have much to report. It was one of those very simple, and very profound, lessons. We spent most of the time just talking, and when we finally got down to work, I suggested we take a look at the current state of my thumb position.
Material: 1 octave D major scale in basic thumb position, thumb across the midstring harmonics on A and D. We repeated it a number of times with the primary goal being the achievement of a beautiful sound. Right bow speed, right pressure, right distance from the bridge (very close). And in the left hand we experimented with how much pressure I need to get a clear sound by pressing very tightly while bowing, gradually letting the pressure up until the sound broke. Turns out I really don’t need to mash the string all the way to the fingerboard.
So that’s my thumb position assignment: above all else, the sound must be as beautiful in thumb position as it is lower on the neck. Choice of repertoire up to me.
