Whenever I go into third position, I go very sharp, very quickly, like a tone in three or four bars.

Any advice?

You may be gripping the neck with your thumb - this can sometimes cause you to creep higher. Alternatively, are you keeping your first finger down wherever possible? The best way to visualise third position (or any position for that matter) is not so much to think of it as a position - simply imagine that you are in first position with the nut just behind your hand - this will help you to stop drifting because psychologically you'll feel more anchored - it will also make it easier to play sharp or flat notes when you want to. It worked for me!

If it's exercises you're looking for - dependent on your leve - kreutzer has some nice shifting stuff in it, otherwise, try playing scales and arpeggios on one string, shifting first into second position, then third, then fourth etc. You can also play arpeggios with one finger. There's some good advice on violinmasterclass.com, check it out.

Allan

I've heard you play and your intonation is normally pretty good. Maybe try doing some scales and starting in 1st position and then shifting into 3rd position after an octave eg. C major and G major.

If you were struggling with fourth position, I'd recommend one octave scales on one string but that's a different story.........

As you go up positions, the distances between fingers get smaller. On a guitar, the frets get progressively closer together as you approach the bridge. This holds for unfretted string instruments as well.

When your are in 3rd position, your first finger is an octave above the next thicker string. Stop often and check the octave. Your 2nd finger is a unison with the next thinner string. Stop often and check this. Finally the 4th finger makes a double octave with the string two to the left. Stop and check.

Play the four fingers in order to make a half-scale on one string. Three out of four pitches should cause sympathetic vibrations in your instrument. Leave fingers down as much as possible to allow your hand to learn the size of the new placement.

Verifying fingered pitches with open strings and listening for sympathetic vibrations are the way to go.

Another idea might be to practice slow scales with a drone on the tonic of the key. If you have a tuner or keyboard that can hold a constant tone, then you can compare at least the unisons. 4ths, 5ths and octaves with the drone.

Good luck.

Gabe Villasurda
www.stringskills.com

Ta muchly everbode!