If you read Part 1 of our series of posts on shifting, you saw the video about basic shifting. That post talked only about shifting positions, and the same finger played a note before shifting and after shifting.
What if you need to play a note in a different position, and it also requires using a different finger in that new position?
Image source: https://www.simonfischeronline.com/uploads/5/7/7/9/57796211/109classical_shifts.pdf
A common technique that is taught is the use of an "intermediate note", "guide note", or "ghost note" to enable smooth and accurate shifting. Some people call it a "classical shift", and you can find exercises for this online including from here:
https://www.simonfischeronline.com/uploads/5/7/7/9/57796211/109classical_shifts.pdf
What a classical shift involves is:
Play a note before the shift--with your first finger for example.
Loosen your grip and slide the first finger up to a new position.
Gently press down so you can hear this "intermediate note", "guide note", or "ghost note", which is helping you get to the correct position.
Then firmly press down with a higher finger to play your target note.
This example video demonstrates this "classical shift" sequence with the first finger playing the "ghost note" and the fourth finger playing the final note (1:38 of video to 2:12).
Source: https://youtu.be/n9MZpBfssa8?si=v1ag1SMZsKE-CVEv&t=98
This example video demonstrates the "classical shift" sequence with the 2nd finger playing the "ghost note", and the 4th finger playing the final note (0:44 of video to 1:02).
Source: https://youtu.be/n9MZpBfssa8?si=v77mTB8UUDX1TdWG&t=44
You practice this type of shifting slowly at first. As you get more comfortable with the shift, you make the ghost note shorter and shorter, until it is not noticeable at all. The videos below shows how you increase the speed until the ghost note is not noticeable at all. Video 1 (8:32 to 8:56)
Source: https://youtu.be/t-kTwSJiAiw?si=wIC31MyOof_ewnHr&t=512
Video 2 (2:42 to 2:54)
Source: https://youtu.be/XqcDb1L4YuU?si=IynWY_g962sSsLYs&t=169
You would use a similar technique when shifting down.
As you practice, and get more and more comfortable shifting, the ghost notes will become less and less noticeable. Eventually, you won't even have to think about them as you become a shifting expert!
