Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.

Currently working on errors from the latest (SimplePress) forum update. Many issues have been resoled and others are being worked on. Thank you for your patience.

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
Clustering
How to preserve your finger cluster shape
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
Avatar
Worldfiddler
Members

Regulars
February 28, 2015 - 10:46 am
Member Since: April 22, 2012
Forum Posts: 488
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hello again,

I'm starting to build up my own site again, and I've got a lot of things to post on it.

Here's one : 

Clustering. No, not clustering up on the sofa after beers and the game :) ... but, finger clustering.

What's it all about?

The advanced players here will know right away, but for those who are still learning the basics, here's what it is, how it works, and how it can help you.

Suppose you play a simple scale in D major, starting on the open D string.

Your fingering is 0-1-2-3 on the D string, then 0-1-2-3 on the A string.

Assuming you keep your fingers down until you need to lift them again, your fingers 1-2-3 will be down on the string. That's your "cluster" - that shape you've just made.

So, if you start on the D string, and play 0-1-2-3, now lift your finger cluster (as a unit) and repeat on the A string.

It's about striving for economy of movement, physical and mechanical ease.

Two advantages for this simple, but very effective technique : less movement of the fingers, and better intonation, because you don't have to re-do all the individual fingering from scratch. Each finger will be 'hovering' above the note, in readiness for playing each successive note.

Avatar
StoneDog
Members

Regulars
February 28, 2015 - 12:37 pm
Member Since: January 14, 2013
Forum Posts: 888
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

thumbs-up LIKE

Avatar
augustoad
Ponta Grossa, Paraná - Brazil
Members

Regulars
February 28, 2015 - 1:25 pm
Member Since: November 20, 2012
Forum Posts: 229
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

This is one of those things I knew about, but didn't know how to explain. I use it a lot when I play guitar, and of course also when I play violin. Thanks for the explanation. :D

Skype: augustoad Email: augustoaguieiras@hotmail.com Phone number/whatsapp: +55 42 9861-4084. I'd be happy to talk anything fiddle-related to anyone! :)

 

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: AndrewH
Guest(s) 81
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today DennisS
Upcoming ARCoyne, Gringo, blueviolin, gruff, Deedee-, Little Prairie Girl
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 9082
ABitRusty: 4384
Gordon Shumway: 2879
Mad_Wed: 2849
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
stringy: 2494
Oliver: 2439
DanielB: 2379
Mark: 2287
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31777
Moderators: 0
Admins: 8
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 84
Topics: 10919
Posts: 139024
Newest Members:
GusMills, arjunkulkarni, Kelliarado SP, waveformtv, sophiadavis012 SP, Kala9020, DorthyPacocha, Juanraynor SP, NicholasReed SP, CarmenBrown SP
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16608, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3747, JoakimSimplePress: 0, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 6325