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I am into my second year of instruction, and have now been introduced to shifting. Starting Wohlfahrt's Book 2 and Suzuki Book 3, and Hrimly's scales. I think 3rd position is coming pretty easy, and I was feeling pretty good about things, that is until my teacher had me try scales in positions up to 7th. I can get up to 5th, sounds horrible of course, but physically I am able to 'get there' at least. But 6th and 7th? Forget it. I cannot absolutely cannot put anything above an index finger down on the G string in those positions. It appears to me that I simply do not have whatever it takes, flexibility? length of finger? I have no idea. My teacher is standing there looking at me, saying the form looks OK, but fingers 3 and 4 are up in the air and I cannot bring them down to the string. And after trying for just a little bit, I get pain in my arm, my hand, my thumb. I just don't get it. Has me questioning everything, now. Most disheartened by the prospect of these higher positions. I told her I wasn't even going to try anything about 5th position anymore. I feel like this is just one of those things that an old dog with no natural inclination towards this instrument ain't gonna get. And that is depressing.

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micra said
I can get up to 5th, sounds horrible of course, but physically I am able to 'get there' at least. But 6th and 7th? Forget it. I cannot absolutely cannot put anything above an index finger down on the G string in those positions.
Yet.
It appears to me that I simply do not have whatever it takes, flexibility? length of finger?
Yet.
I have no idea. My teacher is standing there looking at me, saying the form looks OK, but fingers 3 and 4 are up in the air and I cannot bring them down to the string.
Yet.
And after trying for just a little bit, I get pain in my arm, my hand, my thumb. I just don't get it.
Yet.
Two years ago I'll bet you couldn't reliably hit the G every time on the D string. So you couldn't do that either -- yet.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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