@Gordon Shumway said:

BUT.... A 10 minute video on an exercise should have the exercise FIRST, then an explanation of it. I HATE videos where what they are discussing isn't demonstrated until the 8th minute! 

I was just wondering if you have any internet speed/quality issues?

Why not take a couple seconds to run your cursor over the timeline to find where demonstrations begin, take a peek - then decide if it's worth listening to the explanation & tips?  This can even be done on a phone. 

@Gordon Shumway said:

Typically Corelli Op.5.1, 3rd mov is a fourth finger exercise, but Suzuki puts it in book 7, so that no-one ever goes there, or they assume it's harder than it really is. In O'Leary's book it's #36, implying it's grade 4 (low intermediate). But it's also very much a string-crossing exercise. There's one measure where Suzuki recommends using the open E string. There's no point at all in that. There's a little finger motif(phrase) that occurs about a dozen times in the piece. What's the point in playing one of them on an open E string instead? None. If you want open E strings there's plenty of Vivaldi you can try.

I appreciate your references to specific book exercises, but don't you rely on a teacher to set you up correctly for these exercises? 

I'm having trouble seeing where those book exercises, alone, show people how to fix a collapsed 4th finger, how to practice using your 4th finger without playing, how to change your hand while in 1st position, so the 4th finger can always be curved (even when a person's little finger is short or hand small), or HOW to actually relax & use your thumb while playing. These topics are all covered in the videos shared here, in this thread.  They are part of the benefits I reap watching them that help me relate to all the kinds of music I like to play - not just Classical. 

Can you help me understand more specifically what the Corelli, Suzuki & O'Leary exercises taught you?  Stretching the 4th finger?

Like in the OP video, violin/fiddle tunes can also be used as 4th finger exercises if you choose not to play open strings.  I noticed I'm more prone to playing open strings for tunes I originally memorized over a year ago - a lot.  I'm noticing it enough now I hope I can start making it a point to use my 4th finger, instead.  Argh! 🤨 ...another bunch of stuff I need to do-over!

My tune choices in different genres usually have several #'s/b's, which can mean some wider intervals to play that cause me to stretch or shift.  I find playing tunes in standard tuning, that are written or are normally played in Baroque tuning, are great 4th finger workouts.  

...so, I had several '❤ to ❤' discussions with my proximal interphalangeal joint today, before sending it off to boot camp! 🙄😏

@Katie L said: 

Gordon if you are referring to me I won’t be learning third position for a long time ..!

Consider learning 3rd position - you won't fear the rest of the keyboard once you realize you are using the same hand shapes as in 1st.  The notes start getting a little closer together as you go toward the bridge, but you can hear well enough to help with this. 

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