Quality of sound and articulation: Left hand

Devise exercises to enable learners to move freely from one string to another, e.g. left-hand pizzicato. If appropriate, devise exercises to help cello and bass learners develop simple shifting and position work.

Increase finger independence across strings by asking learners to leave a finger on one string whilst stopping another, e.g. in reels where there are patterns similar to broken chords.

Ask learners to play simple trills rhythmically, beginning slowly and gradually increasing the speed, using the upper finger like a hammer.