The term "low finger" is typically used in contrast to "high finger," which indicates playing on the strings that are higher in pitch (E string). The specific use of the term depends on the context and the technique being employed.
Here are a few scenarios where the term "low finger" might be used:
1. Finger placement: In general, the fingers on the left hand are assigned specific positions on the fingerboard, with the index finger usually placed on the closest (second) half of the string (nearer the floor), the middle finger on the middle half, the ring finger on the second half of the next higher string (away from the floor), and the pinky finger on the closest half of that same string. However, in certain situations, violinists might use the fingers on different strings or place them in a slightly different manner.
2. Shifts: Shifts involve moving the fingers from one position on the string to another. A "low finger shift" would refer to moving the fingers to a lower-pitched string while maintaining their relative positions. For example, shifting from second position on the A string (placing the index finger on B) to first position on the D string (placing the index finger on B again) would be called a low finger shift.
3. Vibrato: The vibrato technique involves a rapid and controlled back-and-forth motion of the finger on the string, which creates a slight pitch variation. A "low finger vibrato" would indicate that the vibrato is being executed using fingers that are placed on the lower-pitched strings, typically between the first and second fingers (index and middle).
4. Slurs: When playing notes using a slur (a smooth, connected transition between notes), the term "low finger slur" is sometimes used to describe slurring notes on lower strings, mainly between G, D, and A.
Understanding and using the concept of low finger placement and techniques is important in violin playing as it helps ensure proper intonation and facilitates various technical challenges encountered in different pieces of music.