Shift Work with Roger Benedict
Roger Benedict introduces his latest publication "Shift Work. A new shifting method for viola" in a one hour online presentation.
Roger says: “Shifting is such a fundamental part of string playing technique; it enables us to navigate the fingerboard with ease but is also an integral part of our expressive vocabulary. Many players struggle to shift reliably under pressure – when a player leaves the concert stage saying “I didn’t play in tune” it could often be expressed more accurately as “I didn’t shift well”.
My comprehensive book of shifting exercises provides a guide not only to shifting, but to all facets of left-hand technique, and is a perfect companion to my scale method Scale Up! It is a structured system with foolproof exercises that cover all the different types of shift, both single- and double-stopped, to help build real resilience and reliability. As a result, I hope that violists will develop a fearlessness and freedom in their playing that will enable them to broaden their expressive and interpretive range."
Upon registration, an email with a receipt and a discount code for purchasing a copy of the book, will be forwarded. This will also give access to a discount from another publication, "Scale Up!" for viola by Roger Benedict. The Zoom link will be forwarded 48 hours or so before the event. This event is free for AUSTA members, $20 others (AUSTA membership available via AUSTA website). This event will be recorded. PD certificate available on request. Full details of the event and presenter can be found here: https://www.austa.asn.au/chapters/wa/
Roger says: “Shifting is such a fundamental part of string playing technique; it enables us to navigate the fingerboard with ease but is also an integral part of our expressive vocabulary. Many players struggle to shift reliably under pressure – when a player leaves the concert stage saying “I didn’t play in tune” it could often be expressed more accurately as “I didn’t shift well”.
My comprehensive book of shifting exercises provides a guide not only to shifting, but to all facets of left-hand technique, and is a perfect companion to my scale method Scale Up! It is a structured system with foolproof exercises that cover all the different types of shift, both single- and double-stopped, to help build real resilience and reliability. As a result, I hope that violists will develop a fearlessness and freedom in their playing that will enable them to broaden their expressive and interpretive range."
Upon registration, an email with a receipt and a discount code for purchasing a copy of the book, will be forwarded. This will also give access to a discount from another publication, "Scale Up!" for viola by Roger Benedict. The Zoom link will be forwarded 48 hours or so before the event. This event is free for AUSTA members, $20 others (AUSTA membership available via AUSTA website). This event will be recorded. PD certificate available on request. Full details of the event and presenter can be found here: https://www.austa.asn.au/chapters/wa/
Sunday 29 March 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (UTC+08)
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Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser
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