Matthew Zerweck, Artist Teacher
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Kung Fu Hand positions vs. "High 2 Low 2"


Kung Fu Hand


Can be memorized instantly.  Naming reflects physicality.

Refers to up to 4 notes at once.

Applicable to every position. 

Can lead to a broader understanding of organization and balance.

Can be used to provoke critical thinking and awareness.  The student must prepare the entire hand shape in a passage..

Can lead to a systematic understanding of the fingerboard.

Can be used to easily describe the action of the hand in modal scales, 3-octave arpeggios, 3-octave scales.  

Can be used to describe challenges in Kreutzer, Concertos, all standard rep, double, triple, and quadruple stops.

High 2 Low 2


Terminology is confusing.

Can refer only to single notes.

1st position only. (Try explaining High 2 low 2 in half position)

Has the effect of focusing a student's attention on individual fingers.

Teacher writes "Low 2" over a single note.  Student adjusts individual finger haphazardly, and without any preparation.  

Can lead to a case-by-case understanding of the fingerboard.

No easily recognizable patterns during attempted transposition.  Arrows or "High," "Low" scribbled everywhere.

Not useful in Kreutzer or Standard rep.  Mostly a crutch for poor note reading.


Thanks for browsing through my system for developing left hand awareness, organization, balance, and systematic knowledge.  
Again, I feel that the naming of hand positions is the significant part of this project.  
At some point, there will be a demonstration through Kreutzer and some of the Standard rep - Vivaldi A minor, Bach A minor (or E major), Mozart 3, Deberiot, Bruch G minor, etc.

Feel free to leave feedback.  Happy teaching! - Matt


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