I'm happy to report that after my first lesson with my new instructor, I've really seen some improvements in my shifts. While nobody has mentioned any of the classic shifting problems like squeezing with the thumb, I had been using a "guide note" (think glissando) to decide where to stop. While the shift was executed from point A to point B, it was naturally, extremely audible. I'm excited to say that now not only is it much less audible, but sometimes, even silent.
To be fair, it wasn't any magical technique my instructor showed me, but rather just being able to watch his motion and then work diligently on repeating it.
My forward shifts are better than my backward shifts, but I'm guessing that's probably the norm for most people. I'm sure with time, both will continue to improve.
Seeing improvement in my shifts is an extremely exciting event for me. While it will take a lot of practice to get to where I can shift confidently and competently, I know that the rest of the fingerboard is now within my reach. Granted, there's still many, many years of practice to learn and become competant at the upper positions, but just knowing that the pathway to this additional range is now open to me is thrilling.
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