Quote by Leopold Auer, regarding the viol
The thumb does not have very a important role when shifting from one position to another. There is too much said, as it seems to me, about importance of the thumb... The thumb must lightly touch the neck and follow the forefinger when moving in different positions, aiding the hand to shift up and down without clutching the instrument.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the misconception of overemphasizing the importance of the thumb in playing a musical instrument. The author suggests that while the thumb plays a role in shifting positions, it is not as crucial as commonly believed. Instead, the thumb should lightly rest on the neck of the instrument and follow the movement of the forefinger. By doing so, it helps the hand shift smoothly without gripping or exerting too much force on the instrument. Essentially, the quote advocates for a more relaxed and natural approach to utilizing the thumb while shifting positions.